It is said that a Sunday well spent brings a week of content. The last day of the week happens to be one of the best days to enjoy all that Madrid has to offer. So, how do you spend the perfect Sunday in Madrid? Apart from the obvious and world popular Sunday brunch, here are a few ideas you may find useful when planning your stay. Bonus: most of them are free!
These photos were taken in Retiro and around. I was with a group of girlfriends enjoying a beautiful fall Sunday afternoon in the park and then we took a walk to find a place for tea and chat. Once you leave the park, there are plenty of beautiful buildings nearby. It’s one of the most beautiful areas in Madrid. So that’s my first plan for you.
El Retiro
Retiro park is hands down the best place to see fall foliage in Madrid. The variety of trees all in different shades of red or gold are a feast for the eyes. One of its landmarks is Palacio de Cristal, a glass and wrought-iron construction, which dates from the 19th century. Entrance is free.
Visit Mercado de Motores
The entrance to this railway museum is free and only opens on weekends: Saturdays from 11am to 10pm and Sundays from 11am to 9pm. Apart from seeing trains from different times in history there’s a great vintage market and food trucks.
The Flea Market takes place the second weekend of every month. Find the next dates here.
El Rastro
If you are a fan of flea markets you can’t miss El Rastro, the largest in Madrid. You can access it from Embajadores station or Puerta de Toledo. It is located in the neighborhood of La Latina and opens every Sunday and every bank holiday. The most popular flea market in Madrid is 400 years old with stands that sell not only everyday objects but also unique items. The origin of the name is nonetheless curious: el rastro means “the trail” and is derived from the tanneries that used to exist there. When the animals were taken from the slaughterhouses to the tanneries, they would leave a trail of blood and that’s where the name comes from.
More info here
Templo de Debod
This Egyptian structure looks its best during sunset which right now, after daylight savings time, happens at 6pm. Apart from walking around Parque del Oeste, where the temple is located, you can visit the inside of the temple. On Sundays it’s open from 9:30am to 8pm. Entrance is free.
Website
GET THE LOOK
Prado Museum
The most famous museum in Spain and one of the most important in Europe. It’s free from Monday to Saturday between 6pm to 8pm, on Sundays and public holidays from 5pm to 7pm.
Visit the official website here
Museo Reina Sofia
This modern art museum is home to Picasso’s iconic Guernica and is free from 1:30pm to 7pm every Sunday.
Website
Casa de Campo
This is Spain’s largest green space and dates back to the 16th century. Casa de Campo is where many madrileños spend their Sunday. The park has a large lake, where you can hire a boat or a kayak. There are also plenty of restaurants around the lake. Casa de Campo includes sports facilities, numerous paths for running and cycling, the famous aerial cable car, an amusement park, the zoo Aquarium and the Madrid Arena venue.
Official site
Madrid Río
Walk along the banks of river Manzanares. Ten kilometres of green zone with a few leisure areas which include swings and zip-lines among other things.
Website
Monastery “Las Descalzas Reales”
You can find this monastery close to Callao. This convent occupies the old palace where Carlos I and Isabel of Portugal used to live. You can visit the monastery or just buy delicious pastries from the enclosed nuns who still live there. On Sundays it’s open from 10am to 3pm.
More info here
Matadero
A former slaughterhouse turned cultural center. A complex of pavilions built in 1911 which in 1996 was turned into the “laboratory” for contemporary artistic creation that we know today.
Check out their schedule to see what’s going on.
How do you like to spend your Sundays?
Find all about madrileño lifestyle through this tag.
What a great list of things to do! There's definitely something for everyone. I know my son would love the Mercado de Motores while my hubby would enjoy the boat ride at Casa de Campo. I personally would like to visit the Palacio de Cristal. How spectacular would that be to see an architecture made from glass and in the 19th century?! Love your floral skirt Cristina. The yellow florals are my favorite.
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
You look absolutely stunning, this bright colors are sunshine and just make me smile!
I would love to visit Mardrid one day! So much to do! Obsessed with your shoes and this bright look!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Madrid looks beautiful in the autumn – and there's so many things to do, I'd need a whole week of Sundays! #MondayEscapes
Beautiful
That does sound like a lovely day. I didn't make it to Retiro Park when I visited Madrid so that's on the top of my list for next time. The vintage markets sound like a of fun too! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard
It looks like you had a great Sunday in Madrid and that outfit is fabulous! I enjoy going to flea markets, but I have never been to one that is over 400 years old! Wow! Thanks for sharing! #TheWeeklyPostcard
I'd love to check out the vintage markets… although my wallet wouldn't like me very much. #TheWeeklyPostcard
I'd love to go there! #WeeklyPostcard
What a beautiful and colorful outfit! You look amazing!
Edwige | http://www.hypnozglam.com
Madrid looks beautiful! This outfit is so fantastic too, the colors are so vibrant and fun!
xx, Elise
http://www.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com
Looks wonderful! And I love your outfit – especially that perky red beret.
I cant believe how much this looks like Paris! Happy #TravelTuesday
We loved our time in Madrid! Retiro Park was fantastic!! But, I'm realizing there so much more we need to see ~ guess we'll need to go back!
Madrid is an amazing city and you look so lovely, dear!
xoxo, Vanessa
http://www.whatwouldvwear.com
So many wonderful looking places! I couldn't agree more; getting in a good Sunday is the perfect way make sure you have soaked in enough of the weekend so that you begin the work week on the right foot.
Your outfit is just gorgeous! I love the beautiful fall scenery and maybe one day I'll be able to visit!
http://www.mylittlenest.org
Beautiful photos dear. Love your outfit too, so cute and sassy.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Wonderful colours!
Looks like there are lots of Sunday options in Madrid! It was fun to follow along your journeys to different cultural organizations and parks. I also enjoyed your outfit–love the colorful print skirt and scarf. #TheWeeklyPostcard
https://passportcouture.com
I love your rich fall colors!! Absolutely beautiful. Gah I'm supposed to be in Spain right now, so I'm having major FOMO looking at these beautiful pictures of Madrid! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Lovely shots of Madrid. I've always enjoyed my visits there.
Thank you for taking part in the Travel Tuesday meme.
Thanks so much, Jess. Glad you like the pics and the outfit!
Thanks, Jill! I hope you get to visit some day. It's an amazing city
We never run out of things to do in Madrid, that's why I love this city so much 🙂
thanks
Thanks, Maureen! you must come to Madrid, I'll show you all those places 🙂
Thanks so much, Andrea 🙂
How I wish I could spend a leisurely Sunday in Madrid! Firstly, I LOVE your outfit! And secondly what a fab selection of things to see and do. I've heard great things about the flea markets at El Rastro, I'd love to visit one day.
Thanks for linking up to #MondayEscapes
Thanks for your comment, Melanie! I'm glad you agree. Having a great weekend makes Mondays not so bad
Thanks for your sweet comment, Ruth! I too hope you can come to Madrid some day 🙂
Madrid looks absolutely beautiful! Is the weather warm this time of year? (It's so cold here now!) Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 🙂
-Lor // hyggememories.com