Headout logo. Link to home.
Help
Landmarks

Royal Palace of Madrid Skip-the-Line Tickets

Royal Palace of Madrid interior with ornate ceiling and grand staircase.
Royal Palace of Madrid dining hall with chandeliers and ornate decor.
Throne room with ornate gold decor inside Royal Palace of Madrid.
Royal crown on display at the Royal Palace of Madrid.

Open today

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

4.5/5

(11,721)

Nikolaos Moschos

Nikolaos

Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Sergio was simply amazing, possibly the best guide we had ever encountered. His education in Art and History served him right, while, at the same time, he took time to know the group, had the right balance of jokes and substance, was smart and always connected the dots, when people asked questions, as to why they were asking them and what they really meant, and also how their questions were linked with their background and historical context of their own countries' history. Ask for Sergio and you will not regret it. Nikos M. (CL => Chamions League)
Enrica Cianci

Enrica

Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
I had the most wonderful experience visiting the Palacio Real in Madrid with Paco as my guide. He was incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and made the history of the palace come alive. Every room had a story, and Paco shared fascinating details that I never would have noticed on my own. His explanations were clear and engaging, and he made sure I had time to really enjoy each part of the visit. It was the perfect mix of culture, art, and storytelling — easily one of the best tours I’ve ever done.
Kate Robinson

Kate

Oct 2025
Verified booking
4/5
I really enjoyed the tour of the Palaccio Real and the guide was very knowledgeable. However due to limited mobility I arranged to meet the tour at the Palace entrance . However I had to wait for 35 minutes with no resting place before the guide and tourists arrived. The actual Palace tour took nearly two hours so I was exhausted. Despite the extra time required (and energy) , I recommend a visit to the Palaccio Real
    • 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.

  • 4.5
    11,721 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.

    7.4K
    3.2K
    501
    174
    412
    Guests from United States, Italy, France and over 10 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    Mehul Mehta

    Mehul

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Royal palace is so huge with approax 3500 rooms. And all rooms had different concepts and expnsive architectures. It was so well maintained and your guide was also with very good knowledge of the Royal palace history. Really we enjoyed a guided tour. We are satisfied with the Headout company who booked our Royal Palace tour. Thanks, Mehul Mehta from India.
    Sheryl Anne Vasey

    Sheryl

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Our tour with Beni was amazing. Beni had a thorough knowledge of the Riyal family and its history through time. The palace was overwhelming. The silk patterned walls were amazing in each individual room and the chandeliers. Loved every minute of the tour. Beni made sure we were together as a group.
    Judith SHELTON Treharne

    Judith

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    We have friends coming to Madrid, the Royal Palace is our first recommendation.
    Minzhi Xing

    Minzhi

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    The guide is knowledgeable and wentbover time for us, much appreciated.
    Olivera Petrovic

    Olivera

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Everything is great. We are enjoying
  • 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 redemption point.

    • Please arrive at the redemption point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

    Ticket redemption point

    • Redeem your ticket at the Royal Palace of Madrid.

    • Address: Calle de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid, Spain.

    Get directions to the redemption point

Similar experiences you'd love

Santiago Bernabeu stadium view from stands, Madrid.
Guided Tours
4.5(8,173)
Rated 4.5 out of 5.0 from 8173 ratings.
from
€35
Visitors viewing Picasso's Guernica, 1937, at Reina Sofia Museum, Madrid.
Museums
4.4(5,822)
Rated 4.4 out of 5.0 from 5822 ratings.
from
€12
Statue of Velázquez in front of Prado Museum, Madrid.
4.4(3,271)
Rated 4.4 out of 5.0 from 3271 ratings.
from
€24
Visitors exploring the ornate hall of the Royal Palace of Madrid with chandeliers and statues.
Guided Tours
4.4(4,376)
Rated 4.4 out of 5.0 from 4376 ratings.
from
€32
Free cancellation
Visitors viewing paintings at the Prado Museum in Madrid.
Guided Tours
4.5(3,353)
Rated 4.5 out of 5.0 from 3353 ratings.
from
€37
Download app section background

We've served 44 million+ guests and we are here for you

44 million+

Happy customers across 10,000+ experiences

In the media

Featured and recommended by the best brands

24 x 7 help center

Have a question? Live chat with local experts anywhere, anytime