Royal Palace of Madrid Skip-the-Line Tickets
Save time on the long queues and skip the line to access the Royal Palace of Madrid, the largest functioning palace in Europe. As you wander through the halls of this illustrious building, you can admire its 16th-century Baroque architecture, as well as the many frescoes, tapestries, and decorative motifs that adorn its walls. Within the palace, you can visit the Grand Staircase, composed of a single piece of San Agustin marble; the Royal Library, with its vast collection of rare books and manuscripts; the Royal Armory, which showcases full sets of armor and weaponry from the reign of Charles V; the apartments of Charles III, the Queen, and the infant Luise; the Crown Room, which houses Charles III’s royal scepter, throne and crown, and much more.
Along the way, you can admire works of art by Caravaggio, Juan de Flandes, Francisco de Goya, Diego Velázquez, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, among others, which are on display, as well as learn more about Spanish history and the Palace’s roots in Moorish and Catholic tradition. Many other collections of great historical and artistic importance are also preserved in the palace, including the Royal porcelain, watches, furniture, silverware, and the world's only complete Stradivarius string quintet. Later you can also relax at the gorgeous gardens and thoughtfully laid out plazas that are housed within the palace complex.
To promote proximity tourism during the Easter holidays, the Royal Palace of Madrid opened the 'Ala de Bailén', a set of 7 rooms, among which are the Saleta de María Cristina, the Diario Dining Room, the Halls of Mirrors, Tapestries and Weapons, the Official Tram, and the Official Chamber. This means that you get to travel back in time and see artifacts that have remained a quarter of a century away from the gaze of tourists! Also see the unpublished exhibition of instruments from the 17th and 19th centuries, such as the grand piano by Francisco Fernández, or the two harps by Sebastian Erard. The most outstanding piece, however, is the double bass by Nicolò Amati, one of the best builders of stringed instruments. A treat for art and history lovers, a walk through the Royal Palace of Madrid is sure to be an unforgettable experience that will stick with you long after.