Cheap Thrills: Affordable Activities Under €10
Cheap Thrills: Affordable Activities Under €10
You’re bored of the same routine: classes, studying, cheap meals, occasional nightlife, repeat. You want to actually DO something—something more exciting than walking through parks but less expensive than €30 concerts or €50 escape rooms.
Welcome to the sweet spot: activities that cost €5-10, give you an experience worth talking about, and don’t make you choose between fun and eating this week. Madrid has cheap thrills everywhere if you know where to look.
This is the guide to affordable entertainment in Madrid. Not free (we have another article for that), not expensive, but the €5-10 range where a small amount of money unlocks disproportionate fun.
Understanding the €10 Budget
What €10 Can Buy
In Terms of Daily Spending:
- 1 menú del día lunch
- 2-3 coffees
- 3-4 metro rides
- Half your daily food budget
The Trade-Off:
Skip one restaurant meal = fund an entire activity.
The Value:
€10 experiences often more memorable than €50 ones. It’s not about price; it’s about novelty and enjoyment.
Entertainment & Culture (€5-10)
Movie Theaters on Discount Days
Normal Price: €10-12
Discount Price: €5-7
When: Wednesdays (most theaters)
Where to Go:
Cinesa Proyecciones:
- Location: Calle de Fuencarral, 136
- Wednesday Price: €5-6
- Original version films (English with Spanish subtitles)
- Indie and international films
Yelmo Cines Ideal:
- Location: Calle del Doctor Cortezo, 6
- Wednesday Price: €5.90
- Independent films
- Original version options
- Smaller, more intimate
Callao City Lights:
- Location: Plaza del Callao
- Wednesday Price: €6-7
- Blockbusters and indie
- Central location
Strategy:
- Check Wednesday schedules
- Original version (V.O.) for English films
- Bring own snacks (save €8-10 on overpriced theater food)
- Go with date or friends (€12-14 total for two)
Why It Works:
- Escape Madrid for 2 hours
- Air conditioning in summer
- Comfortable seats
- Affordable entertainment
Flamenco on a Budget
Tourist Tablao: €40-80 (skip)
Budget Options: €8-15
Cardamomo (Thursdays):
- Location: Echegaray, 15
- Cost: €10 cover
- When: Thursday nights
- Real flamenco, not tourist show
- Local artists
- Intimate venue
Candela (Before 11pm):
- Location: Calle del Olmo, 2
- Cost: FREE before 11pm, €8-10 after
- Wednesday jam sessions
- Authentic artists practicing
- Casual atmosphere
Corral de la Morería (View Only):
- Location: Calle de la Morería, 17
- Cost: €10 for drink + standing room view
- Famous venue (otherwise €60+)
- See part of show from bar area
Strategy:
- Go early (free or cheap)
- Stick to one drink
- Appreciate authentic flamenco without tourist prices
Cultural Value:
See real flamenco = understanding Spanish culture = priceless.
Teleférico (Cable Car)
Cost: €6 one-way, €9 round-trip
Time: 10-15 minutes each way
Location: Starts near Parque del Oeste
What You Get:
- Aerial views of Madrid
- Fly over Casa de Campo
- See Royal Palace and city skyline
- Unique perspective
- Photo opportunities
Worth It?
