Castle, Historical landmark, Tourist attraction
Royal Palace of Madrid
With 3,418 rooms across more than 135,000 square metres, Madrid's royal palace is the largest in Western Europe and one of the few official seats of a head of state open to the public.
The story
The palace stands on the site of a 9th-century fortress and was rebuilt in the 18th century after a massive fire. An easy-to-follow route leads through about 35 of its rooms, each decorated in its own style. Highlights include the velvet-draped Throne Room, frescoed ceilings, chandeliers, tapestries, paintings, finely worked walls and period furniture, all giving a sense of how the Spanish royal family once lived. The visit extends beyond the main building. The Armoury, in a separate building, holds a large collection of armour, and the Royal Collections trace the monarchs' role in assembling the art. Gardens and open space surround the palace, which faces the Cathedral. The Solemn Changing of the Guard normally takes place on the first Wednesday of each month.
Good to know
TAGGG AI- ✦Buy tickets in advance, as lines to get in can stretch to around an hour.
- ✦The Armoury is included with the palace ticket but sits in a separate building and is easy to miss.
- ✦A guided tour or the audio guide helps explain each room; allow roughly one and a half to three hours.
