Royal Palace of Madrid: Skip The Line Ticket + Guided Tour
- Duration: 2h
- Live guide in English, Spanish
- Audio guide
- Group of max. 25 people
See amazing art collections and learn about the history of the palace
22 options • from $21.85
+ 1 other top thing to do
Combine Royal Palace of Madrid with other Madrid favorites. Some things are better together.
Yes, but only during select hours from Monday to Thursday. You can enjoy a free tickets for Royal Palace of Madrid and take a self-guided tour at the following times:
October-March: Monday-Thursday, from 16:00-18:00
April to September: Monday-Thursday, from 17:00-19:00
Please note, free entry to the Royal Palace of Madrid is only possible for the following:
Yes! You can book a Royal Palace of Madrid tour and enjoy skip-the-line entry to avoid any long queues (perfect if you’re trying to dodge the Spanish sun).
During a guided tour, you’ll walk through the majestic throne room, up the marble staircases (built from a single slab), wander through the portrait gallery that’s packed with Spain’s greatest artists, and visit the weaponry in the armories. On top of all that, you’ll gain greater insight into Spain’s royal history thanks to the knowledge of an expert guide.
If you don’t want to take a Royal Palace of Madrid tour, you can always add an audio guide and gain more information on your own.
If you’re wondering if it's worth paying a visit to the home of Spanish royalty during your time in Madrid, then the answer is a resounding yes.
With Royal Palace of Madrid tickets, the largest palace in Europe is your oyster. Well, the best of its 3,000 rooms are. As you explore sections of the lavish 135,000 square meter space, you’ll step inside the Crown Room – which contains Charles III's throne, scepter and crown – the Royal Armory, and the Throne Hall.
The weapons armory is especially interesting. It’s often considered one of the finest in the world, with pieces dating back as far as the 13th century. There's also a full suit of 16th-century armor worn by Emperor Charles V at the Battle of Mühlberg inside – if you’re a fan of feudalism, this display is for you.
Along with adornments that showcase the pure luxury of Spain’s royal past, the Royal Palace of Madrid is also home to a word-class art collection. Keep your eyes peeled for paintings by Caravaggio, Francisco de Goya, and Velázquez.
It used to be a fortress:
If you went back in time to before the Royal Palace of Madrid was built, you’d find a Moorish fortress in the same location! In the 9th century, it was the site of the Alcázar of Madrid. By the 15th century, Spanish royalty had called it their own. In fact, Velázquez’s Las Meninas (1656) depicts the main chamber in the Royal Alcazar of Madrid during the reign of King Philip IV of Spain.
It burnt down
You can’t expect to find that same room from Velázquez’s Las Meninas today. In 1734 the Alcázar of Marid burnt down. The fire was so intense that it melted a number of silver objects (no easy feat, silver has a melting point of 961.8°C) and some precious stones had to be discarded.
Four years after the fire, Philip V ordered the construction of the current Royal Palace of Madrid in the same place. Construction spanned three decades with the first resident royal of the new palace – Charles III – in 1764.
It’s home to a rare collection of instruments
The name Stradivarius is synonymous with the highest quality and the Royal Palace of Madrid is home to the only string quintet of the ultra-rare musical instruments created by Italian geniuses, the Stradivari family.
The grand staircase is a single slab of marble
Sicilian architect Francesco Sabatini installed the grand staircase from one piece of San Agustin marble.
It has its own pharmacy
Why bother leaving home to pick up your medicine when you can build a pharmacy in the house? An in-house pharmacy was a luxury only royalty could afford.
Explore a mind-bogglingly huge palace packed with sumptuously designed and decorated rooms, halls, galleries and more
Feel like a royal as you tour the Throne Hall, Official Lounges, Royal Armories, Hall of Halberdiers, Painting Gallery and even the kitchen
Opt for a bilingual or monolingual guide in English and/or Spanish
Treat your eyes to incredible views of Madrid from the upper levels
Choose the 09:30 time slot for special early entry one hour before opening time!
Booking online in advance is cheaper than paying on the day!
It’s easy to get Royal Palace of Madrid tickets. Book in advance and save time on your holiday. There are options to buy day tickets, and you can also combine your visit with a tour, or another attraction.
Royal Palace of Madrid tickets include:
Admission to the Royal Palace of Madrid, one of the city's top attractions
Access to rooms, including the Throne Hall, Official Lounges, Royal Armories and more
Options to combine your ticket with a guided tour by an expert
Options to combine your ticket with a Prado Mueum ticket, and a walking tour around Madrid
Children under five can enter for free, no ticket is needed
Opening hours vary: see up-to-date schedule
Plan to spend between 45 minutes to two hours inside
Wear comfortable footwear - sneakers or closed-toed shoes are best
Food and drinks are not allowed inside
The nearest metro station to the Royal Palace is called Ópera, which is so close, it's almost at its front door
The Cathedral of La Almudena is very close by, so it’s useful to buy a combi ticket for both attractions
The biggest royal residence in Europe is a sight to behold, with over 3,000 rooms and a collection of art that would rival some of the world's best art galleries. The palace's present-day use is to hold state ceremonies and is open to the public on most days.