Royal Palace of Madrid, Madrid

Explore at least a few of the 2,000 lavishly decorated rooms of the historic Royal Palace of Madrid, considered one of the finest buildings in the city. Take the grand stairway to discover the state rooms, noted for their detailed tapestries, frescoes, porcelain, carvings, china, and silverware. The courtyard connects to both the old pharmacy, which holds hundreds of bottles of centuries-old medicines, and the royal armory, a two-level exhibit of medieval weapons and armor. Although the enormous palace is the official residence of the King, the royal family doesn’t actually live here; the site is generally used for state ceremonies. Avoid visiting on Wednesdays, when entry is free and the lines are extremely long. For travelers who use our custom trip planner, Madrid holidays become easier to arrange, with trips to the Royal Palace of Madrid and other attractions mapped out and timetabled.