Dirt Cheap Madrid

Madrid is one of the cultural centers of Europe, comprising centuries of history and annual events that keep men and women from around the globe coming each year. If you are traveling to Madrid anytime in 2010, consider some of these exciting special events that will take place. Many of them are free or very cheap.

Winter-Spring

Early in the early, you can enjoy the performances and religious ceremonies of Carnival, which starts on Fat Tuesday and finishes up on Ash Wednesday. Also in February sis ARCO – the modern art fair famous throughout the world for its displays and announcements of new talents. March sees the International Theater Festival, followed by the Jazz festival. The bullfighting season also starts in March, and lasts until October at the Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las Ventas.

Spring-Summer

In April, the Antique Music Week and Cumbre Flamenco showcase music and dance that are Spanish in nature. The FINART festival is a worldwide craft fair and the Mozart Festival kicks off, lasting through June. On May 2^nd, Madrid Day is celebrated to commemorate the 1808 rebellion against Napoleon. The 15^th of May is Dia de San Isidro, celebrating the patron saint of Madrid.

Jumping into June, the city’s largest street party takes place between June 9^th-June 13^th as Aan Antonio del la Florida.

Summer-Autumn

The summer months are rather quiet, as most people take to the nearby beaches to stay cool and relax, but you can enjoy the Verbanas celebration in August. Moving into September, there are a number of events, including Pasalera Cibeles, Musica en las Ventas, and Festival de Otono – which lasts until November as a performing arts festival with acts from around the world.

Autumn-Winter

November sees the Feast Day of Nuestra Senora del Almudena on the 9^th, and the International Jazz Festival, which is celebrated throughout Spain, also takes place in November. December then sees a shift to the winter holidays, with Christmas Fair in Plaza Mayor and Feria de Artesenia taking place in Paseo de Recoletos.

Whatever you are interested in, you will find a wide array of activities to keep you busy throughout the year in Madrid, without having to pay a fortune to enjoy them.

Visiting European cities on a tight budget? Check out our other dirt cheap guides!

Amsterdam budget travel guide.
Barcelona budget travel guide.
Berlin budget travel guide.
Birmingham budget travel guide.
Copenhagen budget travel guide.
Istanbul budget travel guide.
London budget travel guide.
Rome budget travel guide.
Vienna budget travel guide.