Tickets for the Royal Palace of Madrid

Tickets for the Royal Palace of Madrid

Buy your free entry or guided tour to the Royal Palace of Madrid online and discover one of the most impressive monuments in the capital

Buy your tickets for the Royal Palace of Madrid

EXPERIENCES IN MADRID

Discover the Royal Palace of Madrid

One of the most emblematic and essential monuments of the Spanish capital.

Entrance to the Royal Palace of Madrid

Considered one of the most emblematic monuments of the capital, the Royal Palace of Madrid is a must-visit for those who want to discover the history, art, and architecture of one of Spain's great icons. Its location next to the Plaza de Oriente and the monumentality of its building make it one of the most recommended cultural visits in Madrid.

Visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid allows you to explore historical halls, unique spaces, and one of the most impressive palace complexes in Europe.

In addition to its historical and architectural value, this visit is an excellent option for families, couples, and travelers who want to discover one of Madrid's great monuments.

If you already know the date of your visit, we recommend booking your tickets for the Royal Palace of Madrid in advance to ensure the schedule and modality that best suit your trip.

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Icon: Opening Hours of the Royal Palace of Madrid

Opening Hours of the Royal Palace of Madrid

  • Winter, from October to March: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00.
  • Summer, from April to September: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00 and Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00.
Icon: Nearby Attractions to the Royal Palace of Madrid

Nearby Attractions to the Royal Palace of Madrid

Just over 20 minutes' walk away is the Prado Museum, one of Madrid's must-see visits. You can buy your tickets for the Prado Museum.

Very close by is also the emblematic Thyssen Museum, a must-visit for art lovers in Madrid. You can complete your experience by buying your tickets for the Thyssen Museum.

Icon: Visit Information

Visit Information

The free entry includes:

  • Access to the Royal Palace of Madrid
  • Tour of the rooms and visitable spaces of the tourist itinerary
  • Visit at your own pace within the reserved schedule

The guided tour includes:

  • Access to the Royal Palace of Madrid
  • Guided tour in Spanish or English, depending on the chosen modality
  • Explanations about the history, architecture, and most notable spaces of the palace

Does not include:

  • Transportation to the monument
  • Food and drink
  • Services not specified in the reserved modality
Icon: Important Access Rules

Important Access Rules

  • For the guided tour, you must enter through the preferred door 15 minutes before and present yourself 5 minutes before at the meeting point in the lobby.
  • Photography without flash is allowed for personal use, except in expressly prohibited areas.
  • The use of tripods, selfie sticks, or similar items is not allowed.
  • Visitor access is through the Santiago Arch, located on Bailén Street, opposite Requena Street.
Royal Palace of Madrid at sunset tourist experience

Tickets and Visit Options to the Royal Palace of Madrid

On this page, you will find all the practical information to organize your visit and buy tickets for the Royal Palace of Madrid in advance. You can choose between two modalities:

  • Free entry: allows you to explore the visitable rooms of the Royal Palace at your own pace, with an indicative duration of about 45 minutes. It is the best option if you prefer to visit with more flexibility and adapt the tour to your own pace.
  • Guided tour in Spanish or English: includes the tour with a National Heritage guide in the selected language according to the day and time. For this modality, you must enter through the preferred door 15 minutes before the indicated time and present yourself 5 minutes before at the meeting point located in the entrance lobby of the Palace.

Buying tickets online in advance is the best way to ensure the modality and schedule that best suit your trip, especially if you want to organize your route through this monumental area of Madrid with ease.

If you are organizing a route through the city, the emblematic Prado Museum is just over 20 minutes' walk away, so both visits can be combined on the same day. You can book your tickets to visit the Prado Museum here

You will also find the Thyssen Museum very close by, a must-visit for art lovers.

How to Get There

  • If you are coming from other areas of Madrid, you can combine your journey with the rail connections near the center. The nearest station is Príncipe Pío.

  • Several urban lines connect with the area of the Royal Palace and Plaza de Oriente. The lines that have nearby stops are 3, 25, 39, and 148.

