Night at the museum

The Prado welcomes all visitors for free on the first Saturday of every month!

The Museo del Prado, in collaboration with the Community of Madrid and Samsung, opens different exhibition spaces free of charge on the first Saturday of every month, from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., in a program that aims to extend knowledge of the institution in a sequenced manner. There will be different musical initiatives and the possibility of discovering some of the experiences that Samsung and the Museum have created over 10 years of collaboration, such as the Dolphin's Treasure or the development of the Prado Guide App, among others.

Don't miss this month's experience! 

This weekend in Madrid! 9/21

Brunch in the Park! Madrid has lovely all-day dance parties with DJs and food trucks. There are only a few weekends left and they are worth going to. Don't miss out on some fun and the sun! LINK

Hotel Tapas Tour - Feel like a little treat? The tapas tour going on this weekend could be the perfect way to see some of the city, go to really lovely hotels, and try some delicious food. The tour runs only this weekend with specific tapas at each location. This LINK is the Instagram with the tour routes and pictures of the food options!

FREE theater experience!
APOCALIPSYNC_ is a heartwarming and hilarious show that explores the various ways to escape boredom and offers a unique and memorable theatrical experience. Luciano Rosso dazzles by brilliantly playing a variety of eccentric and funny characters who accompany him on an endless journey in the solitude of his apartment. Using his elastic body, he displays all his talents on stage: dance, clowning, contortionism, and lipsync.
When: Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: INDALECIO PRIETO BOULEVARD, 21 28032 MADRID
Price: free! but you need to call ahead to reserve your ticket
More info: LINK

Yoga and Picnic in Retiro
Sunday @10:30am
A yoga instructor will carry out a 75 min yoga class 🧘🏽‍♀️with meditation in English. Afterward, you can stay and have a nice time chatting and getting to know each other.
Bring a mat and something for the picnic.
More info: LINK



All Those Food Market is a festival of artisans and gastronomic entrepreneurs that is coming to Madrid for the first time on September 21 and 22.
TICKETS: 3 euros to buy follow this LINK
The festival will feature a market full of gastronomic projects such as the Super by Dot store with a selection of its most interesting products, pastries from Fika Patisserie and Reposted, bean-to-bar chocolates from Kaitxo, nuts from Nutnut, ice creams from Bibì e Bibò and organic vegetables from Tierra Campesina. Natural cosmetics
and zero waste products will also have their place in the All Those Food Market, as well as ceramics, illustration and plants or sustainable solutions for the home from BWT and Fluye.
More info: LINK

This weekend in Madrid 9/13

Madrid Art Gallery weekend - From September 12 to 15, the city will become the world capital of contemporary art during the celebration of Apertura Madrid Gallery Weekend . A cultural event in which numerous Madrid art galleries and museums simultaneously open their exhibitions with extended opening hours and which this year celebrates its 15th edition with the participation of the galleries of the Arte Madrid association.

For four days, Apertura Madrid Gallery Weekend will celebrate its fifteenth edition, reaffirming itself as the great event of the art world after the summer. Its main objective is to bring contemporary creation closer to the general public and to promote the Madrid art scene internationally. On this special occasion, the galleries will make a commitment to open their exhibitions to the largest possible public, both in their physical spaces and digitally. LINK to schedule


Free Flamenco show - 
When: September 14, 8pm
Where: Templo Debod
Desplante is a show that pays tribute to the 19th-century mining songs of the Region of Murcia, an art rooted in history and transmitted through the “quejíos” in the mine by the workers themselves, mostly Andalusian emigrants. Accompanied by Alejandro Moreno's mastery of the guitar and the purity of Cristina Soto's singing, Guerrero will transport us through the styles of flamenco in a unique and emotional experience.
More info -  LINK 

If you are interesting in volunteering...

 Please follow this link to see some options! 

LINK

Language exchange options

Being in Madrid is all fun and games, but returning to the United States with a great grasp of the language takes more than class. Below are some fun and engaging options to practice your language skills and grow your social circle. 

Citylife has free events weekly LINK

These events are held right downtown at a bar, they are quite social. If you are a little overwhelmed by putting yourself out there, go with a friend! Location: Calle 365 – Calle Echegaray 18

Free Meetups organizes nice conversation groups exchange for all international people in Madrid. They choose English – Spanish speaking bars with friendly waiters and nice prices. Once you arrive at the bar you will be well received by our “open language exchange & intercambio de idiomas” Hostess. The hostess is going to explain how the dynamic will be and introduce you to the other participants. LINK

Would you rather not meet up at a bar or in a large group. Tandem is a great way to find a conversation partner. Create an account and find a match to go to a cafe, park, or walk. These exchanges allow you to practice your Spanish as well as help your partner with their English. LINK 

First Weekend in Madrid

A few options to get to know the city from different areas! 

See Madrid from above! Madrid is filled with rooftop bars and restaurants. Some are free, others have a small fee associated. 

RIU is the most famous as it is the tallest. Located at Plaza España, it looks out over the entire city and down into Casa De Campo. Access is on Calle del Maestro Guerrero and costs 5 euros between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm, and 10 euros between 5:00 pm and 12:00 am on weekdays and on weekends always 10 euros. The views are incredible (!) and definitely worth a visit for a drink or snack. 

Free access: 

La Tavernier 

Le Jardin de Diana

More rooftop options: LINK 

Check out some of Madrid's amazing art scene: 

As students (with your AU Spain cards) you have access to MANY museums for free. Take the time to check out The Prado, The Reina Sofia, Thyssen, Caixa Forum, etc. We will keep you updated on new exhibits in the coming weeks! 

Think LINK will show you everything that is on for that day in Riena Sofia and is a handy tool to save to your favorites. 

Many collections are in flux right now as the summer is coming to a close. Still, we promise to keep you updated with the new arrivals in the coming weeks. Regardless, the permanent collections in all the museums are incredible and worthwhile. 

Beat the heat and hang with the locals! 

           

All municipal pools are open to the public 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! 

Welcome to Madrid

Hello and Welcome! 

We are so thrilled to begin another fall semester here in Madrid and cannot wait to show you how incredible this city really is. Through your classes, you will learn about the culture and history of Spain. Through your tours and travels, you will experience it firsthand. And hopefully, through this Blog you will be provided options to deepen your immersion, engage with locals, and expand your areas of interest. 

We know that your schedules are packed, but you will only be here for one term and we advise you to make the very most of this city while you are here. Traveling throughout Europe is a luxury, but really getting to know a city, Madrid specifically, will make this time even more memorable. 

This blog will be a way for us to share some of the exciting things that we think you might enjoy in the city. We will provide weekly updates and options for art, culture, music, food, etc. If you follow any of our suggestions, do not hesitate to share a photo or any reaction to the experience by commenting on a post. We would love to hear how it was! 

Please also take the time to look through some of our posts from the last year as much of the information remains relevant!

See you soon!

AU Spain Team