This Wednesday, September 16, the Bank of Spain is making more than 33,000 spots available for free guided tours that allow the general public to explore the artistic and historical heritage of this spectacular Madrid landmark.
The excitement surrounding this event and the high demand it generates mean it may be difficult to secure a spot—despite a 18% increase in availability compared to last year—so it’s a good idea to keep a few things in mind before registration opens.
While these tips do not guarantee a reservation, they do help make the process as simple and efficient as possible, thereby increasing your chances of signing up.
Practical Tips for the Bank of Spain’s Free Tours
The Bank of Spain itself has shared a guide offering advice on how to prepare for the start of the registration period.
First, it’s essential to pay close attention to the time when reservations open so you can sign up as soon as possible: if necessary, set an alarm or reminder so you don’t miss it.
Reservations are made through the Banco de España’s official website. There, starting at the specified time, the “Reserve” button—located at the bottom of each tour option— will become active. Upon clicking it, users will be redirected to a virtual waiting room and assigned a time slot.
This page updates automatically and shows how many people are ahead of you in line and whether tickets sell out before it’s your turn.
Reservation Process for Free Tours
Once you’ve been redirected to the ticket page, you’ll have 20 minutes to complete your reservation. If you don’t complete it within that time, you’ll be assigned a new spot in the queue. You can reserve a maximum of 4 tickets at a time.
It is also important to have the information requested during the process on hand so you can complete your reservation without difficulty. This information includes:
- Full names.
- ID number/NIE/passport number (adults).
- Dates of birth for all attendees.
It’s essential to make sure the selected date and time are correct, since reservations cannot be modified once confirmed; to secure another one, you’ll have to cancel the previous one and make a new reservation… provided there’s still availability.