All roads in Madrid lead to the Royal Palace (or at least they should). Getting there is one of the most beautiful walks in the city, whether through the pedestrianized Plaza de España to the Sabatini Gardens, heading up from Campo del Moro, or crossing Ópera to Plaza de Oriente… and bam! There it stands, so splendid and majestic, with its 135,000 square meters and 3,418 rooms. But inside, no king resides.
The last monarch to live within its walls was Alfonso XIII, who left it in 1931 after the Second Republic was proclaimed. During this period, it was renamed the National Palace and welcomed a new resident: Manuel Azaña. The president set up his office and home here, becoming the last head of state to reside regularly at the Royal Palace.
17 August 2026 10:00 + more dates
The current Royal Palace stands on the site once occupied by the Real Alcázar of Madrid, a Muslim fortress (which eventually became the residence of the Habsburgs) that was destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve 1734 and reduced to ashes. It was then that Philip V ordered the construction of a new stone palace: in 1738, construction began on the building we know today.
The Royal Palace’s current residents: Goya, Velázquez, Stradivarius…
The Royal Palace is a massive museum. Its architecture is brimming with details, such as the vault painted by Corrado Gianquinto that adorns the main staircase; or the various paintings by artists like Velázquez, Goya, Caravaggio, Sorolla, and Luis Tristán… but also tapestries, sculptures, incredible collections of porcelain from all over the world, and historic furniture.
Of particular note is the collection of instruments crafted by Antonio Stradivari—a palace quintet consisting of two violins, a viola, and two cellos—which can be seen during the tour in the Stradivarius Room. And they’re not just on display; on special occasions, they’re played live in concert.
But there are details and rooms that are masterpieces in their own right, such as the main staircase, designed by Sabatini and built from Robledo de Chavela marble; or the stunning Gasparini Hall, decorated and painted by the Neapolitan artist Mattia Gasparini, who, under the orders of Charles III, designed this room in the purest Rococo style.
Or the Throne Room, the ultimate icon of power and symbol of the Spanish monarchy. Inside, you’ll find frescoes by Giambattista Tiepolo, Genoese velvets, and majestic consoles, mirrors, and thrones carved in Naples. In addition, the room features masterpieces and historical works from the Royal Collections, such as sculptures by Jacques Jonghelinck and Matteo Bonuccelli, bronzes brought back by Velázquez, antique French clocks, and large glass chandeliers from La Granja. An absolute artistic gem in its own right.
Of the more than 3,418 rooms, the guided tour reveals only a small fraction. In addition to the rooms mentioned, other highlights include the Gala Dining Room, which can accommodate up to 140 guests; the Royal Kitchens, which house such curious items as the first refrigerator to arrive in Madrid; and the Royal Armory, the only one in Europe to have survived virtually intact to this day, which has just reopened following a restoration process.
Legends and Tunnels: The Other History of the Royal Palace
There’s a story different from the official one that takes us through the anecdotes and gossip of the city’s rumor mills. Like those rumors claiming that the fire at the Alcázar was , in fact, ordered by Philip V himself to force the construction of a new palace.
Or the rumors about Queen Isabel de Farnesio (wife of this same monarch). It is said that she dreamed that a hundred sculptures would fall on her, causing her death. And from there came the decision by her son, Charles III, who ordered the statues to be removed from the cornice of the Royal Palace and placed along the Plaza de Oriente (where they stand today).
This is also true of the structures hidden from plain sight—those tunnels that crisscross the palace’s underground and would serve as escape routes if necessary, or as passageways to move from one place to another undetected. Examples include the Encarnación Tunnel (which connected the royal kitchens to this monastery) and the Villanueva Tunnel, built by Joseph Bonaparte, which connects the Royal Palace to the Casa de Campo. The latter, which has been partially restored, is open to visitors.
What events are held at the Royal Palace?
The Royal Family resides at the Zarzuela Palace, but the Royal Palace continues to host major state ceremonies. Its halls have welcomed figures such as Barack Obama, Xi Jinping, and, most recently, Pope Leo XIV.
Its rooms have witnessed historic events such as the signing of the act of accession of the Kingdom of Spain to the European Communities, state weddings ( the most recent being that of the current king and queen), the signing of the abdication of His Majesty King Juan Carlos I, and the proclamation of His Majesty King Felipe VI of Bourbon.