15 Best Things to Do in Madrid for Free
Despite the fact that Madrid is Spain’s capital city, there are seemingly endless free things to do. In fact, you could probably fill up an entire week just exploring Madrid’s free sights!
Having been to Madrid three times now (my sister lives there!), I can say with ease that this is probably one of the best European capitals if you’re looking for free things to do.
Not only that, while accommodation options in Madrid can be expensive, virtually everything else is fairly cheap from food and drinks to entrance tickets.
Whether you’re looking to peruse Spanish masterpieces or stroll through a secret garden, these are the best things to do in Madrid for free.
Best Free Things To Do For…
👶 Families: Rastro Market
❤️ Couples: Palacio de Cristal
✨ Unique: Secret Garden (scroll to see!)
🌳 Outdoor: Casa de Campo
🖼️ Indoor: Museo Reina Sofia
Free Things to Do in Madrid Map
1.) Visit the cities best art museums
One of my favorite things to do in Madrid is visit the city’s art museums. But the best part? They all have free entrance at specific times!
Pop into the Museo Reina Sofia to see the famous Guernica painting by Pablo Picasso or opt for medieval art at the Museo del Prado where Goya reigns supreme. Another favorite is the Sorolla Museum, showcasing his work and the work of family members inside the artist’s home.
Free entrance to the Museo Reina Sofia is from 7:00 PM–9:00 PM on Monday and from Wednesday to Saturday and from 12:30–2:30 PM on Sunday.
Free entrance to the Museo Nacional del Prado is from 6:00 PM–8:00 PM, Monday through Saturday and 5:00–7:00 PM on Sunday and holidays.
Although the Sorolla Museum is currently closed until early 2026, the museum typically has free hours on Saturdays from 2:00-8:00 PM and Sundays from 10:00 AM–3:00 PM.
As you can see, most of the free ticket time is in the evening which also makes this one of the best free things to do in Madrid at night.
At the end of the day, visiting at least one of these museums is an absolute must in my opinion! If going in the evening or on the weekend doesn’t fit into your busy schedule, you can also book tickets during normal hours.
2.) CaixaForum Vertical Garden
You’ve probably seen pictures of this massive wall of plants in the heart of Madrid!
Located at the entrance to the CaixaForum Art Museum, this vertical garden climbs up the city walls. At 78’ tall and composed of 250 different species of plants, this impressive installation uses only recycled water and natural sunlight to support itself.
This is just a quick stop, but makes for a fun photo backdrop. It’s also right in the heart of Madrid so it’s an easy detour from most of the city’s popular sites.
3.) Parque El Retiro
Madrid has an endless supply of parks, but the one I find myself coming back to every time I’m visiting is Parque El Retiro (or simply Retiro)!
One of the largest parks in Madrid, it once belonged to the Spanish Monarchy. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a beautiful place to find a quiet respite in nature, away from the hustle and bustle.
One of my favorite sections of the park is the chess area. You’ll find a small hut where you can grab chess pieces and play on the boards outside. It’s not far from the Palacio de Cristal — another beautiful corner of Retiro.
4.) Palacio de Cristal
Located inside El Retiro, the Palacio de Cristal or Crystal Palace is an atrium built almost completely of iron and glass. Opened in 1887, this architectural homage to light hosts regular art installations in collaboration with the Reina Sofia, making it an even more interesting visit.
This is one of those magical places that you can’t help but fall in love with. It’s also a great sight to seek out whether you’re visiting Madrid in winter or summer.
A limited number of people are allowed in at a time, so it never feels too crowded. Keep in mind that this can mean that the line to get in is long during peak visiting hours but it moves quickly!
5.) Rastro Market
Held every Sunday from 8:00 AM—3:00 PM, the Rastro Market is a must if you happen to be in the city for it!
This open-air flea market is sandwiched between the Lavapies and La Latina neighborhoods, cascading down one of Madrid’s hills towards the Atocha train station.
One of the best free things to do in Madrid, you can find everything here from colorful, traditional ceramics, to jewelry, and antiques. As a collector of little trinkets, it was so much fun sifting through everything. I highly recommend venturing off the main street (Calle de la Ribera de Curtidores).
Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, the people watching is sublime.
6.) Watch sunset at Templo Debod
A real-deal slice of ancient history in the heart of Madrid, the Templo Debod was donated to the city by Egypt and happens to double as the perfect sunset spot.
Originally built in the 2nd century, it was moved to Madrid in 1968 as a gift for Spain’s help in restoring Egypt’s Nubian temples. The temple is surrounded by water and reflects the colors of the sky, another reason why it’s such a sought after place to watch the sunset.
Templo Debod also happens to be just steps away from the Plaza de España which makes for another fun free thing to do in Madrid.
I also love combining a visit to Templo Debod with exploring the Malasana neighborhood. Take a stroll down Calle de Nocividad and grab empanadas from Graciana before or after for an impromptu picnic.
7.) Casa de Campo
The largest park in Madrid at a whopping 4,257 acres, Casa de Campo is one of my favorite green spaces in the entire city.
You’ll find miles upon miles of walking and biking trails that are great for getting out in nature and away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
One of my favorite corners of the park is the Lago de la Casa de Campo, a huge lake near the entrance to the park. Cafes and restaurants are situated around its shoreline and make for the perfect spot to enjoy a cafe con leche or a glass of wine on a sunny day.
You can reach Casa de Campo via one of several different metro stops, depending on what section of the park you want to go to, but Lago is the station that most people use.
8.) Explore a secret garden
I initially felt hesitant to include this location because it’s one of my favorite secret hideaways in Madrid, but I knew I couldn’t gatekeep this gorgeous little nook!
