Experience the best of Royal Palace of Madrid

Quick overview

• Ways to explore: Choose from timed entry tickets to the palace, skip-the-line tickets, a skip-the-line guided tour, or combos with the Prado Museum, the Royal Collections Gallery, a 2-hour tuk-tuk tour, or the Liria Palace, among others.
  
• Additional access: Some tickets add the Royal Collections Gallery next door or the Royal Palace Kitchens, which are not included in standard entry tickets.
  
• Queues & access: Prebooked tickets skip the ticket purchase line; security checks still apply, and can take anywhere between 10-20 minutes.
  
• When to book: Weekend, summer, and late-morning slots fill first. Book a weekday opening slot early if you want quieter rooms.
  
• Good to know: A visit to the palace takes anywhere between 45-90 minuets, depending on how much time you intend to spend exploring its grand halls and gardens.
  
• Best upgrade: Choose a combo with the Prado Museum to get access to two key art and culture-centric landmarks in the heart of the city.

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Things to know before booking your Royal Palace of Madrid tickets

• Late-morning slots, weekends, guided tours, and tickets with access to the Royal Kitchens are usually the first to sell out. Book your tickets at least a few days in advance, preferably for a morning slot, so you can enjoy a quieter, more immersive visit.
  
• Does the palace have a free entry window? EU citizens enjoy free entry to the palace from Mondays to Thursdays between 4pm and 6pm in the winter and 5pm and 7pm in the summer. Make sure to carry all relevant identification to avail of this benefit.
  
• Where should I enter from? Your meeting point will be mentioned on your ticket. Keep in mind that if you've chosen a skip-the-line ticket, you will still need to pass through the palace's mandatory security check.
  
• Explore more of Madrid's cultural heritage. The Royal Palace & Prado Museum combo is perfect for anyone who wants to experience more of Madrid's art and history. The best part is that both landmarks are a mere 2km apart, making it easy to go from one to the other.

Insider secrets & tips | Royal Palace of Madrid

• Try to visit before 11am or after 3pm to avoid the tour group rush. The Throne Room and Royal Armory are the first to get crowded.
  
• Skip heels or loud shoes—the palace has marble floors that echo, and some rooms require a lot of walking or standing.
  
• If you're planning to visit during the free entry hours (Mon–Thurs, late afternoons), arrive at least 45–60 minutes early. The queue can wrap around Plaza de Oriente, and entry is not guaranteed if capacity is reached.
  
• Photography is not allowed inside. Guards will remind you firmly. You can take photos in the courtyards, the grand staircase, and the outside gardens.
  
• The Royal Kitchen is only accessible with select tickets. If you want to see it, make sure your ticket explicitly mentions access—most general entries don’t include it.
  
• There’s no café inside the palace. The nearest options are along Calle de Bailén and Plaza de Oriente. If you want a quiet sit-down, head to Café de Oriente across the square.
  
• The Changing of the Guard happens on Wednesdays and Saturdays (around 11am) at the Plaza de la Armería. It lasts about 30 minutes and draws a crowd. Get there 15–20 minutes early if you want front-row views.
  
• Restrooms are limited inside. Use the facilities near the main entrance before starting your tour.
  
• If you're doing a combo tour with Prado Museum or Royal Collections Gallery, plan for a full day. All three are walking distance, but it’s too much to rush in under 3–4 hours.
  
• The palace has multiple entry gates. Most visitors enter through Calle de Bailén. Look for the security line even if you’ve pre-booked—timed entry doesn’t mean instant access.