Madrid Money Saving Tips
Written by Andy Hayes
I hadn’t been to Spain in about 10 years so on my recent trip to Madrid, I was looking forward to seeing what had changed and what hadn’t. Well, the sunny Spanish weather was still there, as well as the sunny disposition of most Spaniards.
Unfortunately, the Euro has brought with it a nasty surprise: sticker shock. I couldn’t believe how expensive everything was in Madrid, even on day trips and in off-beat neighbourhoods. I’m talking like anywhere up to 2.50EUR for a bottle of coke! Really crazy. Anyway, I thought I’d share some tips on saving money in Madrid how I managed to not starve nor go broke while I was there.
Go to Museums on Free Days
Museo de Reina Sofia is free on the weekends, the Prado is free 6pm until 8pm from Tuesday to Saturday and 5pm until 8pm on Sundays. Palacio Real is free on Wednesdays. Sure, the Madrid museums are more crowded at these times, but unfortunately, most of Madrid is crowded all the time so I doubt you’ll notice a difference.
Enjoy the Parks
. The Retiro was my favourite, with its wonderful ponds and statues and architecture. It’s the perfect place to grab a picnic lunch from the shops and enjoy the outdoors. (Tip: Skip the Botanical Gardens. Not worth it and not free!)
Do Your Shopping at the Rastro Sunday market
They have nearly everything you could want, from sunglasses to clothes and socks. Yes, I saw more socks there than I’ve ever seen anywhere! You’ll be amongst many tourists which means you’ll also see lots of pickpockets. Consider yourself warned.
More Madrid Tips
We’ve more tips for things to do in Madrid.
Photo by alreza
If you go out to lunch, ask for the ‘menu del dia’ it’s cheaper and it usually includes two courses (appetizer/soup) and main course. Sometimes even dessert!
Go to Puerta del Sol and walk around the streets and have lunch in a place called “Museo del Jamon”. They have nice “bocadillos de Jamon” ( Parma ham paninis).
Buy a ticket of 10 journeys when using the underground. You can also use it for buses.
Have ” chocolate con churros” breakfast, very filling and cheap.
Isabelle – I always go for the Menu del Dia in Spain.
Maria – thanks for your tips.
OK, china shops are the best if you are living in Madrid because they have cheap house hold items (and in my opinion are the location for most of the spray paint used for graffiti in most of Madrid).
Doner Kebab is by far the best food for when you have been drinking, its not Spanish obviously but its the bees knees. The best place I have found is Resturante Turco on calle de Narvaez. Get of at the Ibiza metro stop and head east toward calle de Narvaez and turn right on it. It’s about half a block.
There is a fantastic foreign language (english) book store down calle de campomanes. Its called Petra’s International bookshop. If you get off the metro at Opera head toward the Burger king and shoot down the Calle and it will be on your left. Just because they have a ton of English books doesn’t mean the help speaks English, they don’t. Decent prices, better then buying them at Corta Ingles.
I have many more tips but that’s all for now. I love Madrid and Spain and I hope everyone who goes there enjoys it as much as I do.