Rhonda W.

If your in town we really enjoyed the palace and cathedral were worth the visit. We were there rather late in the day. There is usually a fee but they gave us the tickets at no cost which was appreciated ... possibly since the time. We didn't take a tour or want to hear the history .. just look around. We would have totally missed out if someone from our tour hadn't said it was spectacular so we hopped in a taxi and took a quick look. It was lovely as most palaces are but never visited one with no fee.

Alaleh P.

The Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real) is one of the city's most iconic landmarks, known for its grand Baroque‑and‑Classical architecture and its impressive scale. It sits in the heart of Madrid and serves as the official residence of the Spanish royal family, though it's mainly used today for state ceremonies. With more than 135,000 square metres and over 3,000 rooms, it's the largest royal palace in Western Europe. Inside, the palace showcases lavish state rooms, historic art collections, and beautifully preserved details that reflect centuries of Spanish history. Nearly two million visitors come each year to explore its halls, admire its architecture, and enjoy views of the surrounding gardens and city. It remains one of the few official royal residences in the world that is open to the public. You can purchase guided tours in different languages in advance.

Brena E.

This is a beautiful place and the rest of the reviews talk about that, so I'm not going to go into those details. We just had a really frustrating experience though! We booked a tour for 3:15 PM and that is the time on our email confirmation. But when we went to print the tickets, said 1:00, but we didn't realize that. When we showed the tour tickets at 3:15, they wouldn't take them! We bought directly from the official website of the palace, so I'm not sure what the issue was. It took us about 15 minutes, but finally someone at the information desk (which was difficult to find) helped us and got us on a tour. They also made me move my backpack to the front of me because of pickpockets. I appreciate the warning, but I don't need someone to tell me what I have to do with my backpack.

Tracey F.

I had a tour of the Royal Palace on my list of to-dos since buying tickets to Madrid. If you have the time, the Royal Palace is truly impressive. I had booked an English guide and our tour lasted an hour and a half. You were welcome to return in and explore on your own if you wanted. We didn't, as we saw everything during our tour. The Palace was huge, but easy to navigate and never seemed overly crowded or difficult to get around and see things. I would highly recommend if you are visiting Madrid.

Christina H.

If there's a royal palace, I'm booking a tour. I've visited several across Europe, but none compare to the magnificence of the one in Madrid. As the largest royal palace in Europe--and one of the largest in the world--it's truly awe-inspiring. Given the palace's incredible size and countless rooms, I highly recommend booking a guided tour through a third party. With a guide, not only do they provide insight on the history of the palace and the royal family, but they also have exclusive access to areas not open to the general public. It's easy to lose yourself in the richness of the space since every inch of the palace is intricately designed.

Stephanie C.

A must visit in Madrid! I've been to many palaces across Europe and the world and the Royal Palace of Madrid is one of my favorites. There are many elaborately decorated rooms and almost all of the palace is open to the guest which I appreciated. Google maps does not lead you to the front entrance, instead it leads you to the gates by the back which you cannot enter through. Double check your navigation if you're worried about running late for a tour like we were. Thankfully we were able to go with the next tour group. The Royal Palace of Madrid is grander than all the palaces in Portugal and Budapest and Austria etc. There were so many themed rooms and I highly recommend taking a tour with a museum docent. If you are lucky you may happen to visit the palace when the Royal family visits. We missed them by just a few days!

Lizzie Y.

Palacio Real de Madrid is a MUST visit site when in Madrid. I was able to purchase tickets the day before for a reasonable price, ~64€ for 4 people, through the Headout app. Came with audio guide. Truly beautiful inside and it's ginormous! What was once the home to the Kings of Spain from Charles III to Alfonso XIII, it's currently still the biggest palace in Western Europe & I'd say it's definitely worth spending 1-2 hrs here to admire the architecture.

Salim K.

Stepping into the Royal Palace of Madrid is like crossing the threshold into another world one defined by grandeur, splendor, and the undeniable weight of history. The palace definitely stands as a striking symbol of national pride and regal power. From the very first glance, the scale of the palace is awe inspiring. With over 3,400 rooms, it is one of the largest palaces in Europe, and each space seems to outdo the last in elegance and extravagance. The white stone façade gleams in the Spanish sun, and the sweeping views over the Campo del Moro Gardens and the distant mountains set the scene for what awaits inside. Inside, opulence reigns. Rich tapestries, gilded moldings, crystal chandeliers, and ceilings painted by masters such as Giaquinto and Tiepolo make it clear that this is not merely a residence; it is a declaration of monarchy, power, and refined taste. Every room tells a story, from the Throne Room's velvet-draped walls to the astonishing banquet hall and the lavish Royal Chapel. What truly sets the palace apart, however, is its attention to detail and the preservation of artistry. Even the palace's lesser-known corners are a masterclass in craftsmanship and style. Visiting the Royal Palace is not just a walk through Spanish history it's a deep immersion into an era where architecture, politics, and art converged to form an enduring legacy of imperial brilliance. It's a rare place where every inch whispers majesty, and where opulence is not simply decoration but identity. In a world increasingly defined by minimalism, the Royal Palace of Madrid unapologetically reminds us of the power of magnificence. We were somehow not able to visit the royal armory section which we would definitely make up for in our next visit. Definite recommendation!!

