{"id":35882,"date":"2025-05-29T12:03:16","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T12:03:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/?p=35882"},"modified":"2025-05-29T12:03:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T12:03:17","slug":"the-complete-guide-to-visiting-madrids-royal-palace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/the-complete-guide-to-visiting-madrids-royal-palace\/","title":{"rendered":"The Complete Guide To Visiting Madrid\u2019s Royal Palace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If visiting the largest royal palace in Western Europe is on your travel bucket list, don\u2019t miss the Palacio Real Madrid. It\u2019s been the official residence of the Spanish monarchy since the reign of Charles I (also known as Emperor Charles V) in the 16th century, but the site of the landmark we can visit today has a unique history that goes back even further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun fact<\/strong>: While the Palacio Real Madrid is still the official residence of the Spanish monarchy, the royal family no longer uses it as their primary home. The palace is mostly used for official state ceremonies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To say that the Royal Palace is beautiful is an understatement. Surrounded by the lush Sabatini Gardens and constructed in a Baroque style, it\u2019s what\u2019s inside the palace that will really wow you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With more than 3,000 rooms extravagantly decorated and impressive collections of everything from famous paintings to Stradivarius violins, nothing compares to visiting the Royal Palace in Madrid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you go, let\u2019s get to know more about the palace, inside and out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This Spanish house of bones isn’t scary \u2014 it’s Instagrammable<\/a><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A brief history of the Royal Palace in Madrid <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Like I said, the Royal Palace has a long history, and it all started in the 9th century when the Moors occupied \u201cMagerit\u201d (Madrid in Arabic) and Emir Mohamed I chose the site of the palace for the city\u2019s fortress. The fortress was meant to protect Toledo, the ancient Spanish capital, from the advancing Christians. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The kings of Castille started to use the site in the 14th century and built the Antiguo Alc\u00e1zar (old fortress), but it was Charles I who made it the official royal residence in the 16th century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fire that burned for four days destroyed the old fortress in 1734. It was Christmas Eve, and there was a delayed response because people confused the warning bells for church bells. Many works of art were sadly lost in the fire, and we only have paintings like Vel\u00e1zquez\u2019s \u201cLas Meninas \u2014 which now hangs in the Prado Museum<\/a> \u2014 because they were tossed out of windows as the palace burned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe best of Madrid in one culture-packed morning<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Highlights of Madrid Walking Tour<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

The Royal Palace we can visit today was constructed in the 18th century by the order of Philip V, who never got to live there since it wasn\u2019t completed until 26 years later in 1764. Charles III was the first monarch to live in the palace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s interesting about the Royal Palace\u2019s design is that its architects were inspired by Gianlorenzo Bernini\u2019s sketches for the Louvre in Paris<\/a>. When you go, observe how it\u2019s a square shape and looks out on a large courtyard. The palace\u2019s 3,418 rooms have also changed over the years, as each monarch has brought their own flair for decoration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know before you go to the Royal Palace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s some practical information you\u2019ll need to plan your visit to Madrid\u2019s Royal Palace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best time to visit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There isn\u2019t a bad time to visit the Royal Palace, but there are fewer crowds when you go in the shoulder and off-peak seasons from October-March. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Length of your visit <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Two hours is enough time to explore all the best rooms and the beautiful Sabatini Gardens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ticket options <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Standard admission starts at \u20ac14. The Royal Palace also has options for free admission and combined tours with the Gallery of Royal Collections and Royal Kitchen, so check their website<\/a> for details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening hours <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Royal Palace in Madrid is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the winter and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. in the summer. On Sundays, it\u2019s open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. all year round. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A room-by-room guide to the Royal Palace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Of the more than 3,000 rooms in the Royal Palace, there are a few you\u2019ll be able to explore as a visitor. Here\u2019s your guide to the must-see palace rooms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Throne Room<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The red velvet walls and frescoes by Giovanni Battista Tieplo have decorated the Throne Room since it was completed in 1772. Now when you visit, you\u2019ll find the thrones of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hall of Mirrors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like Versailles in France<\/a>, Madrid\u2019s Royal Palace also has a Hall of Mirrors. It\u2019s one of the most stunning rooms in the palace with its pink marble walls, crystal chandeliers, and, of course, mirrors. It also once served as a dressing room for Queen Mar\u00eda Luisa de Parma, who was the wife of Carlos IV. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Main Staircase<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Credit: Richard Mortel \/ CC BY 2.0 DEED<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Designed by the architect Francesco Sabatini, who gives the lush gardens their name, this staircase has more than 70 marble steps that ascend three floors. Each step is carved from Spanish marble, and the bronze handrail truly makes it look like a staircase fit for royalty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip<\/strong>: Look up to see the fresco painted on the ceiling by Italian painter Corrado Giaquinto. You\u2019ll also notice sculptures around the staircase meant to depict royalty, like the two proud lions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Royal Chapel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Royal Chapel is one of the palace\u2019s most impressive rooms with its collection of religious art and frescoes by Corrado Giaquinto. The intricate altarpieces and dome are especially worth taking in as you pass through the chapel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Gasparini Room<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once the private chamber of Carlos III, the Gasparini Room\u2019s Rococo-style decoration will amaze you as soon as you enter it. The decoration is so ornate that it took nearly 50 years to complete. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun fact<\/strong>: The Royal Palace has more than 150 working clocks, and the impressive shepherd\u2019s clock can be found in the Gasparini Room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Royal Armory<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Royal Armory is considered one of the finest in the world with its large collection of armor, weapons, and artifacts from Spanish monarchs that date back to the 15th century. Some noteworthy pieces to look out for include Carlos V\u2019s riding gear and the signed armor of Filippo Negroli, who was a great armorer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gardens are just as beautiful <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Credit: Jorge L\u00e1scar \/ CC BY 2.0 DEED<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The architects of the Royal Palace took a lot of inspiration from the French. The palace\u2019s layout is based on sketches from the Louvre, and the Sabatini Gardens have the same symmetrical design that French gardens<\/a> are known for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located on the northern side of the Royal Palace, the gardens are named after Francesco Sabatini, the Italian architect who helped design a few rooms in the palace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With labyrinth-like landscaping, fountains, and a large pond, these majestic gardens are easy to get lost in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t miss the Changing of the Guard  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Credit: Contando Estrelas \/ CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Every Wednesday and Saturday, head to the Puerta del Pr\u00edncipe gate to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony, when members of the Royal Guard are relieved from their post. It officially starts at 11 a.m, but get there earlier to find a spot with the best view.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll see soldiers \u2014 on foot and on horseback \u2014 dressed in their red, white, and blue uniforms. A fife and drum play military marches as the soldiers follow official commands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip<\/strong>: If you\u2019re in Madrid on the first Wednesday of the month (except January, August, and September), you won\u2019t want to miss the Solemn Changing of the Guard in Armory Square. The hour-long ceremony includes a review of the troops and parades of soldiers accompanied by an orchestra playing traditional Spanish music.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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