Traveling is by no means inexpensive. Sightseeing really adds up, and when you’re already planning around accommodation, transport, and food, sometimes a museum ticket just simply doesn’t fit the budget. Being a budget traveler myself, and after having lived here, I’ve amassed a whole bunch of ideas for free things to do and see around the city. After all, the best things in life are free, so I hope with this guide you’ll be able to enjoy the very same in Madrid.
Must-see
The most recognizable parts of the city are free to access--or at least to walk by.
You might also notice several free tour offerings in these areas, which I highly recommend! Keep an eye out for their brightly-colored umbrellas and flags--or, stop by a tourism office and ask for their free walking tour recommendations. (Keep in mind: Free tours are indeed free, but it’s common practice to tip 5 to 10€ or more, depending on the length and information given. Tour guides in most situations rely on tips to supplement their income!).
Plaza Mayor
@catiechapman
The former center of the city is one of the most quintessential images that comes to mind when you think of Madrid. Each of the doors of the Plaza lead out in directions to different neighborhoods--so choose your path wisely.
If you're in the area, make sure to check out Mercado de San Miguel and get some secret nun cookies!
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Estación de Atocha
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Arguably the most significant transit hub in Madrid, Atocha station is a sprawling, massive hive of metros, buses, taxis, commuter trains, and long distance rail. It might seem daunting, but you'll have to explore to discover the indoor greenhouse that lies within the station's iconic glass dome.
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Plaza de España
@catiechapman
This giant plaza is perfect if you want to walk around--and see a statue of the iconic figure of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, from Miguel de Cervantes' master work. There's a lot of greenery, a few childrens' areas, and quite a lot of pavement. You'll definitely see quite a few dogs. A lot of events and markets are held here throughout the year, too--there's always something going on.
From Plaza de España, you're super close to a bunch of parks--like Parque de la Montaña, Jardines de Moro, the palace, and the opera house. But, I recommend you walk down Calle de Martín de Los Heros on the Plaza's north side, which houses some of Madrid's best indie cinemas.
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Museums & Exhibitions
Whether you're into history, art, fashion, science, or beyond, there's bound to be a Museum in Madrid for you.
History Museum of Madrid
@catiechapman
Madrid's history museum holds a wealth of information about the city, as well as temporary exhibitions that allow anyone from an unassuming tourist to a true gato to get to know the city better.
It's always free to enter. And, in the summer months, it's one of the best ways to get access to A/C.
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CentroCentro
@catiechapman
Admission to Centro Centro's exhibitions and installations is always free, and you can check which ones are current on their website.
They also have a low cost (less than 5€) ticket to view Madrid from the Palacio de Cibeles, the iconic building in which they're held. The view of the city at sunset is incredible--just make sure to buy tickets ahead of time.
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Conde Duque Contemporary Culture Center
@catiechapman
This massive complex houses a wide array of facilities, and its courtyards likewise usually are hosts to a plethora of 3D exhibitions.
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La Casa Encendida
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Casa Encendida is not only a contemporary art museum and exhibition space filled with rotating installations and guest artists, but also a meeting place! There's a co-working cafe in the back of the museum perfect for students or remote workers.
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Palacio de Cristal
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This gorgeous art exhibition space was originally built as a greenhouse to display plants and animals from the Philippines. Today, it hosts rotating installations of sculpture and immersive art.
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Velázquez Palace
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Situated in Retiro park a mere walk away from the Palacio de Cristal, Palacio de Velazquez is a beautiful building that has been repurposed to house contemporary art exhibitions as an auxiliary space for Museo Reina Sofia.
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Fundación Casa de México en España
@catiechapman
If you can tell by the name, Casa de Mexico is Mexico's cultural foundation to represent and promote Mexican artists and creativity. The building, located in Argüelles, is hosts various exhibitions and events at any given time.
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Museums with free visiting hours
Apart from those listed above, most museums in Madrid do require paid admission. However, there are some exceptions if you wish to visit them.
🗓 On public holidays, entries to museums are free. These days include: April 18th, Día de los Monumentos y Sitios; May 18th, Día Internacional de los Museos; October 12th, Fiesta Nacional de España; and December 6th, Día de la Constitución Española.
📚 If you're a university student and have a valid Student ID with you, most ticketing offices will offer free or reduced entry.
⏰ Seniors above 65, and toddlers under 3 years of age often have free entry as well.
The following museums also offer free visiting hours:
Museo Nacional del Prado
@catiechapman
This is Spain's national museum of art. It's a massive complex, and an art enthusiast's dream--especially if that art enthusiast loves Spanish artists, of which there are many.
