Madrid Royal Palace Opening Hours

Before starting any trip, no matter the destination, it is always convenient to plan which places are essential to visit. In this case, the list of things to see and do in Madrid is really extensive, so it is important to take into account some factors such as opening hours.

The Royal Palace is open almost every day of the year and its opening hours are quite extensive. You can visit it on your own or, if you prefer, by booking a guided tour. This architectural jewel stands out for its large size and for the treasures it holds inside. Read on and discover all the most useful information and tips.

The seat of the Spanish Royal Household is open every day of the week, including Mondays. Visiting hours vary according to the seasons:

• From October to March, it is open from 10:00 to 18:00 (Monday to Saturday) and from 10:00 to 16:00 (Sundays)
• From April to September, it is open from 10:00 to 19:00 (Monday to Saturday) and from 10:00 to 16:00 (Sundays)

Please note that the ticket offices close one hour earlier. If you want to enjoy the visit without haste, I recommend arriving well in advance.

Not all monuments in the capital can be visited on the first day of the week. The Royal Palace is one of these along with the following cultural institutions of the city:

• Museo del Prado
• Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
• Museo Reina Sofía
• Museo del Ferrocarril
• Museo de la Catedral de Almudenal
• Museo Geominero

Fortunately, the building designed by Filippo Juvara and Juan Bautista Sachetti can be visited almost all year round. The only days of closure are the following:

• January 1
• January 6
• May 1
• December 24 (it is open until 15:00 and the ticket office closes at 14:00)
• December 25
• December 31

If you visit Madrid in December you can take the opportunity to see another attraction of the Palace: the Neapolitan Nativity Scene. This extraordinary nativity scene dates back to the 18th century and occupies an area of over 50 square meters. It is composed of Neapolitan, Genoese and Spanish figures and is displayed in the Hall of the Halberdiers. The exhibition usually starts at the end of November and is dismantled at the beginning of January.

Normally, the residence of the Spanish kings can only be visited during the day. On rare occasions it opens its doors for guided tours after sunset. If you are interested, I recommend you to consult the official website.

In any case, I recommend you to visit its surroundings at night. The illuminated Royal Palace is simply spectacular. In addition, this area of Madrid is usually uncrowded and is perfect for a romantic stroll. If you feel like exploring the city at sunset, I recommend you to read the post about the 10 things to see and do in Madrid at night.

The Madrid monument opens its doors free of charge from 17:00 to 19:00 (Monday to Thursday, between April and September) and from 16:00 to 18:00 (Monday to Thursday, between October and March). The "offer" is intended for citizens of the European Union and Latin American citizens. Before accessing you will have to show a document to prove your nationality.

In addition, the following categories can enjoy free admission:

• Children under 5 years old
• Members of large families
• Members of ICOM (International Council of Museums)
• Members of the International Council on Monuments and Historic-Artistic Sites (ICOMOS)
• Official Tourist Guides
• Teachers in activity and who have the accrediting card
• People with disabilities and their companions
• Unemployed (must present the Job Application Card or equivalent document)

But this is not all.... The Royal Palace can also be visited free of charge on the following dates:

• May 18 (International Museum Day)
• October 12 (Spanish National Holiday).

In my opinion, it is preferable to visit early in the morning. This way you will avoid crowds and you can buy your tickets at the ticket office without queuing. In any case, I recommend you to book your tickets well in advance. The time you spend waiting for your turn at the ticket window could be spent in a different way, for example by having a good breakfast.

In the vicinity of the Royal Palace there are a number of bars and cafes. To start the day off on the right foot you can head for the Café de Oriente (Plaza de Oriente 2), Santa Eulalia (Calle del Espejo 12) or the Terraza de Sabatini, the rooftop of the hotel ApartoSuites Jardines de Sabatini (Cuesta de San Vicente 16). Their brunches are fabulous.

If you have enough time you can take the opportunity to see other monuments around the royal residence.

• Catedral de la Almudena, is located just in front of the Royal Palace and is open every day of the week. The opening hours change a bit depending on the time of the year. From September to June it is open from 10:00 to 20:00 while in July and August it closes at 21:00. The entrance has the symbolic price of 1 €
• Jardines de Sabatini, a green area of neoclassical style next to the Royal Palace. If you have gone to Madrid in summer (between May and September) you can enter from 9:00 to 22:00, while in winter its doors are sealed an hour earlier
• Real Monasterio de la Encarnación, a small jewel of Madrid de los Austrias. It is located near the Plaza de Oriente and has a somewhat reduced schedule. You can visit it from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 18:30. To access you must pay 6 €
• Iglesia Catedral de las Fuerzas Armadas. It is located a few meters from the Main Street (Calle del Sacramento 11) and its main attraction is the interior that mixes baroque and rococo. It is usually open to the public for only two hours: from 18:00 to 20:00
• Jardines del Campo del Moro, a corner that often goes unnoticed. It is a historic garden behind the Royal Palace. It is accessed from the Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto at the height of Manzanares. You can walk among its paths every day of the week from 10:00 to 18:00
• Teatro Real. You can take guided tours that will reveal the secrets and anecdotes of the opera. The tours in Spanish take place from Monday to Sunday at 10:00 and 12:00 while on Wednesday there is only one session at 14:00. If you want a tour in English you can do it at 10:15 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.