Are you visiting Madrid on a Budget and wondering what are the best + cheap things to do in Madrid? You have come to the right place. In this post, you will find tons of cost-saving tips and advice for your stay in Madrid.
Madrid was our first glimpse into Spain’s diverse and colorful culture. When we came out of the metro station, exiting directly onto Plaza del Sol, we knew immediately that we were in a city that’s so charming, we’d have to return again, and again, and again.
Unlike some of Spain’s other hotspots, like Barcelona, Madrid didn’t have the hectic vibe of a big city-which made us feel safe and comfortable asking for directions from the locals. As students studying abroad at the time, we loved how budget-friendly the food and attractions were.
Madrid also became our hub when traveling to different cities within Spain and to different countries because of how easy it was to navigate the metro and get to the airport. We traveled to Madrid most weekends because it felt like a little piece of home and offered us everything we needed: great food, shopping, art, a fun nightlife, and beautiful views. Before living in Spain, we often pictured the country filled with flamenco dancers, sangria, and stunning palaces dating back to the famous Kings and Queens of centuries past.
Without further ado, read below to understand why Madrid will always be one of our favorite cities and why you should add it to your Europe bucket list.
Best places to stay in Madrid on a budget
If you’re looking for a cheap place to stay in the heart of the city, check out the Mola! hostel. Just a 3-minute walk from Puerta del Sol, it’s in the center of the city, which is always bustling with people and entertainers.
You can easily catch a train at the Sol station if you’re looking for a quick way to get from point A to point B, or you can stroll down the streets in search of tapas and a glass of wine.
The hostel hosts young people from around the world and offers a continental breakfast for a great price in the mornings, which can be an easy and affordable start to the day.
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the best things to do in Madrid on a budget
The Best Place to Relax in Madrid:
Retiro Park is probably on every must-see list of Madrid, but that’s for a good reason. We visited this park countless times during our two semesters in Spain and managed to see something new every time. The park is massive, and you could spend an entire day paddling a boat around the lake, strolling through the gardens, or just people watching.
Pick any path and you’re sure to find statues, flowers, or musicians practicing their craft, which makes for some amazing, free entertainment. It’s a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a short time. We also recommend grabbing a blanket and a picnic to really embrace the Spanish pace of life for a few hours. Note: You might want to take a Spanish Siesta afterwards.
The Best Places to Shop on a budget in Madrid:
Primark is by far the go-to place to find inexpensive but very stylish clothing in Madrid. And when we say this store has everything, we mean it has EVERYTHING. You could spend hours exploring the five floors of one of Europe’s most popular department store chains.
The store, located on Gran Via, opened in 2017 and the madhouse of people waiting to go inside was incredible. The shopping experience can be a little overwhelming, but definitely worth it for the deals.
If you love local goods and the energy of a flea market, El Rastro is a must. We were told by several locals that it is quite the experience…and they were right.
Every Sunday from 9am to 3pm, vendors line the streets along Plaza de Cascorro and Calle Ribera de Curtidores to sell trinkets and souvenirs that make great gifts. The streets get overcrowded quickly, so we recommend getting there early.
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The Best City Views of Madrid
The Cibeles Palace
The Cibeles Palace didn’t disappoint, although it wasn’t constructed until the early 1900s. It’s conveniently located just across the street from Retiro park, so you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city after a relaxing day at the park.
For just a few euros, you can go to the top for a spectacular view of the city. It’s closed on Mondays, so make sure to factor that into your plans. Like most big-city viewpoints, it’s quite popular and has set times for viewing, so get your tickets in advance.
The Templo de Debod
The Templo de Debod is another Instagram-worthy sunset spot. It was a gift from the Egyptian government to the city of Madrid in the 20th century and was rebuilt stone by stone where it now stands.
Small groups can enter the temple at one time, but the real place to be is right across from the statue. During the day, you can see the city behind it, but at night, the lights turn on, and it’s like nothing else exists.
On one of our last days in the city, we decided to watch the sunset behind the Templo. But we mistimed sunset and ended up sprinting through the streets of Madrid to make it to the Templo and see the view we’d heard so much about. The view was worth all the cardio we did to make it on time.
El Corte Ingles
El Corte Ingles is another very popular store chain seen throughout Spain – has all of your shopping needs. But what makes this location on Calle del Carmen so special is that it has a rooftop bar on the 9th floor where you can enjoy full city views and a variety of tapas and drinks. You wouldn’t typically think of a bar on the roof of a shopping mall!
