Madrid
604 km²
Nairobi
696 km²
Spain
Kenya
Area Comparison
Madrid is 1.2x smaller than Nairobi
Population Comparison
Madrid has 1.4x fewer people than Nairobi
Yes — Nairobi is 1.2x larger than Madrid by area. Nairobi spans 696 km² (269 mi²) while Madrid covers 604 km² (233 mi²) — a difference of 92 km².
To put Madrid's size in perspective, its area of 604 km² is roughly the same size as Seoul. Meanwhile, Nairobi at 696 km² is about 1.1x smaller than New York City.
In more relatable units, Madrid's 604 km² is about 85,000 American football fields, 180 times the area of Central Park, or 10 times the area of Manhattan. For Nairobi, that's about 97,000 American football fields, 12 times the area of Manhattan, or 7 times the area of Paris.
Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. It had a population of over 3.4 million in the city proper in 2025, and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.8 million. Madrid is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), after Berlin, and its metropolitan area is the second-largest in the EU, after Paris. The municipality covers an area of 605.77 square kilometres (233.89 sq mi).
Known as "La Villa y Corte", Madrid covers 604 km² with a population of 3.3 million. The city was established in 852. Madrid is known for Royal Palace of Madrid, Prado Museum, Plaza Mayor, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Madrid Metro.
Madrid is the second-largest city in the European Union after Berlin, with over 3.4 million residents in the city proper
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya, located in the south-central part of the country. As of 2024, it has a population of 4.8 million and a metropolitan population of 5.7 million, making it the 11th most populous city in Africa. Nicknamed the "Green City under the Sun", Nairobi is uniquely notable for being the only capital city in the world that hosts a national park within its boundaries. Its name originates from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, meaning "place of cool waters".
Also known as "Green City under the Sun", Nairobi has an area of 696 km² and is home to 4.7 million people. Its history stretches back to 1899. Visitors come for Nairobi National Park, Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Nairobi Commuter Rail.
Nairobi is the only capital city in the world that hosts a national park within its boundaries.
Looking beyond city limits, the Madrid metropolitan area covers 8,028 km², which is 11.5x larger than greater Nairobi at 696 km². The Madrid metro area is also more populous, with 6.8 million people compared to 4.7 million.
Madrid has a population density of 5,513 people per km² — a densely populated city. Nairobi, with 6,796 people per km², is a densely populated city. Both cities have comparable density, though Nairobi is slightly more compact.
This comparison spans continents — Madrid in Europe versus Nairobi in Africa. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Madrid has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate while Nairobi experiences subtropical highland conditions. When it's noon in Nairobi, it's 10:00 AM in Madrid — a 2-hour time difference.
History
Madrid is ~1,047 years older
Madrid covers 604 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Seoul (605 km²), Mumbai (603 km²), Chicago (606 km²), Toronto (630 km²), or Hyderabad (650 km²).
Nairobi covers 696 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Tehran (730 km²), Jakarta (662 km²), Singapore (733 km²), Bangalore (741 km²), or Hyderabad (650 km²).
The straight-line distance from Madrid to Nairobi is 6,190 km (3,846 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~7h 47m.
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