Philip V ordered it built on the site of the old Alcázar fortress, which burned down on Christmas Eve 1734. Work ran from 1738 to 1755 and the first king to live here was Charles III. With more than 3,000 rooms it is the largest royal palace in Western Europe, though the royal family does not live here: it is used for state ceremonies.
The visit takes in the state rooms, such as the Throne Room with its ceiling painted by Tiepolo, the Royal Pharmacy and the Royal Armoury, one of the finest collections of armour in the world. In front lies the Plaza de la Armería, open towards the Almudena Cathedral and the Casa de Campo.
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Checked on November 4, 2026.
Sources: Wikidata · OpenStreetMap · Google Maps (Place ID) · Patrimonio Nacional