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Best Art Experiences
Museo Nacional del Prado (The Prado Museum)
After learning about famous Spanish paintings – like “Las Meninas” – throughout our college classes, it was surreal to go to the Prado and see art by Goya and Velazquez in real life. The art museum can be very overwhelming and holds over 1,000 paintings and sculptures.
The museum is so huge that it’s honestly easy to get lost, so stick close to your friends! To really take in the pieces, try covering your favorite sections as opposed to tackling the whole museum. You truly need more than one day to carefully see the whole museum.
Madrid’s Broadway Scene
What was most surprising to us is that Madrid has a very vibrant Broadway scene. We were lucky enough to see “El Rey Leon” (the Lion King) which was absolutely breathtaking.
It was incredible to see how the cast was able to become the animals. The show continues to attract people from all over the world and has record-breaking performances. Check it out at Lope de Vega Theatre on Gran Via!
madrid’s street art
Madrid is also filled with a ton of street art. Some of our favorite memories while exploring the city, was finding one-of-a-kind pieces by local artists. It was a great opportunity to practice our Spanish and get to hear about the artist’s stories.
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best places to eat in Madrid on a budget
El Tigre
You haven’t experienced Madrid without carving out an evening to pop into El Tigre. It’s a little hole-in-the-wall tapas bar, but for 10 euro you get a giant drink and endless tapas.
The place is usually packed, so be prepared to hunt for a seat, but standing and observing kind of adds to the unique ambiance of the restaurant. The waiters are a bit sassy, and you never know what plate of food they’ll bring out next, a bocadillo or maybe patatas bravas, but it’s all delicious.
We highly recommend trying the Calimocho, a mix of wine and coke or a Tinto De Verano, a mixture of red wine and a fruity soft drink. This is the perfect way to start an evening out in Madrid!
The Good Burger
The Good Burger is basically the Spanish equivalent of In-n-Out. It’s just a burger shop, so why is it so delicious that we keep coming back every time we visit the city? They’re scattered all over Madrid, and they stay open late, so this is the perfect place to grab a casual bite for dinner or to refuel after a long night out.
The San Miguel Market
The San Miguel Market should be on every Madrid itinerary. It’s an indoor food market open for lunch and dinner every day of the week and is the perfect place to grab a few samples of authentic Spanish cuisine.
Spend some time wandering up and down the aisles and get lost among the bright colors, delicious smells and the sounds of Spaniards chatting and purchasing food for the week.
Looking to stock up on food and cook for yourself? You can find any kind of meat or seafood you might be looking for, as well as fruits, veggies, olives, or anything else your heart may desire.
Hoping to gather some food for a picnic or sit down at one of the tables to eat? You can find a vast array of bocadillos, pastries, ice cream and so much more.
Fun Fact: We spent eight months living with Spanish families, and one thing we really loved about Spanish life is the laid back pace. Unlike Americans, who love a one-stop-shop, Spaniards don’t mind taking the time to find fresh food at the Mercados. You won’t find a more authentic Spanish food experience than the San Miguel Market.
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Best Nightlife in Madrid
You’ll find no shortage of nightlife in Madrid. The Spaniards know how to party, so whether you’re looking for a bar to spend a casual evening catching up with friends, a sports bar to watch the game or a club, you’ll have no issues finding the perfect spot.
One of our favorite clubs is Teatro Kapital, a 7-story nightclub in the heart of the city. Entry and drinks aren’t cheap, but the atmosphere and entertainment make it worth it. You never know what you’ll find at Kapital – electric violin concerts, confetti and fog raining down from the ceiling or maybe dancers performing a Cirque du Soleil act.
Standing on the balconies of each floor or down on the main dancefloor, you can hear the main DJ performing, but if you feel like mixing it up, head to any of the floors for a change of pace. Each floor has a room with its own DJ performing, and each floor has its own style of music as well. This is also a really popular spot for locals and visitors alike, so it’s really easy to make new friends from all over the world.
In Conclusion
As the capital of Spain, Madrid is an epitome of history, diversity and Spanish culture that holds its own against Barcelona’s architecture and the Alhambra in Granada. Whether you’re relaxing at Retiro Park or seeing the sites from the top of Cibeles Palace, Madrid offers budget travelers an array of attractions, food and sites that won’t disappoint.
This is a guest post by Caroline and Lexa from the blog Sippin’ Sangria
Authors’ Bio: Caroline and Lexa are the voices behind Sippin’ Sangria. They met during their semester abroad in Spain where their travel plans and blog were hatched over a pitcher of sangria, and they’ve been travel buddies ever since. They continue to travel internationally, as well as exploring their home base of Indianapolis. You can follow their adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
