The Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena, situated next to Madrid's Royal Palace, is a significant religious and architectural site offering a blend of styles from Neo-Gothic to Neo-Romanesque. While the main cathedral is generally accessible with a suggested donation (typically €1-€3), exploring the museum and climbing to the dome for panoramic city views usually requires a combined ticket (around €7-€9) and involves stairs, making full accessibility moderate. Both solo visits at your own pace and guided tours (often with audio guide options) are excellent ways to explore its history and art. The cathedral is open year-round, but specific visiting hours for the main nave, crypt, museum, and dome vary, especially during religious services or holidays, so checking their official schedule beforehand is advisable. A typical visit, including the museum and dome, lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, though a quick visit to just the main cathedral might take 30-60 minutes. Visitors should dress modestly, and photography is usually permitted without flash.