The Bank of Spain opens its doors: free visits to discover its interior

The Banco de España offers free guided visits to its iconic building. Places are limited, but booking is straightforward. A unique opportunity to discover its artistic and architectural heritage in the heart of Madrid.

The Banco de España, one of the most recognisable buildings in central Madrid, is once again opening its doors to the public with a programme of free guided visits. This initiative allows Madrid residents and visitors to tour spaces that are normally inaccessible and discover architectural and artistic details that are rarely shown outside institutional circles.

Slots cover dates from March to June 2026. Demand is usually high, but those who keep an eye on the website usually secure a place without difficulty.

The programme, which began in October 2025, offers around 700 groups in total. To gain entry, it is essential to identify yourself with your DNI and choose between two types of visit, both lasting 90 minutes. General visits take place on Friday afternoons and at weekends in the morning and afternoon. In addition, on Mondays and Tuesdays there are guided tours led by Banco de España volunteers, in smaller groups and with a more personal approach.

Educational centres can also request visits on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. These sessions, aimed at students from ESO through to university, include teaching materials and seek to bring the Bank's heritage closer to new generations.

During the tour, visitors access emblematic spaces such as the Imperial Staircase, the Cash Courtyard — where the library is now located — and the recently restored Collectors' Hall, which combines Neo-Moorish elements and cast iron. Although the famous gold vault is not part of the itinerary, visitors can view artworks such as Goya's portraits of former directors of the Banco Nacional de San Carlos and Annie Leibovitz's photographs of the current monarchs.

The Banco de España, located at the junction of Calle de Alcalá and Paseo del Prado, is much more than a financial institution. Its headquarters, inaugurated at the end of the 19th century and expanded on several occasions, are an example of the monumental architecture that defines Madrid's cultural axis. The building has witnessed the city's urban and economic evolution, and opening it to the public reinforces the trend of bringing institutional heritage closer to the everyday life of people walking through the centre.

Open doors at the weekend. Fridays from 16:00 to 20:00 and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00.

Visits led by the Bank's volunteer team. Mondays at 16:00 and 17:00 and Tuesdays at 16:00.