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Landmarks

Royal Palace of Madrid Skip-the-Line Tickets

Royal Palace of Madrid interior with ornate ceiling and grand staircase.
Ceiling fresco in the Royal Palace of Madrid depicting mythological scenes.
Royal Palace of Madrid dining hall with chandeliers and ornate decor.
Throne room with ornate gold decor inside Royal Palace of Madrid.

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Audio guide

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4.5/5

(12,002)

OUSTAMANOLAKIS PANTELEIMON

Oustamanolakis

Jan 2026
Verified booking
This guided tour was an absolute experience for us! First of all our guide, Sergio, was very friendly and explained many Madrid-related facts in detail. The guided tour started on time, with introducing ourshelves and the country of origin. The walking tour towards the Royal Palace was also a great surprise, since it was a very good chance to learn many aspects of Madrid's historic places. Later, the palace guided tour was very well organised, with detailed presentation of every room, leaving plenty of time for photos. In general, I would absolutely suggest Headout for a guided tour as well as we will also choose it again for a guided tour in the future.
Luis Manuel Martín Cortés

Luis

Jan 2026
Verified booking
We visited the Royal Kitchens and I thought it was amazing. The guide gave clear and entertaining explanations of each area, as well as the function and characteristics of the furniture and utensils. Then, the visit to the palace itself was quite entertaining. We went through the different rooms, with paintings by Goya and other artists from the 18th and 19th centuries, frescoes on the ceilings, and wonderful tapestries on the walls. Ballrooms, dining rooms, throne room, etc. Everything had signs explaining what was in each room and how it was used by the different kings of each era. A visit that will leave you with fond memories.
Vacharee Limtrajitt

Vacharee

Dec 2025
Verified booking
I book the tour just 2 days in advance because I cannot find a ticket on an official website anymore. I think it is a very good decision as you don't need to wait for a long queue in front of the palace. Guide is very professional and funny. The tour takes around 2 hours, and start from city centre (Place Mayor). Then. we walk to the Palace and our guide explains history of Madrid along the way before we start to learn about spain monarchy. Highly recommend.
    • Skip the lines and step straight into the Royal Palace of Madrid, with fast-access entry included in every ticket.

    • Marvel at the Throne Room, Banquet Hall, and the lavish Private Royal Apartments, each echoing centuries of Spanish history.

    • Admire masterpieces by artists like Goya and Giordano, plus ancient tapestries and ornate royal furniture throughout the palace.

    • The Royal Armory showcases suits of armor, musical instruments, and royal treasures, offering a glimpse into regal life.

    • Choose from self-guided, audio-guided, or expert-led English tours, or add Royal Kitchen access for a deeper experience.

    • Skip-the-line entry to Royal Palace of Madrid

    • English guided tour

    • Self-guided tour of Royal Palace halls (as per option selected)

    • Skip-the-line access to Royal Kitchen (as per option selected)

    • Digital audio guide in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Catalan, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, Galician, Mandarin Chinese, Basque, Romanian, Hungarian, & Classic Chines (as per option selected)

    • Food and drinks

    • Luggage storage

  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

  • 12,002 reviews

    How do we collect reviews?

    These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.

    7.6K
    3.2K
    511
    180
    436
    Guests from United States, Italy, France and over 10 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    Luis Manuel Martín Cortés

    Luis

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    We visited the Royal Kitchens and I thought it was amazing. The guide gave clear and entertaining explanations of each area, as well as the function and characteristics of the furniture and utensils. Then, the visit to the palace itself was quite entertaining. We went through the different rooms, with paintings by Goya and other artists from the 18th and 19th centuries, frescoes on the ceilings, and wonderful tapestries on the walls. Ballrooms, dining rooms, throne room, etc. Everything had signs explaining what was in each room and how it was used by the different kings of each era. A visit that will leave you with fond memories.
    Donovan Asis Ferrao

    Donovan

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    The Palace was majestic and having booked our tickets online saved us from standing in a 3 hour line. Every room within the Palace was indicative of the gradeur and royalty of the Spanish monarchy. We did a self guided tour which allowed us to go about and explore at our own pace. Thank you Headput for the smooth experience.
    Helen Bishop

    Helen

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    Our guide was knowledgeable and engaging. Joining a guided tour also meant we skipped the queue. The use of the headsets means you can hear the guide really well also. I find guided tours an enjoyable way of experiencing local attractions and less tiring than self managing.
    Maris Horia Stefan

    Maris

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    Online shopping helps you save time and money everywhere. Plus, you can plan your time better. A beautiful palace, well presented with evocative exhibits. It's worth spending at least half a day there.
    Sara Gagliano

    Sara

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    In less than 5 minutes we were in. I thought I had the audio guide included instead, but that was not a problem
  • Step into Spain’s royal legacy with fast-track entry to the Royal Palace of Madrid and its historic Royal Kitchen.

