3 chilling plans and where to park to see them
We bring you 3 plans you can easily do in Madrid for Halloween with your car without worrying about parking.
Author: Javier Perez Montes, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. source
Madrid, a multicultural city constantly enriched by its visitors and diverse cultures, has adopted the Halloween holiday despite not being a native Spanish tradition. This celebration, which extends to most Spanish cities, finds its reason in American influence, horror movies, and, above all, the diverse and multicultural nature of Madrid itself. As a result, October 31st becomes a thrilling date in the capital.
From Parkimeter, we want to offer you 3 exciting plans to enjoy Halloween in Madrid with your family and friends. If you have no plans and the idea of dealing with parking and crowds discourages you, keep reading!
Where to Park at the Prado Museum for Halloween
If you're looking for a plan to enjoy with children, look no further! The Prado Museum has thought of the little ones to offer a spooky tour of the museum. It's a guided visit with activities and games, explaining art in a more playful and enjoyable way. The guide tells stories and mysteries about some artworks, as well as explaining the symbolism behind elements like skulls or dragons. The recommended age for this activity is 8 to 14 years, and they encourage you to dress up for the full experience. It's 2 hours of fun that will fly by.
The activity is organized by Art Stories, and you can purchase tickets online. We recommend not waiting too long to book, as it's very popular, and groups fill up quickly.
If you're going to the Halloween special at the Prado Museum by car, we recommend reserving parking. Parking near the Prado Museum on the street can be quite challenging. If you decide to try, we recommend parking as far away from that area as possible. If you want to try your luck, there are several parking zones in Plaza de la Lealtad, all of which are blue zone. If you arrive very early, you might find a spot. However, some tour groups start as early as 11 am, and it's challenging to find a free spot at that hour. If you opt to park in a parking near the Prado Museum, you'll arrive on time for the event, which is especially practical when traveling with children. At Parkimeter, you can use our search tool to find the parking that best suits your needs and schedule.
Book parking near Prado Museum
Where to Park at Casa de Mexico to Visit the Day of the Dead Altar
Casa de Mexico is a foundation dedicated to promoting Mexican culture. It's a must-visit any time of the year, as its agenda is filled with interesting activities for all tastes, allowing you to get closer to the culture and way of life of a beautiful country that has given us so many artists. However, it's during these dates that it receives more visitors. The reason is its Day of the Dead altar. An impressive installation that changes its theme every year. In 2023, the altar is dedicated to 30 Mexican women who made history. Names like Frida Kahlo, Leonora Carrington, Remedios Varo, Chavela Vargas, or Malinche, among others, are the protagonists of this offering. Additionally, there will be an intervention on the facade of Casa de Mexico and an exhibition with folk art made by artisans from the state of Puebla.
Book parking near Casa de Mexico
You can visit the altar and the exhibition from October 7th to November 12th. Tickets are available to subscribers of Casa de Mexico's newsletter. If you don't have a ticket, you'll need to come and wait in line for about an hour.
If you're visiting Casa de Mexico by car, you can find street parking. Casa de Mexico is located in Argüelles, a residential and fairly quiet area. We recommend looking for parking on quieter streets like Tutor, Altamirano, or Marqués de Urquijo. All of them have blue zone parking; remember that it's about 2 euros per hour, and you can park for a maximum of 4 hours.
Where to Park to See the Ghost Station in the Madrid Metro
Did you know that Madrid has a ghost station? Yes, that's right! Chamberí station was located at Plaza Chamberí with Calle Santa Engracia and belonged to the first metro line inaugurated in 1919. The station closed in 1966, and more than four decades later, in 2008, it reopened as the Madrid Metro museum. The restoration was thanks to architects Pau Soler and Miguel Rodríguez. This is a must-visit for lovers of Madrid's history, as when you go there, you inevitably travel back in time. In the past, before the museum was built, the metro would slow down when passing Chamberí station, and you'd feel a shiver seeing the abandoned station. In fact, the station has been the backdrop for some Spanish films, such as Fernando León de Aranoa's "Barrio." The director filmed some scenes in the ghost station because he claimed to see people when the train passed through. It's not a legend but a reality: homeless individuals used to sneak through Iglesia metro station and spend the night there.
Book parking near Chamberí ghost station
If you want to visit Chamberí ghost station by car, the best option is to park in a parking facility. If you're not a resident, parking on the street in Chamberí can be complex because it's an area with a very extensive green zone. You can still park in the green zone, but remember that it's a bit more expensive for non-residents, and parking is limited to just two hours, so you'll need to move your car. Parking in a public parking lot will save you headaches.
In summary, Madrid comes alive for Halloween, and it's an experience you won't want to miss! Even though it's not a centuries-old Spanish tradition, the city has embraced this holiday with open arms, and fun is guaranteed. From spine-tingling tours at the Prado Museum to visits to the amazing Day of the Dead altar at Casa de Mexico, there are plans for every taste.
If you decide to join in the fun, be sure to make your plans in advance and think carefully about parking. Parking in Madrid can be quite a challenge, so don't hesitate to use the available options to avoid additional stress. We hope you have a good scare, but not with the parking meter! Happy Halloween!