Royal Palace Visit, Madrid

4.0 (2 reviews)

Skip the lines and learn about the history of the Spanish monarchy with a guided visit to Madrid's famous Palacio Real.

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Overview

Visit Madrid's famous Palacio Real (Royal Palace) with an expert guide who'll show you the highlights of this iconic national monument. Learn about the history of the Spanish monarchy as you wander the palace's ornate rooms, marveling at its intricate frescoes, paintings, and architecture. Key features include the decorative Salón del Trono (Throne Room) and the Salón de Columnas (Columns Hall), as well as flamboyant clocks and pieces by famous painters like Rubens. The experience includes skip-the-line access to the palace and free time to explore its wonders independently.

Highlights

Uncover the history of the Spanish monarchy as you roam the Palacio Real with an expert guide
Discover intricate art, frescoes, and elaborate clocks throughout the palace
Admire highlights like Francesco Sabatini's staircase and the Salón del Trono

Know before you go

Duration
1.5 hours

Recommended for
6 years old & up

Group
Small group, 7 people or less

What you'll do

Explore an essential part of Spanish culture during this guided visit to the Palacio Real in Madrid. Begin by meeting your guide and the rest of your small group in the Plaza de Oriente opposite the palace, then enjoy skip-the-line entry to this historic monument. Built in the mid-18th century, the palace is one of Europe's largest, and although only used for occasional ceremonies today, it remains the official residence of the Spanish royal family.

Learn about the history of the Spanish monarchy and its place in society as your guide leads you through some of the palace's 3,418 rooms. Highlights include the Salón de Columnas with its neoclassical pillars that once held banquets and dances, and the grand central staircase designed by architect Francesco Sabatini. Marvel at the Salón del Trono, filled with gilded mirrors, lion statues, and red-velvet thrones, and admire the palace's famous collection of intricate clocks and paintings by European artists like Rubens, Velázquez, and Goya.

After 1.5 hours, your guide will bid farewell and leave you to continue exploring the palace independently if you wish. You're free to revisit particular rooms or pieces of artwork and continue to discover new features of the palace, from the armory to the intricate stucco ceiling in the Salón de Gasparini (Kings Chamber) and the palace's collection of antique Stradivarius violins.

Start times

Monday

3:30 pm
Tuesday

3:30 pm
Wednesday

3:30 pm
Thursday

3:30 pm
Friday

3:30 pm
Saturday

Not available
Sunday

Not available

What's included

Skip-the-line tickets
Entry to the palace
Expert guide

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Traveler reviews

2 total ratings, 1 with review

4.0

Feature ratings

Quality of Experience
4.0

Guides, Drivers and Staff
3.0

Transport
1.0

Richie D.

Canada | Reviewed on Apr 23, 2025

It was educational. You learned about the history of the different rooms, how it made and who inhabited it. The decor were exceptional. Read more