Palacio de Linares
Palacio de Linares
4.5
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The area
Neighborhood: Salamanca (District)
How to get there
- Banco de España • 4 min walk
- Retiro • 7 min walk
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Best nearby
Restaurants
9,938 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,532 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
175 reviews
Excellent
81
Very good
70
Average
18
Poor
4
Terrible
2
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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COLCHONEROMadrid
Madrid, Spain5,044 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Beautiful palace in the Pz. de Cibeles, built in the 19th century, originally belonged to the then Marquis of Linares but has had multiple owners. It is currently the headquarters of the Casa de América and at the same time there is a very interesting guided tour to see its beautiful rooms, decorative objects, walls, stairs, ceilings, etc. Totally recommended visit
Written October 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Enrique B
7 contributions
Jan 2025 • Friends
I took a guided tour of Linares Palace last weekend and loved it. The guide who attended us, David, is a great professional and greatly enlivens the visit. The palace outbuildings fabulous and very well preserved.
Automatically translated
Written January 21, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nsflady
Los Angeles, CA30 contributions
May 2017
A fabulous alternative to the royal palace, at least with respect to appearance, if not history. You can go on your own, but we went on a one hour tour they offer on weekends at 11 12 or 1. The tour begins with an 8-minute video in Spanish, but with English subtitles - very informative, especially since the tour was conducted in Spanish only. The design, furnishings, ceilings, floors, wall coverings, and paintings are magnificent. If you like decorative arts, this is a well spent hour. At Plaza Cibeles, right across the street from the clock tower.
Written May 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George B
Puerto Rico1,058 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Located very conveniently in front of the Cibeles fountain, this another jewel of Madrid’s opulent class. This palace home was once the home to the Marques de Linares and his wife Raimunda. There is a lot of mystery and stories abounding about the former owners of this palatial home right at the center of Madrid. You have a special assignment to seek more details of these stories. The mansion was about to be demolished but was rightfully saved as a patrimony of Madrid for future generations. The tours run on every hour, check the website for the details. The palace was abandoned and closed for a long time and much of the interior furnishings are gone, but it is being restored back to its original splendor. Our guide was very knowledgeable and very friendly. Well managed organization. Credit cards are not accepted, the admission price is fair, try to bring small denominations notes or coins. Recommended.
Written April 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fitz2014
London, UK33 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
This is a fascinating Palace to visit as it is a 19th Century building used by the Marquis de Linares. The splendour of its staircase reminds me of Museo Ceralbo. This also has an ornate ballroom, a beautiful oriental room and a gala dining room. It's hallmarks are baroque splendour and it is open between 11am and 1pm for tours on weekends.
Written March 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carriedo
Walnut Creek, CA116 contributions
Jul 2011 • Family
This was the mansion of a wealthy family and it's located in the Cibeles square.
Leyend says that there is a ghost (of the ower, Raimundita) still wandering around the rooms in this house. It's a long story for this review, but in a nutshell: Soon after their marriage, a couple found out that they were siblings. Their father had an affair, and never told them the truth. He just asked his son not to marry that beautiful girl. They asked their spiritual counselor and he suggested not to divorce, but to live like siblings. Legend says that they cloistered in this house and never socialized since then.
Now it's remodeled to the original splendor and glamour.
Leyend says that there is a ghost (of the ower, Raimundita) still wandering around the rooms in this house. It's a long story for this review, but in a nutshell: Soon after their marriage, a couple found out that they were siblings. Their father had an affair, and never told them the truth. He just asked his son not to marry that beautiful girl. They asked their spiritual counselor and he suggested not to divorce, but to live like siblings. Legend says that they cloistered in this house and never socialized since then.
Now it's remodeled to the original splendor and glamour.
Written October 19, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hilarionmartinez
Miami, FL1,421 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
You can visit the Linares Palace on weekends and you MUST! It is situated on one corner of the Plaza de Cibeles Square, dates from the 19th Century and is well-known for its beautiful architecture and exquisite interior. It's one of Madrid's most emblematic palaces and one of the few open to the public for tours.
Built in 1873, the Linares Palace is a worthy member of the line-up of grand façades on the square. It's one of the finest examples of neo-baroque design in Spain, in style and French in inspiration. Its main façade is outstanding, spectacular, with three entrance doors crowned by balconies. The interior features a wealth of decoration by such prestigious artists as Jerónimo Suñol, creator of the stunning marble banister on the staircase in the hall. Other important areas of the building include the ballrooms, the Hall of Mirrors, the chapel, Dolls' House and the garden.
It also has an interesting history and is said to even have its own ghosts. The story of the palace and its owners is actually very sad. The palace was built by José de Murga, the Marquis of Linares, for both himself and his wife. His father had educated him to choose a wife without consideration of her financial or social class. This he did and he married the tobacconist's daughter. What he didn't know was that his father had had a relationship with the mother and his wife was his half sister! Yikes! He only found out when his dying father, sent him a letter to inform him of the situation. Too late.
