Palacio Real de Madrid

About the museum

The palace stands on the site of the former Royal Alcázar, a fortress that Henry III turned into a frequently used royal residence. A fire on Christmas Eve 1734 destroyed much of the building, and Philip V seized the opportunity to demolish it and build a new palace; work began in 1738. Filippo Juvarra drew the first plans and, after his sudden death, Giovanni Battista Sacchetti adapted them to the site. Ventura Rodríguez designed the Royal Chapel, and Francesco Sabatini completed the building.

Charles III was the first monarch to live there on a permanent basis. Charles IV moved the main staircase, and in the 19th century Ferdinand VII refurbished the interiors in French taste; Alfonso XII gave some rooms a Victorian character. Alfonso XIII was the last king to live in the palace. During the Second Republic, President Manuel Azaña occupied some rooms and the building was renamed the Palacio Nacional. After the Civil War, repair work was carried out throughout the second half of the 20th century.

Today the royal family lives in the Zarzuela Palace, and the Royal Palace is used for state ceremonies and official events. It is one of the few official residences of a head of state open to the public. With more than 135,000 square metres and over 3,000 rooms, it receives around 1.5 million visitors a year. The route passes through rooms such as the Throne Room, the Hall of Columns and the Gasparini Hall, the state dining room, the Royal Chapel, the Royal Armoury and the Royal Kitchen.

Highlights

• Throne Room
• Hall of Columns and Gasparini Hall
• Main staircase
• State dining room
• Royal Armoury
• Royal Kitchen and Royal Chapel

Permanent exhibition

• Recorrido por los salones del Palacio Real – Visit to the state rooms and royal apartments, including the Throne Room, the Hall of Columns, the Royal Chapel, the Royal Armoury and the Royal Kitchen.

Founded

1735

Operated by

Patrimonio Nacional

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Monday to Thursday 16:00–18:00 (October to March) or 17:00–19:00 (April to September), with last entry one hour before closing; only for citizens of the European Union who live and work there and for Ibero-American citizens, with supporting documents. Also free on 18 May (International Museum Day).

Unemployed people, active teachers, official guides and members of ICOM and ICOMOS also enter free, with accreditation at the ticket office. Capacity is limited and ticket office sales are reduced, so buying online is recommended. The ticket office does not accept €200 or €500 notes.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Access for people with reduced mobility is available, and manual wheelchairs can be borrowed. There is a guide to the palace in easy-to-read language and an accessibility leaflet for people with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Visitor entrance via the Almudena esplanade, at the corner of Calle de Bailén. BiciMAD station no. 36 is near the palace.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit