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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 07 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Dana Facaros

The House of Borbon-Anjou, led by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, is the reigning royal house in Spain. Although not as globally renowned as their UK counterparts, the Spanish Monarchy remains high profile and (mostly) revered in Spain, and an integral part of the country’s culture and history.

This lavish 18th-century royal palace is their official residence (though they actually live at the Zarzuela Palace, also in Madrid). It’s an example of Neoclassical grandeur on an epic scale, with some 2,000 rooms.

Although only part of the palace is open to the public, ornate decorations bombard your senses at every turn – most opulent of all is the scarlet and gold Throne Room, with a ceiling painted by Tiepolo.

Don't miss

The fascinating armoury, where you can see elaborate weaponry and full horse armour; and seek out the incredibly grand palace pharmacy. A Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place on the first Wednesday of the month at midday – and it’s free to watch.

While you’re there 

Opposite the Royal Palace is the Almudena Cathedral, the seat of Madrid’s Catholic Archbishop. Building started in 1880 and only officially finished in 1993, when it was subsequently consecrated by Pope John Paul II. Being younger, it’s more modern than most of its centuries-old peer cathedrals, and inside it surprises inside with contemporary chapels, cupolas, statues and décor. Worth a stop, if churches are your thing.

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Price from: £8
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The nearest metro station is Opera. It’s a few minutes’ walk from there. It’s also just a 5-minute walk from Plaza Mayor.

Guided tours are only in Spanish, but there is an official app with built-in guide that you should download from the website before you go.

When to do it

The palace is open all year round, seven days a week. Arrive at opening time to avoid queues, which can be very long at peak times (during the Easter and summer holidays, particularly at weekends).

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Madrid Royal Palace Expert Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access

Madrid Royal Palace Expert Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access

Madrid

Discover and enjoy the Royal Palace of Madrid, the official residence of the kings of Spain, with a Skip the line entrance and a professiona...

€32 | Rating 4.31 / 5 [171 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Royal Palace of Madrid Monolingual Guided Tour with Fast Track Access

Royal Palace of Madrid Monolingual Guided Tour with Fast Track Access

Madrid

Get fast track access to the Royal Palace of Madrid with this guided tour. Get acquainted with the residence of the Spanish Royal Family. Se...

€32 | Rating 4.26 / 5 [333 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Madrid Walking Tour and The Royal Palace with Skip the Line Tickets

Madrid Walking Tour and The Royal Palace with Skip the Line Tickets

Madrid

The tour starts at the door of the Fun and Tickets office at Calle Mayor, 43 with a guided tour on the way to the Royal Palace. The tour inc...

€34 | Rating 4.46 / 5 [221 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Royal Palace Madrid - Skip the Line - 7 people per tour maximum

Royal Palace Madrid - Skip the Line - 7 people per tour maximum

Madrid

Since we begin to work at places like the Prado Museum there was something we had clear: our products need to be sustainable in order to pro...

€35 | Rating 4.94 / 5 [54 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Palacio de Los Duques Gran Melia

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[0.4 miles]

Palatial and contemporary, this glamorous, foodie hotel near the Royal Palace is one of Madrid’s most luxury-laden stays.

Official star rating:

Hostal Gala

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[0.5 miles]

A great budget choice – this modern-day hostel housed in an elegant, 19th-century building has chic rooms and the perfect central location.

Official star rating:

Pestana Plaza Mayor

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[0.7 miles]

A refreshing, stylish boutique hotel set in a charming 17th-century building from Spain’s Golden Age on the fabled Plaza Mayor in the heart of Madrid.

Official star rating:

The Hat Madrid

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[0.7 miles]

One of the new generation of hip, urban ‘poshtels’, this 2-star hotel offers highly affordable rooms in an unbeatable central location.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Madrid

Madrid Region, Spain

Spain’s sunny capital offers up world-class art, super shopping, renowned tapas and late, late nights.

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Prado Museum

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[1.9 miles]

Madrid’s most renowned museum, home to the single best collection of Spanish art and arguably the world’s finest collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century.

Best for ages: 18+ | £13

Reina Sofia National Museum

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[2 miles]

Spain’s National Museum of 20th-century art is the third of Madrid’s world-class art museums. Reina most famously contains Picasso’s Guernica, and outstanding collections of Spain’s two greatest 20th-century masters, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.

Best for ages: 18+ | £8

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Almudena Cathedral. A cathedral, with a central dome, pillars, and decorative elements. Pedestrians walk in the square in front of it.
Experience

Almudena Cathedral

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[0.3 miles]

Opposite the Royal Palace and the seat of Madrid’s Catholic Archbishop. Building started in 1880 and only officially finished in 1993, when it was subsequently consecrated by Pope John Paul II. Inside, it surprises with contemporary chapels, cupolas, statues and décor. Worth a stop if churches are your thing.

Best for ages: 18+ | £1

Website >
Overview >
The outside of the Real (royal) Theatre in Madrid, a three-story building with a statue of Isabel II outside.
Experience

Theatre Real

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[0.3 miles]

Founded in 1818, the enormous, wedding-cake Teatro Real hosts world-class opera, dance and flamenco concerts.

Best for ages: 13+ | £15 | 1-3 hours

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Overview >
External view of the market budiling - with walls that are all windows
Experience

San Miguel Market

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[0.6 miles]

Madrid’s foodie hotspot: a gourmet hub housing 33 shops and street stalls, selling the highest-quality local produce – including more than 100 varieties of cheese. A Madrid institution, the market buzzes from morning until late at night.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Overview >
A view from the side of Plaza Mayor. Tables and chairs from cafes sit the the sun, people walk around on the cobblestone plaza.
Experience

Plaza Mayor

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[0.7 miles]

Madrid’s big, Baroque main square, completed in 1619, is enclosed by stately symmetrical buildings and porticoed walks. For centuries it was the theatre of city life – witnessing coronations, bullfights, jousts, football matches, beatifications, and executions. Today, it’s Madrid’s beating heart, packed with cafés and restaurants.

Best for ages: Any | Free

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Overview >

Round-ups that include this experience

101 World’s greatest historic buildings

Multiple countries

The great civilisations of the past have left a legacy of constructions that still stand out and inspire. Built without the wonders of 20th-century technology, many are also monumental feats of engineering; others offer such grace and beauty, that they’ll literally take your breath away.

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Overview >