About Royal Palace
Built on the site of a 9th-century Moorish fortress, the Palacio Real was constructed 1738-1755 by King Philip V. With 3,418 rooms covering 135,000 square meters, it's the largest functioning royal palace in Europe. Though the royal family now lives elsewhere, the palace hosts state ceremonies and is open to visitors who can explore opulent throne rooms, royal armory, and stunning art collections.
⏰ Opening Hours & Best Times
- Hours: October-March: 10 AM-6 PM | April-September: 10 AM-8 PM | Closed: January 1-6, May 1, December 24-25, and during state ceremonies
- Best time: Weekday mornings (10-11 AM opening) or late afternoons
- Least crowded: Tuesday-Thursday mornings in winter
- Free entry: Monday-Thursday 4-6 PM (Oct-Mar) or 6-8 PM (Apr-Sep) for EU residents
💰 Costs
- General admission: €13 (palace)
- With Royal Collections Gallery: €17 (palace + temporary exhibitions)
- Audio guide: €5 additional
- Guided tours: €40-55 per person (skip-line + expert guide, 1.5-2 hours)
- Private guide: €180-300 for up to 6 people (doesn't include tickets)
Book ahead: Online tickets let you skip long queues. Official site: patrimonionacional.es
🎯 Why Use a Guide
- Royal history: Guides bring Spanish monarchy and Habsburg/Bourbon dynasties to life
- Navigate 50 open rooms: Focus on highlights without getting lost
- Art collections: Understand Tiepolo frescoes, Stradivarius instruments, Caravaggio paintings
- Architecture insights: Learn about Italian Baroque design and Francisco Sabatini's work
- Skip confusion: Multiple entrances and routes - guides optimize your visit
✨ Don't Miss
- 👑 Throne Room: Crimson velvet, gilded mirrors, and Tiepolo ceiling fresco
- ⚔️ Royal Armory: One of world's finest collections of medieval armor and weapons
- 🎻 Stradivarius Room: Five instruments from world's greatest violin maker
- 🍽️ Royal Dining Hall: Table set for 145 guests with exquisite porcelain
- 💎 Crown Room: Spanish royal crown and ceremonial regalia
- 🌿 Sabatini Gardens: Beautiful formal gardens with palace views (free access)
📝 Practical Tips
- Book online: Queues can be 1-2 hours in peak season
- Check closure schedule: Palace closes for state ceremonies (check website)
- Plan 1.5-2 hours minimum: Only 50 of 3,418 rooms are open but they're spectacular
- Photos allowed: No flash, no professional equipment
- Security screening: Arrive 15-20 minutes early
- Combined tickets: Palace + Royal Collections Gallery saves money
- Changing of Guard: Wednesdays and Saturdays 11 AM-2 PM (weather permitting)