Bucketlist Travels logo

Travel bucket list idea:

Royal Palace of Madrid

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Last updated: 10 February, 2024

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.

Logistics

Price from: £8
Minimum age: 0
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).

Who to go with: organised tours

11

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

  • Madrid

Visit and learn about two essential places in Madrid in one morning. We will start the day with a full visit to the Royal Palace, a gigantic building symbolic of the European monarchs, that will surprise us with its rich decoration and the number of rooms and halls it contains. After a walking guided visit the main iconic places of Madrid between the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum, we will finish our journey with with a 90-minute tour of the Museo del Prado, seeing its most outstanding rooms and paintings. Special emphasis will be placed on the paintings that have in one way or another changed the history of art and become universal references. We will get to see works by Murillo, Velázquez, Goya, Rubens, and Tiziano among many others. All of these visits will be made using points of preferential access, with official guides and with entrance fees included. This way, all that you have to worry about is enjoying Madrid and its beautiful monuments.

Price €65

Min age 0

Rating 4.25 / 5 [803 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
  • 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. See the lavish Throne Room, the Columns Room and the Royal Armory. Learn about the history of the monarchy in Spain and how the palace's decorations have changed over time through your guide's informative remarks. Do not miss the opportunity to explore this area of Madrid full of history.

Price €25

Min age 0

Rating 4.20 / 5 [407 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
  • Madrid

This half-day tour of the highlights of central Madrid takes you to two places on every traveler’s Madrid bucket list: the Royal Palace and Prado Museum. You’ll start with a guided visit to the Royal Palace. Then you’ll stroll through Madrid’s historic neighborhoods and enjoy a coffee and churros with chocolate, everyone's favorite snack in Spain. End with a guided highlights tour of the Prado Museum featuring Velazquez’s world-famous painting, “Las Meninas.”

Price €79

Min age 0

Rating 4.75 / 5 [194 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >