Palacio Real de Olite
Palacio Real de Olite
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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26 within 3 miles
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16 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,078 reviews
Excellent
1,326
Very good
628
Average
102
Poor
9
Terrible
13
Googly2010
Tonbridge, UK849 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
For the small entrance few the castle offers great value, with lots of internal and external interest, including great views from the higher towers for those able to climb the spiral stairs. A small display shows what a huge restoration job was done to convert a miserable ruin into what you see today. In late September the delightful town offers pleasant walks and (for once in Spain) peaceful cafes to sit and relax.
Written October 4, 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.
Aqua_Uomo
Toronto, Canada8,031 contributions
Aug 2019
Now, if you are anticipating seeing something similar to artsy Italian castles, the stylish French castles, the luxury of Swedish or the magnificence of German castles, Spain is the wrong country for that.
I have been seeing castles across the entire Spain from Costa Brava to Vigo and Malaga to Bilbao, nothing of the grandeur of other countries. I was expecting more from Olite. Nothing wrong with the architecture and the history behind the place but so poorly maintained, it lacks the appeal and offers no heritage other than the gorgeous stone structure.
It is a beautiful building, but it should be maintained better, the cloister for instance needs a lot of TLC, it is in a very bad shape, weeds and untrimmed landscape took over the entire inner garden. The municipality or the heritage board should spend more funds on it, it is after all, one of 10 the most beautiful Iberic castles!
With all these said, it is still well worth the drive up there. Pick a cool day and go early to beat the crowd.
I have been seeing castles across the entire Spain from Costa Brava to Vigo and Malaga to Bilbao, nothing of the grandeur of other countries. I was expecting more from Olite. Nothing wrong with the architecture and the history behind the place but so poorly maintained, it lacks the appeal and offers no heritage other than the gorgeous stone structure.
It is a beautiful building, but it should be maintained better, the cloister for instance needs a lot of TLC, it is in a very bad shape, weeds and untrimmed landscape took over the entire inner garden. The municipality or the heritage board should spend more funds on it, it is after all, one of 10 the most beautiful Iberic castles!
With all these said, it is still well worth the drive up there. Pick a cool day and go early to beat the crowd.
Written September 11, 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.
alinul
Guildford, UK135 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
Really this place is amazing...felt embarrassed to pay only 3.5 euros. It's a fairy tail, don't miss it! We drove 2 hrs from bilbao just to see it and did not regret it. Awesome place!
Written November 27, 2016
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.
LondonTraveller848
London, UK1,256 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
Olite (in Spanish pronounced Oli-te with emphasis on the second syllable), is a little paradise for architecture lovers. An absolutely stunning small village, definitely worth the overnight stay we had.
I summarised the contents of the brochure for reference:
The Palace had undergone massive restoration (I placed a picture of the original site). It was built between 1402 and 1424, commissioned by Charles the Noble, King of Navarra in 1387. In 1512 the Crown of Castille conquest marks the deterioration of the palace, and in 1813 in the war of Independence, it was deliberately set y fire by a Navarre General to prevent the French from conquering it. Consequently all the furniture and structure were badly damaged and left the palace derelict Restoration commenced in 1937 and lasted 30 years.
The palace is STUNNING, there is a lot to see as it is quite big, at least 2 hours inside. It took me 1.5 hours to walk all around Olite (including taking photos of the beautiful churches all around) to capture the magnitude and all the beautiful architecture (this is only walking around the village, not including inside which should take another rhour).
Ticket to the palace is stupid a price as €1.5.
There is more to see in Olite, and I am disappointed that Trip Advisor haven’t given it its own spot. So if you do go to Olite this is hat there is to see:
SANTA MARIA - A church fit for kings. Stunning exterior and interior, a 13 century church that was attached to the royal palace used by the kings of Navarre. €1.5 entry fee, I left a donation too as was so touched by the beauty of the church. Stunning altarpiece, pure art, with religious scenes; according to the paper brochure I received inside, “The beautiful gothic sculpture of the Virgin and Child (h 300) from the so called Basque-Navarre-Rioja style dominates the altar. The five main vertical sections of the altarpiece contain 28 oil painted panels”.
The cloister, in front of the facade, was added, according to the paper brochure, in 1432 and “the main body of the bell tower is that of a Roman tower... the finish is modern (1918). The stained glass rose windows were replaced in 1998”.
SAN PEDRO – a beautiful 12 century church, managed to get in before Mass
Convento the San Francisco – a 1243 convent, was shut so i could only admire the exterior of the building.
Convent St Clare - was shut so i could only admire the exterior of the building.
