10 things to do in Madrid for free
The capital of Spain is a city full of atmosphere, with a lot of history and many interesting places to visit. The streets are bustling with activity and it is almost impossible to get bored here: visiting a museum, participating in workshops or enjoying an outdoor picnic in one of its beautiful public parks are some of the best things to do in Madrid for free. In this guide we tell you the best free plans in Madrid to get to know the city, whatever your budget!
Considered the lung of the city, the Retiro Park has huge gardens, monuments and beautiful fountains that make it one of the best places in Madrid to stroll and relax. In the center of the park is the Palacio de Cristal, a structure built in 1887 to celebrate the Philippine Islands Exposition whose dome reaches 22 meters, whether to play sports, take pictures or relax, the park is an essential stop on a visit to the city.
The temple was erected in honor of the god Amun two millennia ago, and was donated by Egypt in 1968 in gratitude for helping to save the Abu Simbel temples. It can now be visited in the Parque de la Montaña, just a few meters from the busy Plaza de España. The best time of day to go is at sunset, as the sky is reflected in the pond that surrounds it and offers one of the most spectacular views of the city.
Learning the history of Madrid by experiencing it firsthand is possible thanks to the local guides who organize free walking tours, who know every corner and tell the most curious anecdotes in a fun and entertaining way. These routes include stops at the main attractions of the city, such as the Royal Palace and Puerta del Sol, and can be booked for free on our website. The only difficulty will be to choose between all the options!
This tropical garden, installed inside the train station itself, houses nearly 7,000 plants of 400 different species from America, Asia and Australia. The fact that it is covered and maintains a characteristic microclimate throughout the year makes it a perfect place to stop, rest and have a drink while it rains.
Eating tapas without having to pay for them is the dream come true of every good food lover. In the city you can find numerous bars that give away one or more tapas when you have a drink at any time of the day. This tradition, rooted in some areas of Spain and envied in the rest, is present in some places in the capital, and is a good option to satisfy your hunger without having to spend a lot. Some of the most popular bars that offer tapas with your drink are Sidrería El Tigre, Los Enemigos, El Lagar, La Pomarada, Casa Puebla, Hermanos Egea, Bar Sierra and La Pequeña Graná.
Every Sunday and public holiday since the second half of the 19th century this famous open-air market has been held, attracting all kinds of public thanks to the variety of objects that can be bought. From magazines with the price printed in pesetas to antique furniture with the most bizarre stories (whose originality usually affects the price), visitors can browse through all the antiques and enjoy the atmosphere, which has made the Rastro one of the most popular places to visit in Madrid.
Enjoying the best works of art without having to pay a penny is possible, as most museums offer a schedule in which the entrance is free. Some examples are the Prado Museum, free from Monday to Saturday from 18.00 to 20.00 and Sundays and holidays from 17.00 to 19.00, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, free every Monday from 12:00 to 16:00.
This park, located in the area of Puente de Vallecas, has different playgrounds for children, green spaces and equipment for outdoor sports. However, its main attraction is the upper part, which is considered one of the best viewpoints in Madrid. From there you can get a panoramic view of the city that makes the experience a unique moment.
The cathedral, whose name comes from the Arabic word al-mudayna (citadel), began to be built in 1883, and houses paintings and stained glass windows that were commissioned to the religious and artist Kiko Argüello. The façade is neoclassical in style, while the interior is neo-Gothic and the crypt is neo-Romanesque. While admission is free, a donation of 1 euro is requested for its maintenance, and there is also the option to visit the museum and the dome for 6 euros. Either option is a good way to discover this famous cathedral, considered one of the main symbols of the city.
Thanks to its neighborhood character and the medieval charm preserved by its narrow and irregular streets, Lavapiés is one of the most visited areas by tourists and locals. Urban artists have taken advantage of its facades to turn it into one of the most colorful neighborhoods in the city, creating authentic artistic murals that leave no one indifferent. It is a good place to stroll around looking for scenery to take the most striking and picturesque photo.
If you want to see some of our favorite activities in Madrid, check out our video on Youtube.
The capital of Spain hides many plans that you can do for free. Visit FREETOUR.com and search, compare and book walking tours in Madrid for an unforgettable experience.
By Georgina Blasco.
