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Everyone has a different idea of the perfect Sunday. Some may prefer to be lazy and stay in their pajamas all day. While others enjoy getting out and exploring the city or the countryside. Madrid is a great city to explore and Sunday is one of the best days get out there and do it. We have compiled a list of some of the best things to do on a Sunday in Madrid. So what are you waiting for? Check it out!

El Rastro

This is one of the biggest outdoor markets in Spain and an absolute must-see while you are in Madrid. El Rastro has been a weekly tradition in Madrid for over 400 years. With over 1,000 vendors, this flea-market offers anything you could ask for, from antiques and clothing, to furniture and artwork. The market is located in La Latina just opposite of the metro stop between Calle Embajadores and Ronda de Toledo. If you want to visit the market, it is open every Sunday from 9am to 3pm every Sunday. It also stays open throughout the whole year, including bank holidays!

Outdoor Ice Skating (during Xmas time)

During the Christmas season Plaza Callao turns into a beautiful and festive outdoor skating rink. Have some coffee or hot chocolate and join in the holiday spirit with your friends! There are also many more outdoor and indoor ice skating rinks throughout Madrid! You will find e.g. ice rinks located at Callao, Plaza la Luna, Plaza de Oriente, Palacio de Hielo, Plaza de Felipe II. Keep an eye on our activities calendar for future free ice skating events!

Museums

Madrid is a full of amazing museums and culture. If you’re living on a budget, then Sunday is the perfect day for you to indulge yourself in some art and history. On Sundays you can visit the Prado Museum from 5pm to 7pm for free, as well as the Reina Sofia Museum from 2:30pm to 7pm, also for free! There’s more… On Sundays, the Museo del Romanticismo is free all day! If you plan on visiting any of these museums at no charge, try to arrive as early as possible in oder to avoid the lines. To read more about Art & Culture in Madrid, simply click here. Now go out and get cultured!

Mercado de Motores

Another large market in Madrid, Motores is held inside the Museo de ferrocarril every second weekend of every month. It’s a beautiful vintage market that also features some hand made clothing, live music and food. What makes this market special is that it is set inside an old train station that is now a museum. Throughout the market you will see old trains and steam engines I between the stalls. Motores is open from 11:00-22:00 and it’s free to enter! Make sure to check the official webpage before going!

Have a Long Brunch

This one might seem obvious, but many people have trouble relaxing like a true madrileño. Get your friends and have brunch on a terrace somewhere you have never been. Take your time, order some beers and sit back, it is Sunday after all! Plaza Santa Ana near Sol is one of my personal favourites when it comes to long meals on gorgeous terraces. La Latina is a also a very popular neighbourhood long indulgent Sunday meals.

Visit "El Barrio de Salamanca"

"El Barrio de Salamanca" is the place to go for haute couture sold at small exclusive boutiques -- with prices to match. Here's where you'll find Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Armani, Carolina Herrera, etc.

Go on a picnic (during spring or summer time)

Feel like skipping the restaurant check and settling for a nice, affordable Sunday picnic? There’s dozens of charming and serene parks all over Madrid with enough space for you to lay out your picnic blanket and relax on a Sunday afternoon.

Go see a movie

After a long week of working or studying (or both), going to the cinemas is the perfect way to unwind and get lost in another world. Since new movies usually premiere on Fridays, going on a Sunday will help you avoid the long lines and super crowded theaters. And don’t worry, you can see the original versions in English with Spanish subtitles. Or, if you want to take advantage of some pristine Sunday weather, outdoor cinemas in Madrid are super popular during the summer season.

Visit other Markets

Already crossed El Rastro and Mercado de Motores off your list? Worry not, there’s plenty of markets in Madrid that you can visit on a Sunday. If you’re interested in new or second-hand clothes, see what you can dig up at the Nómada Market or Adelita Market. If you’ve still got some room after a delicious Sunday brunch, visit one of Madrid’s many local food markets!

Explore the City

Depending on how long you’ve lived in Madrid, you may have already become familiar with many of the different neighborhoods and districts that make up this beautiful city. Or, maybe your exploring has only comprised of Puerta de Sol, Gran Vía, and that chino store down the street! If you are looking for some adventure on a Sunday, go outside and just start walking! Get lost in the colorful and vintage barrio that is La Latina, or head north to the more modern parts of the city, like Chamartín.