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21 cool free things to do in Madrid

These are the top unique things to do while visiting Madrid, Spain as a tourist for 2 days, at any time of year

Madrid is the perfect European capital for a quick city break, and the best thing is it’s got loads to offer for tourists on any sort of budget, if you know where to look.

Lots of visitors to Madrid looking for what to do in the city often take a day trip to the nearby historical site of Toledo, which is undoubtedly a highly recommended visit for anyone coming to Spain.

But the truth is there’s plenty to do within Madrid without having to leave the city centre. And it won’t break the bank either!

These are the top 21 things you can do and see in Madrid without spending a penny:

1. Visit the Templo de Debod Egyptian temple

Image: Ayuntamiento de Madrid

The Templo de Debod is an Egyptian temple located in the middle of a park in Spain. After a short climb up the hill, you can see this unexpected and incongruous monument that was actually gifted to Spain by Egypt in thanks for helping them when they suffered flooding. Sometimes you can even go inside the temple.

Where is the Templo de Debod?

2. See the graffiti at the Tabacalera

Image: latabacalera.net

The Tabacalera is an old tobacco factory in Embajadores that was converted into a cultural centre. In the basement, there is loads of graffiti which is updated periodically and which you can just walk in and visit, absolutely free of charge.

Where is the Tabacalera?

3. Go up to the roof of the Casa Encendida

The ‘azotea’ or rooftop of the Casa Encendida cultural centre and art museum is free to visit. They have a bar at the top, a small community vegetable patch and you can look out over (part of) the city.

Where is the Casa Encendida?

4. Take a walk around the Parque del Retiro…

Image: Turismo Madrid

The Retiro park is one of the most famous green spaces in Madrid, right in the city centre. Have a wander around, see the ducks and the turtles in the pond, go under their little waterfall, check out the crystal palace and watch the peddle boats on the lake.

Where is the Parque del Retiro park?

5. …and the Parque del Oeste

Less known than the Retiro, the West Park is, as the name suggests, located slightly to the west of the city, outside the centre. It is enormous, and leads all the way out of the city into the Casa de Campo countryside. A beautiful, rambling walk broken up by occasional, sudden statues that seem to appear out of nowhere.

Where is the Parque del Oeste park?

6. Wander around Malasaña

Malasaña is the name of a neighbourhood in central Madrid that is renowned for its alternative, hipster vibe. Worth a stroll if you’ve got the time.

Where is Malasaña?

Related story: The alternative urban art route across Spain— Discover 7 amazing murals from artists Alegría del Prado

7. Grab a free lunch at the Hare Krishna Temple

Image: Turismo Madrid

They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but there is one organisation in Madrid that gives out free lunches every Sunday. At the ISKCON Temple in Malasaña, you can enjoy a vegetarian meal of rice and traditional Indian cuisine – what they call Prasadam – if you join in the kirtana singing of the Maha Mantra and listen to a short, no-obligations talk on the Bhagavad Gita. If you’ve never tried chanting Hare Krishna before, go ahead and give it a go: it’s surprisingly addictive and it’s amazing how it brings a smile to your face immediately!

Where is the Hare Krishna Temple in Madrid?

8. Pop in to the sex shops in Chueca

A whole neighbourhood dedicated almost entirely to the LGBTQI+ culture and community, Chueca is one of the most gay friendly places in all of Europe and an enjoyable visit while you’re in the centre of Madrid.

Where is Chueca?

9. Go to the Lavapiés street market

Image: Turismo Madrid

The Rastro is a giant, open-air market held in Madrid’s Lavapiés/Embajadores neighbourhood every Sunday and public bank holiday from 9am to 3pm. You will find all sorts of second-hand goods and antiques, plus hidden treasures of all shapes and sizes.

Where is the Rastro de Madrid market?

10. Find the statue that Galileo helped to design

Image: Ayuntamiento de Madrid

Of Madrid’s hundreds of statues, possibly the most interesting is the one of King Felipe IV on a horse just outside the royal palace that Galileo Galilei advised on. The story goes that the statue, which shows a horse rearing up on its two hind legs, kept falling over, so renowned contemporary scientist Galileo recommended making the back half of a heavier metal, and if you look closely you will see that the back end is disproportionately large in comparison with the head!

