Madrid’s royal palace stands out among the grand European palaces not only due to its size and splendour but also because of its fascinating history and hidden secrets. For many of us visiting Europe, Buckingham Palace or Versailles are high up on the bucket list–for good reason, but after visiting, I would argue that the home of the Spanish royal family puts up some good competition.
1. History and Architecture of the Royal Palace
I am sure you can guess who lives in the Royal Palace of Madrid– the king and queen, or King Felipe IV, Queen Letizia and their two children–but the monarchy in Spain has a rather spotted history, and there have been occasions when the royal family have had to flee the country leaving the largest Royal palace in Europe empty. Aside from its sheer size, the architecture of the Royal Palace of Madrid is striking; as you approach the la Plaza de la Armeria, the giant front of the palace in all its classical splendour is beautifully set against the sprawlings gardens and the hills of la casa de campo in the background and the Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena behind.
You may be wondering when was the Royal Palace of Madrid built–not that long ago, actually, the palace as it looks today was finished in 1764, 59 years after Buckingham Palace and 133 years after Versailles. Although the site upon which it sits was originally a Moorish castle, then after the Reconquista, a castle was built and burned down to finally give way to what is there today.
2. Exploring Inside the Royal Palace
Once you get inside, there are a few options. The Royal Palace of Madrid entrance fee ranges from €14 for standard entry to €24 for the palace and gallery, and there are discounts for groups, EU citizens and others.
The Royal Gallery is a great new addition. It opened in 2023 and contains many Spanish paintings, sculptures, and royal artefacts, so if classical art is your thing, why not? It is located across the square, right next to the cathedral.
My personal favourite was the armoury because, well, not that deep down, I’m still a 14-year-old boy, so seeing swords, silver shields, and horses encased in gold armour was incredible. Luckily, I speak Spanish and can ask the helpful armoury staff questions. Although many of them speak English, I imagine the Royal Palace of Madrid audio guide could be very useful. The armoury contains the suit of armour used by Emperor Charles V–the Holy Roman emperor himself. To this day, I do not know how any of them moved, let alone fought in something that must weigh a tonne.
As I mentioned, the palace is massive; luckily for your legs, only 50 of the 3,418 rooms are usually open to the public. Those rooms include the famous Royal Palace of Madrid throne room–unless it is being used for an official ceremony, although that would be incredibly unlucky. Although the throne room is very ornate and splendid, I think the royal chapel takes the cake with its ceiling frescos and marble pillars, but it’s something you have to see with your own eyes. Next up is the Gasparini Chamber, which has more ornate paintings and marble.
As you do not need a guide, there is plenty of time to take in the atmosphere and move between all the rooms. Just remember, the Spanish royal family is still pretty active, so there are occasions when a room is closed for official business (and I imagine spring cleaning), so check in advance if your heart is set on seeing a specific room.
3. Gardens and Grounds
Sadly, I did not make it to the gardens; the best time to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid or the gardens at least might not be winter–although I am particularly cold averse–so plan accordingly. You can get an idea of the 3.3-hectare gardens from the edge of the la Plaza de la Armeria, which features the Prince’s garden, with ponds and water features, the Queen’s garden with ornate flower beds and much more.
4. Essential Visitor Information
If you are doing a fly-by visit or staying nearby, it only takes about 50 minutes on the metro to get from Madrid airport to Royal Palace. Once you are there, all the tourist information is in English, and the staff are very helpful. Whether you want a souvenir, a Royal Palace of Madrid map or a book on the fascinating history, the guide shop or nearby stores will have what you are looking for.
I would recommend checking when the Spanish school holidays–and other holidays fall to avoid the crowds; EU citizens or residents can also get in for free–Monday to Thursday between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM or from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM during the winter months (October to March).
Once you are inside, watch out for the areas where photos are not allowed (I missed a sign to this effect and was quickly berated by the security).
5. Nearby Attractions and Amenities
As I mentioned, the palace is set in a great location, although it feels like the edge of town due to the expansive gardens and Casa de Campo to the west, Some of Madrid’s best attractions are within 15 minutes on foot, like the Plaza Mayor which hosts Christmas markets and other events throughout the year.
If you are looking for the best restaurants near the Royal Palace of Madrid, there is no shortage of traditional Tapas bars to choose from. Restaurants aside, the Mercado de San Miguel is a 10-minute walk away, and it is my favourite tapas market in Madrid–or Spain, for that matter, and I’ve been to a good few tapas markets. Just up the road is the Plaza de España, with lots of shady trees to cool down under in summer. With no shortage of hotels near the Royal Palace of Madrid, staying nearby might not be a bad idea.
At the end of the day, holidays are supposed to be fun, so run it at your own pace, check out the nearby eateries and attractions and enjoy all that this capital’s breathtaking palace has to offer.
