Being the largest royal palace in western Europe, the Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the royal family of Spain. The Royal Palace in Madrid, also known as the Palacio Real, is one of the most magnificent buildings in the city. Although it is the official residence of the royal family, they do not actually live there permanently. It is generally just used for state ceremonies.
The Royal Palace is one of the most sumptuous beauties in Madrid. It has 3,418 rooms, yet just a few of the rooms are open to the public. The palace is situated in the western part of downtown Madrid, east of the Manzanares River, and is accessible from the Ópera metro station. The rooms of the palace are filled with paintings by well-known artists such as Caravaggio, Velasquez, and Goya. Furthermore, the palace houses one of the most extensive collections of historic armor in the world.
Not only is the inside of the Palace worth seeing, but so are the plazas and parks surrounding it. The Palacio Real and its plazas are an excellent way to learn about the history of the Spanish monarchy without a doubt! You can visit the Palace between 6 am- 6 pm from Monday to Saturday and between 6 am - 4 pm on Sunday and public holidays in the winter season (from October to March). However, it is different in the summer season (from April to September). You can visit between 10 am - 7 pm from Monday to Saturday and between 10 am - 4 pm on Sunday and public holidays. The admission fee for adults is €12, but for students, it is reduced to €6, and on certain days admission is free but it gets really busy. Don't forget to see the changing of the guards, throne room, royal armory, and royal pharmacy when you get there.
