Attraction · Madrid
Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace of Madrid): free entry days, tickets & hours
Independent guide, not the official Royal Palace website. Official links are under Sources.
Royal Palace is next free on Tuesday, 18 May 2027 (in 7 months).
- Free for everyone on 18 May (International Museum Day).
- Also free: Mon-Thu 4-6pm (Oct-Mar) for EU citizens/residents and EU work-permit holders; Mon-Thu 4-6pm (Oct-Mar) for Ibero-American citizens; at all times for children under 5; people with a disability of 33%+ and a required companion; and more below.
- Otherwise: basic ticket (Tarifa Básica) — €18.
Calendar
Free days at Royal Palace
For everyone
- TUE18MAYTuesday, 18 May 2027 · in 7 months · 10:00–19:00
For EU citizens and residents
- MON26OCTMonday, 26 October 2026 · in 2 days · 16:00–18:00
- TUE27OCTTuesday, 27 October 2026 · in 3 days · 16:00–18:00
- WED28OCTWednesday, 28 October 2026 · in 4 days · 16:00–18:00
- THU29OCTThursday, 29 October 2026 · in 5 days · 16:00–18:00
- MON2NOVMonday, 2 November 2026 · in 9 days · 16:00–18:00
- TUE3NOVTuesday, 3 November 2026 · in 10 days · 16:00–18:00
For Ibero-American citizens
- MON26OCTMonday, 26 October 2026 · in 2 days · 16:00–18:00
- TUE27OCTTuesday, 27 October 2026 · in 3 days · 16:00–18:00
- WED28OCTWednesday, 28 October 2026 · in 4 days · 16:00–18:00
- THU29OCTThursday, 29 October 2026 · in 5 days · 16:00–18:00
- MON2NOVMonday, 2 November 2026 · in 9 days · 16:00–18:00
- TUE3NOVTuesday, 3 November 2026 · in 10 days · 16:00–18:00
1 free days for everyone in the next 12 months. Closures and public holidays are already taken out. Group-only days need proof of eligibility.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- The free slot is for EU citizens/residents (and EU work-permit holders) and Ibero-American nationals only - bring passport or residence card.
- In winter the free window is Mon-Thu 4-6pm but last entry is 5pm, so arrive early.
- The Campo del Moro gardens below the palace are free for everyone.
- Children under 5 are always free.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free hoursFree Mon-Thu 4-6pm (Oct-Mar) for EU citizens/residents and EU work-permit holders · 16:00–18:00 | EU citizens and residents | Free visit (visita libre) only; a guide costs extra. Show proof of nationality or residence/work permit at the ticket office. Last entry one hour before the end of the slot. Capacity is limited and Patrimonio Nacional recommends buying tickets online in advance because box-office sales are reduced. | No |
| Free hoursFree Mon-Thu 4-6pm (Oct-Mar) for Ibero-American citizens · 16:00–18:00 | Ibero-American citizens | Free visit (visita libre) only; a guide costs extra. Show proof of nationality or residence/work permit at the ticket office. Last entry one hour before the end of the slot. Capacity is limited and Patrimonio Nacional recommends buying tickets online in advance because box-office sales are reduced. Ibero-American nationality, or a Spanish/EU residence or work permit, must be proven. | No |
| Free forFree at all times for children under 5 | children under 5 | — | No |
| Free dayFree for everyone on 18 May (International Museum Day) · 10:00–19:00 | everyone | Unless it is a closure day. | No |
| Free forFree for people with a disability of 33%+ and a required companion | visitors with disabilities (+1 companion) | Tickets at the box office or via the online contact form; documents checked at the box office on the day. | No |
| Free forFree for people registered as unemployed | jobseekers | — | No |
| Free forFree for active teachers with a teacher card | teachers | — | No |
Official prices
Royal Palace ticket prices
| Basic ticket (Tarifa Básica) — Reduced €9. Royal Kitchen priced separately. Campo del Moro gardens are free. | €18 |
| Combined ticket Royal Palace + Gallery of the Royal Collections | €24 |
| Guide supplement | €8 |
| Audioguide | €5 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Worth timing your visit?
What a free day saves
Based on the official price (basic ticket (tarifa básica)). Free days are busier — if your dates don't line up, a timed ticket is the trade-off.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Royal Palace
Timed-entry ticketMadrid: Royal Palace Fast-Access Admission Ticket★★★★★ 4.6 · 16k reviewsfrom €22
Skip-the-line ticketRoyal Palace of Madrid Skip-the-Line Tickets★★★★★ 4.5 · 12k reviewsfrom €22.80
Skip-the-line ticketRoyal Palace of Madrid Skip-the-Line Guided Tour★★★★★ 4.5 · 5.1k reviewsfrom €30
Skip-the-line ticketSkip-the-Line Tickets to the Royal Palace of Madrid and the Royal Kitchen★★★★★ 4.5 · 2.3k reviewsfrom €29
Skip-the-line ticketRoyal Palace of Madrid: Fast Track Entry★★★★★ 4.5 · 1.7k reviewsfrom €22
Skip-the-line ticketMuseo del Prado & Royal Palace of Madrid Skip-the-Line Guided Tour★★★★☆ 4.3 · 1.4k reviewsfrom €68
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm October-March (last entry 5pm) and 10am-7pm April-September (last entry 6pm); Sundays 10am-4pm (last entry 3pm). May close for official state events.
Calle de Bailén s/n, Madrid, Spain
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
FAQ
Royal Palace: common questions
Is Royal Palace free?
Royal Palace is free for everyone on 18 May (International Museum Day). Also free: Mon-Thu 4-6pm (Oct-Mar) for EU citizens/residents and EU work-permit holders; Mon-Thu 4-6pm (Oct-Mar) for Ibero-American citizens; at all times for children under 5; people with a disability of 33%+ and a required companion; and more below. Otherwise the official ticket costs €18.
When are the free days at Royal Palace for EU citizens and residents?
Upcoming free dates for EU citizens and residents: Mon 26 Oct (16:00–18:00), Tue 27 Oct (16:00–18:00), Wed 28 Oct (16:00–18:00) and Thu 29 Oct (16:00–18:00). Bring proof of eligibility; booking rules are listed above.
When are the free days at Royal Palace for Ibero-American citizens?
Upcoming free dates for Ibero-American citizens: Mon 26 Oct (16:00–18:00), Tue 27 Oct (16:00–18:00), Wed 28 Oct (16:00–18:00) and Thu 29 Oct (16:00–18:00). Bring proof of eligibility; booking rules are listed above.
Who gets free entry to Royal Palace?
Children under 5. Visitors with disabilities (+1 companion) — tickets at the box office or via the online contact form; documents checked at the box office on the day.. Jobseekers. Teachers.
How much is a ticket to Royal Palace?
Basic ticket (Tarifa Básica) costs €18 on the official site.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Royal Palace
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Sources
Where this comes from
- patrimonionacional.es/visita/palacio-real-de-madrid · checked Saturday, 24 October 2026
- patrimonionacional.es/tarifa-gratuita-palacio-real-de-madrid · checked Saturday, 24 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.