- Clear day: Yes
- Sunset time: Definitely yes
- Cloudy/rainy: Skip it
- With date: Romantic for €18 total (two round-trips)
Strategy:
- Go one-way (€6), walk back through Casa de Campo
- Sunset timing for best views
- Weekday mornings = no crowds
Combine With:
Karaoke Bars
Cost: €5-8 (room rental split, plus drinks)
Time: 1-2 hours
Where: Various locations
How It Works:
- Rent private karaoke room
- Bring group (4-6 people)
- Split cost (€1.50-2 per person)
- Sing terribly together
- Buy drinks (€3-5 each)
Total: €6-10 per person
Where to Find:
- Chinatown area (near Usera metro)
- Some bars in Malasaña
- Search “karaoke Madrid” + check prices
Why It’s Great:
- Hilarious entertainment
- Bond with friends
- No talent required
- Private rooms (no public embarrassment)
- Cheap group activity
Food & Drink Experiences
Wine Tasting (Budget Version)
Expensive Wine Tasting: €30-50
DIY Wine Tasting: €8-10
How to Do It:
Option 1: Lavapies Wine Shops
- Small wine shops offer tastings
- €5-8 for 3-4 wines
- Learn about Spanish wines
- Buy bottle if you like (€6-10)
Option 2: Supermarket + Park
- Buy 3 different cheap wines (€3-4 each = €12)
- Cheese and crackers (€3-4)
- Picnic in Retiro
- Taste and compare with friends
- Split cost: €4-5 per person
Option 3: Mercado de San Miguel (Strategic)
- Buy one glass wine (€3-5)
- Free tapas samples as you browse
- Atmosphere included
- Don’t buy food (tourist prices)
What You Learn:
- Spanish wine regions
- Your taste preferences
- More than you would at expensive tasting
Churros Trail
Cost: €8-10 total
Time: 2-3 hours
Activity: Eat churros at 3 different places, compare
The Route:
Stop 1: Chocolatería San Ginés (€4-5)
- Classic, touristy but good
- Thick hot chocolate
Stop 2: Maestro Churrero (€3-4)
- Local chain, quality
- Less touristy
Stop 3: Random neighborhood churrería (€2-3)
- Authentic local spot
- Compare quality
Total: €9-12, split if with friend
Why It’s Fun:
- Walking tour built in
- Cultural experience (churros are Madrid)
- Dessert adventure
- Social activity
- Discover neighborhoods
Best Time:
- Sunday morning after El Rastro
- Winter weekend mornings
- Post-nightlife at 6am (traditional)
Cooking Class (Budget Version)
Expensive Cooking Classes: €50-80
DIY with YouTube: €0
Middle Ground: €8-10 for special ingredients
The Activity:
- Pick cuisine you’ve never cooked
- Buy specific ingredients (€8-10)
- Follow YouTube tutorial
- Cook with roommates/friends
- Eat together
Cuisine Ideas:
- Paella (Spanish, €10 ingredients)
- Homemade pasta (Italian, €6-8)
- Dumplings (Chinese, €8-10)
- Tacos (Mexican, €8)
What You Get:
- Learn new skill
- Meal included
- Social time
- Way cheaper than restaurant
- Story to tell
Active & Outdoor (Under €10)
Public Pool Day (Summer)
Cost: €3-5 entry
Season: June-September
Where: Municipal pools across Madrid
What You Get:
- Pool access
- Sunbathing area
- Escape summer heat
- All day pass
Where to Find:
- Search “piscinas municipales Madrid”
- Multiple locations
- Near most neighborhoods
Bring:
- Towel
- Sunscreen
- Snacks (no outside food allowed but… discreet)
- Book for poolside reading
Total Day Cost: €5-8 (entry + metro + maybe ice cream)
Worth It?
- Hot days: Absolutely
- With friends: Beach day vibes without leaving Madrid
- Solo: Relaxation + reading time
Bike Rental
Cost: €6-10 for 2-3 hours
Where: BiciMAD (€15 annual subscription = unlimited 30-min rides)
Routes:
Madrid Río:
- 10km paved path
- Completely flat
- River views
- Stop at viewpoints
Retiro Loop:
- Around and through park
- Mostly car-free
- Leisurely pace
Casa de Campo:
- Mountain bike trails
- More challenging
- Nature escape
Why It’s Great:
- Explore Madrid faster than walking
- Exercise included
- See more in less time
- Adventurous date option
BiciMAD Strategy:
- €15/year subscription
- Use bike 25 minutes
- Dock it
- Take another for next 25 min
- Unlimited free riding (technically)
Roller Skating/Skateboarding at Madrid Río
Cost: €0 if you have skates, €8-10 to rent
Where: Madrid Río (smooth paths, skate park)
What to Do:
- Rent skates/board near Matadero
- Skate along river path
- Use skate park (free)
- Watch others if you can’t skate
Combine With:
Total: €8-15
Mini Golf
Cost: €6-8
Time: 1 hour
Where: Search “mini golf Madrid”
Why It’s Fun:
- Competitive but lighthearted
- Good for dates or friend groups
- Indoor option (weather-proof)
