Magpie
4.4(825 reviews)

Royal Palace of Madrid Small-Group Tour

From€54
1 hour
Madrid, Spain

About this activity

Experience the grandeur of Madrid's Royal Palace with a guided small-group tour, featuring skip-the-line access and expert insights into Spain's royal history.

Highlights

  • Skip-the-line access to the Royal Palace
  • Guided tour with an expert historian
  • Visit to the Royal Armoury and Throne Room
  • Explore the Royal Palace's opulent halls
  • Learn about Spain's royal history

Full description

Step into the opulent world of Spanish royalty with our Royal Palace of Madrid Small-Group Tour. Skip the lines and delve into the palace's rich history with an expert historian. Explore the lavish Throne Room, admire the intricate tapestries, and discover the Royal Armoury. This intimate tour offers a deep dive into Spain's royal heritage, making it a must-do for history enthusiasts and culture seekers alike. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the splendor of Madrid's most iconic landmark.

Included / Excluded

  • Skip-the-line access to the Royal Palace
  • Guided tour with an expert historian
  • Visit to the Royal Armoury and Throne Room
  • Food and beverages

Itinerary

1

The name of the plaza has changed over time. It has been known as "Plaza del Arrabal", "Plaza de la Constitución", "Plaza Real", "Plaza de la República" and now "Plaza Mayor". These names reflect events, history and reign in Spanish history. "Plaza del Arrabal" was the original name of the present day "Plaza Mayor". The "Plaza del Arrabal" was once the site of the most popular marketplace until the end of 15th century. Following the Constitution of 1812, all major plazas in Spain were renamed "Plaza de la Constitución". It also held this name 1820 to 1823, 1833 to 1835, 1840 to 1843, and 1876 to 1922. When the Borbón king was restored in 1814, it became known as the "Plaza Real". In 1873, the name changed to "Plaza de la República". At the end of the Spanish Civil War the plaza received its present name of "Plaza Mayor".

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

Pass by: More than 100 years have gone by since the Mercado de San Miguel opened its doors as a wholesale food market. Today, this historical building stands out as one of the world’s main gastronomic markets. It allows visitors to experience the essence and most significant flavors of every corner of Spain. From the finest Iberian ham and freshest fish and shellfish brought in daily from Galicia, to Mediterranean rice dishes and the most exquisite cheeses from Castile, Asturias and the Basque Country – at the Mercado de San Miguel, you’ll find all the highlights of Spanish cuisine. Spread out over more than 20 stands, the common denominator here is a commitment to high-quality tapas and pub fare.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3

Pass by: This small street is one of the two most charming squares in Madrid: Conde de Miranda and Villa. And it can boast of housing a space protected by the historical and artistic environment that surrounds it: on the corner of the Plaza de la Villa is the Torre de los Lujanes (belonging to the 15th century). In that same part of the street there are also the Royal Maritense Economic Society of Friends of the Country, the old Municipal Newspaper Library and the Church of Corpus Christi, where the Convent of Las Carboneras is located, since the congregation keeps an image of Immaculate Conception found in a charcoal kiln and to which various miracles are attributed.milagros.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
4

It was one of the main medieval centers of Madrid, since three streets start from it, corresponding to the original layout of the city: Codo, Cordón and Madrid. On its outskirts are the main facades of three buildings of high historical-artistic value, built in different centuries. The oldest is the Casa y Torre de los Lujanes (15th century), in the Gothic-Mudejar style, located on the east side of the Plaza. This is now the office of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the King of Spain; However, the current kings do not live in it, but in the Zarzuela Palace, so it is used for state ceremonies and solemn acts. Now is when our visit really begins. Although Juvarra's original project was never carried out, the Royal Palace of Madrid can boast of being the largest inhabited palace in Europe. And we say inhabited because, although the Spanish Royal Family does not reside in it, it is still the place where they have their official residence. As we have commented previously, the building, whose works lasted until 1764 when Carlos III lived in it for the first time, is made up of 135,000 square meters and 3,418 rooms, also highlighting its 870 windows, 240 balconies or the 44 stairs it has. The comparisons are odious but, despite what many believe, the Palace of Versailles, near Paris, has 67,000 square meters, so that of Madrid surpasses it.

Duration: 1h 30mAdmission: YES

Meeting point

Start Location

Unknown location

Important information

Know before you book

  • The tour is conducted in English; please ensure you understand the language.
  • Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • The Royal Palace is a working palace; access to certain areas may be restricted during official events.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour involves walking and standing.
  • Bring a valid ID for entry into the Royal Palace.
  • Photography is allowed in most areas; however, flash photography is prohibited.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Stroller Accessible
  • Easy Public Transport

Good to know

  • Although the entrance to the Royal Palace is always reserved for our clients, sometimes the access control may be blocked due to capacity and security controls, delaying the entrance for a few minutes for reasons beyond the operator's control.
  • To speed up entry, rucksacks and large bags are not permitted.

Traveler reviews

4.4
825 reviews
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Palace is a must-see in Madrid

Very good information on the details of each room in the palace—very knowledgeable guide—was helpful to skip the line and get right to the tour!

Stacy_TJul 12, 2026VIATOR

Amazing guide and lovely tour

Federico was FANTASTIC! He was beyond knowledgeable and he made the tour very easy to understand. He was very empathetic, gentle and helpful with everyone in the group including a little girl that needed water!! I’ll highly recommend, and also I want to thank him one more time because he made our Madrid experience so much more memorable.

159bibianasJul 11, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Great tour

Maria was excellent she did a great job

709yaninakJul 11, 2026TRIPADVISOR

This was a fun &...

This was a fun & informative tour. The history was fascinating. I wish it had longer. I learned from fiends (when I returned home) that there were other parts of the palace we could have visited.

Jarrett_EJul 8, 2026VIATOR

Royal palace and cathedral

Maria was a great host and very knowledgeable.

D3722LBjoeykJul 7, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

Although the entrance to the Royal Palace is always reserved for our clients, sometimes the access control may be blocked due to capacity and security controls, delaying the entrance for a few minutes for reasons beyond the operator's control.
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