Is Paris Bigger Than Madrid?

By Robert Palmer

If you’re planning a trip to Europe, you might be wondering whether Paris or Madrid is the bigger city. Both cities are world-renowned destinations for tourists, offering rich cultural experiences and an abundance of historical landmarks.

So, is Paris bigger than Madrid? Let’s take a look at some key statistics to find out.

Geographical Size

When it comes to geographical size, Madrid is actually larger than Paris. The Spanish capital covers an area of 233.3 square miles (604.3 square kilometers), while Paris covers 40.7 square miles (105.4 square kilometers). This means that Madrid is more than five times larger than Paris in terms of land area.

Population

While Madrid may have a larger land area, Paris has a higher population, which can make it feel like a more bustling and crowded city. According to the latest estimates from the United Nations, the population of Paris was 2.1 million people as of 2020, while Madrid had a population of just over 3 million people.

Population Density

Despite having a smaller population overall, Paris has a higher population density than Madrid due to its smaller geographical size. The French capital has an average of around 52,000 people per square mile (20,000 people per square kilometer), while Madrid has an average of around 12,900 people per square mile (5,000 people per square kilometer).

Tourism

Both cities are hugely popular tourist destinations and attract millions of visitors each year. However, according to the latest figures from Eurostat, Paris received more visitors than any other European city in 2019 with around 19 million overnight stays by tourists in hotels and similar accommodations while in comparison Madrid received approximately 10 million overnight stays.

  • Paris: 19 million overnight stays by tourists
  • Madrid: 10 million overnight stays by tourists

Cultural Attractions

Both Paris and Madrid have a wealth of cultural attractions to offer visitors. Paris is known for its world-famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral (which is currently being restored after the 2019 fire). In contrast, Madrid’s most popular tourist attractions include the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Prado Museum, and Retiro Park.

Conclusion

So, is Paris bigger than Madrid? It depends on how you define “bigger.”

While Madrid may have a larger land area, Paris has a higher population and a greater population density due to its smaller size. Both cities offer unique cultural experiences and are well worth a visit if you’re planning a trip to Europe.