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How to Skip the Line at the Royal Palace of Madrid

By the BeatTheCrowd team · Updated 20 October 2026 · 3 min read

Quick answer

Book a timed ticket on the official Patrimonio Nacional site for €18, which skips the box-office line, and go at the 10 am opening on a weekday. The free late-afternoon hours for EU residents are popular, so expect a queue that forms well before they start.

At a glance

Standard ticket: €18 self-guided, €9 reduced (ages 5-16 and over 65)
Book on: tickets.patrimonionacional.es
Free entry: EU citizens and residents on Monday to Thursday late afternoons (box office only)
Hours: 10 am to 6 pm (Oct-Mar), 10 am to 7 pm (Apr-Sep), Sundays until 4 pm

How long is the line at the Royal Palace?

The Royal Palace is the official residence of the Spanish royal family (though they don't live there), and its grand state rooms are among Europe's most lavish. The lines are at the box office and the security check. A timed online ticket skips the box office, and the security line is usually quick in the morning.

🔑 The free skip-the-line hack

Before you go, check how busy the Royal Palace of Madrid is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for Spanish holidays, school breaks and weather.

Check today’s crowds at Royal Palace of Madrid →

Tickets

Ticket	Price	Good to know
Self-guided	€18	Timed. The official site has the lowest price
Reduced	€9	Ages 5-16 and over 65
Guided tour	From about €29	Includes priority entry
Free entry (EU citizens and residents)	Free	Monday to Thursday, late afternoon, box office only, self-guided. Times vary by season

Resellers often quote €24 or more because they bundle extras. If you just want the palace, book on tickets.patrimonionacional.es. Last admission is one hour before closing.

Best (and worst) times to go

10 am opening, Tuesday to Thursday: the calmest state rooms and the quickest security.

Worst: weekends, Spanish public holidays, and the free-entry window, when the queue builds well before it opens.

Closures: the palace occasionally closes for official state events, so check the official calendar before you go.

🔑 The free skip-the-line hack

Our hourly forecast for the Royal Palace of Madrid shows how busy each hour is expected to be on your date.

Check today’s crowds at Royal Palace of Madrid →

Insider tips that actually save time

Combine it with the Almudena Cathedral next door and the Sabatini Gardens.

Don't miss the Royal Armoury, included in the ticket and often quieter than the main rooms.

Watch for the Changing of the Guard. It takes place on set days in the Plaza de la Armería and is free to watch. Check the official schedule.

Small bags only. Large bags aren't allowed in.

FAQs

How much is the Royal Palace of Madrid?

€18 for a self-guided visit, or €9 reduced for ages 5-16 and over-65s. Guided tours start from about €29.

When is the Royal Palace of Madrid free?

For EU citizens and residents on Monday to Thursday late afternoons, at the box office. The exact hours change by season.

What is the best time to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid?

At the 10 am opening, Tuesday to Thursday. Check our live crowd tracker for your date.

Getting there	Metro lines 2 and 5 to Ópera, about a 5-minute walk.
Hours	10 am to 6 pm October to March, 10 am to 7 pm April to September. Sundays until 4 pm. Last entry one hour before closing.
How long to allow	About 1.5-2 hours.

How to Skip the Line at the Royal Palace of Madrid

How long is the line at the Royal Palace?

Tickets

Best (and worst) times to go

Insider tips that actually save time

Practical info

Mistakes that cost you an hour

Is skip-the-line worth paying extra for?

FAQs

How much is the Royal Palace of Madrid?

When is the Royal Palace of Madrid free?

What is the best time to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid?

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