By booking your ticket to the Royal Palace of Madrid, you’ll step inside one of the largest and most majestic royal palaces in the world without having to queue. A must-see if you’re in the Spanish capital!
The Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest in Western Europe, twice the size of Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Versailles.
Philip V, the first Spanish king of the Bourbon dynasty, commissioned the construction of the Palacio de Oriente on the site of the ruins of the old Alcázar. The first monarch to reside there was Charles III, and it remains the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family, although it's now used solely for hosting ceremonies and official events.
By booking this ticket, you’ll have the chance to discover the treasures held within its magnificent interior. The Plaza de Armas, the Main Staircase, the Throne Room, the Gasparini Room, the Royal Chapel, the Pharmacy… You’ll also be able to see some portraits and works by Francisco de Goya, who was court painter to the Bourbons. Are you going to miss out?
Ticket Options
When booking, you can choose between the following options:
- Royal Palace Ticket: You can tour the main rooms of the palace as described above. Please note that you must take the tour at the time selected; entry at any other time will not be granted.
- Royal Palace + Gallery of the Royal Collections: with this option, in addition to the palace, you'll see an exhibition consisting of 650 pieces, from ruins of the Arab wall of Madrid to pieces of furniture. Please note that the entry time on your ticket applies specifically to visits to the Royal Palace. The Royal Collections Gallery ticket is valid at any time for seven days following your visit but cannot be used during the free entry hours, Monday to Thursday, from 6 pm to 8 pm.
- Royal Palace + Kitchen: you'll see the rooms of the palace and the kitchen, which stands out for its size, its antiquity and the value of the pieces it holds. Few European palaces have managed to preserve such a space! Its current appearance is the result of a series of renovations carried out between 1760 and 1931. Please note that for this option, the Royal Palace is unguided while the visit to the Royal Kitchen is guided. Therefore, the time you select will be for your visit to the Royal Kitchen. You can visit the rest of the Royal Palace either before or after the visit to the Kitchen.
Fare Info
The following fares are available:
- Basic fare: this fare is for adults.
- Reduced fare: children aged 5 to 16, seniors over 65 and students up to 25 can make use of this fare.
- Free admission: there is free admission for the unemployed, people with disabilities, members of large families and children under 5. Except in the option with a visit to the Kitchen.
Please note that these rates are higher than the box office prices, as they include a handling fee of between 1EUR and 6EUR per person, which will guarantee you a spot and avoid the need to wait in line. However, even if you don't have to wait in line at the ticket office, you will still have to go through the security check.
Madrid Royal Palace Opening Hours
Please note the following opening hours:
- October to March: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm
- April to September: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm
- The closing of ticket offices and final admission will be 1 hour before closing.
Free Admission
Please note that free admission is available during the following hours:
- October to March: Monday to Thursday, from 4 pm to 6 pm
- April to September: Monday to Thursday, from 5 pm to 7 pm
Important: Visits to the Royal Kitchen (Real Cocina) and the Royal Pharmacy (Real Botica) are not permitted during these free admission hours.
Special Hours
Due to receptions, meetings, and other institutional events, the Royal Palace may close without prior notice on certain days or at certain times. For the most up-to-date schedule, please visit the official website of Patrimonio Nacional de España.
These are the special times for the Royal Palace in September, 2026:
- September 13: closed at 3 pm
- September 17: closed at 3 pm
- September 27: closed all day
- September 30: open at 11:30 am
