The Royal Palace is one of Madrid’s top attractions, welcoming over 1.5 million visitors a year. During high season (March to October), queues for general admission often stretch over an hour, especially between 10am and 1pm. Weekends and public holidays are even busier, with lines forming as early as 9:30am.
Even in the off-season, unreserved visitors typically wait 30–45 minutes. Entry is through the main gate facing Almudena Cathedral, where separate lines form for walk-ins and skip-the-line ticket holders. The lines often wrap around Plaza de la Armería, especially during summer and national holidays.
