Skip-the-Line Royal Palace Tour
From€39
2 hours
Madrid, Spain
About this activity
Discover Madrid's rich history with a guided tour of the Old Town and skip-the-line access to the Royal Palace, all led by an expert guide.
Highlights
- Explore Madrid's historic Old Town
- Skip the lines at the Royal Palace
- Learn about Spain's royal history
- See the Royal Palace's stunning architecture
- Enjoy insights from a knowledgeable guide
Full description
Dive into Madrid's vibrant history with this engaging walking tour. Wander through the charming streets of the Old Town, where every corner tells a story. Skip the usual lines and step directly into the grandeur of the Royal Palace, Spain's official royal residence. With an expert guide by your side, you'll uncover tales of royalty, art, and culture that have shaped this magnificent city. This tour offers a seamless blend of historical exploration and cultural immersion, ensuring a memorable experience for all.
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of Madrid's Old Town
- Priority access to the Royal Palace
- Expert local guide
- Food and beverages
Itinerary
1
Welcome to our meeting point located at Calle Mayor 43. From here you will begin your visit to the Royal Palace
Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2
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
3
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.
Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
4
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.
Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5
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
6
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.
Duration: 1h 30mAdmission: YES
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour is conducted in English; ensure you understand the language.
- Photography may be restricted in certain areas; follow the guide's instructions.
- The Royal Palace may be closed on certain days; confirm availability in advance.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for the tour.
- Bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated.
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
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 the capacity and security controls, being the entrance delayed a few minutes for reasons beyond the control of this operator.
- To speed up entry, rucksacks and large bags are not permitted.
Traveler reviews
4.52,032 reviews
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Royal Palace
Starting from Plaza Mayor area you are walking to Royal Palace. Skip the line and enter the Palace. By the way when we finished and we were out there was a line of 200 meters more or less. Therefore skip the line ticket is a time saver tool. The guide was very kind. Worth the money you'll pay.
Burak_AMay 25, 2026VIATOR
Fixing the Alambrah tour group shambles
Generally good. But the organisation of how you join up with your guide is appallingly incompetent. They should instead be on time, not late, wear a form of identifiable clothing with the tour group's name on it, and be highly visible I a crowd.
Neil_JMay 25, 2026VIATOR
Definitely the way to see the Palace!
Jose was an awesome guide, full of interesting information presented in a most entertaining manner! He maneuvered the crowds very well even though we had a huge group, and everyone had plenty of time to take just the right picture!
Christine_SMay 24, 2026VIATOR
Get facts and fun stories
Jesus was a fabulous tour guide! He is full of stories and history facts making the tour well worth the time. Very pleasant and full day.
Denise_CMay 24, 2026VIATOR
Fantastic tour in Madrid
Wonderful walking tour. Full of interesting facts. Our tour guide Jesus was personable and so knowledgeable. He made our tour so interesting and so fun. Highly recommend.
Megan_OMay 23, 2026VIATOR
Additional information
Although the entrance to the Royal Palace is always reserved for our clients, sometimes the access control may be blocked due to the capacity and security controls, being the entrance delayed a few minutes for reasons beyond the control of this operator.