Royal Palace of Madrid

About the Royal Palace

The palace was built in the 18th century, with work starting in 1738 on the site of an old Moorish-era fortress. The architects Filippo Juvarra and Giovanni Battista Sacchetti designed a vast late-Baroque building in pale stone, and Charles III was the first king to live here. Today it's the official residence of the King of Spain, though the royal family actually lives in another palace outside the city.

With some 3,400 rooms, it's one of the largest working royal palaces in Europe by floor area. State receptions and ceremonies are held here, so the museum closes on those days. The rest of the time, visitors can tour a suite of about fifty state rooms.

What to see inside

The visit begins with the grand staircase, with marble lions and a painted ceiling. Then come rooms with Tiepolo frescoes, tapestries, chandeliers and clocks, of which the king had a huge collection. The grandest is the Throne Room, all red velvet and gilded lions by the throne beneath a Tiepolo ceiling glorifying Spain.

Don't miss the Gasparini Room, Charles III's dressing room, its walls, ceiling and furniture covered in silk and stucco flowers, or the Porcelain Cabinet, lined with hundreds of white and green panels. In the courtyard is the Royal Pharmacy, with hundreds of old medicine jars, and one gallery holds a quartet of instruments by Stradivarius.

What to see at the Royal Palace

• The grand staircase — marble lions and a painted ceiling.
• The Throne Room — red velvet and a Tiepolo fresco.
• The Gasparini Room — silk and floral stucco.
• The Porcelain Cabinet — walls of porcelain.
• The Royal Pharmacy — old jars and bottles.
• The Stradivarius quartet — violins, viola and cello.

Gardens and squares around it

In front of the main façade is the broad Plaza de la Armería, with views over Madrid's western hills, and opposite stands Almudena Cathedral. To the east is Plaza de Oriente, with gardens, statues of kings and a view of the Teatro Real.

North of the palace lie the formal Sabatini Gardens, with fountains and clipped hedges, and below, by the river, the English-style Campo del Moro, the best spot to see the whole palace from below. They're cool in summer and a good place to rest after the tour.

Tips for your visit

Come at opening time or after lunch, as tour groups arrive midday. Photography is banned in most rooms except the grand staircase and some galleries. Bags are checked at the entrance, and large backpacks go to the cloakroom.

The palace pairs well with Almudena Cathedral, the Sabatini Gardens and sunset at the Temple of Debod, 15 minutes' walk north. For lunch, head to La Latina or Plaza Mayor, though prices on the square itself are higher.

Places in Madrid: compare and choose

Places in Madrid rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.

Nearby and on the way

51

Almudena Cathedral

Madrid, Spain

45 min · Cathedral free · 5 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Almudena Cathedral

44

Plaza de España

Madrid, Spain

30 min · Free · 11 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Plaza de España

51

Plaza Mayor

Madrid, Spain

40 min · Free · 11 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Plaza Mayor

49

Temple of Debod

Madrid, Spain

40 min · Free · 13 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Temple of Debod

How to do it right

• Check the ceremony calendar.
• Book online.
• Photos are banned in most rooms.
• The cathedral and Sabatini Gardens are next door.

Questions