Madrid's Royal Monastery of La Encarnación: tours and tickets

Updated on October 5, 2026

The Royal Monastery of La Encarnación, near Plaza de Oriente, reveals another side of the Spanish court: religious foundations and sacred art. Founded in 1611 by Philip III and Margaret of Austria, it still houses a community of Augustinian Recollect nuns. Visits are compulsory guided tours in small groups; the standard ticket costs €9, including the guide. Allow about an hour and book a time slot rather than arriving at closing time.

Highlights

The church façade

Brick, stone and a portico form a restrained composition, best viewed from Plaza de la Encarnación before your tour.

The monastery from the square

Its proximity to the palace recalls the foundation's ties to the court. A passage once connected it to the old Alcázar.

The reliquary room

This room holds devotional objects made from precious materials and the famous relic of Saint Pantaleon. The guide explains their religious and diplomatic role, giving the collection more context than a simple curiosity.

The church and collections

Ventura Rodríguez redesigned the church interior in the 18th century. The cloister, royal portraits and sacred artworks complete the route, depending on which rooms are open.

Practical info

Tips

Prices checked in October 2026: €9 per person, guided tour included; online booking adds a €0.77 handling fee per ticket, bringing the total to €9.77. Tours bought online are in Spanish. Children under 5 enter free; other exemptions require supporting documents. On Wednesdays and Thursdays from 16:00 to 18:30, admission is free for EU and Ibero-American citizens, as well as EU residents and work-permit holders, with proof of eligibility; tickets are available only at the ticket office, last admission at 17:30, with limited capacity. The site currently states that there is no access for visitors with reduced mobility. Personal photography without flash is permitted unless indicated otherwise; tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited.

How to get there

Plaza de la Encarnación, 1, 28013 Madrid. Ópera metro, lines 2 and 5 and the Ópera-Príncipe Pío shuttle. The visitor entrance is on the main façade; do not confuse this monastery with the Descalzas Reales.

Opening hours

Best: A weekday morning tour slot

Monday Closed

Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-18:30

Sunday 10:00-15:00 (public holidays 10:00-15:00; last admission 13:00 in the morning, 17:30 in the afternoon and 14:00 on Sundays and public holidays; guided visits by time slot, subject to exceptional closures)