  • If you are already visiting the historic center, you can comfortably walk from Sol, Plaza Mayor, or Almudena.

  • If you are driving, it is advisable to check in advance the nearby parking options, as it is a central area with a lot of traffic.

Facade of the Royal Palace of Madrid visit historical monument

Curiosities about the Royal Palace of Madrid

Some real historical curiosities that make the visit even more special

The Royal Palace of Madrid stands on the site of the old Alcázar of Madrid, destroyed by a great fire on Christmas Eve in 1734. After that event, Philip V promoted the construction of the current Royal Palace, today one of the great monumental symbols of Madrid.

One of the most striking curiosities of the Royal Palace of Madrid is its size. With over 135,000 square meters and 3,418 rooms, it is considered one of the largest official residences in Western Europe.

Since Charles III settled in the Royal Palace, the building was the residence of the Spanish monarchs until Alfonso XIII. Among those who lived there were not only the Bourbons but also Joseph I Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother, during the French occupation, and Amadeo of Savoy, who briefly reigned in Spain in the 19th century.

Another little-known historical curiosity is the ceremony of washing and feeding the poor, traditionally held on Holy Thursday in the Hall of Columns. During this act, the kings washed the feet of several humble people and served them food, following an ancient tradition linked to Holy Week.

The Royal Palace was also the scene of historical episodes of great tension. On October 7, 1841, during the moderate pronouncement against Espartero, Generals Diego de León and Manuel de la Concha participated in the assault on the palace to seize Isabel II and her sister, Infanta Luisa Fernanda. However, the halberdiers blocked their way on the main staircase and thwarted the operation.

If you want to continue discovering more curiosities and legends about the history of the Royal Palace, you can read more here.

Access and Behavior Rules

  • The ticket must be used on the date and time selected during the reservation. In the case of booking a guided tour, you must enter through the preferred door 15 minutes before the indicated time and present yourself 5 minutes before at the meeting point located in the entrance lobby of the Palace.

  • The Royal Palace has accessibility resources, including adapted access and wheelchairs available for visitors.

  • During the visit, the monument's rules and the staff's instructions must be respected at all times.

  • Photography without flash is allowed for personal use. The use of tripods and selfie sticks is not allowed.

  • It is advisable to respect the site's rules at all times and not consume food or drink in areas where it is not allowed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • You can buy tickets online for the Royal Palace of Madrid here and choose between free entry or a guided tour in Spanish or English.

  • Yes. Without a doubt. The Royal Palace is one of the most recommended visits in Madrid for its historical, artistic, and monumental value.

  • It depends on the type of visit you prefer. The free entry is the best option if you want to tour the Palace at your own pace. It includes access to the visitable tour and has an approximate duration of about 45 minutes, although this time may vary depending on the pace of each visitor.

    The guided tour in Spanish or English is more recommended if you prefer a more complete experience. It includes access to the Palace and the guided tour in the chosen language. For this modality, you must enter through the preferred door 15 minutes before and present yourself 5 minutes before at the meeting point of the entrance lobby.

  • Yes. You can book a guided tour of the Royal Palace of Madrid in Spanish or English, led by a National Heritage guide.

  • The Royal Palace is located in the Plaza de Oriente area, in the center of Madrid. Visitor access is through the Santiago Arch, on Bailén Street.

    • In winter, from October to March, the Palace opens its doors from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00.
    • In summer, from April to September, the opening hours are from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00 and Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00.

  • You can get there by metro, bus, or walking from various points in the historic center. The most common metro station is Ópera.

    You can see more detailed options on how to get there here.

  • The free visit lasts approximately 45 minutes, although the total time may vary depending on the pace of each visitor.

    The guided tour lasts approximately between 1.5 and 2 hours.

  • The tour allows you to see historical rooms and notable spaces of the place, with the possibility of choosing between a free visit or a guided visit, depending on the reserved modality. Among the palace's attractions are spaces like the Royal Armory and the Royal Kitchen, which complete the historical and patrimonial value of the visit.

  • Yes. The free visit (not guided) is free for children under 5 years old, unemployed people, people with disabilities, and members of large families.