Are you wanting to visit Madrid on a budget? Although Madrid is not the cheapest destination, with a bit of planning you can save a lot of money! There are many free things to do in Madrid and I am going to share my absolute favourites!
I managed to have n incredible time in Madrid while on budget and the majority of things I did were completely free!
Check out the best free things to do in Madrid and how to eat and sleep there while on a budget!
Getting To Madrid On A Budget
Cheap Flights To Madrid
Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) is the main airport in Madrid. It is located 12km outside of the city centre. Many budget airlines fly to Madrid, this list includes easyJet, Ryanair, Vueling, Air Europa, TAP, Wizz and Iberia Express.
I like to use a flight comparison site Skyscanner when booking my flights. It allows me to compare airlines, dates and departure times for the best possible price!
Trains To Madrid
The trains in Spain are excellent, high speed, comfortable and in my experience great WiFi! Spain has one of the most advance train networks in Europe, the trains travel at speeds of up to 310 km/h!!
I highly recommend using Omio.com to book your trains while in Europe. The prices tend to be much cheaper when you book in advance! A train ticket that is usually €20 can skyrocket to €100 if you book last minute.
I have had an excellent experience with Ouigo who are a low cost high speed train carrier.
From Barcelona to Madrid it will take approximately 3 hours on a high-speed train. Prices start at €23.
From Seville to Madrid it will take approximately 3 hours on a high-speed train. Prices start at €25.
From Valencia to Madrid it will take approximately 2 hours on a high-speed train. Prices start at €15.
From Malaga to Madrid it will take approximately 2 hours 30 minutes on a high-speed train. Prices start at €26.
From Alicante to Madrid it will take approximately 2 hours 30 minutes on a high-speed train. Prices start at €29.
Buses To Madrid
Buses are not that much cheaper than trains in Spain and it will take much much longer! I use Omio.com to book my bus tickets in Europe.
Depending on your dates you could get a good deal so it is always worth checking!
From Barcelona to Madrid it will take approximately 8 hours. Prices start at €5.
From Seville to Madrid it will take approximately 6 hours 15 minutes. Prices start at €34.
From Malaga to Madrid it will take approximately 6 hours 30 minutes. Prices start at €18.
From Alicante to Madrid it will take approximately 5 hours. Prices start at €26.
Where To Stay In Madrid On A Budget
Latroupe Prado is located only 200m from Atocha Train Station and 12 minute walk to El Retiro Park. The hostel has an onsite restaurant and shared lounge with TV. Rooms are modern and all have a private bathrooms. You have the option of staying in either a 8, 6 or 4 bed dormitory wither all female or mixed, private room are also available. Prices start at €26 per night.
Ok Hostel Madrid is highly reviewed with a score of 8.9 / 10. It is centrally located, only a 9 minute walk from Plaza Mayor. Facilities include a cool shared seating area with bean bags, bar and shared kitchen. Rooms are nice and spacious with desks and private bathroom. Room options range from 6 or 4 bed dormitory either mixed or same sex to private rooms. Prices start at €29 per night.
H-A San Mateo suites offers cosy and modern private rooms with desk, TV and bathroom. It is centrally located, only a 5 minute walk to Tribunal metro station. Prices start at €60 per night.
Free Things To In Madrid
1. El Retiro Park
El Retiro Park is situated in the city centre, it is a green oasis at 118 hectares of green space. There is plenty to see and arguably the most stunning is lake where you can also rent a boat around the pond. Other notable sights in the park are Monument to King Alfonso XII, Palacio de Cristal, Velázquez Palace (art gallery), the fountain of the fallen angel and, my personal favourite a family of tortoises in the pond outside Palacio de Cristal. There is a lot to see here making it an excellent free thing to do in Madrid.
There are a lot of stalls selling ice cream and cafes for lunch but I found them to be quite expensive and not that nice. Therefore, I would recommend trying the cafes/restaurants on the border of the park.
2. Museo Nacional Centro De Arte Reina Sofia
Reina Sofia is a contemporary museum, it houses work by Picasso, Salvador Dali and many others.
Tickets are normally €12 but free entry is granted in the last 2 hours of the opening time.
As the museum is big I would allow yourself the full 2 hours to see everything.
3. Changing of the Gaurds (Madrid Palace)
This takes place every Wednesday and Saturday at 11am and 2pm. On the first Wednesday of every month there is a more elaborate version.
You can view this ceremony from the Princes Door and is a completely free thing to do in Madrid.
4. Temple DeBod
Temple DeBod is a scenic 10 minute walk from the palace, it was moved brick by brick from Egypt and then reassembled in Madrid (kinda cool, right?!).
Admission into the Temple is … you guessed it, completely free!
5. Museo Nacional del Prado
No visit to Madrid is complete without going to this museum. Museo Nacional del Prado is home to one of the largest art collections in the world including work by Velasquez, Goya and El Greco. It is so big I got lost too many times to count.
Regular admission is €15 but if you are a student between 18 & 25 with a valid student ID you can get in for free.
Admission is also free Monday – Saturday between 6pm – 8pm and Sundays/public holidays between 5pm – 7pm.
While you are in the area make sure to check out San Jerónimo el Real, a church with a stunning Gothic design.
Where To Eat On A Budget in Madrid
Eating out in Madrid is reasonably affordable, many pubs offer complimentary tapas when you order drinks so technically you can totally eat for free in Madrid. My favourite tapas place are below, they offer huge portions.
Bar Sidi, C. de Colón, 15, offers a large portion of tapas when you order a drink. It is in the seriously trendy area of Malasaña
Sidreria El Tigre, C. de las Infantas, 23, each time you order one drink for €5 you receive complimentary tapas
Public, C. del Desengaño, 11, cosy Mediterranean restaurant
Puerto Rico, Calle de Chinchilla, 2, delicious homemade food at great prices
Mercado de San Miguel, Pl. de San Miguel, s/n, a popular market where you can find many different types of local food
Another great option to eat on a budget in Madrid is to just grab some jamon and bread from the supermarket and eat al fresco in one of the many parks.
So do not let your shoestring budget put you off visiting Madrid, there are plenty of free things to do that are both cultural and fun!