Photos: JasonParis from Toronto, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 DXR, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 León Gil de Palacio, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credits
Photos: JasonParis from Toronto, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 DXR, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 León Gil de Palacio, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Royal Palace, courtyard and facade
Your local guide
Álvaro Nieto
View profile
Highlights
- A courtyard built for the guard change
- One of Europe's largest working palaces
- A balcony used for public appearances
- A cathedral finished in the twentieth century
- The fire behind the current building
About this tour
This session covers the Royal Palace from its main courtyard to the long facade facing the gardens, finishing beside the Almudena Cathedral next door. You see the scale of one of Europe's largest working palaces and the balcony used for public appearances. I explain the fire that led to the current building and the centuries it took to finish the cathedral beside it.
We move slowly across the courtyard and along the facade, since the scale here takes a moment to read properly on camera. I answer questions about the guard change and the building's history as we go. The session ends at the cathedral rather than doubling back.
This suits anyone interested in Spanish history and monarchy without needing to see the interior state rooms. It also works well as a first stop before exploring the surrounding old town.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 6 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Madrid before heading out.
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Plaza de la Armería 17 min
You stand in the palace's main courtyard, used for the changing of the guard on certain days. I explain how the current building replaced an older fortress that burned down in the eighteenth century.
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The palace's south facade 17 min
The camera holds on the long stone facade facing the gardens, one of the largest palaces still in royal use anywhere in Europe. I point out the balcony used for public appearances and what it has seen over the centuries.
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Almudena Cathedral exterior 17 min
Standing beside the palace, the cathedral's grey and white facade was finished only in the twentieth century despite looking far older. I explain why it took so long to complete and how its style ended up matching the palace beside it.
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Your questions 11 min
Time to ask anything about Madrid: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 5 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Bocadillo de calamares and Chueca, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Madrid time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 8 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Madrid, showing you Plaza de la Armería and The palace's south facade live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk the palace grounds live with my phone.
Times shown in Madrid time (CET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Sat 31 Oct · 8 seats left From 32,00 €
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