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Madrid - Royal Palace

Posted by (Toronto, Canada) on

Is the Royal Palace entry ticket for indoors only, or do I need to have a ticket in order to see the Change of Guard? I need to figure out what is the best time (10am, 11am or 12noon) to buy Palace admission tickets in order to see the Change of Guards.

We will be in Madrid July29-Aug4 and we are planning to visit Royal Palace.
I read about Changing of the Guard (every Wednesday and Saturday from 10am to 12 noon) and I was thinking that my teenagers 14yo son and 16yo daughter will enjoy it.
What are your tips regarding visiting the Royal Palace, is a guided tour recommended, or audio guide is good enough?
Thank you in advance.

Posted by
28083 posts

I thought the audio guide was fine, but I am perhaps not the best judge, because I've figured out that I don't much like palaces. (It's the over-the-top furniture that bugs me, I think.) The palace is very popular--with Spaniards as well as foreign visitors--and can be quite crowded. I don't know whether a tour would help with that or just assure that you're always a part of the mob. I haven't seen the Changing of the Guard and don't know what it's like.

The (Egyptian) Temple of Debod is just a bit over 1/2 mile beyond the Royal Palace. I think it may be an uphill walk, though.

Posted by
7159 posts

It’s been a number of year, but we used the audio guide. Listen to what you want and leave when ready. There’s no need to wait on a regular guide who may stay longer at a place than you want. My at the time 11yr old and 14yr old liked the palace but liked the armory more.

Posted by
4 posts

Did you end up seeing the changing of the guard? I'm going in October and wondering how early you have to arrive at the Royal Palace to be able to see anything of the Changing of the Guard. Did you end up taking a guided tour or audio tour?

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