Royal Palace (Palacio Real)
7.8Friend Score / 10#9 of 16 Attractions in Madrid
Known forroyal palacepalacio realmadridthrone room
Western Europe's largest royal palace — 3,000+ rooms of frescoes, armoury, and throne-room excess, still used for state ceremonies though no royals live there. Genuinely worth the roughly €14 entry; the Grand Staircase and Royal Armoury alone justify it. Caveat: EU and Ibero-American citizens get free entry weekday late afternoons, and everyone else should book online to skip serious queues.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon–Sat 10:00–19:00 Sun–Sun 10:00–16:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Metro Ópera (L2, L5, R), 5-minute walk |
| Time needed | 1.5-2.5 hours; add 30 minutes for the Royal Armoury |
| Best time to go | Opening time (10:00) on a weekday; first Wednesday of the month for the changing of the guard ceremony |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.8/10- Value8.0
- iconic8.0
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level5.0
- Authenticity7.5
- Accessibility9.0
Frequently asked questions
- How long do you need at the Royal Palace?
- Two hours is comfortable for the state rooms, staircase, and Royal Armoury. Add the Royal Kitchen (separate ticket) and the new Royal Collections Gallery next door and you've got a half day.
- How much does the Royal Palace of Madrid cost?
- Around €14 for a standard adult ticket, about €7 reduced (children 5-16, EU seniors). EU and Ibero-American citizens enter free Monday-Thursday in the last two afternoon hours — but that's walk-up only, with a queue to match.
- Should I book Royal Palace tickets in advance?
- Yes, especially April through October — buy on the official Patrimonio Nacional site and walk past a ticket queue that can hit an hour. Timed entry at 10:00 gets you the rooms at their emptiest.
- Does the Spanish royal family live in the palace?
- No — the King and Queen live at the much smaller Zarzuela Palace outside the city. The Palacio Real is used for state dinners, receptions, and ceremonies, which is why it occasionally closes at short notice.
- What's near the Royal Palace?
- The Almudena Cathedral is next door, the Sabatini Gardens and Campo del Moro park flank the palace (both free, both lovely), and Plaza de Oriente with its royal statues fronts it. The Templo de Debod is a 15-minute walk north for sunset.
- What shouldn't I miss inside the Royal Palace?
- The Grand Staircase, the Throne Room with its Tiepolo ceiling, Gasparini's rococo room, and the Royal Armoury — one of the world's best, and often rushed past. Stradivarius fans: the palace holds a decorated quartet of them.
- Is there a changing of the guard at the Royal Palace?
- Yes, twice: a small guard change most Wednesdays and Saturdays around midday, and the full Solemn Changing of the Guard with cavalry on the first Wednesday of most months at noon, in the Plaza de la Armería. Both are free to watch.
- What are the Royal Palace's opening hours?
- April to September: Monday-Saturday 10:00-19:00, Sundays 10:00-16:00. October to March it closes at 18:00 daily. Last entry is an hour before closing, and it shuts without warning for state ceremonies — check the Patrimonio Nacional site the day before.
Nearby in Ask Madrid
- Almudena CathedralAttraction0.25 km · 3 min walk
- Mercado de San MiguelAttraction0.53 km · 7 min walk
- Plaza MayorAttraction0.64 km · 8 min walk
- Plaza de EspañaAttraction0.64 km · 8 min walk
- El LandóRestaurant0.67 km · 8 min walk
Where to stay near Royal Palace (Palacio Real)
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