The Almudena Cathedral (Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena) is the seat of the Archdiocese of Madrid, located opposite the Royal Palace in the city centre of Madrid, Spain. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility, and practical tips to help you plan your visit.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Cathedral: September–June 10:00am–8:30pm, July–August 10:00am–9:00pm | Museum and dome: Monday–Saturday 10:00am–2:30pm |
| Ticket prices | Cathedral entrance: Free (€1 suggested donation) | Museum and dome: €7 adults, €5 concessions |
| Address | Calle de Bailén 10, 28013 Madrid |
| Nearest metro | Opera (Lines 2, 5, R) – 5-minute walk |
| Time needed | 20–30 minutes for cathedral, 45 minutes–1 hour for museum and dome |
| Facilities | Lift to museum, toilets, free WiFi audio guide, shop |
Almudena Cathedral opening hours
The cathedral is open Monday to Sunday from 10:00am to 8:30pm during September to June, and 10:00am to 9:00pm during July and August. The cathedral closes to visitors during religious services. Sunday masses are held at 10:30am, 12:00pm, 1:30pm, and 7:00pm (in Spanish).
The museum and dome are open Monday to Saturday from 10:00am to 2:30pm. They are closed on Sundays. Access to the museum and dome is via the north entrance on Calle de Bailén.
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Almudena Cathedral ticket prices
Entry to the cathedral is free. A donation of €1 is suggested at the entrance. Entry to the museum and dome costs €7 for adults. EU citizens aged 65 and over, students under 25 with valid ID, and people with disabilities pay €5. A free WiFi audio guide is available in Spanish, English, French, and Italian.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked and updated in February 2026.
How to get to the Almudena Cathedral
The Almudena Cathedral is located at Calle de Bailén 10, directly opposite the Royal Palace in central Madrid. The nearest metro station is Opera (Lines 2, 5, and R), approximately 400 metres (5 minutes’ walk) from the cathedral. Exit the station and walk through Plaza de Oriente towards the Royal Palace; the cathedral is on the opposite side.
Bus routes 3, 25, 39, and 148 stop near the cathedral on Calle de Bailén. The cathedral is within walking distance of major attractions including Plaza Mayor (10 minutes), Puerta del Sol (12 minutes), and Gran Vía (15 minutes).
Parking at the Almudena Cathedral
There is no dedicated parking at the cathedral. The nearest public car park is Plaza de Oriente, located beneath the plaza between the Royal Palace and the cathedral. Parking costs approximately €2.50 per hour. Street parking in central Madrid is restricted and primarily for residents with permits.
Use of public transport is recommended, as central Madrid has low-emission zone restrictions (Madrid Central) that limit vehicle access.
How long to spend at the Almudena Cathedral
Most visitors spend 20–30 minutes exploring the cathedral interior. If you visit the museum and dome, allow an additional 45 minutes to one hour. The museum features 12 rooms displaying religious art and Episcopal vestments. The dome provides views across Madrid, though visibility is limited to the east, south, and west.
Accessibility at the Almudena Cathedral
The cathedral entrance on Calle de Bailén includes a wide ramp without handrails, providing wheelchair access. Lifts are available for visits to the cathedral museum. Museum rooms are open-plan with accessible routes. There are no adapted toilet cubicles at the cathedral or museum.
The crypt, located at the rear of the cathedral on Calle Mayor, is separately accessible and includes more than 400 columns. The crypt entrance is level with the street.
What to see at the Almudena Cathedral
The Almudena Cathedral was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993, making it one of the most recently completed cathedrals in Europe. Construction began in 1883 but was delayed by the Spanish Civil War and funding issues, with work resuming in the 1950s. The cathedral combines multiple architectural styles: neoclassical on the exterior to match the Royal Palace, and neo-Gothic inside.
The cathedral measures 102 metres in length and 73 metres in width, following a Latin cross plan. The central dome is 20 metres in diameter and features 12 statues representing the apostles. The exterior façade is crowned by four statues of Spanish saints: San Isidro Labrador, Santa María de la Cabeza, Santa Teresa de Jesús, and San Fernando.
