Aranjuez - Royal Palace Palacio Real
The Royal Palace in Aranjuez was begun in 1560 at the behest of Philip II. The original architect was Juan Bautista de Toledo, who was also the first architect of the Escorial. The work was continued by Juan de Herrera, who gave the palace the classical austerity characteristic of his style. The palace was twice destroyed by fire, in 1660 and again in 1665, but each time Philip had it rebuilt.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
Royal Palace
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In the reign of the Bourbon king Charles III, who enlarged and planned the town on the rationalist principles of the Enlightenment, Francesco Sabatini added two projecting side wings to the palace, forming a spacious parade ground. The main front is in Herrera's Renaissance style, but the Baroque influences of his successors are very evident.
Things to See
Porcelain Room 
The Porcelain Room is lavishly decorated with plaques of Buen Retiro porcelain depicting Chinese scenes.
Royal Palace Interior
The rooms of the palace are decorated and furnished in a style befitting the rank of its occupants, with valuable tapestries, furniture, porcelain, clocks, pictures and objets d'art. Particularly notable features are the magnificent staircase designed by Giacomo Bonavia, the Chapel Royal (by Sabatini), the velvet-clad Throne Room and above all the Porcelain Room.
Other fine rooms are the Arab Saloon, modelled on the Hall of the Two Sisters in the Alhambra in Granada, and the Saloon of the Infantas or Sala de Papeles Chinos, decorated with delicate paintings on rice paper. The decoration of the palace was the work of the painters Luca Giordano, Anton Mengs, Francisco Bayeu and Mariano Maella. Gardens
Other fine rooms are the Arab Saloon, modelled on the Hall of the Two Sisters in the Alhambra in Granada, and the Saloon of the Infantas or Sala de Papeles Chinos, decorated with delicate paintings on rice paper. The decoration of the palace was the work of the painters Luca Giordano, Anton Mengs, Francisco Bayeu and Mariano Maella. Gardens
Hours
April 21 to September 20
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | |
| Open | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | |
| Close | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 |
October 1 to April 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | |
| Open | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
Always closed on:
Madrid Day - Spain (May 2)
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Guided tour available as optional extra.
