Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Food Tour
4,9 (4969)3hMadrid, Spain
From€79
HikingCity toursHistorical
Royal Palace of Madrid Small Group Skip the Line Ticket
4.4(867 reviews)Madrid, Spain
2h10DurationEnglish, Italian, SpanishOffered inMobile ticketTicketNot includedPickupEasyLevel
About this experience
This experience allows a small group of up to 15 people to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid. The tour begins at Calle Mayor 43 and includes a walk through Plaza Mayor, Calle del Codo, and Plaza de la Villa before arriving at the Royal Palace via Calle Bailén. The ticket includes skip-the-line access to the palace.
Itinerary
1
Plaza Mayor
The name of the plaza has changed over time. It has been known as "Plaza del Arrabal", "Plaza de la Constitución", "Plaza Real", "Plaza de la República" and now "Plaza Mayor". These names reflect events, history and reign in Spanish history. "Plaza del Arrabal" was the original name of the present day "Plaza Mayor". The "Plaza del Arrabal" was once the site of the most popular marketplace until the end of 15th century. Following the Constitution of 1812, all major plazas in Spain were renamed "Plaza de la Constitución". It also held this name 1820 to 1823, 1833 to 1835, 1840 to 1843, and 1876 to 1922. When the Borbón king was restored in 1814, it became known as the "Plaza Real". In 1873, the name changed to "Plaza de la República". At the end of the Spanish Civil War the plaza received its present name of "Plaza Mayor".
2
Mercado San Miguel
More than 100 years have gone by since the Mercado de San Miguel opened its doors as a wholesale food market. Today, this historical building stands out as one of the world’s main gastronomic markets. It allows visitors to experience the essence and most significant flavors of every corner of Spain. From the finest Iberian ham and freshest fish and shellfish brought in daily from Galicia, to Mediterranean rice dishes and the most exquisite cheeses from Castile, Asturias and the Basque Country – at the Mercado de San Miguel, you’ll find all the highlights of Spanish cuisine. Spread out over more than 20 stands, the common denominator here is a commitment to high-quality tapas and pub fare.
3
Plaza de la Villa
It was one of the main medieval centers of Madrid, since three streets start from it, corresponding to the original layout of the city: Codo, Cordón and Madrid. On its outskirts are the main facades of three buildings of high historical-artistic value, built in different centuries. The oldest is the Casa y Torre de los Lujanes (15th century), in the Gothic-Mudejar style, located on the east side of the Plaza. This is now the office of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences.
4
Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the King of Spain; However, the current kings do not live in it, but in the Zarzuela Palace, so it is used for state ceremonies and solemn acts. Now is when our visit really begins. Although Juvarra's original project was never carried out, the Royal Palace of Madrid can boast of being the largest inhabited palace in Europe. And we say inhabited because, although the Spanish Royal Family does not reside in it, it is still the place where they have their official residence. As we have commented previously, the building, whose works lasted until 1764 when Carlos III lived in it for the first time, is made up of 135,000 square meters and 3,418 rooms, also highlighting its 870 windows, 240 balconies or the 44 stairs it has. The comparisons are odious but, despite what many believe, the Palace of Versailles, near Paris, has 67,000 square meters, so that of Madrid surpasses it.
What's included / not included
Only 15 passengers maximum for this semi-private visit to the Royal PalaceVisit with Radio Guide and gift headphones.Skip the line access to Royal PalaceOfficial Bilingual Guide - Spanish Group and English Group
Gratuities
Additional information
Accessibility and comfort
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Good to know
- Although the entrance to the Royal Palace is always reserved for our clients, sometimes the access control may be blocked due to capacity and security controls, delaying the entrance for a few minutes for reasons beyond the operator's control.
- To speed up entry, rucksacks and large bags are not permitted.
- Check-in at our main office is mandatory. Please do not go directly to the Royal Palace.
Traveller reviews
4.4867 reviews
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