Royal Palace Madrid Tickets & Tours 2025

Standard fast-access admission tickets to the Royal Palace of Madrid usually start at around €22 per adult when booked online. Guided tours, small-group visits, and combo tickets with other sights (like the Prado Museum or city walking tours) cost more. Prices can change by season and availability, so always check your chosen ticket page for the exact amount on your travel dates.

A standard Royal Palace Fast-Access Admission Ticket generally includes skip-the-line entry to the official residence, access to the State Rooms, Throne Room, Hall of Mirrors, and other ceremonial areas open that day. Some tickets also include access to the palace courtyard and temporary exhibitions. Audio guides and guided tours are usually sold as separate options, so always check the “What’s included” section on the product page.

The Royal Palace stands in the heart of central Madrid, next to Plaza de Oriente and a short walk from Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, and the Almudena Cathedral. It’s one of the city’s main landmarks, surrounded by historic streets, cafés, and viewpoints over the Campo del Moro gardens, making it easy to visit as part of a wider Madrid walking itinerary.

The Royal Palace of Madrid follows a regular weekly schedule, usually open during the day with last entry in the late afternoon. It can close or restrict access for official ceremonies, state events, or public holidays. Because times and closure dates change during the year, always confirm the latest opening hours and last-entry time on the official palace website or your ticket page before your visit.

For 2025, it’s strongly recommended to book fast-access or skip-the-line tickets in advance, especially from spring to autumn, weekends, and public holidays. Walk-in tickets may be available on quieter days, but time slots can sell out, and lines at the ticket office can be long. Online booking lets you secure a specific entry time and avoid waiting at the palace gate.

A fast-access admission ticket gets you into the palace quickly so you can explore at your own pace. A guided tour includes a licensed guide who leads you through the most important rooms, explains the Bourbon dynasty history, royal ceremonies, artworks, and architectural details, and often uses a headset system so you can hear clearly. Guided tours are ideal if you want structured commentary or prefer small-group visits with skip-the-line entry included.

Yes. Several options offer Royal Palace entry with audio guide, which lets you explore the palace at your own pace while listening to recorded commentary about each room and artwork. Audio guide tickets are helpful if you want more context but prefer not to join a group. Check the product description to see whether the audio is via a handset, app, or headset, and which languages are available on your chosen date.

Most visitors spend around 1.5–2 hours inside the palace, enough to see the main ceremonial rooms, staircases, and highlights like the Throne Room and Royal Armoury. Guided tours are usually about 2 hours, while combo experiences that include a Madrid city walking tour or another museum will take half a day or more. If you love royal history and art, allow extra time after your tour to wander the nearby plazas and gardens.

There is no strict formal dress code for tourists, but the palace is an official royal residence and religious spaces are nearby, so smart casual clothing is recommended. Wear comfortable walking shoes as floors can be hard and you’ll be standing often. Avoid swimwear, very revealing outfits, or costumes; security staff may refuse entry to visitors dressed inappropriately.

Yes. The Royal Palace is popular with families, especially children interested in kings, queens, and armour. Many rooms are visually impressive, with chandeliers, tapestries, and ornate ceilings. However, younger kids may tire if the visit is too long, so a shorter guided tour or fast-access ticket is a good idea. After the palace, you can let children run around in nearby Plaza de Oriente or the gardens below the palace.

For security reasons, the Royal Palace generally requires large bags, backpacks, and umbrellas to be left in a cloakroom or locker. Small handbags are usually allowed. All visitors pass through a security check similar to an airport scanner. To speed up entry, bring only essentials and avoid bulky luggage—suitcases are not accepted inside the palace.

Photography rules can be strict. In many ceremonial rooms of the Royal Palace, no photos or video are allowed, while in others only non-flash handheld photos may be permitted. Tripods, flashes, and selfie sticks are typically forbidden. Always follow the instructions of palace staff and posted signs, as rules may change or vary between areas like the Armoury and temporary exhibitions.

The Royal Palace is easy to reach using Madrid’s metro and bus network. Popular stops include stations near Ópera, Plaza de España, and Sol, from which it’s a short walk. Several bus routes also serve the area around Plaza Mayor and Gran Vía. Because routes and schedules can change, check a current map or navigation app and allow extra time to walk through the pedestrian streets of the historic center.

Cancellation terms depend on which ticket or tour you book. Many online options offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before your scheduled time, while some small-group or private experiences may have stricter rules. Always read the “Cancellation policy” section carefully on the product page before paying, so you know whether you can change your date or receive a refund if your plans change.