Royal Palace of Madrid

Why go

Patrimonio Nacional, which manages the Royal Sites, says the palace stands on the site of the old Alcázar of Madrid, which burned on Christmas Eve 1734; the first stone of the new palace was laid in 1738 and the building was finished in 1751. It remains the official residence of the King of Spain and is used for official acts, and Patrimonio Nacional's page lists closures for official events. The page says visitors enter by the Almudena esplanade at the corner of Calle Bailén, that capacity is limited, and that it recommends buying tickets online in advance because ticket-office sales are reduced. The Campo del Moro gardens beside the palace and the Gallery of the Royal Collections next to it are separate places; the page lists a combined ticket for the palace and the gallery.