Fun things to do in Madrid for students
Whether you’re a fan of museums, enjoy spending time in the fresh air, or want to do something exhilarating, the beautiful city of Madrid has plenty of attractions, activities and amazing sights to keep you entertained. When you move to Madrid to study, you’ll find something new around every corner, from incredible monuments to amazing greenspaces.
With its brilliant transport links, travelling around Madrid couldn’t be easier. You can get around by bus, metro, train and also by walking. The best part? Public transport in Madrid is cheap and accessible which means you can enjoy fun days out without breaking the bank or worrying about how to get back to your accommodation. All that’s left to do is decide where you want to go first! With so many incredible things to do in Madrid, it was difficult but we’ve picked out our top 5 favourites:
- Casa de Campo
- Cerro de Garabitas viewpoint
- Prado Museum
- The Reina Sofia Museum
- Plaza Mayor
So, sit back and relax as we explain exactly why these things should be at the top of your must-visit list!
Casa de Campo
As a student, it’s really important to look after your wellbeing during your studies. Getting outside and embracing the fresh air is a great way to unwind and take a moment to breathe which is why spending the afternoon at a park such as Casa de Campo is a fantastic idea.
The stunning Casa de Campo is the largest public park in Madrid, making it the ideal hangout spot for students. Filled with incredible green spaces, you can enjoy walks or picnics with friends, and even spend warm afternoons studying in the grounds of Casa de Campo.
If you’re looking for a unique way to spend your weekend, within Casa de Campo you’ll find a zoo and an amusement park so you can discover beautiful wildlife or unleash your adventurous side on rides! Admission to Casa de Campo is free, although you will need to pay if you want to visit the zoo, amusement park or sports centre.Casa de Campo is in a brilliant location if you want a busy morning of exploring followed by a relaxing afternoon, chilling on the grass with friends. The park is only minutes away from incredible, must-visit attractions, sights and monuments, such as Madrid’s Plaza de España and Temple of Debod.
Cerro de Garabitas viewpoint
Do you love the sound of chilling at Casa de Campo with friends? Spend your whole day in the fresh air, enjoying a picnic in the park before climbing to see the sights at the top of Cerro de Garabitas. If you’re looking for a free day out, spending the day admiring the sensational views at the Cerro de Garabitas viewpoint is one of the best things to do in Madrid on a budget!
Cerro de Garabitas is a 650-metre high hill, which makes it the ideal place to watch the sun rise or set! The viewpoint offers a picture-perfect view of the city and is a very popular spot for photos – you can take insta-worthy photos with new friends and create memories to last a lifetime. Experience Madrid in a new light at the Cerro de Garabitas viewpoint and look out for some of the city’s most loved sights, including:
- Royal Palace of Madrid
- Puerta de Hierro
- Moncloa Palace
- Puerta de Alcalá
If you have friends or family visiting from back home, why not take them to the viewpoint to showcase the beautiful city in all its glory? Don’t forget to wave at us down at Nido Aravaca whilst you’re up there!
Prado Museum
One of the best ways to immerse yourself into the amazing culture of Madrid and to learn more about its fascinating history is to spend the day at one of its many museums. There truly is no better place to embrace the rich history and culture of Spain than at the Prado Museum.
One of Madrid’s most renowned places to visit, the Prado Museum is a national art museum, home to one of Spain’s most comprehensive and incredible art collections. Some of the themes of the museum include:
- Royal portraits
- Saints
- Trades and professions
- Social realism
- Mythological Gods and Deities
Throughout the year, you’ll also find a selection of brilliant temporary exhibitions, often highlighting a particular artist or theme. These will change depending on when you visit but, in the past, have included exhibitions such as ‘Portraits by Joaquín Sorolla’ and ‘Spanish Masterpieces from The Frick Collection’.
The main reason that Prado Museum makes it on our list of the best things to do in Madrid for students on a budget is because the museum is open every single day and entry is free for students under 25 (and students over 25 if you’re studying in the field of art) which means you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy a wonderful day out!
The Reina Sofia Museum
If you think Prado Museum is one of the best things to do in Madrid then wait until you hear about the Reina Sofia Museum. Reina Sofia is a Contemporary art museum that makes up a third of the golden triangle of art in Madrid (the other two thirds consisting of the Prado Museum and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum).
It’s a world famous art museum which makes it the perfect place to take friends and family to when they visit. They have a wide range of temporary contemporary and modern art exhibits which change every couple of months so you’ll never run out of incredible art to enjoy. Some of our favourite past and present exhibits and collections include:
- Avant-garde Territories: City, Architecture and Magazines
- Manolo Quejido – Immeasurable Distance
- Machinations
- Leonor Serrano Rivas – Natural magic
- Pauline Boudry / Renate Lorenz – Glass is my skin
Similar to Prado Museum, Reina Sofia Museum is open every day apart from Tuesday and entry is free for students under 25 (and students over 25 if you’re studying in the field of art). We truly can’t think of anything better than spending the afternoon discovering the wonders of Madrid’s impressive culture!
Plaza Mayor
The final place on our list of the best things to do in Madrid for students on a budget is Plaza Mayor. One of the most iconic squares in the whole of Spain, Plaza Mayor is vibrant, bustling and is a great place to wander around on a sunny day!
Everyday you’ll find artists, musicians and performers entertaining the square, and there’s even outdoor concerts and other larger-scale events throughout the year. Plus, there are plenty of delicious restaurants and bars both in and around the Plaza for you to enjoy which makes it the ideal place to visit with a larger group of people because there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Plaza Mayor is right in the heart of the city and very close to the Royal Palace of Madrid so you can enjoy a morning of exploring the grounds of the Royal Palace before relaxing and hanging out with friends at the Plaza Mayor – sounds like the perfect day out to us!
The reason we love Plaza Mayor so much is because it embodies everything that’s brilliant about Spanish culture – friendly, lively, exciting and vibrant! It’s free to visit Plaza Mayor so you can have the most wonderful day while also sticking to your budget.
Also include any other relevant information that will entice students to want to study in Madrid and visit Plaza Mayor.
Enjoy your best student life in Madrid with Nido Living
Madrid is one of the best places in the world to study in because of its vibrant culture, rich history, fantastic study facilities and delicious cuisine. Between the impressive museums, breathtaking monuments, tasty tapas and amazing architecture, you’ll never run out of reasons to love Madrid! Wondering where to eat and drink after a long day of exploring the treasures of the city? Check out our blogs on the best student bars and restaurants in Madrid.
Are you thinking of moving to Madrid to study? If so, experience student life the Nido way by joining us at our Nido Aravaca accommodation. Alongside spacious, contemporary rooms and a welcoming culture, you’ll benefit from:
- Fully equipped in-house gym
- Rooftop terrace with a stunning 360 degree view of the city
- Cinema room and social spaces to hang out with friends
If you love the thought of these brilliant facilities but aren’t moving to Madrid for your studies, you’ll be pleased to know we have student accommodation in other parts of Spain such as Seville, and all across Europe, including:
Sounds like a dream? Get in touch today and chat to us about joining the Nido family.