Rohan D.

It's pretty impressive, the museum and interior of the palace are not as important as the Golden Triangle of great Madrid Art Museums but the palace will only take an hour or two. It's right across a big plaza from the big cathedral so you can hit both late in the afternoon, time it to see the sunset from the western part of the plaza.

Eli B.

If you are visiting Madrid, the Royal Palace is an absolute must-see. It is an amazing space that feels less like a museum and more like a living testament to Spanish grandeur. The palace is very interesting and full of history, sitting on the site of an old 9th-century fortress and reborn in the 18th century after a massive fire.  The scale of the building is almost hard to wrap your head around. It actually has 3,400 rooms (3,418 to be exact!), making it the largest royal palace in Western Europe. Thankfully, the visitor route is easy to follow, and we made it through about 35 rooms, which was just enough to see the highlights without feeling completely overwhelmed. Each room is more jaw-dropping than the last--from the velvet-draped Throne Room to the stunning frescoes on the ceilings.  I highly recommend visiting with a tour guide. Not only do they provide the context that brings the tapestries and armor to life, but it's the best way to avoid the long lines that wrap around the Plaza de la Armería. Having a pro lead the way made the entrance seamless and ensured we didn't miss the "hidden" stories behind the Royal Pharmacy and the Grand Staircase. Whether you are a history buff or just want to see some of the most beautiful interiors in the world, don't skip this. It was easily the highlight of our time in the city!

Julie D.

I mean, what's not to like? It's opulent. It's lavish. Yada yada yada I started my morning with a tour here. Having a guide is the way to go. I wouldn't want to just walk the property not getting the back story of every room. Our tour started at the meeting point - the tour guide office. We walked to Plaza Mayor then we made our way to the palace. I oohed and ahhed at every room I walked into. Lucky for us, the property is open to the public. I say this because the Spanish royal family still uses it. The collection of all the things previous royal members have collected is truly impressive. The artworks. The jewelry. The rugs. I suggest signing up for an early morning tour. My group entered after 10am. There was definitely a much bigger group tours as we made our way out I was stressed for the staff that had to watch families who let their kids free and stress out the staff as they would try to cross the barricades between the artwork.

Ino R.

Beautiful treasure that Madrid, and Spain have to share with the world. If you have the opportunity, DO NOT miss. How often do you have the chance to walk through a functioning palace... this place is huge. The audio guide has a recommended agenda for you that pretty much hits the high points, but the visit to the palace can be so much more if you allow it. The guards were not intrusive, but the palace museum goes through waves of crowds, and you could go with it, but I actually enjoyed listening to the various tour guides that each had their takes on the rooms and the history. The place is great for people watching as thousands of folks visit this place daily. Our later time slot at 1600 was fine, and I did not feel that the guards were pushing us through... until, it was closer to the closing time of 1800 (6 p.m.). I also got the kids an audio guide, and surprisingly they used it to understand what they were looking at. It might have been better only if it was age appropriate, but it was in English, and I listened, walked, and spoke with them about what they saw, what they liked, and how it connected to Spain's history and future. My favorite room was the porcelain room, but there were other rooms that were just as amazing, like the dining room and the crowning room... the royal chapel...amazing. There is so much history here, both classical and contemporary. We got a combo tour that the Palacio Real site has, that allows us to visit the Royal Gallery within 7 days of purchase and visit to the Palacio Real. We did not have to wait for the folks that showed up on a whim. Worth the wait, but with an advanced and timed ticket... you don't have to.

Maria T.

Opulent to the nth degree! Every trip to Madrid has to include a tour of the palace. It's huge and beautiful! We loved reading about the historic significance of this majestic palace and our self guided tour took about an hour. Tons of gold, marble, brocade, and crystal! It does get a little tedious... I mean... big room, chandelier- big room chandelier- big room chandelier... etc. okay we get it... but still worth a gander!