The Jardin del Principe de Anglona was once the private garden of — you guessed it — the Prince of Anglona, but today it’s a quiet corner in the middle of the city. Added to the estate in the 18th century, these perfectly manicured gardens were designed by Nicolas Chalmandrier, a French landscape architect.
You’ll find stone paths, rose-covered pergolas, and a burbling fountain at its core, all hidden behind a towering brick wall.
Afterwards, grab a drink at one of the terrace cafes just outside the entrance to the gardens, or get coffee from the to go window at Cafe del Monaguillo.
9.) Stroll through the Plaza Mayor
The most important (and famous) plaza in the city, the Plaza Mayor is a must-see sight for first-timers in Madrid. Lined by traditional Castilian-Baroque buildings and pretty terraces, this sight is steeped in history and has existed since the 15th century.
As the beating heart of the city and one of its oldest corners, it will come as no surprise that this is easily the most touristy area of town.
That being said, it’s worth strolling around at least once. I particularly love coming at night, when it’s a little quieter, and grabbing churros con chocolate from the legendary Chocolatería San Gines, just around the corner.
10.) Go inside the Almudena Cathedral
The seat of the Archdiocese of Madrid, the Catedral Almudena is the city’s largest cathedral and took over 100 years to finish, being officially consecrated in 1993.
Considering how grand and opulent this cathedral is, thanks to its proximity to the Royal Palace, it’s amazing that entrance is free for visitors.
I also think this happens to be the most beautiful religious site in Madrid with its colorful nave ceiling and stark white exterior.
11.) Check out Spain’s busiest plaza at Gran Via
Another of Madrid’s most touristic sites, Gran Via is the city’s most bustling shopping street. You’ll find everything from luxury stores like Louis Vuitton and Cartier to Zara and Sephora, which means that there’s a little something for every shopaholic.
I liken Gran Via to the Champs-Elysees in Paris. It’s one of those things that’s just kind of fun to do and connects important landmarks throughout the city, stretching about a mile from Puerta de Alcala to the Plaza de España.
12.) See giant legs of jamon at Mercado San Miguel
Madrid’s most popular covered food market, the Mercado San Miguel has been serving the historic core of the city since 1916.
Step inside to reveal butchers carving Spain’s iconic foodie delight, jamón, straight from the leg, and other culinary delights like Spanish cheese and delicious tapas.
While technically the Mercado San Miguel is a free thing to do in Madrid, you probably won’t be able to resist grabbing a cone of that mouthwatering jamon.
If you’d rather skip the crowds, another great alternative is the Mercado San Fernando in the Lavapies neighborhood or the Mercado de San Anton in the Chueca neighborhood.
13.) Check out the Biblioteca Escuelas Pias San Fernando
Biblioteca Escuelas Pias San Fernando is one of Madrid’s most impressive libraries.
The library is built inside the ruins of the former church and hermitage, destroyed during the Spanish Civil War.
The only catch for visiting the inside of the library is that you’ll actually need to be utilizing the library or working. Maximum capacity is also just 10 people at a time which makes it a little difficult to secure a spot.
Although we were never able to work inside due to restrictions, it was still incredible just to see the library from the outside. It also happens to be next to one of my favorite, uber-traditional cafes in Madrid, Restaurante Peyma.
14.) Learn more about Madrid’s history at the Museo de Historia
For history buffs, there’s no better free activity in Madrid than learning more about the city’s long and storied past at the Museo de Historia.
Tucked in the Chueca neighborhood, you’ll learn about the history of Madrid from the 16th century to modern day, exploring both temporary and permanent exhibitions chock full of artifacts like paintings, pottery, maps, and photographs.
Hours are from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Monday and from Wednesday to Sunday.
15.) Visit the Royal Palace and Sabatini Gardens
Did you know that Madrid is home to the largest royal palace in Europe? Even better — you can visit for free!
Also the official residence for Spain’s royal family, the Royal Palace of Madrid has 3,418 different rooms. Constructed in 1735 on top of a Moorish fortress (a common theme in Spain), visitors are treated to giant frescoes to the Royal Pharmacy and Armory.
Likewise, the Sabatini Gardens just outside the palace are also free to visit. Added in the 1930’s, this fairly recent addition also makes for a great sunset spot.
Similar to Madrid’s art museums, free visiting hours are in the evenings. During the summer you can book free tickets from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, while winter hours are from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.
FAQ’s About Free Things in Madrid
Are all museums in Madrid free?
No, unfortunately not every museum in Madrid has free hours, but many do! Some of the best free museums in Madrid are the Prado and Reina Sofia art museums and the Museo de Historia which explores the city’s history.
Is Madrid cheap to visit?
In my opinion, Madrid is a fairly inexpensive capital to visit by Western European standards. From mouthwatering tapas and local wine to transportation, most everyday costs in the city are cheap. Typically the biggest expense is accommodation which can definitely be pricey.
What are the best free things to do in Madrid at night?
My favorite free things to do at night in Madrid are visiting the Museo Reina Sofia, watching the sunset from Temple Debod, and strolling through the Plaza Mayor on my way to get churros at Chocolateria San Gines. 😋
What are the best free things to do in Madrid with kids?
One of the best things to do in Madrid with kids for free is visiting Retiro Park (Parque El Retiro). There are so many beautiful corners to explore that children will love, including playgrounds, rose gardens, and the lake, where you can rent paddle boats.
Final Thoughts
After collecting this list of the free things to do in Madrid, I still can’t believe how many amazing activities you can do without spending a dime.
And there are even more free things to do that I didn’t even cover, like visiting Cervantes home!
I truly think that Madrid is one of the best European capitals for discovering on a budget and this list is proof. Let me know if there’s something I missed in the comments down below.
