Madrid Budget Break 💃 Where to Eat & What to Do
Welcome to Madrid, a city of rich culture, stunning architecture, and vibrant street life. If you’re planning a budget-friendly trip to the Spanish capital, you’re in for a treat! In this article, we show you how to make the most of your Madrid adventure without breaking the bank. From savoring delicious tapas to exploring iconic landmarks, Madrid has something for every budget-conscious traveler.
How did we Get to Madrid?
Our 9-day tour around the Canary Isles started and finished in Spain. We spent a few days at the beginning of the trip in Girona, and finished off with a few days in the capital – Madrid. So – as the finale to our trip – we were keen to find out what there is to do, see and eat during a short 2-day Madrid budget break.
Budget-Friendly Accommodation
Before diving into the culinary delights and must-see attractions, let’s talk about where to stay. Madrid offers various affordable accommodation options, including budget hostels and guesthouses. Look for options in neighborhoods like Malasaña or Lavapiés for a local experience without the high price tag. Utilize platforms like Airbnb and Agoda for unique and budget-friendly lodging choices.
Explore the City on Foot
One of the best ways to soak up Madrid’s charm is by walking its streets. Stroll through the historic center, admiring iconic landmarks like the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and Puerta del Sol. Many of these sights are free to admire from the outside, making it a budget-friendly way to explore.
Picnic in Retiro Park
For a peaceful and budget-friendly escape, head to Retiro Park. Buy some local snacks and refreshments from a nearby store and have a picnic by the lake. Renting a rowboat is also a fun and affordable activity to enjoy while you’re there.
Tap into Public Transportation
Madrid’s public transportation system is efficient and cost-effective. Invest in a Madrid Tourist Travel Pass, which provides unlimited access to buses and the metro. It’s an economical way to navigate the city and reach your desired destinations hassle-free.
Madrid’s Cable Car
The Teleférico de Madrid allows you to view the city from a bird’s-eye view. Running between Parque Oeste in central Madrid to Casa de Campo, a return journey on the cable car covers 5 kilometers and costs €6 per adult.
Madrid Budget Break – The Teleférico de Madrid
We walked up the hill from the Royal Palace to the cable car entrance. However the queue was endless, and at just 6 people or less per cabin, the line hardly seemed to move for the 20 minutes or so that we waited.In the end we gave up queuing and just walked around the parks instead. The Jardines de Sabatini are really nice and peaceful.
Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art
Madrid boasts world-class museums and art galleries, and some of them offer free admission during specific hours. The Prado Museum, for instance, provides free access in the early evening. So you don’t have to miss the opportunity to admire works by Goya, Velázquez, and other renowned artists without spending a dime.
Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art comprises the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum, the Prado Museum and the Reina Sofia National Galleries. If you love paintings, then these galleries will be among the highlights of your trip to Madrid.
The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Thyssen-Bornemisza is located close to the Prado so – if you can manage the cultural overload – it’s practical to visit both of these museums on the same day.
Madrid Budget Break – the Thyssen Museum entrance
Converted from a palace to a museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza houses a collection that spans eight centuries of European painting from leading Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo painters. There’s also a display of North American paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Entrance to the Thyssen-Bornemisza costs €13.
Preparatory portrait of Henry VIII by Holbein (Thyssen Museum)
The Prado Museum
The Prado Museum holds a huge collection of paintings and sculptures. They are arranged in over 100 ‘salles‘ sprawling over 2 floors. The place is quite a maze, and it’s easy to get disoriented if you’re not using the audio guides.
Madrid Budget Break – The Prado Museum
The Prado is home to the largest collection of paintings by Rubens, who churned out a staggering 1,500 paintings in his career. Many of these were sponsored by Henry IV of Spain. You can also find pieces by Van Dyke, John Sargent, Monet, Van Gogh, Lautrec, Titian and many others.
Entrance to the Prado costs €14. There can be big queues so its a good idea to be there when they open at 10 am.
The Reina Sofia National Galleries house impressionists, expressionists, and European and American paintings from the 20th century. Unfortunately, we couldn’t include it on this trip.
Madrid Budget Break – Bull Fighting
If you’re looking for some traditional Spanish entertainment – and you’re in Madrid at the right time of year – you can always visit one of the bull fights.
The bull-fighting season runs from mid-May to October. During this period, bull fights are scheduled every Sunday at 7 pm.
“Who IS that lady in the glittery spandex?”
You can buy tickets at the bullring on the Friday or Saturday before the event. The bullring is located on the Plaza de Toros Las Ventas on Calle Arenal (Ventas stop on the metro).