Listen--you need at least a week to view the entirety of the permanent collection. I recommend even more time, just to digest each part and have time to process it. If you're only able to visit one day, know which works you're going to see--whether that's Goya's 'Black paintings', the portraits of the Hapsburgs, perhaps Diego Velazquez' 'Las Meninas', or something else entirely.
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Free admission Monday to Saturday, 6 to 8pm, and on Sundays and holidays from 5 to 7pm.
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
@catiechapman
This contemporary art museum houses so many masterworks from the 20th century to present, probably most notably Picasso's massive tableau 'Guernica'. This is admittedly my favourite of the big three museums (passing El Prado by a small margin), and I think the temporary exhibitions are just as striking as the permanent collections.
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Free admission Monday to Saturday from 7 to 9pm (closed Tuesdays) and Sundays from 12:30 to 2:30pm.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
@catiechapman
Every time I have come to the Thyssen, I feel absolutely overwhelmed by the sheer amount of art. It's an incredible permanent collection. If you never tire of looking at art, from any century, this is the museum for you.
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Free admission on Mondays
National Archaeological Museum
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The National Archeological Museum is in the same complex as the National Library. It's a sprawling collection, containing artifacts from every possible civilization of the Iberian peninsula. Restored roman frescos, visigoth metal, ornamented beams with imagery from Spain's varied religious pasts, prehistoric graves and tools... there's just about everything in this collection.
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Free admission on Saturdays from 2 to 8pm, Sundays 9:30am to 3pm.
National Museum of Natural Sciences
@catiechapman
Admittedly, I've only ever been here with school groups (of children) but the museum is still pretty cool. Natural science is amazing, no matter which language its presented in.
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Free admission on Sundays from 5 to 8pm.
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Free admission on Saturdays from 2pm to close, and all day on Sundays.
Museo del Traje
@catiechapman
Located in the center for ethnological heritage studies, just outside of the center, is Madrid's museum of fashion. There's an incredible collection of dress and costume pieces. If you're at all into textiles or fashion history, you'll appreciate the thought, research, and restoration that's been put into this museum.
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Free admission on Saturdays from 2pm to close, and all day on Sundays. During July and August, it’s also free on Thursday evenings from 7 to 10:30pm.
Sorolla Museum
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The Valencian artist's former residence in Madrid has been turned into a museum of his work, and a testament to his contributions to the impressionist movement. It's a great place to spend an afternoon, and the gardens that precede the entry add a lovely bit of tranquility.
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Free admission Saturdays from 2 to 8pm, and Sundays from 10am to 3pm.
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Free admission Thursdays from 5 to 8pm, and Sundays from 10am to 3pm.
Public Art
You'll see a lot of street art around the city, mostly in Malasaña and Lavapiés. There are also more permanent public art installations and spaces, listed below.
Murales "Antigua Tabacalera"
@catiechapman
This public urban art installation is an initiative by Madrid Street Art Project that aims to promote artists and harbor creativity in the city. The murals change from year to year.
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(Psst--There are some great lunch spots on this street, including a wonderful indian restaurant with the best naan! Grab a table on the terrace and take in the art if you happen to be there during midday.)
Museo Arte Público
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What was once a simple pedestrian underpass is now a dedicated publicly accessible museum, with sculptures and fountain installations. If you're in the neighborhood, it's just something interesting to pass by.
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Plaza de los Cubos
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One time I wondered why the plaza was called "Plaza de los cubos". And then I saw the cubos in the plaza.
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Plaza Colón
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Plaza de Colón is an interchange of various events and people. There’s always something going on, whether it’s a seasonal market, ice skating rink, protest or demonstration, concert series, or otherwise. There’s a variety of sculptures in this plaza, probably most notably the optical illusion, meters tall face of the piece Julia by Jaume Plensa.
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If you happen to be near Atocha Station, try to find these baby heads, entitled 'El Dia y La Noche'. It's another public art installation that isn't posted on most maps, but can be found through its listing in Atlas Obscura. If we happen to pass by, usually the people I’m with stop to take a picture or two. It’s not every day you get to see a statue like this.
Marketplaces
Whether you want to spend money or keep it low-key, it's still a great idea to visit these markets. Both are officially held during the weekend--specifically Sunday--but can be visited anytime.
El Rastro
@catiechapman
On Sunday mornings, Madrid's oldest--and most infamous--market occupies the streets of Lavapiés. Between the glorieta de embajadores, puerta de toledo, tirso de molina plaza, and la latina metro, crowds of people shop the housewares, antiques, crafts, vintage and secondhand clothes, and more available in the stalls.
Even if you don't come on a Sunday, you can always visit the Rastro. Most permanent storefronts will be open throughout the week.
