Free things to do in Madrid
Madrid is easy on the wallet. Here are 21 things you can do for free, from the city's most famous sights to museums with free entry once a month, plus the squares where locals spend the evening.
Last updated: 20 October 2026
Free sights
Sol & Gran VíaPhoto: Matt Joseph · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
Puerta del Sol (Kilometre Zero, Bear and Strawberry Tree)
Always open
Madrid's central square, with Kilometre Zero, the Bear and Strawberry Tree statue and the Casa de Correos clock.
Sol & Gran VíaPhoto: Felipe Gabaldón · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia
_1.jpg){kind=link}
Gran Vía
Always open
Madrid's grand boulevard of early 20th-century façades, theatres, cinemas and shops, from Alcalá to Plaza de España.
Austrias & Royal PalacePhoto: Jorge Franganillo · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia
.jpg){kind=link}
Plaza Mayor
Always open
The 17th-century arcaded square of the Habsburg city, with the Casa de la Panadería frescoes and the King Philip III statue.
Austrias & Royal PalacePhoto: Fernando · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
Mercado de San Miguel
Sun–Thu 10:00–24:00, Fri–Sat 10:00–01:00
A cast-iron 1916 market hall turned gourmet tapas market, with stalls of ham, oysters, pintxos and wine.
Austrias & Royal PalacePhoto: Fernando · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
Almudena Cathedral
Daily 10:00–20:30 (Sep–Jun); museum and dome Mon–Sat 10:00–14:30
Madrid's neo-Gothic cathedral facing the Royal Palace, with a colourful modern interior and a dome terrace.
Austrias & Royal PalacePhoto: Sammy pompon · CC0 · Wikimedia
Plaza de Oriente
Always open
An elegant garden square between the Royal Palace and the Teatro Real, lined with statues of Spanish kings.
Huertas & Paseo del ArtePhoto: Jorge Láscar · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia
_01.jpg){kind=link}
Barrio de las Letras (Huertas)
Always open
The old literary quarter where Cervantes and Lope de Vega lived, with quotes set in the pavement and lively tapas bars.
Huertas & Paseo del ArtePhoto: Miguel Diaz from Boadilla del Monte, España-Spain · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia
_(14203354114).jpg){kind=link}
Plaza de Cibeles & CentroCentro (Palacio de Cibeles)
Square always open; CentroCentro viewpoint Tue–Sun
Madrid's emblematic fountain square, facing the Palacio de Cibeles with its rooftop viewpoint over the city.
Retiro & SalamancaPhoto: Max Alexander / PromoMadrid · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia
Retiro Park (lake, Crystal Palace)
Daily 06:00–22:00 (Oct–Mar)
The great city park, with a rowing lake, the glass Crystal Palace, rose garden and shaded promenades.
Retiro & SalamancaPhoto: Fernando Pascullo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
Puerta de Alcalá
Always open (exterior)
The 18th-century neoclassical triumphal gate on Plaza de la Independencia, next to the Retiro Park entrance.
La Latina & LavapiésPhoto: Msoltanolkotabii · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
El Rastro flea market (Sundays)
Sundays and public holidays 09:00–15:00
Madrid's open-air flea market and antiques streets, every Sunday morning around Calle Ribera de Curtidores.
La Latina & LavapiésPhoto: Fen Labalme from Pittsburgh, US · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia
.jpg){kind=link}
La Latina & Cava Baja
Always open (bars from lunchtime, busiest Sun midday and evenings)
The old tapas quarter around Cava Baja and Plaza de la Paja, packed with bars and taverns.
Malasaña & ChuecaPhoto: Tejiendo Malasaña · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia
.jpg){kind=link}
Malasaña
Always open
The hip, bohemian quarter around Plaza del Dos de Mayo, full of vintage shops, cafés and street art.
Plaza de España & Casa de CampoPhoto: Matt Joseph · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
Temple of Debod
Tue–Sun 10:00–20:00 (16 Sep–14 Jun); grounds open all day
An authentic 2nd-century BC Egyptian temple, moved stone by stone to a park with sunset views over Madrid.
Plaza de España & Casa de CampoPhoto: Carlos Delgado · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia
Plaza de España
Always open
A large square with the Cervantes monument, flanked by the Edificio España and Torre de Madrid skyscrapers.
Austrias & Royal PalacePhoto: Antonio.velez · CC BY-SA 3.0 es · Wikimedia
Campo del Moro Gardens
Daily 10:00–18:00 (Oct–Mar); 10:00–20:00 (Apr–Sep)
Landscaped royal gardens below the Royal Palace, with peacocks, fountains and a view of the palace from the Manzanares side.
Plaza de España & Casa de CampoPhoto: J.L. de Diego · Public domain · Wikimedia
San Antonio de la Florida (Goya's frescoes)
Tue–Sun 09:30–20:00 (summer 15 Jun–15 Sep 09:30–14:00 and 15:00–19:00); closed Mon
The small chapel whose dome Goya painted in 1798, where he is also buried; free to enter.
La Latina & LavapiésPhoto: AlesKubr2 · Public domain · Wikimedia
Matadero Madrid
Open-air site daily 09:00–22:00; individual venues vary
A brick slaughterhouse complex turned into a contemporary arts centre, with exhibitions, a cinema and a weekend market.
Malasaña & ChuecaPhoto: Fred Romero from Paris, France · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia
.jpg){kind=link}
Madrid History Museum
Tue–Sun 10:00–20:00 (summer 15 Jun–15 Sep to 19:00); closed Mon
The city's story in maps, models and paintings, behind a baroque doorway on Fuencarral; free to enter.
Malasaña & ChuecaPhoto: Luis García (Zaqarbal) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia
_01.jpg){kind=link}
Calle Fuencarral
Street always open; shops usually Mon–Sat about 10:00–21:00
The pedestrian stretch toward Glorieta de Bilbao is the main street for young fashion, vintage and design shops.
Retiro & SalamancaPhoto: Ricardo Ricote Rodrí… · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia
Calle Serrano (Golden Mile)
Street always open; shops usually Mon–Sat about 10:00–20:30
The axis of the Salamanca district's Golden Mile, lined with Spanish and international luxury brands.
Markets to browse
Free to wander around; see the full guide for days and times.
More ways to save
Sundays, Mondays and August
- Many restaurants close Sunday evening and/or Monday; check the closing day before you plan a dinner
- Small shops often close 14:00–17:00 (the old siesta hours) and on Sundays; department stores like El Corte Inglés and the big shopping streets stay open
- In August some family-run restaurants and shops close for two to four weeks; the city is quieter and hot
Plan your trip → Put these places in a day plan with walking times.
More guides
- Things to do in Madrid
- The neighbourhoods of Madrid
- Shopping in Madrid
- Hidden gems in Madrid
- Delicatessen in Madrid
- Souvenirs from Madrid
- What to do in Madrid when it rains
- Which museums are open today in Madrid?
- What's open on Sunday in Madrid
- Opening hours of the attractions in Madrid
- Public holidays in Madrid
- Which clubs are open tonight in Madrid?
- Madrid with kids
- Parking in Madrid
- Free & cheap parking in Madrid
- Where to eat near Puerta del Sol
- Where to eat near Plaza Mayor
- Where to eat near the Royal Palace
- Where to eat near the Prado Museum