Do you want to visit Madrid and spend as little as possible? Then follow this Top 14 of free visits, museums and activities to do in the Spanish capital that I have created for you to enjoy without breaking the bank.
Table des matières
1. Get into museums for free in Madrid
Do you want to enjoy the capital as much as possible with the least amount of dependence? Visit the museums in Madrid for free because this city can easily boast of the artistic and cultural diversity it offers to its visitors. It is home to some of the most renowned museums in the world, which house some of the finest works of art.
The two most famous museums in the city, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and the Museo del Prado, are subject to an entrance fee. However, if you plan your visit well in advance, and at the right times, you can visit them for free.
For the Prado Museum: free visit from Tuesday to Saturday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and on Sunday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
For the Reina Sofia Museum: free visit from Monday to Friday from 7 pm to 9 pm, Saturday from 2:30 pm to 9 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 2:30 pm.
Location: Villanueva Building, Paseo del Prado
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2. Enjoy the sweet atmosphere of the Retiro for free
Madrid’s Parque Del Bon Retiro, or simply Retiro Park as it is usually called, is one of the most popular parks in Madrid, as well as being one of the city’s main attractions. It is the ideal place to enjoy the beautiful summer days, which are the joy of the city.
In this urban park, you can admire beautiful sculptures and monuments, as well as a pleasure pond, the Great Pond. Free open-air concerts are held here regularly during the summer months.
3. Sit in the Plaza Mayor
Madrid is richly endowed with beautiful squares, or plazas as the locals call them, such as the famous Plaza Mayor. This Madrid square is steeped in history and has seen public executions, royal ceremonies, bullfights, inquisition trials and many celebrations.
Today, it is surrounded by three-story buildings, with many cafes and restaurants with terraces under their arches, where you can sit and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the square.
4. What to do for free in Madrid? Take a walk around the Royal Palace of Madrid
Looking for free things to do in Madrid? The Palacio Real, Madrid’s Royal Palace, is the largest palace in Europe, with more than 2800 rooms. The official residence of the Spanish royal family, it is nowadays only used for state ceremonies.
Although the palace is open to the public with an entrance fee, a simple visit to its courtyard and parks is a great experience, which can be done for free.
The Royal Palace is a magnificent building. Once you have tasted its architectural splendor, admire the view from one of the sides of its courtyard.
Location: 5 minutes from the Opera metro station
5. Taste the tropical atmosphere at Atocha Station
It may be hard to believe, but one of Madrid’s most popular tourist attractions is located in the middle of the capital’s main train station.
A tropical garden is located in the old atrium of the Atocha train station, and you can freely enjoy this small botanical area while waiting for your train.
This garden is home to plants, but also tropical fauna, as well as a small pond with turtles, which attracts many spectators and makes the youngest ones happy.
6. Sunbathing in the Spanish Steps
Among the busiest road junctions in Madrid, it is also one of the most beautiful squares in the city. Plaza de España is home to a masterful fountain, and a breathtaking monument dedicated to Cervantes, the famous author of Don Quixote.
The character and his beloved Dulcinea are magnificently depicted on this dominant piece of the square. The square is particularly popular with bathers on sunny days and is also home to many street vendors.
7. Take a walk on Gran Via
If you take a stroll along Madrid’s Gran Via, you’ll be strolling the sidewalks of the city’s most famous thoroughfare. Gran Via appears in all sorts of works, from opera to cinema, and is deeply rooted in the city’s history.
It is one of the busiest streets in Madrid, with its many stores and restaurants attracting tourists and other onlookers. It is also a remarkable street for the architecture of its buildings, among which there are many historical monuments.
8. What to visit for free in Madrid? Admire the ancient Temple of Amon (Templo de Debod)
Although this Egyptian temple once stood in the village of Debod, it is now located in Madrid, in the Western Park, and you can visit it for free. This sample of ancient Egypt was brought to Spain during the construction of the great Aswan Dam, during which many historical monuments were threatened with ruin.
To move these buildings, Spanish engineers helped the Egyptian government, which then offered the Temple of Amun to Spain as a thank you.
Nowadays it is a popular attraction, located in one of the most popular parks in Madrid. Just behind the temple you can enjoy a breathtaking view.
9. Visit Madrid’s largest outdoor flea market, El Rastro
If you’re heading to Madrid on a Sunday, don’t miss a visit to El Rastro, the city’s largest outdoor market. This popular flea market sees many locals and tourists come and go each week, and you won’t be able to resist the bargains you’ll find at one of its 3,500 stalls offering antiques, clothes, etc.
Even if you are not a bargaining or compulsive shopper, a simple visit to the market and the discovery of its very special atmosphere is worth the trip. It’s a great opportunity to get a taste of Madrid’s atmosphere without spending a penny.
10. Walk along the city walls
Madrid was once a walled city, and you can still see the remains of the walls that protected the Moorish settlement that took place on the site of the current Iberian capital in the 9th century.
This tourist attraction, which is completely free of charge, is nestled just behind the cathedral. Originally, these walls encircled a little over four hectares, but parts of them also date back to the 12th and 13th centuries.
They were classified as a National Monument in 1954, to protect them from modern construction. A walk around these remains will give you the opportunity to take a nice stroll through the history of Madrid.
11. Spend an evening on the Puerta del Sol
This popular square was once one of the gates to the city of Madrid. It is also the most central place in the city, where you can find the stone slab indicating the “Kilometer Zero”, the official starting point of the 6 Spanish national roads.
The Puerta del Sol has many remarkable pieces, such as the monument of the Bear and the Tree (El Oso y El Madroño), a statue of Carlos III, as well as two fountains, on which the inhabitants enjoy sitting in the evening.
Indeed, the square comes alive at nightfall, with passers-by enjoying the many bars and restaurants in the area. It is the ideal place to observe the daily activity of the city.
12. Visit the Museo Taurino (Bullfighting Museum) for free
If the price of a bullfighting ticket is too high for you, you can still take advantage of the free entrance to the Museo Taurino de Madrid, the bullfighting museum.
This museum offers its visitors an account of Spain’s bullfighting history, complete with old matadors’ costumes and even a painting by the master Goya, representing a masterful bullfighting scene.
You will also discover a beautiful collection of photographs and relics illustrating the history of this controversial tradition from its origins to the present day.
Location: Las Ventas bullring
13. Activity to do for free in Madrid: Visit Pier 0 (“Andén 0”)
My 13th suggestion for a free activity to do in Madrid is to visit “Pier 0”. If you want to learn about the history of public transportation and the underground history of the city, this is the place to be.
The old Chamberí metro station is an original interpretation of an old Madrid metro station from the 1960s. Although it is a small museum in Madrid, it is worth the trip, especially since it is completely free.
Location: Chamberí Station
14. Discover for free the open air sculpture museum of La Castellena
Located in the open air, this museum occupies in an original way the unusual public spaces under a road bypass. This free attraction in Madrid is worth a visit, if only to admire its magnificent and ingenious occupation of space. The collection is mainly composed of abstract sculptures, including works by the famous Joan Miró and Eduardo Chillida.
Location: Paseo de la Castellana
To conclude this article, I can tell you that Madrid is a city where there is a multitude of things to do, even for visitors with a very small budget who are looking for free activities and things to do. Feel free to leave me a comment if you have more and don’t forget to share this article with your family and friends if you liked it! Enjoy your stay in Madrid.
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