Royal Palace of Madrid tickets: your 2027 visitor guide

What you see inside the Royal Palace of Madrid

The public visit does not cover the building's more than three thousand rooms, but rather a sequence of state rooms that still fulfil a ceremonial role. The King does not live here (the royal family resides at the Zarzuela Palace), yet the Royal Palace continues to host state receptions, the presentation of ambassadors' credentials and official banquets, so what you see is not a stage set: it is a ceremonial residence that is still in use.

The Main Staircase and the Throne Room of the Royal Palace

The route begins on the Main Staircase, whose steps are each carved from a single piece of marble, and leads into the Halberdiers' Room. The high point comes in the Throne Room, with crimson velvet, bronze lions and a ceiling painted by Giambattista Tiepolo that glorifies the Spanish monarchy. Take your time looking up: the fresco covers the entire vault.

The Gasparini Antechamber and Room at the Royal Palace

The apartments of Charles III, decorated by Matías Gasparini with stucco, embroidered silks and marble floors, are an extreme example of courtly Rococo. Close by are the Gala Dining Room, laid out for official banquets, and the Royal Chapel. Paintings by Velázquez, Goya and Caravaggio from the royal collections hang in various rooms.

The Royal Armoury and Royal Kitchen of the Royal Palace

Opposite the façade, on the far side of the Plaza de la Armería, the Royal Armoury displays armour and weapons belonging to the kings from the Middle Ages onwards, including those of Emperor Charles V. The Royal Kitchen, open to the public after its restoration, is regarded as the best-preserved set of historic kitchens of its kind, with original stoves, copper pans and utensils; it usually requires a supplement.

Ticket types for the Royal Palace of Madrid

Before you choose, think about how much time you have and whether you would rather explore at your own pace or with someone who can share the stories behind each room.

Royal Palace general admission with audio guide

This is the most flexible option: you enter in your chosen slot and move at whatever speed you like. The audio guide, available in several languages, explains each room and lets you skip whatever interests you least. It is a good choice if you want to linger in the armoury or return to the Throne Room.

Guided tour of the Royal Palace

With a guide, the group follows a narrative thread: the fall of the Habsburg Alcázar, the arrival of the Bourbons, royal weddings and present-day ceremonial uses. It is particularly useful if you are travelling with teenagers or visiting Madrid for the first time, because it gives context to what would otherwise be simply gilding.

Combining the Royal Palace with the Gallery of Royal Collections

Next to the palace, the Gallery of Royal Collections, opened in 2023, displays some 650 pieces from the royal sites: tapestries, carriages, furniture, paintings and jewellery. It has its own ticket and combined options with the palace are available; if you are interested in the history of the Crown beyond the state rooms, it deserves a separate morning or afternoon.

Royal Palace of Madrid opening hours and quieter times

The Royal Palace opens every day except on certain public holidays (1 and 6 January, 1 May and 25 December). According to information checked in October 2026:

• October to March: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00; Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 16:00.
• April to September: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00; Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 16:00.
• On 24 and 31 December it closes earlier, and ticket sales and admission end one hour before closing time.

When to book your Royal Palace visit

The first slot of the morning is the calmest, especially on weekdays. By mid-morning school groups and organised excursions overlap. At the end of the day from Monday to Thursday there is a free-entry period for citizens of the EU and Ibero-America with valid identification, so queues tend to grow during those hours. As the building may close fully or partly for official events, always confirm the hours for your day when booking.

How to get to the Royal Palace of Madrid

The palace occupies the western side of Calle de Bailén, between the Plaza de Oriente and Almudena Cathedral, right in the heart of Habsburg Madrid.

Metro and bus to the Royal Palace

• Ópera metro (lines 2, 5 and Ramal): the most convenient option; you come out on the Plaza de Isabel II and cross the Plaza de Oriente in about five minutes.
• Plaza de España metro (lines 2, 3 and 10): around ten minutes on foot along Calle de Bailén, passing the Sabatini Gardens.
• Several EMT bus routes stop on Bailén and at the Plaza de Oriente.

