Discover the Real Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales on a guided tour for small groups, and admire a convent founded by Juana of Austria, youngest daughter of Charles V and sister of Philip II, where she was born, lived and where her tomb is today.
Enjoy the exquisite decoration of its interior, with frescoes on its main staircase attributed to Claudio Coello and, around the upper cloister, chapels decorated with an image of a Recumbent Christ from the 16th century attributed to Gaspar Becerra, which is carried in procession on Good Friday.
Recumbent Christ (Gaspar Becerra) Convento de las Descalzas Reales, Madrid
You can also admire the choir with its original choir stalls, where today the community gathers to pray, it is decorated by a magnificent “Dolorosa de Pedro de Mena” and here are the tombs of the Empress María and her daughter the “Infanta Margarita”.
The visit will take you to see the rich tapestries commissioned by Isabella Clara Eugenia for the monastery in the 17th century, following the cartoons of Peter Paul Rubens.
On the mezzanine floor, the official guide will explain the room called “the Candilon” where, on the death of one of the religious sisters, her body was watched over by the whole community in this room, illuminated by a large candle, hence its name.
Convent of the Descalzas Reales, Madrid
We are talking about countless works of art, both Flemish paintings, as well as Italian or Spanish from the 16th and 17th centuries, some of them made by Vincenzo Carducci or Antonio Moro, a delight for the eyes in what we could call the “Museum of the Royal Descalzas”.
After an hour, the visit will end at the same meeting point, where you can extend the tour by taking a guided tour of Hapsburg Madrid and thus expand the story told in the Convent of the Descalzas Reales, accompanied by the official guide, an expert in art and history.
Prices (Entrance fee + guided tour) Descalzas Reales
- General price: 25 €
- Children from 0 to 2 years old free
Duration of the visit Descalzas Reales Convent
- Duration of visit: 1h
What’s included in the tour of the Descalzas Reales
- Admission to the monastery with preferential access
- Audio system to better listen to the guide
- Reduced group maximum 15 people
Not included in the route to the Descalzas Reales Convent
- Hotel pick up
- Beverages and meals
Cancellation Policy
- Up to 24 hours before the start of the tour, a full refund will be given
- If you cancel with less time or do not show up, no refund will be offered.
Guided tour of the Royal Monastery of the Descalzas Reales in Madrid
Map and Meeting Point to visit the Descalzas Reales Monastery in Madrid
Address Descalzas Reales Museum: Plaza de las Descalzas, s/n (in front of the entrance).