The Royal Palace
We found quite a buzz of people around the open square leading to the entrance of the Royal Palace. Again, you can expect to join a long queue to get into the Palace. Once inside, you’ll need around 45 minutes to visit the place and can expect to pay €10 to €14 for a ticket.
Taking all into account, this will use up the best part of a morning or early afternoon. Since we only had 2 days in Madrid we had other (more interesting) priorities: The Royal Palace will have to wait for another (less busy) time.
The Royal Palace – Nice enough just to admire from a distance.
Eating Out in Madrid
Eating out in Madrid was mostly a disappointment. This is a city crammed with tourists looking for cheap eating options. As a result, there are countless eateries offering seemingly good value for money, but serving bland or inferior food.
Often you can be tempted into a restaurant with advertised promises of wine and tapas for a few euros, to find these deals are available only if you are prepared to eat at a cramped and busy bar.
Everywhere there is a frenetic energy and haste which makes the chance of getting a calm and relaxing meal really difficult.
Throughout the city, there is also a plethora of ‘eat-as-much-as-you-want’ joints, typically for around €10. One of the bettert places we found was the calm oasis of an Indian restaurant called Indian Aroma, a little off the beaten track.
Madrid Attractions and Eating Out – Indian Aroma
Street food vendors are also your go-to for wallet-friendly bites. Try the iconic bocadillo de calamares (fried squid sandwich) from a street cart for an authentic Madrid experience.
For a sit-down meal that won’t break the bank, visit traditional Spanish restaurants like Casa Mono and El Sur. They offer fixed-price menus, often with multiple courses, at reasonable rates.
Mercado de San Miguel
Located in the heart of Madrid, close to Plaza Mayor, San Miguel is a covered market filled with a variety of freshly prepared tapas, hams, olives, and other foods and drinks.
Madrid Attractions and Eating Out – Mercado de San Miguel
It’s a great place to catch your lunch on the move. A really handy oasis amid the vibrant attractions of the city center.
Madrid Attractions and Eating Out – Mercado de San Miguel
Restaurant Sobrino de Botin
Founded in 1725, Sobrino de Botin is reputedly the oldest restaurant in the world (according to the Guinness Book of Records). As you would expect then, the place is packed with tourists and if you hope to get a table you’ll need to wait/fight for it. You’ll also end up paying through the nose for the privilege of eating some very ordinary food.
You won’t find many locals here, which is a telling indicator. Note also that (in line with Spanish tradition) the restaurant is closed between 4 pm and 8 pm.
Madrid Attractions and Eating Out – Restaurant Sobrino de Botin
Flamenco Evenings – Ola! …there goes €78
If you’re after an evening of Flamenco, there are several options to choose from. They all offer similar itineraries and costs.
We tried the Cardamomo, located on the Calle de Echegaray. We were handed a flyer on the street promising 70 minutes of flamenco with 2 drinks each for €39 per person. They actually give 3 shows per evening at varying prices: 6 pm – €30, 8 pm – €32 and 10 pm €39.
The place is compact and well organized. There are tables at the front reserved for guests who choose to eat. Behind these tables are elevated, cinema-like seats for guests who choose simply to take the included drinks option.
Madrid Attractions and Eating Out – the Cardamomo
We were on the front row of these elevated seats, with a good view.
On the small stage, the performers present a series of dances and melodies. We watched 4 dancers, accompanied by 2 guitarists and 2 singers. There was a lot of attitude, plenty of ‘Ole’s and some serious stamping – I wouldn’t want these guys living above my flat.
Madrid Attractions and Eating Out – the Cardamomo
The artists seemed to be enjoying themselves more than the audience.
The whole experience felt like dropping into the back room of some keyed-up people who are having an impromptu knees-up. At times the singing and dancing was frenetic. We got our first drink, but not our second.
Was it worth it?
Well, it was OK for half an hour. A week earlier in Tenerife we’d visited a restaurant – the Bodegar Julian – where our hosts entertained us with live music and song. There the entire (and excellent) dining bill came to half what we were paying to watch this flamenco act.
So no, the Cardamomo wasn’t worth our time or the price we paid.
Madrid – A city with something for everyone…
Despite the ubiquitous queuing we really enjoyed our short break in Madrid. As with other Spanish cities such as Valencia, Barcelona or Girona, Madrid is synonymous with energy and culture, making it an attractive and popular destination for the young and old alike.
Madrid doesn’t have to be a wallet-draining destination. With the right plan and some insider tips, you can enjoy all this vibrant city has to offer while sticking to your budget. From savoring delectable tapas to exploring historic sites, Madrid offers countless budget-friendly experiences that will leave you with unforgettable memories.
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