If, for some reason, you think you can’t visit Spain‘s capital on a budget, think again. From accommodation to restaurants to free museums in Madrid, you don’t need to spend a whole lot of money to enjoy my favorite city.
One big plus is that even internationally famous museums are included on the list of places you can visit in Madrid without breaking the bank, so if you’re an avid culture enthusiast, here are 30 free spots for your bucket list.
Good to know: Most if not all museums offer free entrance on May 18th (International Museum Day) and October 12th (National Day of Spain). They’re also usually closed on certain dates in December and January.
Good to know #2: Last entry is usually 30 minutes before the museums close, so plan your visit accordingly.
*I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables. I share my personal experience and cannot guarantee yours.
*This post may contain affiliate links from which I earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my disclosure and disclaimer. This post may show pop-ups.
Looking for more budget-friendly things to do in Madrid? Book one of these free walking tours!
Highly-rated day tours from Madrid:
1. Segovia and Toledo, must-visit UNESCO cities
2. Alcala de Henares, Miguel de Cervantes’ birthplace
3. El Escorial, one of the top royal sites in Spain
4. Cuenca and the Enchanted City, an intriguing historic city and a unique natural landmark
5. Guadarrama National Park, including the Castle of Manzanares el Real
6. Avila and Salamanca, two more magnificent UNESCO cities
Still haven’t booked your accommodation in Madrid? Check out these highly-rated hotels:
1. Woohoo Rooms Boutique Sol (mid-range)
2. Apartosuites Jardines de Sabatini (mid-range)
3. Oriente Palace Apartments (mid-range/luxury)
4. 7 Islas Hotel (mid-range/luxury)
Museums to Visit in Madrid for Free on Certain Days
Cerralbo Museum
The home of the Marquis of Cerralbo, this palace museum will give you a fascinating peek at the life of an aristocratic family in the late 19th century in Madrid.
Address: Calle Ventura Rodríguez, 17.
Free to visit on: Sundays 10 AM – 3 PM, and Thursdays 5 PM – 8 PM.
Prado Museum
Your Madrid itinerary would not be complete without the Prado, the first of the city’s ‘Golden Triangle of Art.’
With such an impressive collection of Spanish, Italian, and Flemish paintings and sculptures (including works by famous painters like Velazquez, Goya, and El Greco), it’s best to plan your visit in advance.
Seriously, after being there for two hours, I think I only got to see 5% of it, so come prepared.
Address: Calle de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23.
Free to visit on: Monday – Saturday, 6 PM – 8 PM, and Sundays, 5 PM – 7 PM.
Book your ticket if you can’t make it to free-entrance hours: Here.
You can also purchase a combo ticket to the Golden Triangle of Art (Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza).
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Another one of Madrid’s trio of world-class art museums is the Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Boasting a collection of European paintings from the Middle Ages to the late 20th century, here you can admire the works of artists like Monet, Picasso, and Chagall.
Address: Paseo del Prado, 8.
The permanent collection is free to visit on: Mondays, 12 PM – 4 PM.
Book your ticket if you can’t make it to free-entrance hours: Here.
You can also purchase a combo ticket to the Golden Triangle of Art (Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza).
Reina Sofia Museum
To complete your visit to the ‘Golden Triangle of Art,’ head to Reina Sofia (Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía), a must-have on your Madrid itinerary.
This is where you’ll find exquisite Spanish contemporary and modern art from the 20th century, including works by Dalí and Picasso.
Address: Calle de Santa Isabel, 52.
Free to visit on: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 7 PM – 9 PM, and Sunday, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM. Be sure to reserve your free ticket.
Book your ticket if you can’t make it to free-entrance hours: Here.
You can also purchase a combo ticket to the Golden Triangle of Art (Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza).
San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts
Established in the 18th century, the academy houses thousands of works of art from the 15th-20th centuries by cultural icons like El Greco, Sorolla, Goya, and many others.
Address: Calle de Alcalá, 13.
Opening times: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 AM – 3 PM (closed in August).
Free to visit on: Wednesdays.
Book your ticket if you can’t make it to free-entrance hours: Here.
Museum of the Americas
This museum’s collections are dedicated to the archaeology and ethnography of the entire continent of America from Prehistory to the present.
It’s known not only for the unique pieces you can see but also for its beautiful cloister.
Address: Avenida Reyes Católicos, 6.
Free to visit on: Sundays 10 AM – 3 PM, and Thursdays 2 PM – 7 PM.
