Europe is one of the world’s most lusted destinations, and the city of Madrid in Spain is no exception from this. But apart from the picturesque sceneries provided by hovering classical structures, historical landmarks, and magnificent highways, there is so much more to discover about the capital that may be unknown to many people until now.
One misconception that many have about Madrid or any other European destination for that matter is that one will have to break the bank in order to have the trip of a lifetime. This may be partly true, but with the right resources, some strategic planning, and a great deal of research, traveling to Madrid while staying on a budget should be possible.
Madrid in winter
The first tip that one must remember when planning a budget-friendly Madrid trip is to go there during the winter when air fares are lower and tourist population takes a plunge from its usual density. The weather is also more bearable in winter compared to the scorching hot summers in most parts of Spain. The only downside to visiting during this season is that beach excursions should and must be dropped out of the plan because they are not conducive for vacationing during then.
The Prado Museum
This is the last destination that should be missed when visiting Madrid, especially if one is a certified art aficionado. Amassed here are among the world’s most valuable spectacles of art. You can also expect some of the local gems to be housed in this museum, which can pretty much reveal the history and society of Spain. Are you a fan of Picasso? Catch a glimpse of his works in the Reina Sofia National Museum and Art Center, which stands just right across the street!
Shopping at El Rastro Flea Market
Broken-hearted because you’re broke and unable to shop? When in Madrid, there’s no need to be! El Rastro Flea Market is a vast expanse of open air market, showcasing antiques, clothes, and accessories that come at surprisingly low prices. It opens every Sunday and during public holidays, from 9 o’clock in the morning to 3 o’clock in the afternoon.
Pick a temporary home through Apartment District Madrid
One of the (if not the) most important arrangements a traveler should make when planning a trip overseas is the accommodation. It’s totally impractical for someone on a budget to just hop on a plane and scour the streets of Madrid by foot in hopes of finding cheaper accommodation. Not only would that be stressful, one might also end up spending more than he would have had he carefully taken his pick from home. Luckily, there are quite a handful of comparison websites today that help travelers find the best budget accommodations even when they are just searching from a computer at home.
There are certainly so many ways to enjoy and relish the Madrid experience without having to burn holes in one’s wallet. Go for a picnic in Retiro Park which is for free; go biking or strolling around the city which can be an awesome way to discover and immerse in the local scene (and at the same time shed some of those nasty calories), or visit Segovia for a day if you are itching for that classic, European-cobblestone-streets kind of experience. The options are just countless!
Cedric Loiselle is a passionate and ever on-the-go traveler who also takes pleasure in sharing his traveling experiences through exceptionally-written articles. For online apartment comparisons and reviews, he recommends apartmentdistrict.com.
