Planning to visit the breathtaking Royal Palace of Madrid? You're in for a treat! This magnificent landmark isn't just a pretty face on Madrid's skyline—it's a living piece of Spanish heritage that welcomes millions of visitors yearly.
While the Spanish royal family doesn't actually live here (they use it mainly for ceremonies), this stunning palace is absolutely worth exploring. But before you dive in, knowing which entrance to use can save you precious vacation time and enhance your visit. Let's break down everything you need to know about getting into the Royal Palace like a pro!
How many entrances does the Royal Palace of Madrid Have?
Contrary to what you might think, the Royal Palace of Madrid actually has four main entrances, though you'll likely only use one or two as a visitor:
- Puerta del Príncipe (Prince's Gate) – The primary tourist entrance
- Puerta de la Armería – Where you can access the Royal Armoury
- Puerta de Felipe IV – Reserved mostly for groups and visitors with disabilities
- Puerta de Santiago – Used for group tours and accessing the courtyard
Recommended tickets
Royal Palace of Madrid Entrances
1. Puerta del Príncipe (Prince's Gate)
Location: East side, facing Plaza de la Armería.
This gorgeous 18th-century Baroque entrance on the palace's eastern side is your main access point as a tourist. With its intricate sculptures and historic significance, it's worth taking a moment to admire before heading inside!
The Prince's Gate area is also where you can catch the impressive Changing of the Guard ceremony. Every Wednesday from 11am to 2pm, guards in stunning gala uniforms (both on foot and horseback) perform this traditional ceremony to the rhythmic accompaniment of drums and fifes. Each show lasts about 30 minutes and repeats every half hour during this time. Just keep in mind that the ceremony might be canceled during bad weather, official events, or on days when the Solemn Changing is scheduled.
Who is it for? If you're a regular visitor with either self-guided or guided tour tickets, this entrance is for you!
How to get there?
- Nearest Metro: Ópera
- Bus: Lines 1, 133, 138, 146, 2, 39, and 74 stop nearby
- Walking: Just a pleasant 10-minute stroll from Plaza Mayor or a 15-minute walk from Gran Vía.
2. Puerta de la Armería
Location: South side, adjacent to Puerta de Santiago
If you're fascinated by medieval weapons and royal defenses, head to this entrance on the palace's southern side. The Puerta de la Armería leads directly to the Royal Armoury, where you'll find an incredible collection of weapons and armor spanning centuries of Spanish history.
Located next to the Plaza de la Armería (a great meeting point if you're visiting with friends), this entrance also offers a good vantage point for watching the Changing of the Guards ceremony. Keep in mind that this entrance isn't the main one for general palace tours—it's specifically for accessing the Armoury collection or attending special events.
How to get there?
- Nearest Metro: Ópera (Lines 2 and 5)
- Bus: Lines 3, 25, and 148 stop close by.
3. Puerta de Felipe IV
Location: South side
Built during the reign of King Felipe IV in the 17th century, this elegant entrance with its impressive archway offers the most accessible route into the palace. If you're visiting with someone who has mobility challenges or if you're part of a larger organized group, this is your best bet.
Once inside, you'll be greeted by a spectacular courtyard surrounded by beautiful architecture and statues—giving you an immediate sense of the palace's grandeur.
Why choose this entrance? This entrance is perfect if you need wheelchair accessibility or if you're visiting as part of a pre-arranged group. Individual tourists typically won't use this entrance unless they require the accessible route.
4. Puerta de Santiago
Location: South side
This beautiful stone archway at the southern end of the palace is your gateway to both the palace courtyard and the stunning Campo del Moro gardens. If you're joining a group tour, you'll likely start your adventure from this entrance.
Like the Puerta de Felipe IV, this entrance is fully wheelchair accessible with proper ramps, making it a great choice for visitors with mobility needs.
Who is it for? Nature lovers, photographers, and anyone wanting to combine their palace visit with a stroll through the gorgeous Campo del Moro gardens. It's also the designated meeting point for many guided group tours.
How to get there?
- Nearest Metro: Príncipe Pío (Lines 6, 10, and R)
- Bus: Lines 41, 75, and 138 stop nearby.
Why choose this entrance?
Want to escape the crowds and enjoy some green space? This entrance leads to the peaceful Campo del Moro gardens, offering spectacular photo opportunities of the palace from below. It's perfect for starting or ending your visit with a refreshing walk through manicured gardens.
Which entrance is best for you?
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| Accessibility | When to use It | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Puerta del Príncipe |
| Good |
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| Moderate |
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| Good |
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The main tourist entrance: What you need to know
Here's the practical info you really need! When you arrive at the main visitor area (Puerta del Príncipe) opposite the Cathedral, you'll notice two main doors:
- Left door: This is for visitors with online tickets and guided tours. If you've planned ahead and bought your tickets online (which we definitely recommend!), head straight here.
- Right door: This is where you'll find the ticket counter. If you haven't purchased tickets in advance, you'll need to queue here first.
Pro tip: Always buy your tickets online before visiting to save time and skip the potentially long ticket purchase line!
Queues at the Royal Palace of Madrid
Nobody loves waiting in line, especially when there's a magnificent palace to explore! Here's what to expect queue-wise:
- Online ticket queue (left door): Generally moves quickly since tickets are already processed. During peak season (summer and holidays), you might wait 10-20 minutes.
- Ticket purchase queue (right door): This line can get lengthy, particularly between 10am-1pm. During high season, you could wait 30-60 minutes just to buy tickets.
- Special entrances: The Armoury entrance and other specialized doors typically have shorter or no queues, but they're only for specific purposes.
