Royal Monastery of the Barefoot nuns: Guided Tour + Tickets review
What the tour covers
A small-group guided visit with Patrimonio Nacional’s own guide, in English or another language depending on the slot. You get skip-the-line entry, so no queuing at the ticket desk. The guide walks you through the grand staircase (with Rizi’s ceiling fresco), the Brussels tapestries, the relicario, the upper cloister chapels, the church presbytery and the tombs. Sixty to ninety minutes total. Not suitable for people with mobility impairments or those who want photography. Entry tickets are included; you don’t pay twice at the gate.
What works
- Small group means you can hear the guide and ask questions
- English-language guide included, so you’re not dependent on Spanish fluency
- Skip-the-line saves time, especially on busy afternoons
- Entry included, no separate payment at the gate
- Zinovina and Susanne praised the guide quality and historical explanation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours
Worth knowing
- Only 8 reviews on GetYourGuide — too few to establish a pattern
- €39 is €30 more than the €9 direct ticket; Nicolaas correctly notes this cost
- Not suitable for people with mobility impairments
- No photography or video inside; you leave with memory only
- English is not guaranteed on a walk-up ticket to Patrimonio Nacional — the GYG option secures it
If English is essential and you don’t want to gamble on walk-in availability, book the guided tour. If you speak Spanish or are comfortable with a Spanish-language guide, the €9 direct ticket to Patrimonio Nacional is better value. Ask at the ticket desk what time your slot is, and whether the guide will cover both the artwork and the lived history of the convent.
Who it’s for
English-only speakers who want guaranteed English-language interpretation. Groups who prefer someone else to handle the booking. Those who want skip-the-line and can justify the price premium. Anyone on a tight budget should use the €9 direct ticket — it’s not the same guide experience, but the monastery doesn’t change. Then spend the €30 savings on lunch in Malasaña or entry to the Prado.
What guests say
Zinovina praised the guide’s competence and attentiveness. Susanne called it “very good, interesting, very good guide.” An unnamed traveller noted the guide covered the monastery in both English and French. Nicolaas was direct: “It was OK, but it was expensive. It’s better to book directly.” A 3-star reviewer asked why they were charged €25 when the on-site entrance is €8. These price questions are fair — the tour costs three times the walk-up ticket. With only 8 reviews, you’re seeing honesty over volume.
Other tours to consider
Best guided tourMadrid: Royal Palace Skip-the-line Guided Tour
Habsburg treasuresMadrid: Royal Collections Gallery Entry Ticket
The great paintingsMadrid: Prado Museum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket
Frequently asked questions
Is the €39 tour worth it?
Only if you need English-language interpretation and want to skip booking at Patrimonio Nacional. The €9 direct ticket is better value for Spanish speakers. Nicolaas and another reviewer both note the price premium — it’s legitimate. The guide quality is consistent, but eight reviews is not enough to be certain.
What’s the difference between this and the €9 direct ticket?
The direct ticket is walk-up (Spanish-language likely) with a queue at the Patrimonio Nacional desk. This tour is pre-booked, skip-the-line, with an English guide guaranteed. €30 extra buys convenience and language assurance.
Is photography allowed inside?
No. Neither photography nor video. You see the staircase, the tapestries, the relicario — and you leave with memories, not photos.
How long is the actual visit?
60 to 90 minutes inside. The exact length depends on the guide and the group. Ask when you book.
What if I can’t speak English and don’t want to pay €39?
Get the €9 direct ticket from Patrimonio Nacional. Spanish-language guides are standard walk-up.