Having recently arrived in Spain, I’ve become quite interested in all the stories surrounding the Royal Family. I’ve been looking into where they live and what assets they have, and it turns out to be quite complex. Today, I’ll share what I’ve found out about the Spanish Royal Family’s palaces and grand residences—which ones are just ‘workplaces,’ which are their actual homes, and which ones we can visit.
The Royal Family’s ‘Home’ vs. ‘Office’
First, it’s important to understand a key distinction. Many of the magnificent palaces we’re familiar with, like the Royal Palace of Madrid, are technically the King’s official residence, but the royal family doesn’t actually live there anymore. It’s now used primarily for state functions, such as hosting state banquets and receiving foreign dignitaries. So, the chances of bumping into the King at the Royal Palace of Madrid are practically zero, haha.
So where do they actually live? The current King Felipe VI and his family, as well as the abdicated King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía, actually reside in the Palace of Zarzuela on the outskirts of Madrid. This location is much more private and is not open to the public; it’s their real home. So don’t even think about hanging around there, you’ll be treated as a suspicious person.
Which Royal Palaces Can You Visit?
This is the part most of us are interested in! The good news is that most of the palaces belonging to the Patrimonio Nacional (National Heritage) and used by the Royal Family are open to the public when no official events are scheduled. I’ve put together a simple table of these royal properties for your reference:
| Palace Name | City | Open to Public? |
|---|
| Royal Palace of Madrid | Madrid | Yes |
| Royal Monastery of El Escorial | San Lorenzo de El Escorial | Yes |
| Royal Palace of Aranjuez | Aranjuez | Yes |
| Royal Palace of La Granja | San Ildefonso | Yes |
| Palace of Zarzuela | Madrid | No |
Besides the ones listed above, there are also some famous summer palaces, such as the Royal Palace of Almudaina on the island of Mallorca, where the royal family often spends their summer holidays. This palace is also open to the public. So, concerning the royal properties, if you want to get a feel for the royal atmosphere, visiting these places is an experience that is well worth the price of admission. Have you visited any other places related to the Royal Family? Feel free to share them in the discussion below!
