Madrid Pride

Madrid is known for being one of the best LGBTQ+ destinations in the world and its annual Pride is a must-attend for thousands of people from across the world. The celebrations will begin this year on 28 June (International Pride Day, commemorating the Stonewall riots that marked the beginning of the LGBT protest movement). The festivities then continue for a week with a wide range of activism, culture, and fun activities.

The biggest day is the afternoon of Saturday, July 6 when the Madrid Pride Parade takes place (from Atocha train station to Plaza de Colón).

Although the majority of activities are held in the Chueca neighborhood, one of Madrid’s most cosmopolitan and vibrant areas, Pride is enjoyed across the entire city. Stages hosting concerts and shows can be found at this link. 

One final summer goodbye

With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to our last group in the summer session. 

It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to accompany these AU Madrid students on a journey of learning, growth, and exploration. Watching each of you immerse yourselves in new cultures, challenge your perspectives, and form lifelong friendships has been truly inspiring.

As we part ways and return to our respective corners of the world, know that you will be dearly missed. The memories we've created together will be cherished, and we have no doubt that the lessons learned during our summer abroad will continue to shape your lives in profound ways.

Thank you for being a part of this unforgettable journey. Until we meet again, take care and remember that you will always have a place to come home to in Madrid.

With warm regards and best wishes, 

The AU Madrid Team 

City break within the city

PHotoESPAÑA 2024 presents at the Royal Botanical Garden (RJB), CSIC the outstanding production of Paloma Navares (Burgos, 1947), with her exhibition 'Light of intuition'. The work investigates social issues, delving into the world of women, their rituals, customs, and traditions; internal emotions and their extremes, the passage of time, the ideal image of the social individual, and the question of bodily beauty or death.


Enjoy a beautiful exhibition and cool off in the heart of Madrid. Then enjoy the gorgeous Botanical Gardens filled with greenery, flowers, and butterflies. Bring a book or a picnic, break from the sounds of the city, and relax into nature. 

Place: Royal Botanical Garden. Villanueva Pavilion. Plaza de Murillo, 2
Dates: 05/29 – 09/01/2024
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (May to August).
Price: free access upon payment of the corresponding entrance fee to the RJB-CSIC. Reduced with student ID card. 

Photo Contest Winner! and a very sad goodbye!

Congratulations Inari on winning the AU Photo Contest!

Thank you to all those who submitted photos, it was lovely to see your images from around Spain. Getting to see your perspective is a real treat. 

Also, sadly we said goodbye to our group of Scholars today at our farewell lunch. 

Remember that you have a second home here in Madrid! Please visit soon and keep us updated on your scholarly achievements and career goals. We love to hear how you are doing!

Thank you for trusting us with your study abroad experience. It has been an honor to watch you all grow and learn this summer. Good luck to you all and see you soon!

The runners-up: 

Worldly concerts in an other worldly location

An oasis in the heart of Madrid

An extraordinary place to enjoy summer evenings outdoors living music in nature. Discover the magic of the Naoches del Botánico at the Real Jardín Botánico Alfonso XIII of the Complutense University of Madrid.

In June and July, this natural space at Madrid Complutense University’s Botanical Garden will be the venue for the multi-faceted festival in which generations and styles (jazz, Latin, flamenco, rock and pop) will come together, making eclecticism its cover letter and becoming a not to be missed musical event for summer nights.

Not only on the musical side but also in terms of the connection with nature in a unique setting in the city, as the concerts of your favorite artists can become an unforgettable experience to be enjoyed every day of the program, from 7pm on summer evenings in Madrid Complutense University’s Botanical Garden.

for more information and tickets - follow this link 

Cool down in one of Madrid's fantastic municipal pools

Beat the heat and hang with the locals! 

All municipal pools are open to the public from May 15 until  September 8, 2024.

Opening hours:

Morning pass: 10am to 3pm.

Afternoon pass: 4pm to 9pm.

All day pass: 10am to 9pm.


Tickets: sold online


Passes, valid for the morning, the afternoon or all day, have the following prices:

Young people (15 a 26): 1.80 € (all day pass: 3.6 €)

Favorites - Casa de Campo/Lago pool and Vincent del Bosque! 

Books in the Park

The Madrid Book Fair, also known as Feria del Libro de Madrid, is an annual event held in the Retiro Park. It’s one of the most traditional and popular cultural events in the city, attracting thousands of book lovers and literature enthusiasts every year.

In 2024, it takes place from May 31st to June 16th and features over 350 stalls set up along the Paseo de Carruajes avenue in the Retiro park.

These stalls offer a wide selection of literature. You can find books ranging from novels and autobiographies to cookery and poetry. And not everything is in Spanish, there’s also a wide variety of books in other languages.

Additionally, there are regular book signings by many well-known authors where visitors can meet their favorite writers.

Explore history through photography

Each summer, Madrid becomes a reference event for the world of visual arts and photography. With exhibitions in the main museums, halls and art galleries, as well as diverse activities related to the chosen theme each year, PHotoESPAÑA offers the possibility to discover the latest tendencies in photographic art as well as the latest projects by the most internationally renowned artists. The latest edition will be held from May 10th to September 29th, featuring 84 exhibitions and the participation of 293 photographers and visual artists.

The 2024 edition is presented under the slogan Perpetuum Mobile, with movement as the central theme. From the dynamism of photography to that of the creators in the development of their work; from the representation of movement to collective, historical or social changes.
For more information on individual exhibitions and locations please follow this link