- Nostalgic vibes
Where to Find:
- Shopping center entertainment zones
- Parque Warner area (bit far)
- Occasional pop-up mini golf events
Total for Two: €12-16
Social & Unique Experiences
Language Exchange Meetup + Activity
Cost: €5-8 (one drink at venue)
Value: Language practice + social time + entertainment
What Happens:
- Join language exchange meetup
- Many include activities:
- Pub quiz (€5 entry)
- Board game nights
- Salsa dancing
- Cooking together
- Museum visits
Where to Find:
- Meetup.com
- InterNations
- Facebook groups
- University postings
Total Cost: €5-10
What You Get: Friends + language practice + activity
Trivia/Pub Quiz Night
Cost: €3-5 entry
Time: 2-3 hours
Where: Various English pubs
How It Works:
- Form team (4-6 people)
- Answer trivia questions
- Win drink vouchers (if good)
- Socialize between rounds
Where to Find:
- Dubliners (check schedule)
- Other Irish/English pubs
- Some Spanish bars do Spanish trivia
Total: €3-5 entry + drinks (€5-8) = €8-13
Why It’s Fun:
- Test random knowledge
- Team bonding
- Meet new people
- Competitive but friendly
Board Game Cafés
Cost: €5-8 (includes game library access)
Time: 2-4 hours
Drinks: Extra €3-5
Where:
- Search “juegos de mesa Madrid”
- Malasaña, Lavapiés have several
What You Get:
- Hundreds of board games
- Play as many as you want
- Comfortable space
- Can bring own snacks (usually)
Why It’s Great:
- Rainy day activity
- Social without drinking focus
- Try games before buying
- Nerdy fun
Total: €8-13 per person
Street Food Markets
Cost: €8-10 for meal
Where: Various locations
Mercado de Motores (Monthly):
- Location: Museo del Ferrocarril
- When: One weekend per month
- Entry: Usually free
- Food trucks, crafts, music
- Eat for €8-10
- Browse for free
- Live music included
Food Truck Events:
- Check “food trucks Madrid” for events
- €6-10 meals
- Try different cuisines
- Festival atmosphere
Street Food Festival (When It Happens):
- Various locations
- International food
- €5-8 per dish
- Free entertainment
Why Go:
- Variety of food
- Social atmosphere
- Event experience
- Try new cuisines
- Often live music (free)
Creative & Skills
Pottery/Art Workshops (Sometimes)
Cost: €10 for drop-in class
Where: Community centers, some private studios
What You Make:
- Pottery piece
- Painting
- Craft item
Where to Find:
- Centro Cultural Conde Duque
- Some neighborhood cultural centers
- Check “talleres Madrid” (workshops)
Value:
- Learn new skill
- Create something
- Take home memento
- Social activity
Photography Walk (Self-Guided)
Cost: €0-10
Activity: Themed photo walk
How to Do It:
Pick Theme:
- Architecture
- Street art
- People
- Shadows and light
- Hidden Madrid
Pick Neighborhood:
Spend €10 On:
Challenge Version:
- Set constraints (only shoot in black & white)
- Photo scavenger hunt
- Timed challenges
Share:
- Post best shots
- Create album
- Discover Instagram-worthy spots
Seasonal Activities
Summer (June-August)
Outdoor Cinema (Sometimes Free, Sometimes €5-8):
- Parks host movie screenings
- Bring blanket
- Buy snacks (€3-5)
- Total: €3-8
Water Parks (Day Pass):
- €10-15 for municipal water parks
- Full day entertainment
- Beat the heat
Beach Volleyball:
- Madrid Río courts (free)
- Rent ball if needed (€5)
- Organize pickup game
Fall (September-November)
Apple Picking (Near Madrid):
- Day trip to orchards
- €8-10 for picking
- Bring apples back
- Make apple pie
Pumpkin Patch Visits:
- Seasonal farms near Madrid
- €5-8 entry
- Fall vibes
- Good for dates or friend groups
Winter (December-February)
Ice Skating:
- Seasonal rinks appear
- €8-10 for 1-2 hours
- Skate rental included
- Holiday atmosphere
Christmas Market Browsing:
- Free to browse
- Buy churros (€4)
- Hot chocolate (€3)
- Window shopping
- Total: €7-8
Spring (March-May)
Strawberry Picking:
- Farms near Madrid
- €6-8 picking fee
- All-you-can-eat while picking
- Take home strawberries
Flower Market:
- Sunday flower market
- Buy bouquet (€5-10)
- Brighten apartment
- Gift for date/friend
Money-Stretching Strategies
The €10 Challenge
Rules:
- Find most fun possible with exactly €10
- Document experience
- Compare with friends
- Winner = best €10 story
Ideas:
- Vintage shopping at El Rastro (bargain hunt)
- All-day park adventure with picnic supplies
- Self-guided food tour (3 cheap tapas spots)
- DIY craft project
Why It’s Fun:
Makes budget a game, not a constraint.
