Your Guide To Spain : The Royal Palace Of Madrid

Madrid’s Royal Palace, or Palacio Real, is famous for its amazing statuary and splendorous classical architecture, as well as the monuments and gardens that surround it. Occupied by a long series of Spanish rulers until 1931, the palace, which took 25 years to build, was once the center of power for a dynasty that ruled half the then-known world in the 18th century.

While the public has access to only 10% of Palacio Real, that small percentage is impossible to see in a single day. The Palacio Real boasts nearly three thousand rooms. There are over two hundred balconies and over 40 grand staircases. It is laden with heavy and ornate furnishings and other ornaments of that time that speaks of the grandeur in which the Spanish royalty lived.

You’ll see the Throne Room, from which the plans and strategies of what was once the world’s greatest superpower were formulated, and the Royal Armory, which displays a number of weapons and armor, along with a range of medieval torture implements used in the Spanish Inquisition.

Tours also pass through the famous Royal Library, which houses many first editions of important Spanish writings, and the Royal Pharmacy, which has an interesting view into old medical practices, and also the amazing banquet hall, where much notable European royalty has dined.

Outside of Palacio Real, you can walk through the Royal Gardens (which are the most famous in Madrid), enjoy the sight of the Manzanares River, and watch the changing of the guards.


A guided tour of the palace, lasting about two-hours, is the ideal way to both see the sights and to learn the history. Be sure to book these $30 tours in advance, especially in the summer months, as they sell out quickly. Taking photos isn’t permitted, though you can purchase postcards and picture books at the end of the tour to remind you of what you’ve seen.

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