Everything You Need to Know About the Royal Palace of Madrid Entrances
Where is the Royal Palace of Madrid?
Address: C. de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid, Spain. Find on maps.
Location: The Royal Palace of Madrid, also known as the Palacio Real de Madrid, is located in the heart of Madrid, the capital city of Spain. The palace is situated in the western part of the city centre, overlooking the Plaza de la Armería and the Campo del Moro gardens. The palace's location is strategically significant as it is adjacent to other important landmarks such as the Almudena Cathedral and the Plaza Mayor.
Getting to Royal Palace of MadridRoyal Palace of Madrid Entrances Location and Getting There
Puerta del Príncipe
The Puerta del Príncipe is the main entrance to the Royal Palace of Madrid. It is located on the east side of the palace, facing the Plaza de la Armería. The entrance features a grand staircase.
Who is it For: Puerta del Príncipe is used for state occasions and official visits.
How to Reach: The Puerta del Príncipe entrance is located in the heart of the city centre, making it easily accessible by various modes of transportation. Visitors can take the metro, or bus or walk to the palace.
Timings: The entrance is open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, the opening timings are 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Average Wait Time: The average wait time can vary depending on the season and time of day. During peak tourist seasons, such as the summer months or holidays, the wait time can be up to an hour or more.
Accessibility: The entrance features a ramp and an elevator, allowing visitors with mobility disabilities to access the palace easily.
Puerta de Santiago
Puerta de Santiago is located on the south side of the palace. Visitors can access the palace's courtyard through this entrance.
Who is it For: This entrance is often used for guided tours and group visits.
How to Reach: To reach the Puerta de Santiago entrance at the Royal Palace of Madrid, visitors can take the metro to the Ópera station, which is located just a few minutes walk from the palace. Alternatively, buses and taxis are also available.
Timings: The entrance is open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Monday to Saturday) and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Sunday).
Average Wait Time: During the peak tourist season, the wait time can be longer, especially if there are large tour groups. It is always advisable to book tickets online in advance to skip the queue and save time.
Accessibility: There are no stairs at this entrance, and visitors can use a ramp to access the palace's courtyard. Inside the palace, elevators provide access to the different floors of the building.
Disable Access
- The Royal Palace of Madrid is committed to providing disabled access at all of its entrances.
- The main entrance, Puerta del Príncipe, has ramps and lifts for wheelchair users and visitors with mobility impairments.
- The Puerta de Santiago entrance, located on the south side of the palace, is fully accessible with no stairs, and visitors can use a ramp to access the palace's courtyard.
- Inside the palace, there are elevators that provide access to the different floors of the building.
- Visitors with visual impairments can also request audio guides, and the palace offers sign language interpretation services for the deaf and hard of hearing.
All Your Royal Palace of Madrid Tickets and Tour Options
Frequently Asked Questions About Royal Palace of Madrid Entrances
The Royal Palace of Madrid has two entrances known as the Puerta del Príncipe or Prince's Gate, located at the east and the Puerta de Santiago entrance located on the south side of the palace. There is also a private entrance used by the Spanish royal family located on the north side of the palace.
The wait time can go up to an hour, especially if there are large tour groups. It is always advisable to book tickets online in advance to skip the queue and save time.
Skip-the-line ticket holders at the Royal Palace of Madrid can use the Puerta del Príncipe entrance.
Puerta de Santiago entrance is often used for guided tours and group visits, and visitors can access the palace's courtyard through this entrance.
Visitors with disabilities can use both the Puerta del Príncipe and Puerta de Santiago entrances at the Royal Palace of Madrid. Both entrances are wheelchair accessible, and visitors with mobility impairments can access the palace's courtyard using ramps.
If you have already purchased tickets to the Royal Palace of Madrid, you can enter the palace using either the Puerta del Príncipe or the Puerta de Santiago entrance.
Both entrances have ticket offices where visitors can buy tickets on the spot, subject to availability. However, during peak tourist season, it is advisable to book tickets online in advance to avoid long queues and ensure availability.
It is recommended to use the Puerta de Santiago entrance if you’re travelling in a large group. This entrance is often used for guided tours and group visits, and it has a dedicated queue for groups. The staff at this entrance is also equipped to handle larger groups, and they can assist with any special needs or requirements.
To avoid waiting in line for a long time, buy tickets in advance online, consider visiting the palace during the weekdays and opt for a skip-the-line ticket.
The Royal Palace of Madrid is open from 10 AM to 7 PM on Monday to Saturday. On Sunday, the timings change to 10 AM to 4 PM.
If you want to avoid waiting in line at the Royal Palace of Madrid, it is recommended to visit early in the morning during weekdays. The palace opens at 10 AM and is usually less crowded during the first few hours of the day.