Madrid is one of the most popular cities in Europe. But you don’t have to spend money on tickets to admire its masterpieces. Here’s an overview of places in the Spanish capital you can enjoy for free.
Free days at museums
Prado: Monday to Saturday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Sundays and holidays from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Queen Sofía Museum: Monday to Saturday (except Tuesday) from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and on Sundays and holidays (April 18, May 18, October 12, and December 6) from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM.
The museum’s branches in Retiro Park, the Velázquez Palace, and the Crystal Palace are also free.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: Mondays; Saturdays from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Royal Palace: Monday to Thursday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Entry to the Campo del Moro gardens is free.
The changing of the guard occurs at the Prince’s Gate every Wednesday and Saturday (except July, August, and September, state ceremony days, and during unfavorable weather) from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. From June 17 to September 15, it’s from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The formal changing of the guard takes place every first Wednesday of the month at 12:00 PM (except January, August, and September, official event days, and days with unfavorable weather conditions).
El Pardo Royal Palace (Palacio Real de El Pardo): Wednesday and Sunday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM (last entry at 6:00 PM).
Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando (Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando): Wednesdays, May 18, October 12, December 6.
Costume Museum (Museo del Traje): Saturdays from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM; Sundays and holidays (April 18, May 18, October 12, December 6) from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Temporary exhibitions are free.
Museum of America (Museo de América): Thursdays and Sundays all day.
Lázaro Galdiano Museum (Museo Lázaro Galdiano): Tuesday to Friday from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
Museum of Romanticism (Museo del Romanticismo): Saturdays after 2:00 PM; Sundays and holidays (April 18, May 18, October 12, December 6) from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
National Museum of Decorative Arts (Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas): Thursday and Sunday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM; Saturday from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Entry to temporary exhibitions is free.
Cerralbo Museum (Museo Cerralbo): Thursdays from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM; Sundays and holidays (April 18, May 18, October 12, and December 6) from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Joaquín Sorolla House Museum (Museo Sorolla): Saturday from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM (last entry at 7:45 PM); Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Public Art Museum (Museo Arte Público) is located under the Enrique del la Mata Gorostizaga Bridge (Paseo de la Castellana, 40). It is free. Seventeen sculptures are displayed outdoors.
Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo) in the Conde Duque Barracks building: free entry.
Saint Isidore Museum. Origin of Madrid (Museo de San Isidro): free entry.
Historical Museum of Madrid (Museo de Historia de Madrid): Tuesday to Sunday and holidays from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Naval Museum (Museo Naval): Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (in December until 8:00 PM, in August until 3:00 PM).
ABC Drawing and Illustration Museum (Museo ABC de dibujo e ilustración): free entry Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM, closed Sunday and Monday.
Lope de Vega House Museum (Casa-Museo de Lope de Vega): free entry Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Admission to the museum is exclusively in groups every 30 minutes. The visit lasts approximately 35 minutes. Prior reservation is required.
National Library of Spain Museum (Museo de la Biblioteca Nacional de España): free entry Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Old vestibule of the Pacifico Station (Antiguo vestíbulo de la Estación de Pacífico): one day a month, usually the second or third Saturday of the month, depending on requests and availability.
The «Andén Cero» Chamberí Station on Chamberí Square (Andén Cero Estación de Chamberí): free tours by appointment. Friday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM; Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM; Sunday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
The puppet theater in Retiro Park (Teatro de Títeres del Parque de El Retiro) offers free performances almost every Saturday and Sunday.
Free entry to monasteries and cathedrals
Chapel of San Antonio de la Florida (Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida): Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM. In summer — Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM and from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM.
Almudena Cathedral (Catedral de la Almudena). September – June: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. In July and August: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Monastery of the Descalzas Reales (Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales): May 18 and October 12.
Monastery of Encarnación (Real Monasterio de la Encarnación): May 18 and October 12.
Temple of Debod (Templo de Debod) and its gardens: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, in summer until 7:00 PM.
Free gardens and parks in Madrid
Relax in the city’s parks and gardens without spending a cent.
- Retiro Park (Parque del Buen Retiro)
- Sabatini Gardens (Jardines de Sabatini)
- Campo del Moro Park (Campo del Moro)
- El Capricho Park (Parque de El Capricho)
- Casa de Campo Park (Casa de Campo)
- Gardens of Plaza de Oriente (Jardines de la Plaza de Oriente)
- Gardens of Plaza de España (Jardines Plaza de España)
- Las Vistillas Gardens (Jardín de las Vistillas)