Inside, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament includes a five-metre Carrara marble cross and silver altar. The apse features neo-Byzantine murals painted by Kiko Argüello depicting scenes from the life of Christ. The altar of the Virgin of Almudena, located in the right transept, houses a 16th-century altarpiece by Juan de Borgoña with 18 panels showing scenes from the life of Christ. Beneath this altar is the tomb of María de las Mercedes, Queen of Spain for six months in 1878.
The cathedral museum displays religious art, Episcopal symbols, and vestments across 12 rooms. The rooftop terrace, accessed from the museum, provides views of Madrid’s historic centre, including the Basilica of San Francisco el Grande and the Emir Mohamed I Park.
The crypt, entered separately from Calle Mayor, is the largest in Spain and includes neo-Romanesque architecture with over 400 columns. The crypt serves as a resting place for notable Spanish families.
Practical tips for visiting the Almudena Cathedral
| Tip |
|---|
| Visit the cathedral early in the morning (before 11:00am) or late afternoon (after 5:00pm) to avoid tour groups and crowds. |
| Check mass times before visiting if you want to avoid closures during services, particularly on Sundays when four masses are held throughout the day. |
| Dress modestly when visiting the cathedral, covering shoulders and knees, as it is an active place of worship. |
| The free WiFi audio guide provides detailed information about the cathedral’s history and architecture in four languages; connect upon arrival. |
| Photography without flash is permitted in the cathedral for personal use, but photography is not allowed in the museum. |
| Combine your visit with the nearby Royal Palace, which is directly opposite the cathedral across the plaza. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Almudena Cathedral suitable for children? | Yes. The cathedral is suitable for children, though it requires walking and some stair climbing if visiting the museum and dome. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No advance booking is required for cathedral entry. Museum and dome tickets can be purchased at the ticket office on arrival. |
| Is the Almudena Cathedral open on Sundays? | Yes. The cathedral is open on Sundays from 10:00am to 8:30pm (September–June) or 9:00pm (July–August), but the museum and dome are closed on Sundays. |
| Are bags allowed? | Yes. Small bags and backpacks are permitted. Large bags may be subject to security checks. |
| Can you attend mass at the cathedral? | Yes. Sunday masses are held in Spanish at 10:30am, 12:00pm, 1:30pm, and 7:00pm. Weekday mass schedules vary; check the cathedral website. |
| How long does it take to visit the museum? | The museum takes approximately 30–45 minutes to visit, including time on the rooftop terrace. |
Things to do near the Almudena Cathedral
Royal Palace of Madrid (directly opposite the cathedral, approximately €14 adult entry) is the official residence of the Spanish royal family with state rooms, the Royal Armoury, and palace gardens.
Plaza de Oriente (adjacent to the cathedral and palace) is a formal square with gardens, sculptures, and the Teatro Real opera house.
Arab Walls (Muralla Árabe) (100 metres from the cathedral) are 9th-century Moorish fortifications, among Madrid’s oldest structures, located in Emir Mohamed I Park.
Sabatini Gardens (300 metres north) are formal gardens adjacent to the Royal Palace with symmetrical hedges, fountains, and views of the palace façade.
Plaza Mayor (700 metres, approximately 10 minutes’ walk) is Madrid’s main historic square with arcaded buildings, cafés, and the equestrian statue of Philip III.
Mercado de San Miguel (800 metres) is a covered market hall dating to 1916 with food stalls, tapas counters, and local products.
Temple of Debod (1 kilometre west) is an ancient Egyptian temple reconstructed in Madrid, located in Parque del Oeste with sunset views.
Prado Museum (2 kilometres southeast) houses one of the world’s finest collections of European art, including works by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco. For art created more recently, try the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Museo Reina Sofia – home of Picasso’s Guernica.
More Madrid travel
Other Madrid travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Madrid to Toledo train times and ticket prices.
- Six ways to improve your visit to Madrid.
- The three cities day tour to Toledo, Ávila and Segovia from Madrid: How it works.
