Royal Palace of Madrid, with the Wednesday and Saturday changing of the guard

You enter by the Almudena esplanade, cross Plaza de la Armería and climb the main staircase towards the state rooms: the Throne Room, the Hall of Columns, the state dining room, the Royal Chapel. The Royal Armoury is also there; the Royal Kitchen has its own ticket. When you leave, the Campo del Moro, the gardens below the west façade, is free.

Free on weekdays if you live in the European Union

Resident EU citizens, those with a work permit in the EU and Ibero-Americans go in free from Monday to Thursday from 16:00 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:00; from April to September, from 17:00 to 19:00. You must show proof at the ticket office. The free entry covers the self-guided visit; the guided one is paid separately. During all opening hours, children under 5, large families, serving teachers and unemployed people go in free, always with their document.

If you come on a Saturday, buy beforehand on the Patrimonio Nacional website: capacity is limited and few tickets are sold at the ticket office. The basic ticket costs €18 and the reduced one €9. With the Royal Collections Gallery, next door, they are €24 and €12. The audio guide adds €5 and a guide €8. The Royal Kitchen has its own rate.

Changing of the guard, hours and closures

On Wednesdays and Saturdays there is a changing of the guard at the Puerta del Príncipe, on Calle de Bailén, from 11:00 to 14:00 (in July and August, from 10:00 to 12:00). On the first Wednesday of each month, except in January, August and September, the solemn relief takes place in Plaza de la Armería. Both are free and are cancelled for official events or bad weather.

The palace closes for official events: on 17 and 18 November it is closed. You get there by metro to Ópera (L2 and L5), five minutes away.