Everything About Royal Palace of Madrid Tickets

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest royal palace in Europe, with 135,000 square meters (1.45 million sq ft) of floor space and 3,418 rooms.

This magnificent Baroque building dates back to the early 18th century and features paintings, sculptures, and tapestries.

The palace is open to the public for tours, and it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Madrid, visited by more than a million people each year.

Visitors can see the State Apartments, the Throne Room, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Chapel. There are also gardens and courtyards to explore.

This guide should answer all of your questions and concerns about purchasing Madrid Palace tickets.

Snapshot

Summer Hours (April to Sept): 10 am to 7 pm

Winter Hours (Oct to Mar): 10 am to 6 pm

Last Entry: 1 hour before closing time

Time Needed: 2 to 3 hours

Ticket Cost: €16 to €57

Best Time: Wednesday and Saturday at 10.30 am

Location: The Royal Palace of Madrid is located in the heart of the city, in the western part of Madrid. The nearest landmark is Teatro Real, a world-renowned opera house 1.6 kilometers away. 

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

Where to Buy Royal Palace of Madrid tickets

There are two ways to buy tickets for the Royal Palace of Madrid: online or at the gates.

However, we recommend buying your Royal Palace Madrid tickets in advance for a better experience.

When you buy your tickets online, you can avoid the long lines at the ticket counters, which can be especially long during peak times (June to August).

Depending on the time of day and season, this can save you 15 to 30 minutes of waiting time. 

You also get to choose your preferred time slot and date of visit, which can be helpful if you’re visiting during the summer months (April to September).

Online tickets are also slightly cheaper than tickets purchased at the gate.

So, if you’re looking to save a few euros, buying your tickets online is the way to go.

How do online tickets work?

Select the number of tickets, the time slot, and the date of your visit on the ticket booking page.

After you purchase Madrid Royal Palace tickets, they will be delivered to your email address.

You do not need to print them out.

You can simply show the e-ticket on your mobile phone when you visit the attraction.

Royal Palace of Madrid Ticket Prices

The self-guided fast-access tickets for Royal Palace of Madrid cost 16 Euros for visitors aged 17 to 64. 

Seniors 65 years and older and children between the ages of five and 16 pay a reduced rate of 10 Euros.

Children under the age of four can enter for free.

The two-hour guided tour of the Royal Palace of Madrid costs 32 Euros for visitors seven and older.

Children aged three to six enter for a discounted price of 25 Euros.

Types of TicketsAdult PricesChild PricesTicket link
Cheapest entry ticket€16 ($17)€10 ($11)Buy This Ticket
Guided Tour€32 ($35)€25 ($28)Book This Tour
Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral€37 ($41)€37 ($41)Book This Tour
Madrid City Tour€85 ($94)€85 ($94)Book This Tour
Madrid City Pass€57 ($63)€57 ($63)Buy This Pass

Types of Royal Palace of Madrid Tickets – Choosing the Right Option for You

One of the biggest challenges for tourists visiting Madrid’s Royal Palace is waiting in long lines at its entrance.

During peak seasons (June to August), waiting times can last for hours.

However, there are a few ways to avoid crowds, one of which is to purchase the right type of ticket.

There are three types of tickets available for the Royal Palace of Madrid: self-guided admission tickets, guided tours, and combo tours.

If you want to avoid the crowds and see the palace at your own pace, then self-guided Royal Palace of Madrid admission tickets are a good option.

If you’re interested in learning more about the history and significance of the palace, then a guided tour of the palace is a better choice.

If you want to see two attractions for the price of one, then a combo tour of Madrid Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral is the way to go.

Additionally, you can browse our various ticketing and tour options, including city passes and the Madrid City Tour on a tuk-tuk. 

1. Royal Palace of Madrid Admission Ticket

The self-guided admission ticket is the cheapest and allows you to bypass the lines and enter the palace directly with express security checks.

At only 16 Euros, you can explore the Throne Room, State Rooms, Hall of Mirrors, and Royal Armory.

The entry ticket is timed, so you must select a time slot starting from 10 am (when the palace opens).

Ticket price

Adult ticket (17 to 64 years): 16 Euros
Child ticket (5 to 16 years): 10 Euros
Senior ticket (65+ years): 10 Euros
Infant ticket (upto 4 years): Free entry

2. Royal Palace of Madrid Guided Tour

The Madrid Royal Palace is vast, with over 3,400 rooms, and it can be easy to get lost or confused if you are not familiar with the layout.

