First time visiting Royal Palace of Madrid in Spain? This guide covers opening hours, entry prices, how to get there, what to expect — and nearby attractions.
Overview of Madrid’s Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Madrid is a grand eighteenth-century palace that once served as the main residence of the Spanish royal family. Its opulent rooms, lavish decoration and rich history have made it one of the most significant royal buildings in Europe. The palace continues to play a role in official ceremonies and state functions while remaining a major historic landmark and museum open to the public.
Visitors to the palace can explore ornate state rooms, including the Throne Room, Hall of Columns, Royal Chapel, Royal Armoury, and the Royal Kitchen among others. The architecture, art collection and historic furnishings offer an insight into Spain’s monarchy and its legacy. And, perhaps more importantly, they look pretty darned impressive.
The palace is enormous, with 3,048 rooms covering 135,000 square metres, and welcomes more than two million visitors each year.
The palace’s central location in Madrid makes it easy to combine with other nearby attractions. It’s recommended that you buy tickets online in advance if you want to get in at a certain time.
Royal Palace of Madrid opening hours
October to March: Monday to Saturday 10am–6pm (last entry 5pm), Sunday and public holidays 10am–4pm (last entry 3pm).
April to September: Monday to Saturday 10am–7pm (last entry 6pm), Sunday and public holidays 10am–4pm (last entry 3pm).
The ticket office and main entrance close one hour before the published closing time.
The palace is closed on 1 January, 6 January (Epiphany), 1 May (Labour Day) and 25 December. On 24 December and 31 December it closes from 15:00. Additionally, visits may be cancelled occasionally for official events — it’s worth checking the official site before you go.
Royal Palace of Madrid ticket prices
Standard adult admission costs €18. Buying tickets online in advance helps avoid queuing.
Reduced tickets (for students, seniors and similar eligible visitors) cost €9.
Audio guides cost €5.
Beware that tickets can sell out. If that’s the case, consider a guided tour to get in on the day you want to visit. It’s also worth considering guided tours that combine the Royal Palace and the Prado.
What to see at the Royal Palace of Madrid
Key rooms and features accessible during a visit include the Throne Room, Hall of Columns, Royal Chapel, Royal Armoury, Royal Kitchen and various grand halls and galleries.
The palace also houses the Gallery of the Royal Collections, where artworks, tapestries, historic carriages and royal artefacts are displayed — a worthwhile addition for those interested in art and history.
Given the palace’s size and detail, most visitors spend between 1.5 and 2.5 hours to explore the main rooms and highlights.
How to get to the Royal Palace of Madrid & visitor facilities
The palace address is Calle de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid, in the city centre.
Public transport access is straightforward. The nearest metro station is Ópera station (lines 2 or 5). Several bus lines also stop nearby.
There are no on-site cafés inside the palace itself; nearby bars and eateries in the historic centre are easy to reach after your visit. Because the palace involves substantial walking across many, many rooms, plan at least a couple of hours and give yourself time to absorb the details.
Best time to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid
Weekday mornings tend to be less crowded — arriving right after opening can give you a quieter visit.
If you are eligible, free-entry time slots in late afternoons (for EU residents) from Monday to Thursday can offer a lower-cost option — though these tend to be more crowded.
Nearby attractions around the Royal Palace of Madrid
- Almudena Cathedral — Madrid’s main cathedral sits next to the palace.
- Plaza de Oriente — lovely square and gardens just outside the palace, ideal for a stroll or a break after visiting.
- Sabattini Gardens — peaceful gardens a short distance away, good for a relaxed walk (or, more likely, a sit down on a bench) after touring the palace.
- Historic centre of Madrid — nearby you’ll find many other central sights, shops, cafés and historic streets, making it easy to combine multiple points of interest in one day.
- Madrid’s three great art museums: The Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza are all within walking distance.
Visitor tips for Royal Palace of Madrid
Buy your ticket online in advance — it helps avoid long queues, especially at busy times.
Allow at least 2 hours if you plan to see main rooms and possibly the Royal Collections. Trying to do more in a short time can feel rushed.
Check official closure dates and possible state events before visiting — the palace sometimes closes unexpectedly or restricts access to certain areas.
Public transport makes access easy. If travelling by metro or bus, get off at Ópera station and walk a few minutes. Otherwise, walking around central Madrid is also a convenient way to reach the palace.
Photo-friendly but note restrictions: photography without flash or tripods is usually permitted in many areas, but always follow on-site rules.
If you are eligible for reduced or free entry (students, seniors, EU residents at free-entry times) bring valid ID to confirm your status.
Combine your visit with nearby attractions like Almudena Cathedral or Plaza de Oriente to get the most out of your time in central Madrid. Coordination of timing helps — many sites are close together on foot.
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 guide contains affiliate links. Book through them, and I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
