Royal Palace of Madrid Guide: Tickets, Free Hours & the Royal Collections Gallery
1.5 - 2.5 h
Royal Palace
Built 1738-1755
Calle de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid, Spain
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Practical Visitor Info & Tips
€18.00
€9.00
Winter (Oct-Mar): Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 10:00-16:00. Summer (Apr-Sep): Mon-Sat 10:00-19:00, Sun 10:00-16:00.
Advance booking is recommended via the official ticketing platform.
| Winter (Oct-Mar), Mon-Sat | Royal Palace | 10:00 - 18:00 |
| Winter (Oct-Mar), Sunday | Royal Palace | 10:00 - 16:00 |
| Summer (Apr-Sep), Mon-Sat | Royal Palace | 10:00 - 19:00 |
| Summer (Apr-Sep), Sunday | Royal Palace | 10:00 - 16:00 |
Last Admission: Box office and access close 1 hour before the stated closing time.
Closed On: 1 & 6 January, 1 May, 24 December (from 15:00), 25 December, 31 December (from 15:00) — plus possible additional last-minute closures for official state events, per the official site's own notice; no fixed advance-notice mechanism is stated.
Free Admission Dates: Free, self-guided only, for EU citizens/residents and Ibero-American (Latin American) citizens/residents with ID: winter (Oct-Mar) Mon-Thu 16:00-18:00, summer (Apr-Sep) Mon-Thu 17:00-19:00 (access closes 60 minutes before the window ends). Also free to all nationalities on 18 May and 12 October.
The Royal Kitchen is a separate, additionally-ticketed component (€8 standalone, or a combined 'Palace + Royal Kitchen' ticket at €24 standard/€12 reduced/free-eligible €0) — not part of the standard €18 Palace ticket. Whether the standard self-guided ticket's own route includes the Royal Armoury, and whether the Royal Pharmacy is currently open to visitors at all, could not be confirmed from the pages checked this audit — treat both as UNKNOWN rather than assuming inclusion.
| Option | Price | Reservation | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard self-guided ticket | €18.00 | Recommended advance booking | Official site |
| Reduced (5-16, 65+, students under 26) | €9.00 | Recommended advance booking | Official site |
| Guided visit | €26.00 | Present 15 min early | Official site |
| Combined with Royal Collections Gallery | €24.00 | Recommended advance booking | Official site — usable up to 7 days apart |
Overview & Visitor Introduction
The Royal Palace is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family, though it's used today only for state ceremonies — the current king and family live elsewhere. It remains one of the largest functioning royal palaces in Europe by floor area.
Standard self-guided admission is €18, with a genuine (if narrow) free-entry window for EU and Ibero-American citizens/residents. It's a separate ticket entirely from the newer Royal Collections Gallery next door — don't assume one includes the other.
History & Significance
Built between 1738 and 1755 on the site of a former Moorish fortress that burned down in 1734, the palace was commissioned by King Philip V in the Bourbon dynasty's own image of European royal grandeur, modeled partly on the Louvre and Versailles.
It remains the official (ceremonial) royal residence today, hosting state functions and official receptions, while the Royal Family itself resides at the more modest Palacio de la Zarzuela outside the city.
What to See: Top Highlights
Throne Room
The palace's most opulent state room, still used for official ceremonies.
Royal Armoury
One of the world's best-preserved historic royal arms and armor collections — confirm current inclusion/ticketing at the entrance, as this wasn't fully confirmed on the official pricing page.
Royal Kitchen
A separately-ticketed component (not part of the standard €18 ticket) showing the palace's original 18th-century kitchens.
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Pass Compatibility
Compare Madrid PassesIncluded on Turbopass's Madrid City Pass/Flex Pass and on Go City Madrid (with audioguide) — but NOT on Paseo del Arte, which covers only the three art museums. The Madrid City Card lists a Royal Palace benefit as 'coming soon,' not yet active.
Paseo del Arte
Not included. Paseo del Arte is a three-museum art ticket only; it has no relationship to the Royal Palace.
Madrid City Pass
Included.
Madrid Flex Pass
Optional (selectable attraction). Counts as one of your chosen attractions.
Go City Madrid All-Inclusive Pass
Included. Included with an audioguide, per Go City's own attraction listing.
Madrid City Card
Not included. Listed on the Card's own official page as a 'soon' benefit — announced but not yet active as of this verification (September 2026). Do not present a Royal Palace benefit as currently live.
Data Provenance
Frequently Asked Questions
Is changing of the guard held here?
Is the Royal Palace free to visit?
Is the Royal Collections Gallery included in my Royal Palace ticket?
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