The Community of Madrid will open 22 historic palaces to the public free of charge between September 14 and December 2, 2025, as part of the 12th edition of the “Welcome to the Palace!” heritage program.
The initiative allows visitors to enter sites normally closed to the public, including embassies, ministries, foundations, and private residences.
The program is designed to highlight Madrid’s architectural and cultural heritage through guided tours led by specialists. According to the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Community of Madrid, “More than 95,500 people have participated in the eleven editions, encouraged by the opportunity to visit these unique spaces, which hosted everything from musical evenings to political and literary gatherings.”
List of Participating Palaces
The following 22 palaces will be open during the 2025 edition of the program:
- Palace of the Duke of Abrantes – Italian Institute of Culture
- Palace of the Marquis of Amboage – Embassy of Italy
- Basilio Avial Palace – Headquarters of the ONCE presidency
- Buenavista Palace – Army Headquarters
- Fernán Núñez Palace – Foundation of the Spanish Railways
- Liria Palace – Casa de Alba Foundation
- Palace of the Duchess of Parcent – Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Parliamentary Relations
- Santoña Palace – Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Madrid
- Palace of the Marquises of Santa Cruz – Álvaro de Bazán Foundation
- Mansion of the Marquis of Rafal – Residence of the Belgian Ambassador
- Palace of the Marquis of Villafranca – Royal Academy of Engineering
- Palace of the Countess of Adanero – Archive of the Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory
- Aldovea Palace (Torrejón de Ardoz)
- Palace of the Marquises of Argüeso – Official residence of the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic
- Santa Coloma Palace – Consulate General of Italy in Madrid
- Florido Park Palace – Lázaro Galdiano Museum
- Manuel González-Longoria Palace-House – Illustrious Notarial Association of Madrid
- Godoy Palace – Center for Political and Constitutional Studies
- Palace of the Infante Don Luis de Borbón (Boadilla del Monte)
- Palace of the Infanta Isabel de Borbón – General Air Command of the Air Force
- Mansion of Joaquín de la Torre y Angulo – Embassy of Sweden
- Zurbano Palace – Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda
Program Structure and Registration
The guided tours are led by cultural heritage specialists who explain the architectural evolution of the buildings, their furnishings, and their historical uses. The program emphasizes the transformation of these palaces from symbols of aristocratic power to institutional and cultural spaces.
Registration opens on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. on the Community of Madrid website. Due to expected high demand, a virtual queue system will be in place. Authorities caution that “staying in the queue does not guarantee a place if the number of people connected simultaneously exceeds the available space.”
Visitor Guidelines
Admission is free, but reservations are required. Participants may register for one palace only, with a maximum of two places per booking. Tickets are limited, and demand is traditionally very high. The official website also provides details on visit dates, times, and palace addresses, along with a contact email for inquiries.
“Welcome to the Palace!” has become a key cultural initiative in Madrid’s calendar, offering residents and tourists the chance to explore rarely accessible buildings. The 2025 edition continues the program’s role in showcasing the city’s architectural legacy and its evolution across centuries of political, cultural, and social history.
Photo Credit: ESB Professional / Shutterstock.com