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Feria fija del libro
@catiechapman
Just outside of the southwestern entrance to Parque del Retiro, and on the border of the royal gardens, is a short promenade occupied by the numerous stalls of book vendors. On the weekend, the sidewalk springs to life with antique tomes, used books passed through many hands, and the occasional pristine new edition. It can be a dangerous spot for the bibliophile, but it's just as nice to browse the stalls and see what people are reading.
Although most books sold are Spanish, there are a surprising number of English, French, and German titles scattered throughout, and art and photography books as well. Pick up a few books and the vendors might give you a bargain.
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During the holiday season, there are also a lot of Christmas markets. My personal favorite is the one in Plaza Mayor, which is for shops that specialize in making figures for nativity scenes. I’m not super religious, but it’s really interesting to see a whole plaza full of tiny figurines.
Parks
Madrid is one of the greenest cities in Europe. Its outdoor spaces are stunning, and you can enjoy quite a lot of them for free.
Casa de Campo
@catiechapman
Casa de Campo is a gorgeous sprawling park replete with several terrains and ample foliage, just outside of Madrid city. It's perfect for a run, hike, or even trail biking. There's also a lake and restaurant area, zoo, public swimming pool, and metro station.
For a small fare (6€) you can take a roundtrip ride on the sky gondola, too! The departure point is in Parque de Oeste near Argüelles neighborhood, and you fly over the western border of the city, with birds-eye views of the river, Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, Principe Pío station, eventually reaching the station in the center of the park (complete with another look-out point). You can also opt to hike down from the station through the park, and return to the city center via bus or metro. It's a great thing to do if you're stuck in the midday slump and just want to get a new perspective on the city.
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Cerro del Tío Pío
@catiechapman
Although this park is a bit outside of the tourist part of the city, it's an incredible place to relax and have a picnic while getting an incredible view.
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La Montaña Park
@catiechapman
In the hot evenings of the summer, everyone is at Parque de la Montaña for sunset, sharing snacks, drinks, and listening to the musicians that busk or practice together in the park. It's definitely more crowded than others, but the view over casa de campo and of the palace at dusk can't be beat.
At any other time of day, it's a great park. It's perfect for walking, either with a dog, a friend, or getting in some fitness. You can easily run between it, the nearby Parque de Oeste, and other nearby green spaces like Madrid Rio or Jardines del Moro.
If you're keen, you can also visit Templo de Debod, an egyptian monument built in 200 BC that was relocated to Madrid in the 1970's and rests in the centre of the park.
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Madrid Río Park
@catiechapman
The Madrid Rio Park spreads along the Rio Manzanares and can be accessed from Principe Pio and Avenida de la Florida all the way down to Piramides. It's an excellent park for fitness, biking, rollerblading, or simply taking in the slow but steady regeneration of the river--
On the southern border of the city, the park has a really interesting bridge--Puente monumental de Arganzuela--which is worth checking out if you have any interest in architecture or urban design.
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"Esta es una Plaza"
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This community owned-and-operated urban garden is the only one of such size in the center of Madrid, and its all a result of the voluntary labour and love by the residents of Lavapiés.
There are plots for planting vegetables and herbs, a tarp greenhouse, children's areas, a cactus garden, community boards, composting, and in the far end of the garden, sitting underneath the giant mural of an oso and madroño (Madrid's city symbol) under construction, is a small amphitheatre where gatherings can be held.
Make sure to say hello to anyone inside, pet a dog or two, and maybe look for a community event to take part in while you're there. On the last Sunday of each month, they even have a
If you live in Lavapiés, you can apply to be a key holder. So, you know that if the garden is open, someone is there, taking care of it, enjoying it, sharing it with you.
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Parque de la Quinta de los Molinos
@catiechapman
This park is at its most beautiful in the very beginning of Spring just as the almond trees start to blossom. If you happen to visit Madrid in late February or early March, make the trip and have a picnic! This park is accessible by the line 5 (bright green) on the metro system.
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And of course, don't forget to visit El Retiro, which was listed above, but I felt needed another mention.
Events
If you visit Madrid during these times of year, don't miss out in taking part or at the very least observing these holidays, parades, marches, and celebrations.
Cambio de Guardia 💂🏻♀️
You can catch the changing of the guard at the gates of the Royal Palace every Wednesday and Saturday from 11am to 2pm. In the hotter months of July and August, the hours change to 10am to 12pm. It doesn’t take place on holidays or if it’s determined that the weather is too bad. If you happen to not have any plans, you might as well check it out.
Three Kings' Day 👑
The three kings, or, three wise men, are the party responsible for bringing Christmas presents to children in Spain--not Santa! There are several processions that take place, and holiday celebrations around the city on January 6th.