Tourist office were VERY good, we got all the info we needed and a good map of Navarre which was great. There are quite a few places to eat in Olite in spite of its size, no need to book.
I summarised the contents of the brochure for reference:
The Palace had undergone massive restoration (I placed a picture of the original site). It was built between 1402 and 1424, commissioned by Charles the Noble, King of Navarra in 1387. In 1512 the Crown of Castille conquest marks the deterioration of the palace, and in 1813 in the war of Independence, it was deliberately set y fire by a Navarre General to prevent the French from conquering it. Consequently all the furniture and structure were badly damaged and left the palace derelict Restoration commenced in 1937 and lasted 30 years.
The palace is STUNNING, there is a lot to see as it is quite big, at least 2 hours inside. It took me 1.5 hours to walk all around Olite (including taking photos of the beautiful churches all around) to capture the magnitude and all the beautiful architecture (this is only walking around the village, not including inside which should take another rhour).
Ticket to the palace is stupid a price as €1.5.
There is more to see in Olite, and I am disappointed that Trip Advisor haven’t given it its own spot. So if you do go to Olite this is hat there is to see:
SANTA MARIA - A church fit for kings. Stunning exterior and interior, a 13 century church that was attached to the royal palace used by the kings of Navarre. €1.5 entry fee, I left a donation too as was so touched by the beauty of the church. Stunning altarpiece, pure art, with religious scenes; according to the paper brochure I received inside, “The beautiful gothic sculpture of the Virgin and Child (h 300) from the so called Basque-Navarre-Rioja style dominates the altar. The five main vertical sections of the altarpiece contain 28 oil painted panels”.
The cloister, in front of the facade, was added, according to the paper brochure, in 1432 and “the main body of the bell tower is that of a Roman tower... the finish is modern (1918). The stained glass rose windows were replaced in 1998”.
SAN PEDRO – a beautiful 12 century church, managed to get in before Mass
Convento the San Francisco – a 1243 convent, was shut so i could only admire the exterior of the building.
Convent St Clare - was shut so i could only admire the exterior of the building.
Tourist office were VERY good, we got all the info we needed and a good map of Navarre which was great. There are quite a few places to eat in Olite in spite of its size, no need to book.
Written August 4, 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.
bashbones
Wadebridge, UK259 contributions
Sep 2016 • Friends
The tour books say if you asked a little girl to draw her dream castle it would look like this. I'm sure the team from Disney must have visited here. Enough of this twaddle. The castle has been renovated and more work since my last visit 8 yrs ago. It's true there's not much to see inside by wow - expansive views and a fresco to explore the various turrets. All for €3.50 for an adult. Would definitely visit again.
Written September 7, 2016
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.
DrMentone
San Diego, CA40 contributions
For a castle lover, this is a must see. It's multilevel castle filled with passage ways and stairs and towers which are fun to explore. Although it was in ruins from the Napoleanic War of 1813 until it's restoration in 1939, it is now completely restored to it's original structure. In the Tribute tower, one can see models of the restoration and old photos of the Castle in 1800's Olite. Olite's New Palace is a castle begun in the 1380's for Carlos' the Third of Navarra. He added on to his already existing Old Palace, which now houses the adjoining Parador. It was a royal residence, which makes it more interesting to tour than a more militaristic fortress. The visitors that I've given walking tours to have loved climbing to the tops of all the towers.
Written January 16, 2009
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.
K&M
Pruszcz Gdanski, Poland164 contributions
Sep 2019
Tiny medieval town, well preserved and with fantastic views. You can easy spend whole day walking around those small streets.
Written September 15, 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.
Zoe Taylor
Milton Keynes, UK12 contributions
Sep 2019 • Solo
This castle is very beautiful and I would recommend to anyone who is in the Olite area. I only spent around an hour here purely for the fact I wasn’t in Olite very long, however I would happily go back a second time and spend longer viewing the castle. When you pay for your ticket they gave me the choice of a paper guide in English or spanish (I’m unsure about if the offer other languages) which I thought was a nice touch. Also on this day just outside the castle was a wine tasting, so might be worth looking at when you are going and seeing if you can tie it in with the wine tasting, as the Navarra region is very famous for its wines,
Written September 4, 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.
Miguel A L
Cupertino, CA27 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
I have visited many castles in Spain, but this one is special. Not only for its beauty and majestic presence but for the location and well is kept. If you traveling through the region, you must visit this place and the town.
Written April 29, 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.
Food_and_Wine_Mavin
Bedford, PA46 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
This interesting building is devoid of all furnishings which might have given you an idea of what it was when inhabited. Some good views, and definitely worth a visit if you are in Olite, but after a while empty room after empty room seemed repetitive.
