Almudena Cathedral

Santa Iglesia Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena

A cathedral finished only in 1993, with the palace below its dome

⚠ Dome closes 2:30pm, shut Sun

Hours

Nave daily 10:00–20:30 (21:00 in Jul–Aug; limited during Mass) / Museum & dome Mon–Sat 10:00–14:30, closed Sundays and holy days

Tickets

Nave free (€1 donation suggested). Museum + dome €8, reduced €5, under-10s free; buy at the museum desk

Address

Calle de Bailén 10, facing the palace across Plaza de la Armería; the crypt entrance is on Calle Mayor

The outside is grey neoclassical to match the palace; step inside and it's surprisingly colourful. Begun in 1883 and only consecrated in 1993, it has a ceiling painted in bold geometric patterns and a big modern mosaic behind the altar. The real draw is the dome, reached with the museum ticket. At the top of the stairs the palace roof and Plaza de la Armería are right below you, and the dome of San Francisco el Grande rises in the distance. The nave itself is free, an easy stop even if you skip the palace.