I admit it: I like palaces, castles, and the like. Perhaps I’ve seen too many heritage films and daydreamed too often about waltzing down those grand staircases, the train of my dress flowing behind me. But enough of that; I was wearing simple pants and a clean (enough!) shirt on my visit to this palace.
Not as crowded as Versailles or Schoenbrunn, I was able to pace myself (on this fixed route) quite nicely, up the grand staircase, and the various halls and rooms, with the loveliest chandeliers, frescoes, and armoires. The state dining room was impressive -- then again, what wasn't? -- and I heard it's still used for official banquets. All the time I was using mental telepathy to be invited to some function.
After another dreamy glance down at the interior courtyard, imagining ladies-in-waiting instead of the fiats that were actually present, I headed to the real armeria and the real farmacia to look at royal armor and royal medicine, respectively. A lovely view is on the west side of the courtyard, looking over Madrid.