10 tips for visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid: schedules, ticket prices

El Royal Palace It is one of the monuments essential things you should see on a trip to Madrid.

But my advice is that you don't just look at its exterior during your walk through the Plaza de Oriente, but also visit the interior of the Royal Palace.

In fact, when you know him it will be easy for you to understand why the Royal Palace It is one of the most visited monuments in the city of Madrid.

So that you can get an idea, we recommend that you read this complete article with information on the best to see in the Royal Palace of Madrid.

Tips for visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid

And then I give you some Practical tips for visiting the Royal Palace in the Plaza de Oriente de Madrid.

What is the best day to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid

From my point of view, Wednesday is the best day of the week to visit the Royal Palace.

In addition to making the interior visit, touring its rooms and exhibitions, you will have the opportunity to attend the changing of the guard.

This simple ceremony takes place at the door of the palace of the Bailen Street, In the Plaza de Oriente, every Wednesday morning and at all times of the year, from 11 a.m. to 14 p.m., being in July and August between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Solemn relief of the Royal Guard at the Royal Palace

But also, if your tourist stay in Madrid coincides with the first wednesday of the month (except in July, August and September), you will have the opportunity to attend a great ceremony at the Royal Palace: The Solemn Relief of the GuRoyal burning.

In this great Changing of the Guard parade which takes place in the Plaza de la Armería in which more than 450 soldiers of the Royal Guard, with cavalry and artillery units.

It starts at 12 noon and lasts for about two hours, but it is totally worth it.

Visit the Royal Palace of Madrid on Monday

You should know that the Royal Palace It is one of the monuments of Madrid that Open to the public on Mondays for visits, a usual closing day in other institutions and museums in the city.

Of course, you should anticipate that queues usually form at the ticket offices because tourists gather on that day of the week for the purpose of visit the royal palace.

When and how to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid for free

If you would like to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid for free, you must go from Monday to Thursday afternoon, specifically, between 18 and 20 p.m., from April to September, and between 16 and 18 p.m., from October to March.

Here you have the detailed information on When and how to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid for free.

Skip-the-line guided tours at the Royal Palace of Madrid

For you visit of the Royal Palace you have the option to sign up for one guided tour in Spanish, which also you will avoid waiting in lines that usually form, especially during high season.

With a duration of an hour and a half, you will not have to worry about getting tickets and you will carry out the visit with the company of a specialized Spanish-speaking guide.

Royal Armory of the Royal Palace

In your visit of the Royal Palace, in addition to touring the Official Rooms, you have the option of visiting other facilities, such as the Royal Kitchen, but above all I recommend that you should not stop entering the Royal Armory.

There you find one of the most important collections in the world of medieval armor, only comparable to what can also be seen in the Austrian capital, Vienna.

This specific visit will take you about 30 minutes.

Gardens of the Royal Palace of Madrid

And finally, if you visit of the Royal Palace of Madrid coincides with a nice day and you have time, a good option is walk through the gardens that surround the monument, such as Sabatini Gardens and those of Moor's Field, whose access is free.

Visiting hours of the Royal Palace of Madrid

The Visiting hours of the Royal Palace of Madrid are every day of the week, including Sundays and holidays that are not closed, from April to September, from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m. (Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 16 p.m.), and from October to March, from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m. hours.

The ticket offices close one hour before the end of the tours.

When is the Royal Palace closed to visitors?

As we have already commented, the Royal Palace It is a monument that can be visited almost every day of the year.

It only closes on the most significant holidays in Christmas, December 24 and 25 and January 1 and 6, as well as on other main festivals in the city, such as May 1 and October 12 (national holiday) and May 15 and November 9 (local holidays).

But you have to keep in mind that when they take place official celebrations, Royal Palace cannot be visited, so if you have doubts, it is advisable to confirm that it is not closed by official act.

We also advise you to consult the Specific dates that the Royal Palace closes this year.

Ticket prices for the Royal Palace of Madrid

The ticket prices to visit the Royal Palace in Madrid The general price is 12 euros, and it does not include access to temporary exhibitions.

You must also keep in mind that it is highly recommended to do the purchase tickets online in advance of your visit.

La reduced rate Under normal conditions it is 6 euros, and children between 5 and 16 years old benefit from it; students up to 25 years old; senior +65 from European Union and Latin American countries; or members of large families.

The entries of the royal palace include a visit to the Official Halls and the Royal Armory, the first of which will take you about 45 minutes and the second, about half an hour.

If you sign up for official guided tours of the Royal Palace, you must pay a supplement of 4 euros to add to the ticket price, bringing the total price to 16 euros.

These guided tours last 45 minutes and cannot be booked in advance, but rather directly when purchasing tickets at the ticket office, and you must wait until a group forms.

Visit of the Royal Kitchen of the Royal Palace

You also have the option of visit the Royal Kitchen of the Royal Palace, with what the set ticket price It is 16 euros, with a reduced rate of 10 euros.

How to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid for free

Finally, here you have information about how to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid for free.