Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid, otherwise known as the “Palacio de Oriente” because of its proximity to Plaza de Oriente, is the Spanish Royal Family’s official residence.
The construction of the Palace began in 1738 and took 16 years to complete. When the building was inaugurated, King Charles III established his official residence in the palace in 1764. The site of the Palacio Real was previously occupied by the “Palacio de los Asturias” until it was burned down on Christmas Eve in 1734.
Nowadays, the Palace is used exclusively for receptions, state ceremonies, and official acts since the King of Spain currently lives in the Palacio de la Zarzuela. The Palace is surrounded by the Campo del Moro Park and the Sabatini gardens. The first, located on the west side of the building, dates back to the Middle Ages. The Campo del Moro Park is open to the public from 10 am to 6 pm during winter and from 10 am to 8 pm during the summer months, whilst the Sabatini gardens were designed in the twentieth century and are situated on the north side of the building.
Changing of the Guard
The changing of Guard at the Royal Palace of Madrid takes place the first Wednesday of every month at 12 pm (except in January, August, and September). The ceremony is also sometimes canceled due to public events or bad weather.
Visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid offers both guided and self-guided tours all year round, closing only for official acts.
The traditional visit includes entry to the following areas of the Palace:
- Salones Oficiales (Official Halls): Majestic, well-kept, and beautifully decorated, each hall is unique and the Throne Room is truly breathtaking.
- Armería Real (Royal Armory): Armor, shields, and weapons of every kind make up one of the world’s most important collections.
- Farmacia Real (Royal Pharmacy): Features hundreds of different-sized bottles with beautifully decorated cabinets that were used for storing all kinds of medicine, transporting you back in time. The best part is a faithful reconstruction of the laboratory.
If you want to take a guided tour of the Royal Palace of Madrid so that you don't miss the best spots and its exciting stories, you can make a reservation through the website at this link:
Schedule
From October until March:
Monday through Saturday: from 10 am until 6 pm. Sundays: from 10 am to 4 pm.
From April until October:
From Monday to Saturday: from 10 am until 8 pm. Sundays: from 10 am to 4 pm.
Closed: January 1 and 6, May 1, October 12, December 24 and 31 (after 3 pm) and December 25. There may be additional closures due to the celebration of official events.
Price
Adults: € 14 (US$ 14.80)
Students, European Youth Card, seniors (over 65) and young people (less than 16): € 7 (US$ 7.40)
Children under 5, unemployed people, people with disabilities: free entrance
From Monday to Thursday, from 5 pm to 7 pm (4 pm to 6 pm in winter), free admission is available for all.
Madrid Palace Guided Tour € 32 (US$ 33.90)
Nearby places
Plaza de Oriente (96 m) Sabatini Gardens in Madrid (210 m) Teatro Real of Madrid (248 m) Almudena Cathedral (285 m) Mercado de San Miguel (515 m)
