Palacio Real (Royal Palace of Madrid), Madrid (must see)
Touring this palace feels like wandering through one of the world鈥檚 most exquisite art galleries. You鈥檒l discover a stunning array of masterpieces, from paintings and frescoes to porcelain, ornate furniture, silverware, and other historically significant treasures. Among the standout features is the only complete set of Stradivarius string quintet instruments鈥攁 true musical marvel.
The palace we see today was commissioned by Felipe V after the 9th-century wooden Moorish Alc谩zar fortress was lost to a devastating fire in 1734. Drawing inspiration from the lavish splendor of Versailles, where Felipe had been raised, the Bourbon king envisioned a magnificent French-Italian-style structure built from stone and granite. Although Felipe didn鈥檛 live to see its completion, the palace was finally ready for use during the reign of Carlos III in 1764. What the exterior lacks in flamboyance, the interior more than makes up for: lavish marble floors, celestial frescoes, and golden furnishings tell a story of wealth and power, standing in stark contrast to Spain鈥檚 declining status at the time.
Don鈥檛 miss the awe-inspiring Throne Room, with its ceiling by Tiepolo illustrating the Majesty of Spain, or the Gasparini Room, whose silver silk-embroidered walls and intricate marble mosaic floor offer a mesmerizing display. The Porcelain Room, with its dazzling gold, green, and white porcelain decor, is another showstopper.
Beyond the main palace, you can explore the renowned Royal Armory, home to one of the world鈥檚 finest collections of historic weapons and armor. There is also an 18th-century pharmacy resembling a laboratory and the Painting Gallery, with works by Caravaggio, Vel谩zquez, and Goya.
Tips:
If you鈥檙e planning a visit, set aside a few hours to take it all in. To beat the crowds and save time, consider booking your tickets online in advance.
The palace we see today was commissioned by Felipe V after the 9th-century wooden Moorish Alc谩zar fortress was lost to a devastating fire in 1734. Drawing inspiration from the lavish splendor of Versailles, where Felipe had been raised, the Bourbon king envisioned a magnificent French-Italian-style structure built from stone and granite. Although Felipe didn鈥檛 live to see its completion, the palace was finally ready for use during the reign of Carlos III in 1764. What the exterior lacks in flamboyance, the interior more than makes up for: lavish marble floors, celestial frescoes, and golden furnishings tell a story of wealth and power, standing in stark contrast to Spain鈥檚 declining status at the time.
Don鈥檛 miss the awe-inspiring Throne Room, with its ceiling by Tiepolo illustrating the Majesty of Spain, or the Gasparini Room, whose silver silk-embroidered walls and intricate marble mosaic floor offer a mesmerizing display. The Porcelain Room, with its dazzling gold, green, and white porcelain decor, is another showstopper.
Beyond the main palace, you can explore the renowned Royal Armory, home to one of the world鈥檚 finest collections of historic weapons and armor. There is also an 18th-century pharmacy resembling a laboratory and the Painting Gallery, with works by Caravaggio, Vel谩zquez, and Goya.
Tips:
If you鈥檙e planning a visit, set aside a few hours to take it all in. To beat the crowds and save time, consider booking your tickets online in advance.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Madrid. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Palacio Real (Royal Palace of Madrid) on Map
Sight Name: Palacio Real (Royal Palace of Madrid)
Sight Location: Madrid, Spain (See walking tours in Madrid)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Madrid, Spain (See walking tours in Madrid)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Madrid, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Madrid
Creating your own self-guided walk in Madrid is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Madrid Introduction Walking Tour
Welcome鈥� to Madrid! A city where regal boulevards unfold like film reels, where iron balconies whisper old gossip, and where history has a flair for the dramatic. The Spanish capital is less a city, more a vast museum with a pulse, cradling centuries of European art, powdered baroque fa莽ades, and monuments that speak in old tongues if you listen close enough.
Madrid鈥檚 story begins long... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Madrid鈥檚 story begins long... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Miguel de Cervantes' Madrid Walking Tour
The name of the iconic Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes is closely associated with Madrid. The author is known for a number of works, but his 1605 novel Don Quixote de la Mancha is often held as the first modern novel.
Despite being regarded as one of the fathers of modern literature, very little is known about Cervantes' early life. Born in 1547, he had spent some of his young years in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Despite being regarded as one of the fathers of modern literature, very little is known about Cervantes' early life. Born in 1547, he had spent some of his young years in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Buen Retiro Park Walking Tour
Buen Retiro鈥攎eaning 鈥淧leasant Retreat鈥濃�攊s one of Madrid鈥檚 most beloved landmarks. Much like Central Park in New York or Hyde Park in London, this former royal escape has become the city鈥檚 most iconic green space, a peaceful oasis right in the heart of the Spanish capital.
Among its standout attractions is the Crystal Palace, a stunning 19th-century glass and iron structure that now... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Among its standout attractions is the Crystal Palace, a stunning 19th-century glass and iron structure that now... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Madrid Food Tour
Spain is internationally reputed as a major gastronomic power and its capital city Madrid attests to this claim, being home to vibrant food markets and multiple establishments serving traditional Spanish food in a soul-warming atmosphere.
One of the iconic food destinations is Plaza Mayor, a bustling town square where you can savor traditional Spanish dishes. The square is home to numerous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the iconic food destinations is Plaza Mayor, a bustling town square where you can savor traditional Spanish dishes. The square is home to numerous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Souvenirs Shopping Tour
Shopping for souvenirs in Madrid is an exciting and delightful experience for anyone visiting the vibrant Spanish capital. Indeed, it would be a pity to leave Madrid without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original. With this in mind, we've compiled a list of must-visit locations where you can find souvenirs, which are unique to Madrid and make for... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Golden Mile Walking Tour
Similarly to 5th Avenue in New York City, Champs Elysee in Paris, or Bond Street in London, the Golden Mile is one of the wealthiest and most expensive neighborhoods of the Spanish capital. Forming part of Madrid's Salamanca district, this posh area is known for its upscale shopping, cultural attractions, and gastronomic delights.
One of the prominent local landmarks is Columbus Square... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
One of the prominent local landmarks is Columbus Square... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
A Self-Guided Food Walk in Madrid
The reputation of Spain as a major gastronomic power to reckon with goes a long way. The capital city of Madrid has a lot to offer visitors in terms of soul warming food experience. On this walk you will visit some of the city's most vibrant and lively food markets and other places serving...
Madrid麓s Latin Quarter Tapas
This app is a description of bars and cafeterias of tapas and pinchos in the Latin Quarter of Madrid. Tapas and pinchos are generally bar snacks and finger foods, with pinchos generally originating from the Basque Country. The custom of tapas and pinchos-eating refers to eating at the bar, sometime...
10 Uniquely Madrid Foods to Try in Spanish Capital
There鈥檚 no better way to fall in love with a city than through its traditional cuisine. Complete meals, appetizers, beverages and sweets: all of them draw a path to a tourist heart. Madrid, the Spanish capital, has its very own unique and original dishes that can make a stay in this city a...
Top 12 Bars in Madrid
Madrid, the third largest city in Western Europe, is packed with an eclectic mix of bars that offer a scene for every style. In Spain鈥檚 Capital city, alcohol flows without end. Just take a walk down the streets of this vibrant city, and it seems as if every other building is a caf茅 or bar...
Madrid Souvenir Shopping Guide: Top 15 Spanish Products
They call Spain "magnificent" for a reason, as there're loads of fascinating stuff a visitor to the country might want to take home and share with family and friends. Luckily, in Madrid one can find nearly all that Spain is famous for - wine, food, fashion, arts, sports, etc. Good...