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10 Free Things To Do in Madrid

Exploring Madrid on a budget? You may have been worried that this will limit you in your explorations. But in fact, it might actually make them better. These 10 recommendations are free of charge but packed with entertainment.

Madrid has an abundance of sights in nature, historical exhibits, and even several opportunities for physical activity. Of course, being the sunniest city in Europe means that a lot of the action takes place in the open air.

Below you will find a comprehensive list of things to do in Madrid that cost nothing but offer just as much, if not more excitement than the many costly pastimes of metropolitan cities. Enjoy the lack of entrance fees and the excess of impressive sights and facts.

1. See the Glass Castle

Photo sourced from esmadrid.com

This massive gem is located in Retiro Park and has been there since 1887. Inside, you’ll find art exhibitions organized by the Museo Reina Sofía, but you won’t even need to go inside to be amazed.

The Spanish beauty was modeled after the crystal palace that was built in London in 1851. The original was an exhibition space for displaying example technologies of the Industrial Revolution. But, the English version no longer exists due to a fire that took place in 1936.

Needless to say, the glass castle of Retiro Park is something that you must see while in Madrid. Then, you can walk around the park to see the rowing pond, the only existing monument to the devil, and of course, nature. Retiro Park even has several entertaining characters walking around near the water for children to enjoy.

2. Enjoy an elevated view

Photo sourced form Katina Sanchez

The above photo shows the spectacular view of Parque Particular Vistas de la Almudena, which looks directly at the Cathedral of the Almudena. To the right, the gates of the Royal Palace guard the beautiful building and host thousands of daily visitors.

The Parque Particular Vistas offers a place to sit and have a picnic or just enjoy the scenery. From this side of the road, the palace can be seen in all its glory. It’s also the perfect place to watch the sunset between the two constructions.

Sometimes, there is music playing in the square, people selling trinkets, and there is always a chance for people-watching. Go sit and look at the amazing buildings whenever there’s sun out.

3. Weave through the Sabatini Gardens

Photo sourced from oddvisor.com

While at the royal grounds, you’ll have to stop by the Sabatini Gardens that sit in front of the north face of the palace. Completed after the civil war, this outdoor space is great for everything from watching the sunset to taking photos.

A little known fact is that this intricate garden is a souvenir of the Hapsurgs, or the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire, whose influence left significant marks on Madrid. The monuments of the old town represent the alliance that the Spanish Empire formed with the royal dynasty.

4. See the Dalieda de San Francisco

Photo sourced from Mirador Madrid

This is a beautiful outdoor space that you can visit during the day or at night.  There are at least 10 different shades of colored roses to admire throughout the many little gardens.

The Dalieda is a popular spot among young kids who meet here with their friends, locals, and even tourists. The gardens are lined with benches for sitting down to relax awhile in front of the lovely roses.

This landmark is somewhere you can visit over and over again in Madrid, and thankfully, it’s open to the public. It has a stunning view of the city at the back and a glimpse of the park of La Cornisa that sits below.

5. Play basketball at Parque de la Cornisa

Photo sourced from diario.madrid.es

Once you’ve visited the rose garden, you can follow the sloping trails down to the park below for some additional outdoor activities. Here, families gather on park benches, children play on the play set and some kids are always playing basketball.

You do need to have a basketball that you can bring in order for this to be a free activity, but if you’re only in Madrid for a short period of time, it can be a great opportunity to ask to join a game and become friends with the locals.

6. Picnic near the Templo de Debod

Photo sourced from esmadrid.com

Did you know that you can actually visit an ancient Egyptian temple in the heart of Madrid? This legendary piece was taken from its original grounds in Upper Egypt and reconstructed in the Spanish capital.

The historic piece stands beautifully in the Parque del Oeste, or West Park. Surrounding the monument from all sides are Spaniards and foreigners alike, who gather to chat and picnic with a view of the Egyptian wonder.

When running low on money, the Temple of Debod is the perfect place to go watch the sunset and enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the Madrid socialites. Perhaps you’ll feel as if you’re not in Spain anymore.

7. Choose a free museum

Photo sourced from esmadrid.com

There are multiple museums in Madrid that are free of cost. Others that are more popular might not charge during certain times of the week. Madrid also offers the enriching opportunity to tour the homes of some of the most famous writers in Spanish history.

The Cervantes House Museum is another completely free experience. The childhood home of Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote, his writings that span from the 16th through the 17th century are on display here in various languages.

A list of museums that you can visit without paying an entrance fee include the Open Air Sculpture Museum on Paseo de la Castellana, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of San Isidro: Origins of Madrid, the History Museum, the Geomineral Museum and the National Library Museum.

8. La Casa Encendida

Photo sourced from arup.com

While is a museum, it’s worth being given a separate mention because it is actually more than just that. The social and cultural center aims to encapsulate the four focuses of arts, solidarity, environment and education.

Inside, you’ll find not only art exhibitions but also educational, philosophical and debating activities. In fact, there are things going on outside as well during the summer. At the Magnetic Terrace, there are sunset concerts every weekend and an open-air cinema. La Casa Encendida is a unique place you might find yourself visiting more than once.

9. Get lost in Parque del Oeste

Photo sourced from Public Domain

Believe it or not, the beautiful park across the street from Moncloa is the same park that holds the Temple of Debod. This giant green space stretches in the shape of an L from the metro stops Plaza de España to Moncloa. It’s four metro stops long!

Get off public transport at Moncloa from any direction by bus or metro and exit the station to find the sloping park across the street. The appeal of this location is the way the park slopes down as if you’re walking into another world. Driving by, you can’t see the bottom.

Enter at Moncloa and breathe in the air of the towering trees that line the park. Here, you will find Madrileños walking their dogs and plenty of space to sit down and soak up the sun. You can spend the day walking and you probably won’t get to the end of Parque del Oeste.

Other parks in Madrid like El Retiro, Capricho, Casa de Campo, Santander, Campo del Moro, Madrid Río, and Cerro del Tío Pío are free of charge and can be a great way to spend your time.

10. Stop by the Atocha Greenhouse

Photo sourced from Daderot

Located in the south of Madrid is a tropical wonder that you’ll hardly believe is living in the middle of a major transportation hub. The Atocha Station Garden is a great place to go for some nature on a rainy day.

Perhaps it’s something you’ll visit when just passing by, or you can make a day out of it and find the metro line near you that connects to Atocha. Moreover, the station is significant for traveling to nearby destinations, as you can take the high speed train from Atocha to cities like Barcelona and Marseille.

Finding your favorites from this list and incorporating them into your stay in Madrid is sure to make it a memorable one. Who would’ve thought that you don’t need money to see the best of what a big city has to offer?

From visiting the childhood home of Miguel de Cervantes to dissecting the various exhibitions at La Casa Encendida, you will leave Madrid with rich and bright experiences of the amazing Spanish capital.

By the end of your visit, you’ll wonder how you were able to see all of these incredible sights without wasting a euro. To commemorate your experiences, you can never go wrong with tapas and a farewell drink at a classic spot in the city.