The palace as a starting point
Start from the Royal Palace of Madrid, which takes one to two hours to visit; its entrance is from the Almudena esplanade. All the places below lie within about ten minutes. To choose between the palace, the collections gallery and the convents, read the royal Madrid guide first.
The places, nearest to farthest
| Place | Walk from the palace | Time on site | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almudena Cathedral | 1 min | 30 to 45 min | See the page |
| Sabatini Gardens | 3 min | 20 to 40 min | Free |
| Plaza de Oriente | 3 min | 20 to 30 min | Free |
| Teatro Real | 4 min | 1 h on a tour | Paid tour |
| Incarnation Monastery | 5 min | 1 h | Guided tour |
| Campo del Moro | 5 to 8 min | 45 min to 1 h | Free |
| Plaza de la Villa | 8 min | 15 to 20 min | Free |
| Descalzas Reales | 12 min | 1 h | Guided tour |
| Plaza Mayor | 12 min | 20 to 30 min | Free |
A route from the cathedral to Plaza de la Villa
1. Almudena Cathedral. It faces the palace across the esplanade. The Almudena Cathedral deserves a short visit, especially if you are already on the square.
2. Sabatini Gardens. Follow the palace along its north side: the Sabatini Gardens open onto the pool and the façade. It is the shortest pause of the day.
3. Plaza de Oriente. Walk up to the Plaza de Oriente, its statues of kings and the equestrian statue of Philip IV.
4. Teatro Real. Across the square, the Teatro Real can be visited with an audio guide or on themed tours, by booking. If you do not go in, at least look at its façade.
5. Incarnation Monastery. A few steps further, the Incarnation Monastery is visited with a guide. Book, and check the afternoon breaks.
6. Plaza de la Villa. Heading down calle Mayor, you reach the Plaza de la Villa and its historic buildings, then the Plaza Mayor a few minutes on.
Variations depending on your time
- 1 hour: Plaza de Oriente, Sabatini Gardens and cathedral, without going inside anywhere.
- Half a day: palace, lunch, Plaza de Oriente, then one convent, with a booked slot.
- With children: Sabatini and Plaza de Oriente, with a snack break; book the paid visit for the morning.
- An afternoon with no appointments: Plaza de la Villa, Plaza Mayor and the San Miguel market, away from the palace queue.
Keep the Campo del Moro for a day when you feel like walking in a park: it is free, but the slope takes time.
Where to eat
Avoid a full meal on the most exposed terraces. Our guide where to eat near the Royal Palace lists the streets to favour, mealtimes and traps.
Practical tips
The slope between calle de Bailén and calle Mayor is real: wear comfortable shoes. Groups fill the area around the palace in mid-morning; arrive early. For exact opening times of the convents and cathedral, check the official sites before leaving, as they change and may be altered for official events. In rain, favour the palace and the Teatro Real and keep the gardens for a break in the clouds.