Carnaval y El Entierro de la Sardina ⚰️🐟
In late February, Spain celebrates Carnaval. One of the most interesting traditions in Madrid and Toledo is the funeral of the Sardine, which takes place around Ash Wednesday, welcoming in the season of Lent. In Madrid city, the funeral procession with dances, bands, puppets, and more takes place in the neighborhood of La Florida, but each barrio may have their own tradition. Some opt for a funeral pyre, instead.
International Womens’ Day 🚺💜
Although this internationally recognized day isn’t specific to Spain, the way in which its celebrated in Madrid is truly inspiring. In Madrid, protests and demonstrations of solidarity are always well attended, and international womens day is no exception. If you’re in the city on March 8th, you’ll likely see (or hear, from a distance) the march, which processes from plaza de colón all the way through the center of the city. You’re welcome to join the march too, or just watch and support from along the planned route.
Dia de Madrid 🐻🌳
May 2nd is the anniversary of one of Madrid's greatest achievements--resistance of French governance under Napoleon. Today, however, the holiday has changed to really just be a day of pride for a lot of Madrileños about their city and its history. There are a variety of parades, parties, and events throughout the city to attend.
Fiestas San Isidro 🎈
San Isidro is the patron saint of Madrid, and he’s celebrated every May 15th (and ensuing week). Most events take place in the neighborhood and park of San Isidro, including dances, religious services, and carnival. It’s a short ride away from the center of the city via metro, bus, or cercanías.
Mercado Cervantino 🎠
Ok. So this isn't in Madrid city, it's actually in Alcala de Henares which is another city about 40 minutes away by public transport. But, it's the best medieval market in the region. And, it happens to be in the hometown of Miguel de Cervantes, Spain's arguably most infamous author. If you're in town in early October, you might have a chance of visiting. It's worth the trip out of Madrid, just to see the market and walk through Alcala's older town center.
Fiesta Nacional de España y Dia de la Hispanidad 🇪🇸
October 12th is the national day of Spain. Being Madrid’s capital, the city goes all-out with parades, a flyover, military demonstrations, and more.
In addition to everything else going on, there's a celebration in tandem dedicated to Latin American heritage and specifically Indigenous peoples. A protest-parade marches from Plaza de Colón through Centro, and usually ends in the historically diverse neighborhood of Lavapiés. It’s an officially organized parade, so there are several dance groups and bands representing specific countries. There is also a market in Plaza de España filled with Latin American vendors and food stalls (and performances) around this time!
Dia de Trashumancia 🐏
OF ALL THE EVENTS--I recommend this the most. In Late October, Madrid practices a medieval tradition of taking the livestock through the city. From early in the morning, shepherds lead a giant herd of sheep, goats, and rams from their pastures in Casa de Campo, over Puente de Segovia, through Plaza Mayor and the old part of the city, and up through the more modern part of the city by Cibeles and Plaza de Colón. They then return and go back the same way they came.
Luces Navideñas 🎄
From All Saints’ Day on November 1st to Epiphany on January 6th (but they're loose dates), the city is lit up with various illuminations throughout its streets, and installed sculptures in specific areas of town.
It’s not free, but you can purchase a ticket on the city tour bus for a nighttime ride, which takes you on a route to see all of them. The royal gardens also have their own event, but if you want to go, you have to buy tickets well ahead of time.
Other resources
These organizations, websites, blogs, and creators are great sources to stay updated on free events and offerings in Madrid.
Madrid Turismo
Get up-to-date information from the official tourism site for Madrid.
If you want a recommendation for the route, check out the world heritage site, Paisaje de la Luz (translated: passage of the light) which chronicles a great itinerary through the city and some of its most historically significant and beautiful areas.
Madrid Secreto
This platform is a great way to get to know lesser-known places around Madrid, and information that you might not get as a tourist.
Disfruta Madrid
This travel blog, curated by Pedro, is an incredibly in-depth guide to Madrid and current happenings. Follow the instagram for updates and weekend plan recommendations!
You can also search free plans in Madrid by checking out Spanish-language resources: on social media, the hashtag or phrase "Planazo Gratis" is a great way to find free plans!
¡Que disfrutéis!
However you choose to spend your time and money in Madrid, I hope that you enjoy it.
If you’d like additional recommendations (especially for specialty coffee), check out my thatch profile. I’ve got and am working on even more guides to help you enjoy and explore Madrid, and Spain at large!
Or, reach out via instagram to my coffee tour @catscoffeetour or personal account @nampahceitac.
Otherwise, ‘ta luego 👋🏻
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