Free things to do · Madrid · Spain
7 free things to do in Madrid
Madrid without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Madrid without paying an entry fee: Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía and Temple of Debod are all free. The Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen each have free-entry periods; check the museums' sites and expect queues.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 6
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and August
Free sights and experiences
Park · Retiro
1.Retiro Park
Rent a rowing boat on the Estanque Grande in the late afternoon, when the heat eases.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Iconic
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Landmark · Centro
2.Plaza Mayor
Eat a calamari sandwich in one of the bars on the streets just off the square rather than on the pricier terraces inside it.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
Street · Centro
3.Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía
Look up rather than at the shops; the best view of Gran Vía and the Metrópolis dome is from the Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Shopping
- After dark
- Architecture
Historic site · Parque del Oeste
4.Temple of Debod
Come at sunset and then walk south along the gardens to the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral as they light up.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Market · La Latina
5.El Rastro
Arrive early for antiques, keep your bag in front of you in the crowds and finish with tapas on Cava Baja.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
Religious site · Príncipe Pío
6.San Antonio de la Florida
Combine it with Casa Mingo, the Asturian cider house next door, and a walk along Madrid Río.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Off the beaten path
- History
Park · Arganzuela
7.Madrid Río
Rent a bike and ride from Príncipe Pío south to Matadero for a weekend exhibition or market.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Active
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Retiro | Retiro Park | 2 hours |
| Centro | Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía | 30 minutes + 1–2 hours |
| Parque del Oeste | Temple of Debod | 45 minutes |
| La Latina | El Rastro | 2 hours |
| Príncipe Pío | San Antonio de la Florida | 30 minutes |
| Arganzuela | Madrid Río | 2–3 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Market · Centro
Mercado de San Miguel
Visit mid-afternoon on a weekday to avoid evening crowds; for local prices, try the Mercado de San Fernando or Antón Martín instead.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
- Architecture
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Viewpoint · Gran Vía
Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop
Go about an hour before sunset and stay for the city lights; drinks are pricey but the view is the reason.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- After dark
Museum · Salamanca
National Archaeological Museum
Allow time for the Iberian and Visigothic rooms, which are unique to Spain.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
- Kids
Experience · Parque del Oeste
Teleférico cable car
Ride out late afternoon for the light on the city skyline, and pair it with the Temple of Debod nearby.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Views
- Outdoors
Religious site · Sol
Monastery of las Descalzas Reales
Tours are small and often in Spanish; book in advance through Patrimonio Nacional.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
Architecture · Paseo del Prado
CaixaForum Madrid
Pass by on the way between the Prado and the Reina Sofía; the vertical garden is free to see.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Art
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- The Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen each have free-entry periods; check the museums' sites and expect queues.
- Eat the weekday menú del día at lunch for a three-course meal at a fraction of dinner prices.
- A 10-trip ticket on a transport card costs much less per ride than single tickets.
- The Retiro, Madrid Río, Temple of Debod, San Antonio de la Florida and El Rastro are free.
- August is often the lowest-priced month for hotels, though it is very hot and some restaurants close.
- Avoid restaurants with touts and picture menus around Plaza Mayor and Sol.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Madrid expensive to visit?
Madrid is moderately priced for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Madrid?
Retiro Park: Rent a rowing boat on the Estanque Grande in the late afternoon, when the heat eases.