Madrid Ticket

The story of Liria Palace: A deep dive into its history & collections

If the Prado and the Royal Palace had an effortlessly cool cousin, it would be Liria Palace. This isn’t your typical museum stroll—it’s where centuries of noble lineage meet a lived-in legacy. Picture velvet walls lined with Goya, a library that o...

Also Known As

The Little Brother of the Royal Palace

Founded On

1785

Founded By

Ventura Rodríguez and Louis Guilbert

Liria Palace exterior with lush garden in Madrid, Spain.

Quick Information

ADDRESS

C. de la Princesa, 20, 28008 Madrid, Spain

RECOMMENDED DURATION

1 hour

Timings

10:00–20:00

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD

30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

Did you know?

Home to 18,000+ rare volumes, Liria’s library includes a first-edition Don Quixote, Columbus’s letters and maps, and King Ferdinand II’s will. It’s basically the VIP lounge of Spanish history.

Bombed and burned during the Spanish Civil War, the palace was rebuilt from just four surviving walls. Today, it stands fully restored—grander than ever.

Since 2019, visitors can tour 12+ rooms still used by the Duke of Alba’s family. It’s a rare museum where people actually still live with the art.

What to see inside Liria Palace

Liria Palace library in Madrid with ornate bookshelves and historical artifacts.

A library that would make anyone jealous

The palace’s iconic library is a literary fortress stacked with 18,000 volumes. You’re walking through the pages of European history, with the scent of aged parchment in the air. First editions? Check. Royal letters? Absolutely. Columbus’s handwriting? Yes, that’s here too.

Interior of Liria Palace with paintings in room

Walls that could start an art war

Liria’s art collection reads like a VIP guest list: Goya, Rubens, El Greco, and Velázquez casually hanging in the halls. Forget white walls and spotlights—here, masterpieces share space with chandeliers, velvet sofas, and a level of elegance that whispers, “Please try not to faint.”

Staircase inside Liria Palace, Madrid, featuring ornate architecture and elegant design.

A staircase made for dramatic entrances

This curvy marble marvel doesn’t just connect floors—it commands attention. With classical sculptures watching your every move, you might feel tempted to throw on a cape and descend like you own the place. No judgment, as we’d do it too.

Priests conducting a ceremonial prayer in a church during mass.

A chapel you’d gladly visit again

Small but stunning, the private chapel is pure visual poetry. Think gold detailing, sacred art, and a hush that makes even the marble floors feel reverent. It’s the kind of place that makes you speak in a whisper without really knowing why.

Liria Palace exterior in Madrid with ornate architecture and lush gardens.

Salons straight out of a period drama

Velvet chairs, silk walls, and chandeliers with more sparkle than a royal tiara. Each room is a masterclass in how the aristocratic lived—dining rooms that hosted royalty, parlors made for plotting, and enough decorative flair to make Versailles do a double-take.

Brief history of Liria Palace

Built in the late 18th century for the Duke of Berwick and Liria, the ​Liria Palace in Madrid, Spain, has survived wars, fires, and the test of time with flair. In 1936, during the Spanish Civil War, the palace was nearly reduced to rubble. But like a true royal, it bounced back, rebuilt, and became more fabulous than ever. Today, it’s the official residence of the House of Alba, one of Spain’s most prominent noble families.

Plan your visit to Liria Palace

Book Liria Palace tickets

Liria Palace & Joana Vasconcelos Exhibition Tickets with Optional Guided Tour

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Flexible duration
Audio guide
Guided tour

Liria Palace Official Guided Tour in Spanish

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1 hr. 19 min.
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Combo (Save 5%): Liria Palace Tickets + Madrid Panoramic Bus Tour

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Combo (Save 5%): Liria Palace + Skip-the-Line Royal Collections Gallery Tickets

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Combo (Save 5%): Liria Palace + Skip-the-Line Royal Palace of Madrid Tickets

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Who built Liria Palace? 

The brains behind this baroque beauty is none other than French architect Louis Guilbert. He brought Versailles-style to Madrid, mixing neoclassical elegance with just the right amount of aristocratic bling. Think symmetrical facades, columned porticos, and interiors dripping in Rococo opulence. Originally constructed in the 1760s, the palace was left in ruins after a devastating fire during the Civil War. Spanish architect Manuel Cabanyes oversaw its reconstruction in the 1950s, keeping its old-school elegance intact. You'll find stately salons, marble staircases, and ceilings that could give the Sistine Chapel a run for its money.

More about Liria Palace interiors

Frequently asked questions about Liria Palace

Can you visit Liria Palace in Madrid, Spain, without a guided tour?

Yes, you can, but the tour will include a digital audio guide so that you can have a seamless tour with someone explaining the epic backstories anyway.

Is photography allowed inside the palace?

Photography isn’t allowed indoors, but you can snap away in the courtyard and exterior areas.

How long does a typical visit take?

Plan for about 65 to 90 minutes. It’s enough time to swoon over the art, decor, and visit temporary exhibitions.

Is the palace wheelchair accessible?

Yes! The palace’s first and second floors are fully equipped for visitors with reduced mobility.

Can kids enjoy a visit to Liria Palace?

Absolutely—as long as they’re into stories of dukes, duchesses, and dramatic history. And, can maintain silence throughout the tour.

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