Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real)

The Royal Palace of Madrid, the Palacio Real, is the official residence of the Spanish monarch and one of the largest palaces in Europe, with a floor area of about 135,000 square metres. The royal family itself lives at the Palace of Zarzuela outside the city, so the palace is used for state ceremonies, receptions and official events. It stands on the site of the old Alcázar of Madrid, a medieval fortress turned royal residence that burned down on Christmas Eve 1734. King Philip V ordered a new palace, and building began in 1738 with Italian architects including Filippo Juvarra and Giovanni Battista Sacchetti, with later work by Francesco Sabatini. The first royal occupant was Charles III in the 1760s.

The design combines Baroque and classical elements in a cool, monumental style. The façade is built in white granite and Colmenar limestone, and a huge central courtyard, the Plaza de la Armería, is closed on the south by the cathedral. Inside, the rooms are lavishly decorated. The Grand Staircase leads up to ceremonial halls, among them the Throne Room, with its crimson velvet and gilded decoration, and the Hall of Mirrors-style Gasparini Room, covered in stucco, silk and bronze. Ceilings by painters such as Tiepolo, Giaquinto and Mengs fill the vaults with sky and allegory.

The palace also holds collections that are of interest in their own right. The Royal Armoury displays suits of armour and weapons from the Spanish court, among them those of the emperor Charles V. The Royal Pharmacy has jars and equipment, and the palace owns a unique set of Stradivarius instruments, the Palatine Quartet, which are still used in concerts. Clocks, tapestries, porcelain and furniture fill the rooms.

The palace sits at the western end of the old centre, facing the Plaza de Oriente. Beside it are the Sabatini Gardens, which are free to enter, and beyond them the Campo del Moro, a large landscaped park. The Almudena Cathedral stands directly opposite across the courtyard. Gran Vía and the Puerta de Sol are within walking distance.

The palace is a good fit for history and art lovers and families who enjoy grand interiors. Allow two to three hours and arrive early. As it hosts state events, some rooms may close without much notice, so check current opening times and ticket options through the official channels before you go.