I visited Madrid in July 2024 when the city was buzzing with a music festival. It was next level vibe in the city. I had a weekend free and during the day I wanted to explore some sights. It was blistering hot. I had a choice to go to Prado Museum or Royal Palace. It was a difficult choice to make as both looked impressive with a lot of historical artefacts and Spanish stories. Looking at the size and scale of both, the possible waiting times, and the walking distance from my B&B, I decided to go with the Palace.
The walk from my B&B took me about 20 minutes. I did not book tickets online, so it was really a long queue; but it was moving reasonably fast. While waiting in the queue, hawkers were selling 1 Euro water bottles to the tourists. It was really hot. Finally waiting for almost 30 minutes, I got to the ticket desk and purchased tickets for the Palace and the Gallery which costed me 24 Euros. There were also Audio guides available and English speaking guide to accompany, but then I am a fan of my own company 🙂
A bit about the history…
The Royal Palace of Madrid, also known as “Palacio Real,” is the official residence of the Spanish royal family, although it is primarily used for state ceremonies today. The palace was commissioned by King Philip V in the 18th century after the old Alcázar of Madrid, a medieval fortress, was destroyed by fire in 1734.
The construction of the new palace began in 1738 under the direction of Italian architect Filippo Juvarra, who was succeeded by Giovanni Battista Sacchetti after Juvarra’s death. The building is inspired by Baroque and Neoclassical styles and was completed in 1755 during the reign of King Charles III, who was the first monarch to live there.
The Royal Palace features over 3,000 rooms, including the Throne Room, the Royal Chapel, and the Hall of Mirrors, along with extensive art collections, including works by Velázquez, Goya, and Caravaggio. It is one of the largest palaces in Europe and stands as a symbol of Spain’s rich cultural and royal heritage.
So here are all the pictures which will inspire you to visit the Royal Palace :
The Chandeliers
The Rooms and Interiors
The Ceilings
Final thoughts on Why should you visit the Royal Palace of Madrid?
- For its grand and stunning chandeliers. As you can see I have a lot of different chandelier pictures here, I was so obsessed with them. They look so majestic and make the already opulent interiors more grand. They are a testament of Spanish craftsmanship and passion for excellence. I have no words to describe how gorgeous they were.
- For its opulent rooms and interiors. As you have seen my pictures, the interiors in the Palace are stunning. They speak about richness, opulence and royalty. The exhibits which are not only Spanish but precious artefacts collected from around the world. Once you step into the Galleries, you shall view many paintings and sculptures from some of the most renowned artists in the world, notably Picasso.
- For Spanish history. The Palace and the Gallery is a witness to centuries of Spanish royalty, the evolution of Spain’s rich culture and heritage. There are stories of wars, conquests and love in its walls. There is so much to learn and discover, rather wow at in the Palace. Its a must to understand Spain’s past and its rulers.
