If you want to visit Madrid’s Royal Palace, expect same-day tickets to be sold out. You may be able to get in on a tour, however.
If tickets for Madrid’s Royal Palace have sold out, you can probably get in on a tour. To skip the explanation and book the tour tickets, head this way.
For more detailed information, read on.
Why visit Madrid’s Royal Palace?
Madrid’s Royal Palace is predictably one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Spanish capital.
It’s the largest royal palace in Europe, and is predictably lavish. Highlights include the Sabatini-designed staircase, the OTT rococo Gasparini Salon and the fresco-lashed Throne Room.
Buying Royal Palace tickets on the day
However, Madrid’s Royal Palace can be too popular for its own good, as you’ll quickly discover if you rock up and try to buy tickets.
Tickets for both general admission and guided tours at Madrid’s Royal Palace regularly sell out in advance.
That applies to both in person at the palace and online.
Try to buy tickets for Madrid’s Royal Palace on the day, and there’s a strong chance you will be disappointed.
Online tickets sell out
For an example, I tried booking online tickets via the official Patrimonio Nacional site at midday on Thursday 7 August, 2025.
There were no tickets left for the Thursday. Or the Friday. Then for the Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday of Wednesday, there were only tickets left for a very limited number of timeslots.
If I was going to Madrid and really wanted to see the Royal Palace, a lack of advance planning on this front could really hurt.
5 Madrid experiences worth booking
- 🍷 Hit the taverns and tapas bars on a highly knowledgeable food tour.
- 🖼️ Skip the lines and take a guided tour of the Prado’s masterpieces.
- 🏰 See two hugely underrated cities on a Segovia and Ávila day tour.
- 💃 Enjoy a flamenco show at Torres Bermejas.
- 👑 Combine a historic walking tour with skip-the-line Royal Palace tickets.
What to do when tickets for Madrid’s Royal Palace have sold out?
However, there is often a workaround.
Some of the tickets for Madrid’s Royal Palace are sold to tour agencies.
If admission tickets have sold out on the official site, it’s time to look into a guided tour.
Several companies run guided tours of Madrid’s Royal Palace than include skip-the-line entry tickets.
Availability on Royal Palace tours
When searching on Thursday 7 August, I couldn’t find any tours of Madrid’s Royal Palace available for later that day. This may be different if I’d searched in the morning rather than the afternoon, however.
What I did find was guided tours of Madrid’s Royal Palace available for the next day – the morning of Friday 8 August. These tours were also available for the rest of the month.
Given that the tickets via the official site were sold out on Friday, these tour tickets come to the rescue.
Royal Palace, Madrid: Ticket and tour prices
Alas, the tours of Madrid’s Royal Palace cost more than the general admission.
The basic entry tickets cost €18. Book the guided tour online because these tickets have sold out, and it’ll cost €36.
This is by no means an outrageous price, and if you’ve made the mistake of not booking entry tickets in advance, it’s one you’ll have to accept paying.
Things to do near the Royal Palace in Madrid
- Visit the Almudena Cathedral. Located directly opposite the Royal Palace, Madrid’s main cathedral combines neoclassical, Gothic Revival and modern elements, with paid access to the museum and dome.
- Explore the Prado Museum. Around 1.5 miles away, the Prado is Spain’s most famous art museum, housing works by Velázquez, Goya and El Greco.
- Discover the Reina Sofía Museum. Approximately 1.7 miles from the Royal Palace, this modern art museum is home to Picasso’s Guernica alongside major 20th-century collections.
- Visit the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. About 1.4 miles away, this museum bridges the gap between the Prado and Reina Sofía, with paintings spanning from the Renaissance to modern art.
- Explore the Royal Collections Gallery. Located beside the Royal Palace, this newer museum displays royal artworks, tapestries and historical objects linked to Spain’s monarchy.
Royal Palace of Madrid FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the Royal Palace of Madrid? | The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish royal family, although it is now mainly used for state ceremonies and open to visitors. |
| Do I need to book Royal Palace of Madrid tickets in advance? | Booking tickets in advance is recommended, especially during weekends and peak tourist seasons. |
| How long does a visit to the Royal Palace of Madrid take? | Most visitors spend between 1.5 and 2 hours exploring the palace interiors and main rooms. |
| Can you take photos inside the Royal Palace of Madrid? | Photography is generally not allowed inside the main palace rooms, although rules may vary in certain areas. |
| Where is the Royal Palace of Madrid located? | The Royal Palace of Madrid is located in central Madrid, close to Plaza de Oriente and the Almudena Cathedral. |
Madrid hotel recommendations
I’ve inspected a lot of hotels in Madrid, and these are three of my favourites.
- Hotel Urban:: Bold design elements from all over the world, make for a swaggering, fun vibe. The rooftop pool is a bonus.
- Room Mate Oscar: Also lots of fun, also with daring design and a rooftop pool. But considerably cheaper (well, usually).
- Villa Real: Embracing heritage, this classy five star is part archaeological museum – it has pieced together more than 100 mosaics from around the Mediterranean.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. Book anything through them, and I earn a small commission.
More Spain travel
Other Spain travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- A first time visitor’s guide to Valladolid, Spain.
- How to see Picasso’s Guernica for free in Madrid.
- How to beat the crowds at Casa Batllo in Barcelona.
- Madrid to Toledo train times and ticket prices.
- Trying to understand the culture of bullfighting in Seville’s bullring.
