Opening Hours & Visiting Times at Descalzas Reales
The Monday closure: plan around it
The Descalzas closes every single Monday, all year, with no exceptions. This catches a lot of tourists who arrive on a Monday without realising it. If you are in Madrid on a Monday and want to see the monastery, you are out of luck. If you are planning your Madrid itinerary and think you might want to go, block Monday out now.
Tuesday through Saturday: the midday gap
From Tuesday to Saturday, the Descalzas is open 10:00–14:00 and 16:00–18:30. There is a closure from 14:00 to 16:00. The ticket desk closes at 13:00 (one hour before the midday close) and at 17:30 (one hour before the evening close). This matters because you cannot just show up at 2:30 pm and buy a ticket; the desk is shut. If you show up at 3:15 pm, you cannot enter; the place is closed. This is the single biggest thing that catches visitors off guard. I have watched people arrive at 3 pm on a Saturday afternoon, see the door locked, and ask the square in Spanish and English why. The answer is the midday break.
Sunday and holidays: different hours
On Sundays and official holidays, the Descalzas opens at 10:00 and closes at 15:00 (no afternoon reopening). The last entry is at 14:00. If you are planning a Sunday visit, come in the morning or early afternoon.
Free Wednesday and Thursday: the crowd
Wednesday and Thursday from 16:00 to 18:30 (last entry 17:30) the visit is free for EU citizens and residents and citizens of Ibero-American countries — you need proof. The hour before closing (17:30–18:30 entry) is less crowded than 16:00–17:00. But the entire afternoon slot is busier than any other time of the week because this free window is known and many locals use it. If you qualify and you do not mind crowds, it is a way to save money. If you prefer to move at your own pace, book a morning slot on a different day and time.
Book a timed entry slot in advance if you can, even for the walk-in €9 ticket. If you show up at the peak times (10:00 morning, 16:00 evening, or the free Wednesday/Thursday afternoon), the queue is real and you might not get in your preferred slot.
How the timed slots work
Every visit is part of a small group with a Patrimonio Nacional guide. You book or buy a ticket for a specific time. When your time comes, the group gathers, the guide briefs you on the route and the rules (no photography, stay together, touch nothing), and you follow them through the rooms. The whole thing takes 60–90 minutes depending on the group and the guide. Fast guides rush you past some artworks; good guides let you look. If you book the GetYourGuide tour, your time slot is confirmed when you book and you do not have to think about it again.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Descalzas Reales open on Monday?
No. It closes every Monday with no exceptions. Plan your visit for Tuesday–Saturday morning.
What time does the Descalzas Reales open and close?
Tuesday–Saturday: 10:00–14:00 and 16:00–18:30. Sunday and holidays: 10:00–15:00. Free Wednesday and Thursday 16:00–18:30 for eligible visitors. The ticket desk closes one hour before each close time, so you cannot buy a ticket at 13:50 — the desk shut at 13:00.
Can you visit in the afternoon?
Yes, but not 14:00–16:00 — there is a midday break. The evening session is 16:00–18:30. Ticket desk closes at 17:30, so book ahead if you want an evening slot.
Do you need to book in advance or can you just turn up?
You can turn up and buy an €9 ticket at the desk on the day, but the timed groups fill, so you might wait or be put in a later slot than you wanted. Booking ahead at tickets.patrimonionacional.es or through GetYourGuide (from €39, English guide) guarantees your spot.