1. Getting lost in the Retiro Park
Photo: Wikimedia - Diego Delso / CC BY-SA
Considered the lung of the city, the Retiro Park has huge gardens, monuments and beautiful fountains that make it one of the best places in Madrid to stroll and relax. In the center of the park is the Palacio de Cristal, a structure built in 1887 to celebrate the Philippine Islands Exposition whose dome reaches 22 meters, whether to play sports, take pictures or relax, the park is an essential stop on a visit to the city.
2. Having a picnic at the Egyptian Temple of Debod
The temple was erected in honor of the god Amun two millennia ago, and was donated by Egypt in 1968 in gratitude for helping to save the Abu Simbel temples. It can now be visited in the Parque de la Montaña, just a few meters from the busy Plaza de España. The best time of day to go is at sunset, as the sky is reflected in the pond that surrounds it and offers one of the most spectacular views of the city.
3. Join a free tour in Madrid to discover the history of the city
Learning the history of Madrid by experiencing it firsthand is possible thanks to the local guides who organize free walking tours, who know every corner and tell the most curious anecdotes in a fun and entertaining way. These routes include stops at the main attractions of the city, such as the Royal Palace and Puerta del Sol, and can be booked for free on our website. The only difficulty will be to choose between all the options!
4. Discovering the exotic plants of the Atocha Greenhouse
This tropical garden, installed inside the train station itself, houses nearly 7,000 plants of 400 different species from America, Asia and Australia. The fact that it is covered and maintains a characteristic microclimate throughout the year makes it a perfect place to stop, rest and have a drink while it rains.
5. Tasting the most authentic tapas in Madrid
Eating tapas without having to pay for them is the dream come true of every good food lover. In the city you can find numerous bars that give away one or more tapas when you have a drink at any time of the day. This tradition, rooted in some areas of Spain and envied in the rest, is present in some places in the capital, and is a good option to satisfy your hunger without having to spend a lot. Some of the most popular bars that offer tapas with your drink are Sidrería El Tigre, Los Enemigos, El Lagar, La Pomarada, Casa Puebla, Hermanos Egea, Bar Sierra and La Pequeña Graná.
6. Looking for relics in the Rastro
Every Sunday and public holiday since the second half of the 19th century this famous open-air market has been held, attracting all kinds of public thanks to the variety of objects that can be bought. From magazines with the price printed in pesetas to antique furniture with the most bizarre stories (whose originality usually affects the price), visitors can browse through all the antiques and enjoy the atmosphere, which has made the Rastro one of the most popular places to visit in Madrid.
7. Enter the main museums in Madrid for free
Enjoying the best works of art without having to pay a penny is possible, as most museums offer a schedule in which the entrance is free. Some examples are the Prado Museum, free from Monday to Saturday from 18.00 to 20.00 and Sundays and holidays from 17.00 to 19.00, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, free every Monday from 12:00 to 16:00.
8. Enjoying the views of the city from the Cerro del Tío Pío hill
Photo: Wikimedia - Frankblacknoir / CC BY-SA 3.0
This park, located in the area of Puente de Vallecas, has different playgrounds for children, green spaces and equipment for outdoor sports. However, its main attraction is the upper part, which is considered one of the best viewpoints in Madrid. From there you can get a panoramic view of the city that makes the experience a unique moment.
9. Discovering the architectural styles of the Almudena Cathedral
The cathedral, whose name comes from the Arabic word al-mudayna (citadel), began to be built in 1883, and houses paintings and stained glass windows that were commissioned to the religious and artist Kiko Argüello. The façade is neoclassical in style, while the interior is neo-Gothic and the crypt is neo-Romanesque. While admission is free, a donation of 1 euro is requested for its maintenance, and there is also the option to visit the museum and the dome for 6 euros. Either option is a good way to discover this famous cathedral, considered one of the main symbols of the city.
10. Discovering urban art in the Lavapiés District
Thanks to its neighborhood character and the medieval charm preserved by its narrow and irregular streets, Lavapiés is one of the most visited areas by tourists and locals. Urban artists have taken advantage of its facades to turn it into one of the most colorful neighborhoods in the city, creating authentic artistic murals that leave no one indifferent. It is a good place to stroll around looking for scenery to take the most striking and picturesque photo.
If you want to see some of our favorite activities in Madrid, check out our video on Youtube.
The capital of Spain hides many plans that you can do for free. Visit FREETOUR.com and search, compare and book walking tours in Madrid for an unforgettable experience.
By Georgina Blasco.
27
February,
2020
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