A personalized guided tour will ensure you do not miss anything during your visit, and it costs only 32 Euros for adults, which is 16 Euros more than the cheapest entry ticket.

This relatively higher cost is because this is a small group tour.

Led by a knowledgeable guide, you will see some of the palace’s most famous rooms, such as the Throne Room and the Hall of Mirrors.

The best-guided tour of Madrid Palace starts at 9.45 am and lasts for 2 hours.

The meeting location is at Plaza de Isabel II, a quarter-mile (400 meters) walk from the palace.

You should arrive at the meeting location at least 15 minutes early to allow time to walk to the palace and clear security.

Headsets are provided on this tour, so you can hear the guide clearly.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund.

Tour price

Adult ticket (7+ years): 32 Euros
Child ticket (3 to 6 years): 25 Euros
Infant ticket (upto 2 years): Free entry

3. Royal Palace of Madrid and Almudena Cathedral Combo Tour

The combo tours that include entry to the Royal Madrid Palace are popular with tourists for two reasons.

  • Combo tour tickets are up to 30% cheaper than tickets bought individually.
  • After exploring the Royal Palace in 1 or 2 hours, visitors want one more attraction or activity for the day.

The Madrid Palace and Almudena Cathedral combo tour begins at 12.30 pm from Plaza de Isabel II, which is a 400-meter walk from the palace.

With a guide, you will first visit the Royal Palace of Madrid and enjoy its interior.

Afterward, the tour continues to Almudena Cathedral, Madrid’s largest cathedral.

This 2-hour combo tour comes with a skip-the-line ticket to both attractions so that you can avoid long ticket lines in the summer heat (June to August).

Tour timing and prices may vary depending on the size of the group and the language you choose.

Tour price

Royal Palace Bilingual Tour (without Cathedral): 58 Euros for 2 people
Royal Palace and Cathedral Bilingual Tour: 74 Euros for 2 people
Royal Palace English Small Group (without Cathedral): 98 Euros for 2 people
Royal Palace and Cathedral English Small-Group: 114 Euros for 2 people

4. Madrid City Pass

The Madrid City Pass can be a good option if you’re on a budget trip with your family.

This prepaid sightseeing pass can save you money on admission to some of Madrid’s most popular attractions.

A 1 or 2 day hop-on hop-off tour that includes a skip the line ticket for Royal Palace of Madird and the Prado Museum normally costs 100 Euros.

However, with the Madrid Pass, you can get all of that for just 57 Euros.

Discounts of up to 20% are available if you purchase this pass today.

Pass price

Adult ticket (18 to 64 years): 57 Euros
Senior ticket (65+ years): 49 Euros
Student ticket (upto 25 years): 49 Euros
Youth ticket (17 years): 39 Euros
Child ticket (7 to 15 years): 17 Euros
Child ticket (5 to 6 years): 8 Euros
Infant ticket (upto 4 years): Free entry

If you want a wholly unique experience with a private sightseeing experience on an electric tuk-tuk then it is highly recommended that you book a Madrid City Tour.

At 4.9 out of 5, this is the most highly rated private city tour of Madrid’s Royal Palace.
The tour prices can range from 85 Euros to 279 Euros per person.

Discounts of up to 30% are available if you purchase tickets today.

Book This Tour

Free Entry to the Royal Palace of Madrid

If you are on a tight budget, you can visit the Royal Palace of Madrid for free on certain days and times.

Monday to Thursday from 4 pm to 6 pm (October to March) and 6 pm to 8 pm (April to September): This is the most common time to visit for free.

You just need to show proof of your nationality or residency if you’re from the EU or Latin America.

Children under 5 years old: Can enter for free all year round.

Teachers holding teacher credentials: Can enter for free all year round.

Individuals with disabilities, with disability certificates: Can enter for free all year round.

Unemployed individuals with job seeker card: Can enter for free all year round.

18 May: International Museum Day: Admission is free for everyone.

12 October: Spanish National Holiday: Admission is free for everyone.

How long does it take to see Royal Palace in Madrid

To explore the Royal Palace of Madrid, allow at least 2.5 hours for the main palace, armory, and gardens.

Add another hour for the Change of Guards ceremony or take a 90-minute or 2-hour guided tour of Madrid Royal Palace.

 Things you can’t miss at Madrid’s Royal Palace
Vacatis.com

What to Expect at the Royal Palace of Madrid

At the Royal Palace of Madrid, you can take in the majesty of Spanish royalty and its artistic treasures.

