Our city offers many traveller guides that will let you discover the lifestyle in town. However, here you will find the top cultural activities in Madrid with an off the beaten point of view. Get your phones/maps ready and write them down on your to-visit list.
Not that known cultural activities in Madrid.
In this first part of the list we will focus on the places you should visit in Madrid whether you are a first timer in town or a frequent madrileño already.
- 1-. Visit a 1960’s civil war bunker.
The cultural activities in Madrid start exploring part of the local history. It will be during a guided visit at a 15 meters depth bunker where you will discover what our ancestors did. This place is located at El Capricho park in Paseo Alameda de Osuna, 25 (nearest metro El Capricho / Line 5). It is interesting to hear the story of this bomb resisting bunker and how the Republicans used it as fortress.
- 2-. Discuss about art at La Neomudejar.
This avant garde center located 5 minutes walking distance from our Street art tour in Madrid meeting point features monthly exhibitions about Art Brut, graffiti and visual art. La Neomudejar‘s address is Calle de Antonio Nebrija S/N, with an entry fee of 4€. If you are looking for the opposite to Prado Museum, this is your best bet!
- 3-. Discover the nature in less than 1 hour drive from Madrid.
Are you the kind of person who thinks that nature is related to culture? Would you like to include a hiking/trekking moment in your list of cultural activities in Madrid? Then you should visit Puerto de Navacerrada in Madrid’s mountain range. Depending on the season, you might observe full of water creeks, animals during your visit. To get there, there is a Cercanias train that will take you on the C-8 line (Green color). Make your stop at Cercedilla station.
Continuing this list of cultural activities in Madrid, we will find…
- 4-. Photograph the best panoramic views in Madrid.
Whow! Try to observe the city center from the distance by sunset with your beloved one! Fancy that? Then take a blanket/towel and lay down for a while at the park we are about to mention. The best panoramic vies in Madrid are located in Vallecas neighborhood. Amazing! We promise. If your calendar allows for it, then head towards Parque de las siete Tetas.
- 5-. Ride a bike by the Manzanares River.
Apart from walking on the streets, visitors in Madrid also have the chance to rent a bicycle and ride along Madrid Rio. 7 kilometers long path where you might stop to see a former slaugther house called Matadero, former Atlético de Madrid‘s stadium called “Vicente Calderón” or Almudena cathedral and the Royal Palace from the distance. Our chosen rent a bike option was Trixxi. Our recommendation is to start from Legazpi metro station (lines 3 & 6).
- 6-. Shop at El Rastro, Madrid’s biggest flea market.
With its old school style still present at every corner, El Rastro hides petit stores where to find all kind of antiques. It will be on the southern square where hundreds of children/teenagers/adults meet to exchange or trade football, basketball, or natural science stickers. Hundred of stalls will sell souvenirs, making this place not only the best spot where to purchase a present to your relatives and friends, but a must in the cultural activities in Madrid. It is only opened on Sundays and bank holidays from 09:00AM to 04:00PM. Nearest metro stations are La Latina (line 5) and Tirso de Molina (line 1).
- 7-. Wonder around Lavapiés and Malasaña districts.
Exploring the off the beaten path Madrid will take you around Calle Lavapiés and Plaza Dos de Mayo. These areas might represent the two most gentrified places of our city but walking around will let you discover the old-style Madrid and the hipster lifestyle. Two street art festivals in Madrid are organized in these neighborhoods in April and May: CALLE Lavapiés and Pinta Malasaña.
Underground cultural activities in Madrid.
- 8-. Participate in a graffiti workshop at La Tabacalera.
Local graffiti artists meet at El Keller, the workshop located at La Tabacalera. This former tobacco factory from the XIX century was taken into a Berlin style community center. You may participate in photography, yoga, salsa, computing, reggae music or graffiti & stencil workshops in a weekly manner.
- 9-. Attend a Music festival in Madrid.
Spanish culture is well known for its party loving component. Just as an example, MAD Cool festival received 100,000 visitors last year. This edition will count with the participation of Pearl Jam, Jack White or Queens of the Stone Age. All weekend passes are sold out, but there are a few single day tickets available. It is celebrated next 12th, 13th & 14th July in a new venue close to the airport. More info soon…
- 10-. Walk around the colorful LGTBI community in Chueca.
Most iconic and colorful neighborhood in Madrid is called Chueca. The LGTBI community in town lives around the area and there are many cultural activities in Madrid organized for all audiences around its many squares and public parks. You should investigate about the local grastronomy or discover chic bars/cafés where to hang out with locals! Enjoy the vibe!The Gay pride in Madrid is celebrated during the last week in the month of June and first of July.
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