Free art in Madrid

Spain’s most important collection of paintings isn’t usually free to see, but there are certain times when it won’t cost you a cent to appreciate the permament exhibition. Be prepared to wait in line, but we think it’s worth it for such an amazing museum. Get in for free Mon-Sat from 6pm to 8pm and Sun and holidays from 5pm to 7pm. You can also visit for free on November 19 (the anniversary of the Prado) and the 18th of May (International Museum Day).

It’ll usually cost you €8 to get in to the Reina Sofía, but we’re here to tell you about the freebie days. Like with the Prado, there are certain days and times when – in exchange for waiting in line – you get to marvel at art without spending any money. Head over for free admission Mon-Sat (except Tue, when the museum is closed) from 7pm to 9pm as well as Sun from 3pm to 7pm. Entry is also free on April 18 and 27, May 17 and 18, October 12, and December 6.

The private art collection of the late Baron Hans-Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza is considered one of the most important in the world, which is why general admission is usually €10. On Mondays from noon to 4pm, however, you can get access to the permanent collection absolutely free. 

This venue is a one-stop-shop for your free art fix. It’s a multidisciplinary center designed to be a space for cultural exchange between emerging artists. You can find all genres of art, including performance art, music and video art, and there’s always something fun available for kids to enjoy. The centre also includes a fair-trade shop, a cafe, a library and classrooms.

The Conde Duque is one of Madrid's most important cultural centres. Here, you’ll find shows, exhibitions, talks, book days and workshops of all sorts. Summertime brings outdoor concerts and theater productions, and many of the city’s important cultural institutions are headquartered here. 

Behind the waterfall in Plaza Colónand below the Columbus monument, this cultural centre offers attractions of all colors. Think theatre productions, puppet shows, operas and zarzuelas in the summer, as well as art exhibitions, usually featuring important Hispanic artists.

Since its establishment in 1981, Lola Moriarty’s gallery has been a hotspot for artists on the Movida scene and a haven for the Spanish avant-garde and contemporary art. She features a lot of photographers, but you can also find video art, paintings and video art that adds a splash of freshness to Madrid’s sometimes-staid art world.

This observatory is Madrid’s finest neo-classical building and was designed by Juan de Villanueva. It’s free and open to the public on Fridays, and still contains a working telescope.

A gallery, bookshop, publishing house and cultural centre all in one? Sign us up. Check out all this modern arte center and how it promotes artistic exchanges between Spain and Latin America through artistic endeavors.

Since opening in 1992, this museum has housed exhibits featuring many major Spanish artists, including Martín Chirino, Antonio López García, Blanca Muñoz and Luis Gordillo. With branches in London, New York, Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Santiago, this expansive space is not to be missed.