Nat Are you visiting Madrid, Spain soon and traveling on a budget? Well, look no further. In this post, I have included three free activities you can add to your itinerary for the ultimate Madrid experience!
Also, if you are interested in upgrading your devices before your trip, read the Ultimate Digital Gear for Beginner Travelers for details on the gadgets I use to capture all my experiences!
El Retiro Park
Located in the heart of the thriving city, Retiro Park is a beautiful combination of architecture, people, art, and more! There are many things to see and do when strolling through the gardens and sites, but below are a few of my favorites!
Monument to Alfonso XII
The Monument to Alfonso XII is located in the center of the park and is surrounded by a large artificial lake. This hot spot is great for photos and soaking in the thriving community at the center of the city.
The park is less crowded in the mornings, so if you want your pictures to have less photo bombers, plan to get to the park a bit earlier!
Palacio de Cristal
This was probably my favorite part of the park! The Cristal Palace was originally built in 1887 to serve as a greenhouse to showcase flora and fauna from the 1887 Philippines Exposition; however, it is now used as a venue for hosting art exhibits.
At 11am, 1pm, and 3pm, the glass structure is entirely filled with smoke from fog machines, creating a unique experience for visitors.
If you plan to see Palacio de Cristal, try to schedule your visit for about 20 minutes before the smoking hours so that you can see the palace in both forms!
Velazquez Palace
Similar to the Cristal Palace, the Velazquez Palace was built in 1881 to host the International Exhibition of Mining, Metallurgical Arts, Ceramics, Glassware, and Mineral Waters.
Since 1987, it has hosted temporary exhibitions that are free to the public!
Templo de Debod
See the Temple
You probably didn’t realize that you could get a taste of Egyptian architecture while visiting Spain! The Temple de Debod was gifted to Spain by the Egyptian government as a “thank you” for Spain’s assistance in restoring the Abu Simbel temples in Egypt.
And believe it or not, it was deconstructed from its original location next to the Nile and rebuilt brick by brick at its location overlooking the city of Madrid!
Watch the Sunset
The temple’s location is also a hot spot for watching the sunset. People gather every evening to sit on benches and blankets to converse and enjoy the vibes that the temple crowds bring. Before heading to the temple, pack some snacks and drinks to enjoy while you are there!
Mercado de San Miguel
Even if you don’t plan on eating at the Mercado de San Miguel, it is a great place to learn about all of the many foods and drinks that Spain is well known for.
From meats and olives, to the famous Sangria, your mouth will be watering by the time you leave!
There are so many things that you can do in the city of Madrid, but these are three experiences that I would recommend to anyone planning to visit Spain soon!
Other Excursions
Here are a few more incredible activities that you can do that won’t break the bank!
More Travel Tips
Travel safety is the most important thing to consider when planning a trip. Read Top 30 Most Important Safety Tips for Female Travelers for more information about how to be proactive about your safety while abroad!
