November 14th was marked on the calendar for lovers of lesser-known architectural and artistic jewels. It was the day on which the Bank of Spain decided to make new tickets and new dates available to citizens for the free guided tour of the institution’s headquarters, located in Alcalá street in Madrid. Only the fastest users obtained the precious reward: the 9,200 places offered on the Bank of Spain website for visits in January, February and March 2026 were sold out in 40 minutes, as confirmed by Central Bank sources.
The increase in seats compared to the offer of the previous quarter was not enough to satisfy the curiosity of all the interested public. Demand since 12pm this Friday, when the offer went out, has been such that at some specific times there has been a saturation of the site. Many citizens will therefore have to wait for the next ticket offer. Institute sources expect new positions for the second quarter to start in mid-February, with a similar volume.
The Open Doors program of the Bank of Spain plans to show citizens the treasures held within this 100,000 square meter building, inaugurated in 1891. Since last October 4th they have started offering free guided tours to the general public on Fridays and weekends. So far there have been around 4,000 visitors per year, but only from certain groups such as educational groups or associations. The institution also has an exhibition hall through which between 46,000 and 50,000 people pass each year.
The first shift starts on Friday afternoon (from 4pm to 8pm) and continues on Saturday and Sunday (from 10am to 2pm and from 4pm to 8pm).
“This program will offer the public the opportunity to visit the most characteristic architectural spaces of the Bank’s headquarters and to contemplate some of the works of art that constitute the core of its artistic collection,” explains the institution on its website.
Citizens who wish to take the guided tour, which lasts approximately 90 minutes, will have to book their place through the Bank of Spain website. Groups are made up of a maximum of 30 people. In principle, the program will continue until June, as a test to verify its reception, and if it is good, as demonstrated by the demand for tickets, it will most likely be extended in time until 2030, if everything goes according to plan, the institution’s museum will open.
“This new program of guided tours will allow us to share the artistic and historical side of the Bank of Spain,” explained governor José Luis Escrivá during the presentation of the initiative last September. Escrivá framed the program in the commitment to openness and transparency of the financial institution, so that the functions of the regulator are better known.
A warning. The Golden Chamber, the one that accumulates so many legends, cannot be visited until 2028.
