Welcome To Madrid!

Hello guys!

We’ve already met in person, but welcome to AU Madrid online as well! You’ve been in Madrid for a few days now and have surely explored on your own, but here are some ideas for this weekend (January 17th and 18th):

The Mercado de las Ranas (Frogs' Market) is an open-door event in which shops in the Literary Quarter open all day long on the first and third Saturday of the month. The aim is to showcase and share the neighbourhood's commercial, tourist, cultural, and gastronomic offerings. At the same time, local restaurants and bars offer numerous attractions, providing a comprehensive experience for all visitors with promotions, discounts, and special menus. This event is similar in format to other world-renowned markets such as Portobello Road or Camden Town in London, or famous New York flea markets like Hell's Kitchen or the Soho Antiques Fair & Collectibles. The market starts at No 2 Calle de Huertas, and runs all the way till Calle del Príncipe. It then continues from the corner of Calle de las Huertas and Calle del León to the corner of Calle de las Huertas and Costanilla de las Trinitarias.

Metro: Antón Martín (L1). Sol (L1, L2, L3). Estación del Arte (L1)

Saturday January 17th, 12-7:00pm

(Text from the Official Madrid Tourism website and picture from Madrid Happy People website)

 

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The Museum of Romanticism presents an original exhibition curated by Stéphany Onfray that brings together calling cards, portraits, and 19th‑century photographic objects to show how photography studios became spaces of expression and freedom for women https://www.esmadrid.com/en/whats-on/women-portrayed-museum-romanticism

 

Metro: Tribunal (L1, L10), Alonso Martínez (L4, L10, L5), Chueca (L5)
Mondays closed. Tuesdays to Saturdays 9:30am-8:30pm. Sundays 10:00am-3:00pm

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Movies night! Many of the city's cinemas screen films in their original language with Spanish subtitles. In addition, cultural institutions, headed by Filmoteca Española, are organising activities that will turn Madrid into an ideal destination for movie-goers. More information in https://www.esmadrid.com/en/films-their-original-language  or in one of our old posts: https://exploringwithauspain.blogspot.com/2024/01/a-very-special-movie-theater-in-madrid.html or https://exploringwithauspain.blogspot.com/2025/02/little-secret-plans.html

Near Plaza de España you can find a wide variety of movie theaters (though not all of them are located there, as you’ve probably noticed in the previous links) that show films in the original version. How about watching Rental Family in English with some popcorn on Friday or Saturday afternoon at Cines Renoir Princesa? Movies here are much cheaper than in the U.S.! And in some theaters, if you keep a code that appears on your ticket, your second visit can be even cheaper!

Cines Renoir Princesa: Calle de la Princesa 3 ("Plaza de los Cubos", as people call it).

Metro Plaza de España (L3 y L10)

Showtimes for that movie in particular (it is different for others): 4:00pm, 6:00pm, 8:35pm, 10:40pm

Look up!

Every year Madrid hosts a military parade that marks Spanish National Day, a day commemorating the country's cultural and linguistic expansion beyond the European continent. Personnel from the Armed Forces, Civil Guard, National Police, and Maritime Rescue take part in the parade accompanied by ground vehicles and aircraft.

During the event, which kicks off with the arrival of the King and Queen, the king inspects the troops and greets members of the government. Other highlights of the parade include the descent of a parachuter carrying a giant Spanish flag, the Spanish Legion marching with their pet goat, the solemn raising of the National Flag, which pays tribute to those who’ve died for their country, and the flypast of the Spanish Air Force.

Route 2024 of The 12th of October Parade 

More info LINK

There will also be a fireworks display at Cibeles at 9pm!! 

Madrid - A Celebration of Cultures

Day of the Dead Casa de México - Altar of the Dead 2024 (October 2 -10 )
Every year, Fundación Casa de México in Spain throws a huge celebration to mark the Day of the Dead. From 2 October to 10 November, you can visit the Altar of the Dead inspired by the journey from the world of the dead to the world of the living through the senses. This year’s altar has been designed by Eugenio Caballero, one of Mexico’s most prominent artistic directors. As well as the altar, the foundation is putting on many more activities for you to learn all about this lovely tradition.

More info - follow LINK

Villanos del Jazz (13 September to 29 December)
As part of the Villanos del Jazz program, throughout the year Sala Villanos (although there are concerts in other venues) hosts performances by the biggest names on the national and international jazz scene with a view to popularising this genre among all audiences. The 2024 edition of the programme will take place from 13 September to 29 December and will feature renowned jazz artists such as Pat Metheny, Robben Ford, Richard Bona, Jack Broadbent and Bombino, among others.

Full programme and info LINK

Paul Durand-Ruel and the Twilight of Impressionism (September 15 - January 5) Fundación MAPFRE presents an exhibition on the life and work of Paul Durand-Ruel, pursuing two main goals: to introduce the public to this prominent art dealer and patron who protected and promoted art from his gallery in Paris, as well as from his headquarters in London and New York; and to contextualize and highlight the work of five artists of the post-Impressionist generation, Albert André, Georges D'Espagnat, Gustave Loiseau, Maxime Maufra and Henry Moret.

Free for students! 

More info and timing LINK

WELCOME TO OUR BLOG!

Welcome to our AU Spain blog! Every week we will share with you some tips to enjoy your stay in Madrid.

During our trip to Toledo, Paco told you about El Rastro, an old flea market open every Sunday from 9:00am to 3:00pm where you can find trinkets and handmade products, but also good antique stores and also hiking clothing, military clothing, second-hand and many other things.

    

Metro stops - Tirso de Molina (Line 1) or Embajadores (Lines 3 and 5) or La Latina (line 5).

By the way, if you are interested in vintage clothing, you can not only go to the Rastro on Sundays, here you will find some suggestions for every day of the week:

https://www.timeout.com/madrid/shopping/vintage-and-second-hand-shops

And for other flea martkets:

https://www.the500hiddensecrets.com/spain/madrid/discover/flea-markets

However, if you prefer to do something cultural (we will inform you about exhibitions, films, concerts... every week), don't miss the exhibition on the fall of the Berlin Wall. It has been in Madrid since November, but it is supposed to end at the end of February. It is located close to ISDE!

https://theberlinwall.com/madrid/en/

 Metro stop-Plaza de Castilla (Lines 1, 9 y 10)