This 300-year-old iconic landmark houses over 3,000 masterpieces, including works by Velázquez, Goya, and Caravaggio.

You’ll also find a vast collection of armor, weaponry, and lavish Baroque-style State Apartments.

The tour begins with the Main Staircase, an impressive grand staircase adorned with 77 marble steps, statues, and paintings.

Next, you’ll visit the Throne Room, the largest room in the palace.

This historically significant chamber is decorated with Tiepolo frescoes and houses a magnificent throne crafted from gold and silver by the space’s designer, Giovanni Battista Natali.

Your next stop is the Gasparini Room. This exquisite rococo-style chamber is lavishly decorated with gold leaf, ornate mirrors, and beautiful paintings.

It is a visual feast that will leave art lovers and beauty lovers alike speechless.

For those interested in history and the military, the Royal Armoury of Madrid is a must-see destination inside the Palace. 

Over 15,000 armor and weaponry pieces from the 13th century are kept in this vast collection.

You will develop a profound understanding of how weaponry has changed over time and how important it is to Spanish history.

The Royal Palace of Madrid has a ton of other chambers and spaces besides these highlighted ones that are just begging to be explored.

Additionally, you can visit the gardens, the royal chapel, and the royal stables to witness the magnificent horses.

It is certain that every visitor will find something to capture their attention among the variety of attractions.

It’s important to keep in mind that the Palacio de Real Madrid offers both guided tours and self-guided exploration.

The guided tours of Madrid Palace are available in English and Spanish and cost 32 Euros per person.

The Royal Palace of Madrid tour usually lasts about two hours. 

FAQs

How much does it cost to enter the Royal Palace of Madrid?

The cheapest ticket to the Royal Palace Madrid is 16 Euros for visitors aged 17 to 64. 

Seniors 65 and older, as well as children aged five to sixteen, pay a reduced fee of ten Euros.

Children under the age of four have free admission.

Are Royal Palace of Madrid tickets available online now?

Yes, Royal Palace of Madrid tickets are available online now.

You can book them through the official website of Patrimonio Nacional, the Spanish government agency that manages the palace.

You can also buy discounted tickets through third-party websites, such as GetYourGuide and Tiqets.

Do Royal Palace of Madrid tickets include skip the line access?

Yes, some Royal Palace Madrid tickets include skip the line access. This means that you will be able to bypass the long lines at the entrance to the palace.

The following Madrid Palace tickets provide skip-the-line access:

Skip the line tickets for Royal Palace of Madrid
Guided tour of Madrid Palace
Royal Palace and Almudena combo tour

Are group visits allowed in the Royal Palace of Madrid?

Yes, group visits are allowed in the combo tour, including the Royal Palace of Madrid and Almudena Cathedral.

Royal Palace English Small Group (without Cathedral): 44 Euros per person
Royal Palace and Cathedral English Small-Group: 51 Euros per person

This combo tour variant can accommodate a maximum of 8 people.

However, you must book your group visit in advance.

Are strollers/wheelchairs available at the Royal Palace of Madrid?

Yes, strollers and wheelchairs are available at the Royal Palace of Madrid.

How to get free tickets for Royal Palace Madrid?

On Mondays through Thursdays, from 4 pm to 6 pm in the winter and from 5 pm to 7 pm in the summer, the Royal Palace of Madrid provides free admission to EU citizens, residents, and holders of EU work permits, as well as citizens of Ibero-American countries.

Please keep in mind that you will be required to show proof of concession at the entrance. 

Valid forms of proof of concession include a passport, a residence permit, or a work permit.

Is it free to enter Royal Palace in Madrid?

The Royal Palace of Madrid does not allow free admission.

There are a few exceptions, EU citizens are permitted to visit the palace free of charge from 5 pm to 7 pm in the summer.

Do Royal Palace of Madrid tickets include guided tours?

No, Royal Palace of Madrid tickets do not include guided tours.

You can purchase a separate ticket for a cheapest guided tour of Royal Palace for just 32 Euros for adults above 7 years.

The guided tours are led by experts who can tell you about the history and architecture of the palace.

What is the cancellation policy of Royal Palace of Madrid tickets?

The tickets to the Royal Palace in Madrid cannot be canceled once they have been booked. No refund will be given if you cancel them.

However, the cancellation policy varies according to the ticket you select.

A guided tour of the Royal Palace of Madrid can be canceled up to 24 hours before your visit. After that, there will be no refunds.

Featured Image: Tomas Martinez on Unsplash

Subscribe to Newsletter


© 2024 Vacatis