Walking from Sol to the Royal Palace

From the Puerta del Sol, simply follow Calle del Arenal to the Plaza de Isabel II and the Teatro Real: a walk of about fifteen minutes, almost entirely pedestrianised. Another pleasant route leaves the Plaza Mayor along Calle Mayor towards the Almudena, with views of the palace's southern façade.

Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace of Madrid

One of the most photographed free spectacles in Madrid takes place at the palace gates, and it can fit perfectly around your ticket.

Regular guard change at the Prince's Gate of the Royal Palace

On Wednesdays and Saturdays, from September to June between 11:00 and 14:00 (in July and August from 10:00 to 12:00), the Royal Guard relieves the sentries in their boxes every half hour beside the Puerta del Príncipe. It is a short ceremony with no ticket required; just head to the railings on Calle de Bailén.

Solemn Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace

On the first Wednesday of each month at 12:00, the Plaza de la Armería hosts the Solemn Changing of the Guard, with historic uniforms, cavalry, artillery and a military band; it lasts around fifty minutes. It does not take place in January, August or September, and may be cancelled due to bad weather or official commitments. If it coincides with your trip in 2027, book your palace ticket for the afternoon and arrive early to find a good spot.

Visit length and suggested route for the Royal Palace

Allow between an hour and a half and two hours for the state rooms and the Royal Armoury; if you add the Royal Kitchen, count on another half hour. An order that works well:

1. The courtyard and the Plaza de la Armería, to see the façade and the panorama towards the Casa de Campo.
2. The Main Staircase, the Hall of Columns and the Throne Room.
3. The apartments of Charles III, the Gala Dining Room, the room housing the Stradivarius instruments of the royal collection and the Royal Chapel.
4. The Royal Armoury and, to finish, the Royal Kitchen or the Royal Pharmacy depending on what is open that day.

Practical tips for the Royal Palace of Madrid

• There is airport-style security screening; large rucksacks go to the left-luggage area.
• Photography is not allowed in some rooms: follow the staff's instructions.
• The main route is adapted for wheelchairs by means of lifts; check the conditions when booking.
• With children, the Royal Armoury and the Changing of the Guard are usually what they remember most.

What to see near the Royal Palace of Madrid

Leaving the palace means stepping into one of the most monumental areas of the capital, and almost everything is just a few minutes' walk away.

Gardens and squares beside the Royal Palace

The Plaza de Oriente, with its statues of kings and the Teatro Real opposite, is the classic spot for a coffee overlooking the façade. To the north, the Sabatini Gardens offer formal geometry and sunsets; to the west, via the Cuesta de San Vicente, you reach the Campo del Moro, a landscaped garden with views of the rear façade. To the south, Almudena Cathedral and the remains of the Moorish wall complete the ensemble.

More ideas after the Royal Palace

From here you can continue to the Prado Museum (about twenty minutes on foot) or to Retiro Park. In the evening, the Morería quarter, just round the corner, is the cradle of historic tablaos, and one of the most rewarding ways to end the day is with a flamenco show in Madrid. If you have an extra day, the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, another of the royal sites, rounds off the picture of the Spanish monarchy.

The Royal Palace of Madrid on your 2027 trip

Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons to combine the palace, the gardens and a stroll through Habsburg Madrid; in July and August the afternoons are very hot, so the first slot of the day is the one to book. The San Isidro festivities in mid-May fill the city centre with atmosphere. In December, the Christmas lights on the Plaza Mayor and Calle Mayor turn the walk to the palace into a festive outing.

Check Royal Palace availability on the calendar

At the top of this page you will find a calendar: select the day you would like to visit the Royal Palace and press “Check availability”. We will tell you whether places remain for that date with our booking partner and, if you wish, send you an email alert when new slots open. That way you can match your visit with the Changing of the Guard or the rest of your plans before finalising your trip.