Madrid Bucket List: 10 FREE Things To Do In The City Last Updated: June 10, 2021

Madrid is a city very close to my heart and my Madrid Bucket List is long. After having spent one and a half years living there, I am convinced this is one place I want to go back to at some point in my life. 

There is something so magnetic about this city that it is hard to get over it.  I can go on talking about my love for Madrid but let’s get to the point!

While there are plenty of things to do in Madrid for all age groups, I am listing down 10 things that you must definitely add to your Madrid Bucket List.

People usually ask me how many days are required to explore Madrid. I would say a minimum of 3 days to soak in the vibe and 5 days if you want to cover a couple of day trips around Madrid.

From parks to museums to rooftops to clubs, Madrid has something to offer everyone!

1. El Retiro Park

El Retiro Park is one place where you can spend one entire day strolling or picnicking with your folks. Besides the park entry, There are a few attractions inside the park which are free to visit too like the Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace), La Rosaleda (Rose Garden), and Casita del Pescador (resembles a Doll House). You can spend a relaxing day by the lake inside the park as well. If you end up staying there till the evening, then I would recommend grabbing a drink at a rooftop inside the park. You won’t regret it.

2. Puerta Del Sol

Puerta del Sol is another attraction in the Madrid ‘Centro’. It is a buzzing public square with a couple of iconic statues surrounding shops and government buildings. It is usually a meeting point for tour guides. There are several other attractions within walking distance from the square. Continue reading to know what they are!

3. Plaza Mayor

Less than five minutes away by walk from Puerta del Sol lies Plaza Mayor which is yet another popular attraction of Madrid and one of my favorite places in the city! Right from Easter parades to Christmas markets, this public square celebrates everything! It was once considered as THE center of Old Madrid and nowadays it is usually as a public space for events. The corners of Plaza Mayor have restaurants and shops that attract a lot of tourists. Goes without saying, the prices are higher than usual in these places so better watch out for that.

4. Gran Via

Gran Via is a street that resembles the Times Square of New York City. It is a shopper’s paradise with several brands like Zara, Primark, and the like. There are several lanes connecting to Gran Via that also have shops and restaurants. One of the lanes leads to Puerta del Sol. This street is by far Madrid’s most buzzing street in my opinion. It also leads to several other attractions like Plaza de Cibeles, Plaza de Espana and Calle de Alcalá.

5. The Royal Palace of Madrid (free entry with certain rules)

The Royal Palace of Madrid is where all the Spanish royalty lies. It is home to the Spanish Royal Family and is the largest functioning Royal palace in Europe. It is free for children under the age of 5 anyway but there are only two days in the year when it is free for people from all nationalities – 18th May (International Museum Day) and 12th October (Spanish National Holiday). You can read more about the free entry rules here.
 

6. Temple of Debod

Temple of Debod is an Egyptian temple that was dismantled and rebuilt in Madrid’s Cuartel de la Montana Park. The entry to visit the Temple is free but it is open for tourists only during certain hours and there is usually a long queue to visit it. You can still click photos from outside the temple and chase the sunsets from the park where it is located. The panoramic views from the park are mesmerizing and sunsets are the best time to be there.

7. Anden 0

Not a lot is spoken about Anden 0 but I found this place really cool and definitely recommend adding to your Madrid Bucket List! It is an underground metro station that is now turned into a museum. It has ancient architecture and takes you through the transport history of Madrid. There are three parts to this place that have historical value – The Pacifico Power Plant, the ticket hall, and the Chamberi metro station. There is no entry fee to visit the museum.

8. Rooftop in Downtown Madrid’s El Corte Ingles (FREE entry)

Usually, rooftops in Madrid charge an entry fee which includes a drink but there is one particular place where you can enjoy some amazing rooftop views of the city for free! El Corte Ingles is one of the biggest departmental stores in Europe. One of their shops is in Downtown Madrid by Gran Via. This is where you can go all the way to their top floor and enjoy a drink at their rooftop bar without paying for entry. Sunset would be a good time to do that! Thank me later 😉

9. Museo del Prado (Prado Museum)

If you are into museums, then I would highly recommend visiting this one. It has free entry on all days but only for a few hours. Of course, you need to get there early because all free things come at a cost – TIME. There will be long queues and you don’t want to miss the free hours waiting in line so get there sooner! This museum is all about Spanish art and apparently, it is one of the most visited museums in the world. You can check the free entry rules here.

10. Casa de Campo

The Casa de Campo is the largest public park situated a little far from the main attractions of Madrid. If you want to be away from crowded places then you must add this to your Madrid Bucket List. It has a countryside feel to it and just like El Retiro, it also has a lake. The park is great for biking, trekking or simply enjoying different panoramic views of Madrid. A great place for a picnic too! Entry is free.
 

These are my top 10 recommendations for FREE things to do in Madrid.
 

Have you ticked off everything from this Madrid Bucket List yet? Do you have any other suggestions to add to the list? Let me know in the comments below!