Every time you hear that classic Money Heist theme, “My Life Is Going On,” does your adrenaline start pumping? Do you get that urge to join the Professor’s crew and pull off a major heist? Especially during the seasons covering the Bank of Spain heist—it’s so intense it makes your palms sweat! As a huge fan of the show who recently arrived in Madrid, the first thing I did was search for that magnificent “Bank of Spain” from the series. The result was a bit surprising. Today, I’ll share what I found and provide a guide for fellow fans planning to visit, helping you avoid some common misconceptions like those about dye-stained banknotes.
First, let’s clear up the biggest misconception: the heavily guarded “Bank of Spain” you see in the show, with its large square and fountains, isn’t the real Bank of Spain at all. The exterior shots were filmed at the Nuevos Ministerios (New Ministries) government complex. This complex houses several Spanish government ministries, and its imposing architectural style exudes a sense of state authority, making it a perfect choice for the series. If you want to take a photo at the same spot, just search for “Nuevos Ministerios” on a map. It’s easily accessible via metro lines 6, 8, and 10.
So, what does the real Bank of Spain look like? It’s located at the intersection of Calle de Alcalá and Plaza de Cibeles in the heart of Madrid, and it’s a magnificent historic building over a century old. However, its appearance is quite different from the one in the show—it’s more classical and ornate. While you can’t just “break in” like in the series, the actual Bank of Spain from Money Heist is an iconic Madrid landmark. It’s right next to the Cibeles Fountain and the Palacio de Cibeles (formerly the main post office), making it a fantastic spot for photos. You can visit all these sights together for a great experience!
Filming Locations vs. Real Places
To make it clearer, I’ve put together a simple table comparing the main locations from the show with their real-life counterparts, so you can easily find them:
| Name in the Show | Actual Filming Location | Address | Notes |
|---|
| Royal Mint of Spain (Seasons 1-2) | Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) Headquarters | Calle de Serrano, 117 | The exterior is very similar, but the interior scenes were shot on a set. |
| “Bank of Spain” (Season 3 onwards) | Nuevos Ministerios Complex | Paseo de la Castellana, 67 | The iconic exterior; right outside the metro station. |
| The Real Bank of Spain | Banco de España | Plaza de Cibeles | Located in the city center; different architectural style, but well worth a visit. |
While the show is fiction and this is reality, exploring Madrid by following the footsteps of Money Heist lets you discover many interesting corners of the city. Standing in front of the Nuevos Ministerios complex with that familiar BGM in your head, you can almost feel like you’ve become “Madrid” or “Lisbon” yourself! Of course, that’s just a thought—I wouldn’t dare actually rush in. Have you discovered any other hidden filming locations from the series? Feel free to share and discuss in the comments below!
