The long weekend of December is one of the most beautiful times to be in Madrid. Christmas has already arrived in the city and we can enjoy the best seasonal plans, as well as other cultural treats. Here are three proposals that you are sure to like. What’s more, they won’t cost you a penny.
A stroll through the Christmas markets
One of the most beautiful Christmas markets in our country is the one in Madrid. The Plaza Mayor boasts one of our favourite Christmas scenes with its market full of wooden stalls. Here you can buy any Christmas product you may need: Christmas tree decorations, figures to complete your Nativity scene, practical joke toys, etc. Other markets not to be missed are the El Corte Inglés Christmas Market located in Nuevos Ministerios or the stalls of the Feria Mercado de la Artesanía, which can be found throughout the month of December on Paseo de Recoletos.
Visiting one of the city’s great museums
Photo by Esteban Palacios Blanco on Unsplash
Madrid has some of the best art galleries in the world. Did you know you can visit them for free? The Museo del Prado, the Museo Reina Sofía and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza all have opening hours when you don’t have to pay the entrance fee, although we recommend that you arrive on time because in certain seasons the queues can be quite long. The Museo del Prado’s opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 6 to 8 pm and on public holidays from 5 to 7 pm; the Museo Reina Sofía’s opens for free on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 7 to 9 pm, on Sunday from 12:30 to 2:30 pm, and on 6 December it is free for the whole day; and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza is free on Mondays.
Enjoying the Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Madrid has two important peculiarities. On the one hand, it is the largest palace in Western Europe and one of the largest in the world. On the other hand, it is also one of the few official residences of heads of state open to the public. It covers more than 135,000 square metres and has 3,418 rooms that have all borne witness to the unfolding of Spanish history. If you fancy a visit, you can enter free of charge from Monday to Thursday from 4 to 6 pm.
Three ideas to enjoy a cheap long weekend in Madrid. And if you are looking for accommodation at the best price, check out the offers we have prepared for you at Hotel Moderno.
