Western Europe's largest functioning royal palace boasts 3,418 rooms filled with priceless tapestries, frescoes, and royal collections. Though no longer the royal residence, it remains the official residence and is used for state ceremonies.
The Palacio Real de Madrid, located on Calle de Bailén in central Madrid, is the official residence of the Spanish royal family and the largest royal palace in Western Europe by floor area, with 135,000 square metres and 3,418 rooms. The current building was constructed between 1738 and 1764 on the orders of King Philip V, replacing a Habsburg fortress destroyed by fire in 1734. The architects Giovanni Battista Sacchetti and later Francesco Sabatini designed it in the Italian Baroque style with Neoclassical elements. While the royal family uses the palace only for state ceremonies — they live in the more modest Palacio de la Zarzuela outside the city — visitors can tour approximately 50 rooms of the public itinerary. These rooms showcase a dazzling accumulation of royal possessions: ceiling frescoes by Tiepolo and Mengs in the Royal Chapel and Throne Room, tapestries after Raphael cartoons in the Gala Dining Room, a complete set of Stradivarius instruments in the Music Room, and Goya portraits of Charles IV throughout. The Throne Room, with its crimson velvet walls and Jean-Baptiste Thierry ceiling fresco, is the most photographed interior. The palace faces the expansive Plaza de Oriente to the east and the verdant Sabatini Gardens to the north, both freely accessible. The Changing of the Guard takes place on the first Wednesday of each month (weather permitting) in the plaza. A full tour of the public itinerary takes 2 to 3 hours.
Good to know
- Hours
- 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Apr-Sep), 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Oct-Mar)
- Best for
- history buffs, architecture lovers, families, culture enthusiasts
Location
Calle de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid
40.4180, -3.7142 View on map
Highlights
- Throne Room with Tiepolo ceiling fresco and original 18th-century furnishings
- Gala Dining Room seating 144 guests with tapestries after Raphael cartoons
- Music Room housing one of the world's few complete Stradivarius instrument sets
- Royal Chapel with ceiling fresco by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
- Plaza de Oriente and Sabatini Gardens framing the palace's two main facades
Tips for visiting
- Visit on Wednesdays or Thursdays for free EU citizen entry
- Changing of the guard happens first Wednesday of month
- Audio guide provides excellent historical context
- Skip the line with advance online tickets
When to visit
Weekday mornings are quietest. EU citizens visiting for free should arrive at least 30 minutes before the free-entry window opens, as queues form quickly. Avoid weekend afternoons when tour groups peak.
Accessibility
The public itinerary is largely accessible to wheelchair users, with lifts between floors and step-free routes through most rooms. Wheelchairs can be requested at the entrance. Some rooms on the upper floors have limited access. The Sabatini Gardens outside are accessible via level paths.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Royal Palace take?
The standard public itinerary covers around 50 rooms and takes 2 to 3 hours at a leisurely pace. An audio guide adds context and is available at the ticket office.
Is there free entry to the Royal Palace?
EU citizens can enter free on weekday afternoons (Monday to Thursday, typically from 4 PM or 5 PM depending on season). Proof of EU citizenship is required. Advance booking is still recommended even for free entry slots.
When does the Changing of the Guard take place?
The full Changing of the Guard ceremony occurs on the first Wednesday of each month at noon in Plaza de Oriente, weather permitting. A shorter daily guard change takes place at the main gate.