Museo Del Traje
While it’s not as central as other museums in Madrid, the Museo del Traje is definitely a unique one, showcasing the history of fashion through an amazing collection of clothes from the 16th century to the present day.
Address: Avenida Juan de Herrera, 2.
Free to visit on: Saturdays 2 PM – 7 PM, and Sundays 10 AM – 3 PM.
Museum of Romanticism
Showcasing the everyday life in Madrid during the artistic period of Romanticism, this house museum boasts a collection of 19th-century paintings, sculptures, furniture, and more.
Address: Calle San Mateo, 13.
Free to visit on: Saturdays 2 PM – 6:30 PM/8:30 PM (November to April/May to October), and Sundays 10 AM – 3 PM.
Sorolla Museum
Located in the home and studio of the Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla, this house museum is where you’ll find the biggest collection of his works and some of his personal belongings.
This museum is also known for its picturesque garden, which was designed by Sorolla.
Address: Calle de Santa Isabel, 52.
Free to visit on: Saturdays 2 PM – 8 PM and Sundays 10 AM – 3 PM (last admission is 45 minutes before the museum closes).
Liria Palace
The House of Alba was an important aristocratic Spanish family, and this 18th-century building was its official residence in Madrid.
You can visit this palace museum’s rooms and marvel at the European art collection it houses.
Address: Calle de la Princesa, 20.
Free to visit on: Monday mornings, at the 9:15 AM and 9:45 AM sessions, but you have to reserve your spot in advance online a week ahead.
Book your ticket if you can’t make it to free-entrance hours: Here.
Mncn (National Museum of Natural Sciences)
Many major cities in Europe house a natural science museum, and Madrid is no exception. If you’re looking for free museums in Madrid for both adults and kids, this one is for you.
Address: Calle José Gutierrez Abascal, 2.
Free to visit on: Sundays 5 PM – 8 PM (closed in the afternoon in August).
National Archaeological Museum
Boasting one of the most important antique collections in the world, this 150-year-old museum houses pieces from the Iberian Peninsula, Ancient Greece, Magna Graecia (southern Italy), and Ancient Egypt, from prehistory to the 19th century.
Address: Calle Serrano, 13.
Free admission: Saturdays 2 PM – 8 PM, and Sundays 9:30 AM – 3 PM.
Book your ticket if you can’t make it to free-entrance hours: Here.
Lázaro Galdiano Museum
Lázaro Galdiano was a Spanish businessman, journalist, and avid art collector, and his collection is now showcased in his palatial house.
It includes all kinds of items, from jewelry to ceramics to paintings by Francisco Zurbarán, Goya, and El Greco.
Address: Calle de Serrano, 122.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 9:30 AM – 3 PM.
Free to visit: 2 PM – 3 PM.
National Anthropology Museum
With a collection of thousands of items from all continents, this is the first anthropological museum to be founded in Spain.
Address: Calle Alfonso XII, 68.
Free to visit on: Saturdays 2 PM – 8 PM, Sundays 10 AM – 3 PM.
National Museum of Decorative Arts
One of the oldest and largest museums in Madrid, the National Museum of Decorative Arts mainly focuses on Spanish decorative arts, from glass to textiles to furniture.
Address: Calle de Montalbán, 12.
Free entry: Saturdays 2 PM – 3 PM, Sundays 10 AM – 3 PM, and Thursdays 5 PM – 8 PM (closed in the afternoon in July and August).
Completely Free Museums in Madrid
Matadero Madrid
An old slaughterhouse and cattle market (which doesn’t sound tempting, I know) turned into one of the largest cultural centers in Madrid, the Matadero is located near the Manzares River and hosts exhibitions, performances, workshops, and other events.
Check out the current exhibitions here, and note that most but not all are free to visit. Click on each of them to consult the opening hours and verify that the entrance is free.
Address: Plaza de Legazpi, 8.
Naval Museum
Want to visit a unique museum in Madrid? Get to know Spain’s maritime history through a collection of thousands of items like ship models, medieval European maps of the world, uniforms, flags, and much more.
Address: Paseo del Prado, 3.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 AM – 7 PM (in August, the museum closes at 3 PM).
Geomineral Museum
Do you love science-themed museums? Head to the Geomineral Museum, where you’ll find a huge collection of minerals, rocks, and fossils from Spain.
Address: Calle de Ríos Rosas, 23.
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 9 AM – 2 PM.
House-Museum of Lope de Vega
Lope de Vega was one of the most influential Spanish novelists and playwrights, and his 16th-century house is now a museum.
To visit it, you must book a guided tour (which can be conducted in Spanish, English, or French) in advance via email. Read more about it here.