    Getting started

    Begin your visit at the main entrance, where your skip-the-line ticket grants you swift access through security. After ticket validation, you’re free to explore at your own pace or get an audio guide, or join your expert English guide, depending on your chosen option.

    What to expect

    Royal Palace of Madrid

    As one of Europe’s largest palaces, the Royal Palace of Madrid stands as a symbol of Spanish monarchy and cultural heritage. Built in the 18th century, it remains the official residence of the Spanish royal family, though used today for state ceremonies.

    Features

    • Private Royal Apartments: Walk through the exclusive living quarters of Spanish monarchs, revealing personal touches and royal traditions.

    • Royal Gardens: Stroll the manicured gardens, designed for royal leisure and grand outdoor events.

    • Throne Room & Banquet Hall: Step into the heart of royal power, where historic decisions and lavish banquets shaped Spain’s history.

    • Royal Kitchen: Access the original palace kitchens, preserved to showcase centuries-old culinary practices.

    • Royal Armory: View a collection of royal furniture, suits of armor, and musical instruments, offering insight into daily court life.

    • Art Collections: Admire works by artists such as Giordano and Goya, along with intricate tapestries that decorate the palace interiors.

    Note: Photography and video recording are not permitted inside the palace to protect its historical integrity. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for select ticket options.

    • Note: Free Royal Palace of Madrid entry Mon–Thu for EU & Ibero-American citizens with valid ID: Oct–Mar: 4pm–6pm | Apr–Sep: 6pm–8pm.

    • Free entry is available for children under 5, ICOM/ICOMOS members, official tour guides, teachers, unemployed individuals (with proof), and people with disabilities (33%+), along with one essential companion if stated on their certificate.

    • Heads up! The Royal Palace of Madrid often draws long queues, especially during peak hours. To keep things smooth, we recommend downloading your voucher and accessing the audio guide in advance--mobile signal inside the palace can be patchy, and no one wants tech troubles in a royal hallway.

  • Royal Palace of Madrid

    Monday10:00am - 06:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Tuesday10:00am - 06:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Wednesday10:00am - 06:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Thursday10:00am - 06:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Friday10:00am - 06:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Saturday10:00am - 06:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Sunday10:00am - 04:00pmlast entry 03:00pm

    Royal Palace of Madrid Gardens

    Monday10:00am - 06:00pm
    Tuesday10:00am - 06:00pm
    Wednesday10:00am - 06:00pm
    Thursday10:00am - 06:00pm
    Friday10:00am - 06:00pm
    Saturday10:00am - 06:00pm
    Sunday10:00am - 06:00pm
  • What to bring

    • Bring a valid photo ID to match the name on your booking if requested at the entrance.

    • Carry your booking confirmation (digital or printed) for ticket validation.

    What’s not allowed

    • Food and drinks are not allowed inside the Royal Palace.

    • Luggage, large bags, and suitcases are not permitted. There is no left luggage service available.

    • Photography and video recording are strictly prohibited inside the palace.

    • Pets are not allowed, except for registered service animals.

    Accessibility

    • The Royal Palace is wheelchair accessible, with facilities available for visitors with mobility needs.

    Additional information

    • Even with skip-the-line access, all visitors must pass through security checks; short waits may occur.

    • Opening days and times may change due to special events—please check before your visit.

    • Please plan approximately 45 minutes to visit the Salons and 30 minutes for the Royal Armory.

    • Free admission is available Monday to Thursday, from 4pm to 6pm in winter and from 5pm to 7pm in summer, for EU citizens, residents, holders of EU work permits, and citizens of Ibero-American countries (proof required).

    • Enter at the Almudena esplanade gate, on the corner of Calle de Bailén.

    • Children aged 0–6 enter for free but require a booked ticket.

    • Digital audio guide is available in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Catalan, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, Galician, Mandarin Chinese, Basque, Romanian, Hungarian, & Classic Chinese. To keep things smooth, we recommend downloading your voucher and accessing the audio guide in advance--mobile signal inside the palace can be patchy, and no one wants tech troubles in a royal hallway.

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.
    • Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.

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