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Plaza MayorvsPalacio Real de El Pardo
Both are praised by expert reviewers. Overall, Plaza Mayor is preferred by most professionals compared to Palacio Real de El Pardo. Plaza Mayor is ranked #5 in Madrid with endorsements from 7 sources like Michelin Guide, Condé Nast Traveler and Lonely Planet.
Palacio Real de El Pardo
Fodor's
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Frommer's
Time Out Frommer's Frommer's
C/ Manuel Alonso s/n, El Pardo, 28048 Madrid
From $0/night
Fodor's "The Royal Palace awes visitors with its sheer size and monumental presence that unmistakably stands out against the city's silhouetted background." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"An Italianate baroque colossus with some 2800 rooms, of which around 50 are open to the public." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Located on the site of a ninth-century Moorish fortress, the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) is the official residence of the Spanish royal family." Full review
Frommer's "The palace where General Franco lived and performed his duties as head of state for 35 years (till his death in Nov 1975)." Full review
Time Out "In addition to its main role today as a diplomatic rendezvous, the palace is partially open to the public and there are tours of its ornate and gaudy interior with its ornamental frescoes." Full review
Frommer's "The frescoes, paintings, and tapestries displayed in its salons today date from this and the following 2 centuries. An additional highlight is the elegant little theater built for Maria Luisa of Parma" Full review
Frommer's "One of the less imposing of the royal palaces, El Pardo is worth a visit just to see some of the early Goya tapestries, the other decorative arts, and the gardens" Full review
