Royal Palace

The Historic Residence of the Spanish Monarchy and a Stage for Royal Power.

Although the Spanish royal family now lives a few kilometres away at the Zarzuela Palace, Madrid’s Royal Palace remains the true symbolic centre of the Spanish monarchy. This guided tour of the monumental 18th-century palace offers a journey through centuries of history, exploring its magnificent interiors and collections: frescoes by Giaquinto and Tiepolo, works by Goya, exquisite porcelain rooms, the Royal Armoury, the extraordinary collection of royal Stradivarius instruments, and countless stories and anecdotes that have unfolded within these walls over the past three centuries.

During the tour, little-known episodes and fascinating historical curiosities come to light: the relocation of the main staircase at the request of King Charles IV, the attempted kidnapping of the young Queen Isabella II in the 19th century, and the words Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have uttered when he first saw the palace.

There is a great deal to discover within this historic building. If desired, the visit can be extended with a walk through the nearby Plaza de Oriente and Madrid’s Bourbon Quarter, offering a broader understanding of the palace’s historical and urban setting.