An opulent showcase of European architecture and the might of Spain’s monarchy, the Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the city’s best-known attractions. Built in the 1700s, the Palace sits on a cool 1,45,000 square feet and boasts over 3,400 rooms decorated lavishly in baroque and classical details. These include walls covered in embroidered satins, ceilings adorned with frescoes from leading artists, and thrones and armoury that sparkle. To make sense of this incredible monument, we recommend taking along a guide so that you don’t miss out on any of the exquisite details at the Royal Palace of Madrid. Here are our hand-picked top tours.
Why you should choose a guided tour of the Royal Palace of Madrid
Skip the lines
The Royal Palace of Madrid is a crowd-puller, drawing in close to 2 million visitors each year. This means you’ll have to endure long lines while trying to get in, especially during peak tourist season. With guided tours, you’ll move past the lines and dive right into your palace tour.
Explore the Palace with an expert
The Royal Palace of Madrid has stood witness to Spain’s history and its monarchy since the 18th century. The Palace itself was built over 20-odd years and saw renovations and additions through the centuries. Visitors to this Palace can easily be overwhelmed by its rich architectural details. But with an expert by your side, you can count on an immersive experience that ‘wows’ you.
Enjoy a hassle-free experience
Choosing a guided tour frees you from planning your visit and researching the monument. You can hand over those responsibilities to your guide, who will handhold you through your experience; all you need to do is show up on your time at the Palace.
Easy navigation through the monument
The Royal Palace of Madrid is an expansive monument and, even though only a small section of its rooms are open for public viewing, it can get confusing and you may end up feeling a bit confused. With a seasoned guide to shepherd you, you’ll know exactly where to go and what to see during your tour. The seamlessness of your tour will only add to the joy of exploring this key Madrid attraction.
Flexible timings
Madrid is a vibrant city with plenty on offer, and you will want to make the most of your trip here. To ensure this, guided tour tickets for the Royal Palace of Madrid offer flexible timings so that you can choose the slot that is best for you and fits in well with your itinerary.
Small group tours
The guided tours at the Royal Palace of Madrid are tailor-made for small groups. This means that you won’t miss out on any key details and you’ll be able to interact freely with your guide.
The Best Madrid Royal Palace Guided Tours
Guided Tours
Combo Guided Tours
The Complete Guide To Royal Palace Madrid: The Home Of Spanish Royals
The Royal Palace of Madrid: Skip the line versus guided tours – What should you pick?
One of the largest palaces in Europe, the Royal Palace of Madrid’s walls, salons, chapels, kitchens, and gardens resonate with the history of Spain and also showcase Europe’s architectural movements through the centuries. If you’d like to take a deep dive into the fascinating stories behind the Palace, then, the guided tours are perfect for you! Plus, guided tours ensure you navigate this hulking palatial complex with ease.
For those of you who want to avoid the long queues at the Palace but don’t quite want to splurge on a guided experience, then the skip-the-line tickets are the way to go! You can also get more value for your money by signing up for combo tickets that get you access to the Royal Palace of Madrid as well as the city’s other leading attractions.
Inside the Royal Palace of Madrid: What to expect?
1 Plaza de la Armería
The large, open square that sits right in front of the Royal Palace of Madrid emphasises the scale of the massive royal residence. Before heading in for your tour, you can spend time here walking the breadth of the palace and taking in its colonnaded exteriors, which are also dotted with sculptures, a clock, and the royal coat of arms.
2 The main staircase
At the start of your tour, you’ll make your way up sweeping staircases that give you a feeling that you’re ascending into a very special place. As you make your way up, your eyes can wander over to the ceiling covered in a grand fresco surrounded by swirls of gilding and stucco details. This area also features a twin staircase that is guarded by two masterfully carved marble lions.
3 Gasparini's Salon
The reign of Charles III saw the Palace embrace a pronounced Italian baroque aesthetic, highlighted in this awe-inspiring chamber that was prepared for the king (though Charles III would not live long enough to see its completion). Matteo Gasparini, an Italian painter and decorator, gleefully unleashed the Baroque Rococo style in this room, covering the walls in rich satins that were embroidered with graceful foliage, swooping birds, dainty flowers and creeping vines. These decorative themes were extended to the frescoed ceilings, the floor tiles and the furniture, transforming the room into a work of art.
4 The Throne Room
Every detail of the Royal Palace of Madrid’s throne room speaks of the majesty of the crown. Done up in red Genovese velvet with gold trimmings, the room’s opulence is heightened by Tiepolo’s Triumph of the Spanish Monarchy fresco that adorns the ceiling. Then, there are gilded mirrors, sculptures, and handmade furniture. The centre of the room is occupied by a raised platform where twin thrones are guarded by four roaring marble lions.
5 The Royal Armoury
Rivalling the Royal Armoury in Vienna, this space at the Royal Palace of Madrid showcases the Spanish monarchy’s military heritage through the centuries. This room is significant because it houses armaments from as far back as the 13th century. All around you, you’ll see gleaming knighted figures mounted on wooden horses, flashing swords and spears. You can also peruse a collection of the monarchy’s personal weapons, gifts and trophies.
6 Sabatini Gardens
In 1933, the royal stables on the grounds of the Royal Palace of Madrid were cleared to make way for the lush Sabatini Gardens, named after one of the Palace’s main architects. Today, you can stroll through these well-tended gardens that are populated with hedges, sculptures, pools and fountains.
Rules and regulations
- At the time of admission, you will have to produce your ticket along with your passport or a recognised, valid ID to gain entry into the Palace. If you are carrying a digital copy of your ticket, make sure it has a readable barcode.
- The monument has a strict no ticket exchange and return policy.
- Photography and filming are not permitted in some areas of the Palace and this rule is strictly implemented.
- The Palace is wheelchair accessible and you can even loan out the wheelchair on the premises.
- If you are planning to buy your ticket at the Palace, then, please note that they do not accept €200 and €500 bills.
- Touching the artefacts and, even, the plants in the garden is strictly prohibited.
Frequently asked questions
If you’re traveling with children, opt for the Fast Track Access Guided Tour or the Priority Access Guided Tour. This way you can save time and head right in without having to wait in line.
Timings for Madrid Palace guided tours are flexible. You can choose the timing that suits you best during check out.
Keep in mind that opening hours are different for summer and winter. During summers (April to September), the palace is open from Monday to Saturday between10:00 AM to 7:00 PM and on Sunday between 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. During winter (October to March), the palace is open between Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Yes. You can book a private tour of the Royal Palace of Madrid just for yourself or your party. Private tours are a very personalized and hassle-free experience. Don’t worry about waiting in line at the palace, with a ticket to a private tour, you can jump right in along with your expert guide.
If you’re on a budget, you can get the Royal Palace of Madrid Skip the Line Ticket which is priced at just €12.
You can avail of a private tour of the Royal Palace of Madrid for a fixed rate that accommodates up to 8 people per tour.
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