10 Best Free Things to Do in Madrid

Museo del Prado, established in 1819, is one of Madrid’s most popular art museums. It has a massive collection of masterpieces by European artists such as Bosch, Titian, El Greco, Rubens, Velázquez and Goya. Most of these paintings date back to between the 12th and early 20th centuries, depicting mythological deities, biblical scenes, patron saints, and royalty. Tickets to Museo del Prado start from €8, but it’s free on weekdays and Saturdays from 6pm to 8pm, and Sundays from 5pm to 7pm.

Plaza Mayor is one of the grandest open squares in Madrid, featuring 9 entrance ways, 17th-century frescoes, and a bronze statue of King Philip III in the middle. A popular tourist attraction, Plaza Mayor offers lively events throughout the year, including a vibrant Christmas market and celebrations for San Isidro, the patron saint of Madrid. If you’ve worked up an appetite, there are plenty of cafés and sandwich joints serving coffee, beer, and Madrid’s quintessential bocadillo de calamares (calamari sandwich).

El Corte Inglé, located in Plaza de Callao, is Spain’s largest department store. On the 9th floor is its expansive food hall, called Gourmet Experience. It has large glass windows and an outdoor terrace seating area, both of which offer panoramic views of the city. Look for Madrid’s historical sites such as the Royal Palace and La Almudena Cathedral. Try to make your visit brief if you’re not planning to dine at Gourmet Experience to not disturb its vendors and customers.

Museo Reina Sofía displays 20th-century and modern artworks, including masterpieces by Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso. One of its most popular exhibits is Picasso’s Guernica, which was completed in 1937. It costs €15 to visit Museo Reina Sofía, but you can visit its exhibits for free every Monday and Wednesday until Saturday between 7pm and 9pm. On Sundays, the museum is free to enter from 1.30pm until 7pm. Located in central Madrid, this museum is part of Madrid’s Art Triangle, which also includes Museo del Prado and Museo de Thyssen-Bornemisza. To enjoy free admission to all 3 museums, plan your visit for a Monday.

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official home of Spanish royalty, though you won’t be bumping into a family member during your visit. Commissioned by King Philip V during the 18th century, this grand structure is a mix of Neoclassical and Baroque architecture. There are 3,000 rooms in total, including a throne hall, armoury, and Europe’s oldest well-preserved royal kitchen. Art lovers will find exquisite paintings by renowned artists such as Luis Morales, Goya, Juan de Flandes, Caravaggio, Velázquez, and Federico Madrazo.

La Almudena Cathedral is a 19th-century church built in Neoclassical and Gothic Revival styles. It’s located along Calle de Bailén, about 700 metres south of The Royal Palace of Madrid. Its Neo-Romanesque crypt features a painting of the Virgen de la Almudena, which dates back to the 16th century. There’s a museum detailing the church’s history. You can enter the cathedral for free, but access to the museum and crypt costs around €6.

El Retiro Park is a vast garden in Plaza de la Independencia. One of its most popular attractions is the Statue Walk, a pathway that’s lined with 18th-century statues of Spanish royalty. There’s a manmade lake next to a monument of Alfonso XII, and you can rent a paddleboat for a few euros. Another must-visit in El Retiro Park is the Palacio de Cristal, a greenhouse-like pavilion that was built in 1887.

Puerta del Sol is a city square in Madrid that’s mostly known for its ‘Kilometre 0’ slab, which is the official starting point for Spain‘s 6 national roads. Its vibrant shopping street, Calle Preciados, is where you can find many street performers throughout the day. Taking photos may cost you a euro or two, so just sit back and enjoy the performances if you’re not planning to spend any money here. Exploring the square also gives you plenty of beautiful snapshots thanks to its noteworthy monuments, including the bronze statue of El Oso y el Madroño (The Bear and the Strawberry Tree).

Templo de Debod is an authentic Egyptian temple that was rebuilt in Madrid’s Parque del Oeste. The only Ancient Egyptian structure that can be seen in Spain, the shrine dates back to 2200 BC and was brought over to the city from Aswan in 1968. It can only accommodate 15 visitors at a time, which often results in long queues. After visiting the temple, you can relax on the park’s many green spaces, many of which offer beautiful views of La Almudena Cathedral and the Royal Palace.

Concerts can be enjoyed in Madrid almost any day of the week, thanks to its many live music venues. Many bars are free to enter during open-mic sessions, though some may require you to buy at least 1 drink for a seat. La Coquette is an underground bar near Puerta del Sol where you can catch live blues by local and international names until late. If you’re visiting Madrid during annual festivals such as Christmas, free concerts are mostly held in public squares such as Plaza Mayor.