Written July 22, 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.
Wendy-Gwladys R
2 contributions
Hola, para la semana que viene marcan lluvia y justamente tengo pensado pasar el martes y miércoles allí, el palacio estará abierto igualmente? Merece la pena ir de todos modos a Olite aunque llueva?
Rosa Gómez Casañ
Valencia, Spain1,181 contributions
Una parte de la visita del palacio es por el exterior, así que lleva paraguas. Aunque llueva, el palacio merece la pena. Si tienes visita guiada, mejor, porque yo lo visité dos veces y en la segunda, que fue con visita guiada, descubrí cosas que no había visto la vez anterior.
Tenemos una perra de 13 kilos, podríamos accedee con ella siempre que vaya atada?
David NC
10 contributions
No lo se, te sugiero llames por telefono al parador y lo preguntes no se si esta prohibido las mascotas
Isabel Martinez
69 contributions
Hola, me gustaría saber si esta abierto en enero, ya que no me queda muy claro. Gracias
nuriaosb
Sabadell, Spain158 contributions
Hola ,lo siento pero no lo se.
Buenas noches, tengo pensado ir el puente de mayo a Navarra y me gustaría visitar el castillos, llevo una perra de 10 kilos. Puede entrar entonces al castillo llevándola en brazos con una bandolera/mochila para perros???
Gracias de antemano y un saludo!!!
Angelillo
Torrejon De Ardoz, Spain177 contributions
Buenos días, directamente envía un email a donde quieras ir para confirmarlo y no tener problemas en la entrada.
herrero2624
Villasbuenas de Gata, Spain227 contributions
Queremos hacer una visita al palacio y nos gustaría saber el precio actual de la entrada,ya que veo en los comentarios hay distintos precios.gracias
Javier A
Pamplona, Spain5 contributions
Buenas tardes! Efectivamente, hay opiniones con diversos precios que no son correctas. De hecho, esos 15€ que comentan por aquí...no sé de donde lo sacan!!! La entrada por libre es 3,50€. La entrada con visita guiada, 4,90€. Un saludo!
teddybearsock
Katy, TX1 contribution
Do you have to go on a guided tour or can you just buy a ticket and walk around the palacio?
jostef75
New York City, NY203 contributions
We didn't book a tour and therefore walked the palace on our own and enjoyed every minute of it. I would recommend planning about 2 hours this way you can enjoy the views from all the different towers and within. There is one room that has pictures and descriptions of the ruins when they were rediscovered and how they restored to the way it is today. I agree, stay at the Parador next door, it adds to the entire experience. If possible, reserve a room in the original part of the Parador. Olite is a lovely little town where you can enjoy the Tapas in one of the restaurants in the "center." Enjoy, Olite and the Palace are special and worth a visit.
Piejapet
Mont-de-Marsan, France4 contributions
les animaux sont-ils admis
andrea64320
Pyrenees-Atlantiques, France159 contributions
Je ne pense pas
Puedo comprar la entrada en el mismo dia para la visita libre allí en la taquilla?
Javier A
Pamplona, Spain5 contributions
Hola Marta. Sí, no hay problema. Pero si es durante un puente, semana santa, etc., recomendamos comprarla por internet para evitar colas.
Ten en cuenta que estos próximos días (3,4 y 5) el Palacio va a estar cerrado.
Un saludo.
Javier.
Cuanto cuesta la entrada
Gloria M
Navarra, Spain62 contributions
3,50€ persona. Pero tienen precios especiales para grupos, también para menores y creo recordar que también para discapacitados. Te puedes meter en su página y lo verás.
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Claim your listingPalacio Real de Olite - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Palacio Real de Olite
- Hotels near Palacio Real de Olite:
- (0.01 mi) Parador de Olite
- (0.03 mi) Apartamentos La Atalaya
- (0.03 mi) Mirador de la Reina house
- (0.04 mi) B&B La Atalaya
- (0.08 mi) Hostal Rural Villa Vieja
- Restaurants near Palacio Real de Olite:
- (0.02 mi) Restaurante Parador de Olite
- (0.03 mi) Bar La Torre
- (0.03 mi) Pub Los Lebreles
- (0.08 mi) Restaurante Merindad de Olite
- (0.09 mi) Casa del Preboste
- Attractions near Palacio Real de Olite:
- (0.01 mi) Iglesia de Santa Maria la Real
- (0.02 mi) Oficina de Turismo
- (0.02 mi) Reyna de Copas Vinoteca
- (0.04 mi) Museo del Vino
- (0.05 mi) Torre del Chapitel
Palacio Real de Olite Information
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