So, you’re either on a tight budget or just like to save money when you can. Who doesn’t?
I was a poor Aupair, with a monthly allowance that barely lasted two weeks when I got the inspiration to put together this list of free things to do in Madrid.
So, in no particular order, here are some freebies you can find around the city.
1) Museo de Reina Sofia
During limited hours each day, you can see some of the best collections of contemporary art for free, including famous pieces by Picasso, Miró, Dali.
The museum’s most famous painting is undoubtedly Picasso’s “Guernica”. In the mural-sized painting, Picasso shows the violence and tragedies of war with a scene depicting the bombings of the village Guernica during the Spanish Civil War (1937).
There are also incredible paintings by the eccentric, surrealist painter Salvador Dalí, including Cenicitas (1928) and El Gran Masturbador (1929).
Free Admission:
- Monday 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.| Wednesday – Saturday 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- Sunday 1:30 – 7:00 p.m.
- 18 and 29 April, 18 May, 12 October and 6 December
General ticket information & hours
Metro: Atocha (Line 1- light blue)
Address: Calle Santa Isabel 52, Madrid 28012
2) Parque del Retiro
Similar to Central Park in the middle of New York’s concrete jungle – Madrid’s Retiro Park provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Retiro is Madrid’s largest park; it’s filled with beautiful gardens, fountains, statues, art galleries, street performers, and a “pond” where you can rent row boats.
For the active- there are walking/ running/ biking paths, outdoor exercise equipment, areas to roller-skate. For the (less) active- there are hundreds of places to relax, have a picnic, people watch. And for those with (hyper) active children- there are playgrounds where you can let them run wild.
During the Spring, make sure to check out the gorgeous “Rose” garden in full bloom.
One of the lesser-known parts of the park (and the best part in my opinion) is located in the back, along the street Avenida del Menendez Palayo. Here you will find beautifully landscaped gardens called Jardines de Cecilio Rodriguez. And the best part? The peacocks just walking freely around the gardens, strutting their stuff.
{Just a forewarning: they tend to close these Cecilio gardens a few hours earlier than they close the whole park.}
There are also free art exhibits in Retiro Park that are an extension of the Reina Sofia Modern Art Museum (see freebie #1 on the list). There including the Crystal Palace.
Retiro Park Hours: April – September, 6am- 12am, midnight | October – March, 6am – 10pm
Retiro Park is located near several major Madrid landmarks including: Puerta de Alcalá, El Prado Museum, Thyssen Museum, and the Atocha Train Station.
3) Templo de Debod
Built more than 2,000 years ago near Aswan, Egypt- this ancient Egyptian temple now stands in Madrid’s Parque del Oeste, near Plaza de España and the Royal Palace.
How the heck did an Egyptian temple end up in the middle of Madrid?
Valid question.
I asked myself the same question and after much research (all of 45 seconds later) I had an answer (thanks, Interwebs).
In 1960 when a dam was being developed in Egypt, archaeological sites became in danger of being destroyed. Spain gave aid to help save some of these priceless Egyptian monuments, and in return, Egypt donated Templo de Debod to Spain in 1968.
The temple was dismantled stone-by-stone, sent to Madrid, reconstructed, and in 1972 it was opened to the public.
Visitors can walk inside the small temple. There are passageways with ancient hieroglyphics covering the walls. And in the little museum upstairs, there are photos documenting the history of the temple.
It’s a short visit, but worth it. And, if you time it right, just behind the temple you can catch some of the most beautiful views & sunsets in Madrid.
Temple Hours:
Saturday & Sunday: 10am to 2pm.
(April 1- September 30) Tuesday to Friday| 10am-2pm and 6-8pm
(October 1 – March 31) Tuesday to Friday| 9:45am- 1:45pm and 4:15-6:15pm.
Closed: Mondays and public holidays.
Metro: Plaza de España
(Line 1- Yellow / Line 10- Dark Blue)
Just walk up the steps of Parque del Oeste and look for the Egyptian Temple that looks like it doesn’t belong.
Lost in Madrid 