Madrid Royal Palace Opening Hours

Before embarking on any trip, regardless of the destination, it is always a good idea 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 to find out all the information and useful 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 your visit without rushing, I recommend you arrive well in advance.

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

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

If you visit Madrid in December you can take the opportunity to see another attraction in the Palace: the Neapolitan Nativity Scene. This extraordinary nativity scene dates from the 18th century and covers an area of more than 50 square metres. It is made up of Neapolitan, Genoese and Spanish figures and is on display in the Salón de los Alabarderos. The exhibition usually starts at the end of November and is dismantled at the beginning of January.

Normally, the residence of the Spanish royal family can only be visited during the day. It rarely opens its doors for guided tours after sunset. If you are interested, I recommend you check the official website.

In any case, I recommend you visit the surrounding area at night. The illuminated Royal Palace is simply spectacular. Besides, this area of Madrid is usually not very crowded 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 aimed at European Union citizens and Latin American citizens. Before accessing , you must show a document to prove your nationality.

In addition, the following categories are eligible for free admission:

• Under 5s
• 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
• Active teachers and those with an accreditation card
• Disabled persons and their companions
• Unemployed persons (must present the Jobseeker's Card or equivalent document)

But that's not all.... The Royal Palace can also be visited free of charge on the following dates:

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

In my opinion, it is best to visit early in the morning. This way you will avoid crowds and you will be able to 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 having a good breakfast.

There are a number of bars and cafés in the vicinity of the Royal Palace. For a good start to the day, head for Café de Oriente (Plaza de Oriente 2), Santa Eulalia (Calle del Espejo 12) or Terraza de Sabatini, the rooftop of the ApartoSuites Jardines de Sabatini hotel (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 opposite the Royal Palace and is open every day of the week. Opening hours change slightly depending on the time of 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 fee is the symbolic price of 1 €
• Jardines de Sabatini, a neoclassical-style green area next to the Royal Palace. If you have been to Madrid in summer (between May and September) you can enter from 9:00 to 22:00, while in winter its doors are sealed one hour earlier
• Real Monasterio de la Encarnación, a small jewel of Hapsburg Madrid. It is located near the Plaza de Oriente and has somewhat reduced opening hours. You can visit it from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 18:30. To gain access you will have to pay 6 €
• Iglesia Catedral de las Fuerzas Armadas. It is located a few metres from the Calle Mayor (Calle del Sacramento 11) and its main attraction is its interior, which is a mixture of 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 (Campo del Moro Gardens), a corner that often goes unnoticed. This is a historic garden behind the Royal Palace. It can be accessed from the Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto at the Manzanares. You can stroll along 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 Wednesdays 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.