Address: Calle Cervantes, 11.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 AM – 6 PM.
Espacio Solo
Located right next to Puerta de Alcala, this private museum houses an incredible collection of contemporary art pieces created by more than 175 international artists.
From black and white paintings to the quirkiest, most colorful sculptures, the SOLO Collection is one of the coolest you’ve ever seen.
While the visit is free on all days besides Satuday, it also must be guided, so you need to reserve your spot in advance here. Note that an English tour is only held on Saturday, when the visit isn’t free.
Address: Plaza de la Independencia, 5.
Velazquez Palace
Located in the UNESCO-listed Retiro Park, the Velázquez Palace is a stunning 19th-century pavilion.
Originally built for the International Exhibition of Mining, Metallurgical Arts, Ceramics, Glassware, and Mineral Waters, it now hosts temporary contemporary art exhibitions.
Address: Paseo de Venezuela, 2.
Opening hours: Everyday, April – September at 10 AM – 10 PM, March and October at 10 AM – 7:00 PM, November – February at 10 AM – 6 PM.
La Casa Encendida
Situated in the neighborhood of Lavapies and housed in a neo-Mudejar 20th-century building, this cultural space hosts art exhibitions, performances, workshops, and more.
The exhibitions are completely free to visit, and you can see the current ones here.
You’ll also find an adorable cafe in this center and an open-air bar on the terrace, so there are a lot of reasons to love this place.
Address: Ronda de Valencia, 2.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 AM – 10 PM.
Espacio Fundacion Telefónica
Always hosting the coolest exhibitions, this is an amazing cultural space in Madrid you can visit for free. Check out the latest exhibitions and reserve your spot here.
Address: Calle Fuencarral, 3.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 AM – 8 PM.
Museum of History of Madrid
Housed in a gorgeous Baroque building in the neighborhood of Malasaña, this is the place to learn about Madrid’s history from when it became the capital of Spain in the 16th century to the beginning of the 20th century.
The museum’s collection includes maps, photographs, paintings, postcards, and much more.
Address: Calle Fuencarral, 78.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 AM – 8 PM (7 PM in summer).
Museum of San Isidro
To step back further in time, head to the San Isidro Museum, which will help you learn about the city’s history, from prehistory to the 16th century (when Madrid became the seat of the court of Felipe II).
Address: Plaza de San Andrés, 1.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 AM – 8 PM.
Pantheon of Illustrious Men
An unusual spot in Madrid, this is where you’ll find the sculpted tombs of 13 important Spanish politicians.
Located in the cloister of the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Atocha, the unconventional photogenicity of this place makes up for its bizarreness.
Address: Calle de Julián Gayarre, 3.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 AM – 2 PM & 4 PM – 6:30 PM, and Sunday, 10 AM – 3 PM.
ABC Museum of Drawing and Illustration
Housed in a 19th-century building (that used to be a brewery), this cultural space hosts dozens of events and changing art exhibitions.
Address: Calle Amaniel 29-31.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11 AM – to 2 PM and 4 PM to 8:30 PM (closed in August).
Museum of Contemporary Art
Showcasing the works of contemporary art that Madrid’s City Council has been acquiring since 1980, this is another museum that is always free to visit in Madrid.
Address: Calle Conde Duque, 9.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 10 AM – 2 PM & 3 PM – 8:30 PM, Saturday 10 AM – 2 PM & 3:30 PM – 8:30 PM, and Sunday 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
Museo ICO
Hosting exhibitions related to architecture, the ICO Museums is a small, lesser-known venue located near the famous Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
Address: Calle de Zorrilla, 3.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 11 AM – 8, and Sunday, 10 AM – 2 PM.
Juan March Foundation
Hosting different exhibitions, many of which are dedicated to contemporary Spanish art, the foundation is always free to visit. You’ll also find other branches of it in Palma de Mallorca and Cuenca.
Address: Calle Castelló, 77.
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 11 AM – 8 PM, Sundays 10 AM – 2 PM (closed in August).
Bonus: The Royal Palace
Yes, even Madrid’s most famous landmark can be visited for free! Consult the full terms on the palace’s official website.
Book your ticket if you can’t make it to free-entrance hours: Here.
OTHER MADRID & SPAIN TRAVEL GUIDES
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- 2 days in Madrid
- Non touristy things to do in Madrid
- Where to stay in Madrid
- Madrid packing list
- Breakfast and brunch in Madrid
- Madrid travel tips
- Interesting facts about Madrid
- Things to do in Alcala de Henares, a day trip from Madrid
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