Why go

The Almudena Cathedral faces the Royal Palace across the Plaza de la Armería, and together they make one of the grandest views in Madrid. It is a surprisingly young cathedral. Madrid only became a diocese in the late 19th century, the first stone was laid in 1883, and work dragged on for more than a century, interrupted by the Civil War. Pope John Paul II finally consecrated it on 15 June 1993.

The result is a neo-Gothic interior with a very modern feel: bright painted ceilings, contemporary stained glass and chapels decorated in colourful styles. It is free to enter, and the climb to the dome gives one of the best views of the palace and the old city.

What to see

  • The nave. Tall and light, with a boldly coloured ceiling that surprises visitors expecting a dark Gothic church.
  • The Virgin of the Almudena. The statue of Madrid’s patron saint, which gives the cathedral its name.
  • The museum. The visit includes the chapter house and main sacristy, decorated with modern mosaics, and a collection on the history of the Church in Madrid.
  • The dome. From more than 70 metres up, look over the Royal Palace, the Plaza de Oriente, the Segovia viaduct and the dome of San Francisco el Grande.
  • The crypt. A neo-Romanesque crypt with its own entrance on Calle Mayor.

Plan your visit

The cathedral opens every day from 10am to 8.30pm from September to June, and until 9pm in July and August. Entry is free, with a €1 donation requested. Sightseeing is not allowed during services. A free audio guide, in Spanish, English, French and Italian, plays on your phone through the cathedral’s Wi-Fi.

The museum and dome have much shorter hours: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 2.30pm only. They close on Sundays, on holy days of obligation and on days of special services. Tickets cost €8, or €5 for ages 10 to 16, students up to 25 and some other groups. Buy them at the ticket office on the staircase of the main facade, facing the Royal Palace; no booking is needed for a self-guided visit. Guided tours are booked by email through the cathedral.

The museum recommends visiting between 10am and 11am or between 1pm and 2pm, when there are fewer groups. Allow 30 minutes for the cathedral and about an hour for the museum and dome. The museum gallery is also a good place to watch the Changing of the Royal Guard, held on the first Wednesday of the month, weather permitting.

Good to know

The cathedral is an active place of worship, so dress respectfully and keep voices down. Combine it with the Royal Palace: both are entered from the Plaza de la Armería side, and a morning covers the palace, the cathedral and the dome before the museum closes at 2.30pm.

Nearby

The Royal Palace is across the square, the Sabatini Gardens and Plaza de Oriente are beside it, and Calle Mayor leads east to the Mercado de San Miguel and Plaza Mayor.