The Pope at the time, Leo XIII, had to issue a papal bull which allowed them to live together but in chastity. In order to forget the shame the Marquis threw all his energy into the building of his palace, where budgets and time had no constraints. The Marquis and his wife told the architect that they would like the Palace to be split in two, with him taking the ground floor and the wife the upper floor. What is interesting is that they didn't have a kitchen, but instead relied on food being delivered from a restaurant.
The Legend:
Before knowing they were brothers, conceived a girl, which the illustrious family decided to remove from your environment to safeguard the good name of the house. Then the girl's mother, embittered, accepted that her daughter was taken to a orphanage. In the will José de Murga and his wife, left no heirs. This daughter is the ghost that haunts the palace from time to time.
Built in 1873, the Linares Palace is a worthy member of the line-up of grand façades on the square. It's one of the finest examples of neo-baroque design in Spain, in style and French in inspiration. Its main façade is outstanding, spectacular, with three entrance doors crowned by balconies. The interior features a wealth of decoration by such prestigious artists as Jerónimo Suñol, creator of the stunning marble banister on the staircase in the hall. Other important areas of the building include the ballrooms, the Hall of Mirrors, the chapel, Dolls' House and the garden.
It also has an interesting history and is said to even have its own ghosts. The story of the palace and its owners is actually very sad. The palace was built by José de Murga, the Marquis of Linares, for both himself and his wife. His father had educated him to choose a wife without consideration of her financial or social class. This he did and he married the tobacconist's daughter. What he didn't know was that his father had had a relationship with the mother and his wife was his half sister! Yikes! He only found out when his dying father, sent him a letter to inform him of the situation. Too late.
The Pope at the time, Leo XIII, had to issue a papal bull which allowed them to live together but in chastity. In order to forget the shame the Marquis threw all his energy into the building of his palace, where budgets and time had no constraints. The Marquis and his wife told the architect that they would like the Palace to be split in two, with him taking the ground floor and the wife the upper floor. What is interesting is that they didn't have a kitchen, but instead relied on food being delivered from a restaurant.
The Legend:
Before knowing they were brothers, conceived a girl, which the illustrious family decided to remove from your environment to safeguard the good name of the house. Then the girl's mother, embittered, accepted that her daughter was taken to a orphanage. In the will José de Murga and his wife, left no heirs. This daughter is the ghost that haunts the palace from time to time.
Written May 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AriHelsinki
Helsinki, Finland4,642 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
Palacio de Linares or Casa de America is situated in Plaza de Cibeles. It is one of the very interesting palaces in Madrid. They have guided tours and you can hear many interesting stories of private life of Linares family in Madrid. Absolutely recommended history tour of private life.
Written January 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BennyMalaga
Malaga, Spain89,726 contributions
Dec 2010
This palace is a hidden gem and is one of the most beautiful palaces built in the 19th century. The floors of marble have beautiful designs. The furnishings and art work are fantastic. Before the tour, one goes to the small auditorium and sees a movie that explains the palace. Later one gets a guided tour of the palace. There are mirrors, sculpture, and tables that were chosen with the best taste.
Written April 2, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WasOnce
Bucks County, PA479 contributions
Oct 2019
11:00 am Saturday tour. We knew ahead of time that the tour would be given in Spanish. The tour began with an 9 minute movie after which the 15-person group left the theater, walked back upstairs to the entrance hallway to begin the actual tour of the house. There are 18 rooms to see. The tour was OVER by 11:43 am. Do the math: we spent less than 2 minutes in each of the rooms!!!!! The tour group (youngest person was in their late 50s) was followed by a stern guard who glared at us and acted as if he expected us to walk off with valuables. At 8 Euro apiece, this was the most disappointing tour on a 17-day trip to Spain. Although the ticket booth indicates credit cards are accepted, the cashier insisted we pay in cash.
Written October 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elisa T
Garlate, Italy
Ciao, volevo sapere come fare per il biglietto..dove va acquistato? grazie in anticipo
Written June 11, 2023
Buenas tardes: Alguien me puede informar si las entradas para las visitas guiadas al Palacio de Linares se pueden comprar con antelación a través de Internet?
Gracias.
Written September 30, 2019
Se pueden comprar las entradas por Internet o solamente en taquilla?
Written January 20, 2019
Qué días abre y cuáles son los horarios? Cada página trae información diferente y tampoco TripAdvisor menciona los horarios
Written January 18, 2019
Yo compré la entrada un viernes para ir por la mañana el sábado. Los horarios que vienen ahí, creo recordar que son los correctos. Busca por casa america, no me deja poner enlaces. Pero las visitas son sabados y domingos, a las 11:00, 12:00 y 13:00,
Written January 19, 2019
Las fotos y las grabaciones de video estan PROHIBIDAS. Un saludo y feliz visita.
Written April 11, 2016
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