Where is the Galileo-designed statue in Madrid?

11. Marvel at the Casa Real royal palace…

Just opposite the Galileo statue is the Palacio Real de Madrid, Spain’s royal palace and the official household of the royal family. Visitors may enter (although that is certainly not free), but it’s also just nice to see from the outside. Not as grand and opulent as other European palaces, mind you.

Where is the Royal Palace of Madrid?

12. …and the cathedral next to it!

You can enter for free in the Almudena cathedral, the church where the royal family celebrates mass on special occasions and which is used for royal weddings and other official functions. Not the most inspiring or awesome of churches, but nice enough.

Where is the Catedral de la Almudena?

13. Admire the ‘Austria’s’ architecture

Image: Turismo Madrid

The Austrias were the previous royal lineage in Spain, before the current Borbones, who took over in 1700. The Reyes de los Austrias have left us with a fascinating and distinctive architectural heritage, typified by red buildings topped with black slate roofs and towers, such as those in the Plaza Mayor and the Plaza de la Villa. Once you know what to look out for, you won’t be able to stop seeing them!

Where are some Austrias buildings?

14. Try to find the fallen angels

Image: Google Maps

In a Catholic country like Spain, or in any country for that matter, it’s not common to find public statues of Lucifer, or the devil. Believe it or not, though, two such monuments to Beelzebub exist in the centre of Madrid, but you would never notice them unless you were looking for them. The more obvious one is the Statue of the Fallen Angel in the Retiro park, but to spot the other one you’ll have to stand on the Calle Mayor, just outside the Mercado de San Miguel, and look up at the corner of the building on number 60 to see the fallen angel smashing head-first to the Earth.

Where is the hidden fallen angel statue?

15. Discover the Chamberí ghost station

Image: Turismo Madrid

The best way to get around Madrid is on the subway, the Metro de Madrid underground system. But did you know there’s an old, abandoned metro station you can visit in Madrid? The Chamberí station has been frozen in time, with publicity and installations still surviving there from around 50 years ago. It’s free to visit, but it’s quite small inside and there’s a limit as to how many people can fit in at any time, so the queue to enter can sometimes get quite long. Be sure to arrive early to avoid the crowds.

Where is the Chamberí ghost station?

16. Take in some classical art at the Prado museum…

One of Madrid’s two great art museums, the Museo del Prado houses some incredible renaissance-era masterpieces from the likes of Goya, Velázquez and Hieronymus Bosch.

Where is the Museo del Prado?

17. …or some modern art at the Reina Sofía

If the old masters aren’t your thing, you can visit the Museo de la Reina Sofía instead, which has modern art from Pablo Picasso and often has impressive photography exhibitions. Between the Prado and the Reina Sofía, you could spend a whole day in Madrid.

Where is the Reina Sofía museum?

18. Have a look at the Cibeles fountain…

Madrid’s Fuente de Cibeles is where Real Madrid fans jump around and get wet to celebrate their victories, although the tradition actually originated with Atlético de Madrid fans.

Where is the Cibeles fountain?

19. …and the Neptuno fountain

Image: Turismo Madrid

If you’re not a Real Madrid fan but prefer Atlético, perhaps you’d be better off going to see the Neptune fountain, which is just a short walk up the road and is where the Atleti fans now celebrate.

Where is the Neptuno fountain?

20. Stroll through the Puerta del Sol

You can’t go to Madrid and not go through the Puerta del Sol, the main pedestrian square in the very centre of the city, and the centre of the country too. Don’t miss the statue of the bear and the ‘strawberry tree’, which is the symbol of the city, and the people wandering around in giant Pikachu costumes.

Where is the Puerta del Sol?

21. Shop on Gran Vía

Image: Turismo Madrid

While you’re in the city centre, a trip to the massive Gran Vía thoroughfare is a must, with its stores, theatres and touristy bars. Even if you don’t buy anything, the Primark building is still worth a look for its massive glass dome.

Where is Gran Vía?

You may also like to read: Best neighbourhoods to live in Madrid

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