Buy One, Do Two
Strategy: Spend €10, get two experiences
Example 1:
- Buy wine + cheese (€8)
- Have picnic in park
- Then watch free sunset
- One purchase, two activities
Example 2:
- Buy movie ticket (€6)
- Stay in theater for second movie (if theater allows)
- 4 hours entertainment for €6
Example 3:
- Buy ingredients (€10)
- Cook together (social activity)
- Eat the result (meal included)
Group Discounts
Activities Better in Groups:
- Karaoke (split room cost)
- Board game café (split entry)
- Cooking ingredients (everyone contributes €2-3)
- Trivia teams (one entry fee)
€10 Solo vs. €10 in Group:
- Solo: One activity
- Group of 5: €50 budget, better options open up
Avoiding Budget Traps
Not Worth €10
Skip These:
- Most “tourist experiences” (overpriced)
- Expensive coffee shops (€10 for two coffees?)
- Museum shops (souvenirs = waste)
- Tourist restaurants (€10 doesn’t go far)
Better Uses:
- Experiences over things
- Activities over passive consumption
- Memories over merchandise
When to Splurge Beyond €10
Worth €15-20 Occasionally:
- Special event ticket
- Day trip transport
- Group dinner with friends
- Once-in-Madrid experience
But Most Weeks:
Stick to €5-10 activities, save bigger spending for special occasions.
Weekly Activity Planning
The €10/Week Entertainment Budget
Week 1: Movie Wednesday (€6) + ice cream (€4) = €10
Week 2: Pub quiz (€5) + drinks (€5) = €10
Week 3: Bike rental (€8) + ice cream (€2) = €10
Week 4: Save (€0) for next month’s bigger activity
Monthly: €30 entertainment (beyond free stuff)
Result: Varied activities, affordable, sustainable.
Combining Free + Cheap
Saturday Plan:
- Morning: Free museum (€0)
- Lunch: Cheap bocadillo (€4)
- Afternoon: Teleférico (€6)
- Evening: Free park sunset (€0)
Total: €10
Full day: Planned
Boredom: Eliminated
The Bottom Line
What €10 Gets You:
- Movie ticket
- Karaoke with friends
- Bike rental adventure
- Wine and cheese picnic
- Ice skating session
- Board game café entry
- Churros trail
- Cable car views
- Food market meal
- Creative workshop
What €10 Doesn’t Get You:
- Fancy dinner
- Multiple drinks at expensive bar
- Tourist trap experiences
- Most “premium” activities
The Strategy:
Find activities where €10 unlocks experiences worth far more. Value = fun divided by cost.
The Truth:
Madrid’s best activities aren’t the most expensive. They’re the ones you’ll actually remember and talk about.
That’s the Como Local difference.
Quick Start: This Week
Monday:
Browse this list. Pick ONE activity under €10 that sounds fun.
Wednesday:
Movie day (€5-7). Go alone or invite someone.
Weekend:
Try one outdoor/active option (bike rental, pool, etc.).
Next Week:
Repeat with different activity. Build variety.
Monthly:
You’ve done 4-5 cheap thrills for €30-40 total. Way better than being bored OR broke.
Ready for affordable adventures in Madrid? Pick one €5-10 activity from this guide, do it this week, and discover that fun doesn’t require big budgets. Tag Como Local with your cheap thrills!
Share your favorite affordable activities and budget entertainment hacks with other students. What did we miss?
Como Local – Because the best memories don’t need to be expensive. 🎉