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! 

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. 

Language Exchange Activities to Improve your Spanish and Make Friends

 

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! The Midterm exams are finally over for everybody! Let's go on!

Would you like to improve your Spanish? It  is time for you to take action. All day speaking English with your classmates is not going to help you. Convince them to accompany you on a "Language Exchange." In Spain they have been very common for a while. Decades ago it was done spontaneously in the Irish bars of Madrid, where people left their notes asking for a language exchange on the notice boards. Over time it evolved and now they are more organized. Debates, karaoke, casual conversations in front of a coffee, hiking... And there is no money involved!

On the official Madrid Tourism website you can find some events, although there are many more in internet. Take some action! 

https://www.esmadrid.com/en/language-exchange-venues

So many things to do this week in Madrid !

Mix of culture, art and history -- Exposition about the Berlin Wall

Extensive collection of over 300 original objects, testimonials from people on both sides and  20 meters of the original wall. 

Paseo de la Castellana, 214 (Chamartín metro)

tickets starting at 17,80€.

Free Monday dance classes - entry between 8:30 pm and 11 pm 

Learn salsa at any experience level and meet new people at Calle 365 in Bario de Las Letras 

9 pm Salsa class and 10:10 Bollywood class 

Calle 365 - Calle de Echegaray, 18, 28014 Madrid

 Reserve your free tickets here 

Comedy show - pay what you can

Every week, we have an English comedy open mic with some of Madrid's most talented comedians who want to try new jokes. This show has a great mix of professional comedians who try new jokes and new/upcoming comedians who work on their crafts. Don't miss your chance to witness the raw version of the jokes for the first time! This is Jokesmith’s Open Mic!

Doors open at 8pm - show is at 8:30 

Reserve place here - then bring cash for the show 

El Pez Gato (Noviciado or Tribunal metro) 

Make your own bathbomb with LUSH

Get creative, make a bathbomb, add a little secret note inside for yourself or a special someone! Come alone or bring friends.  

Saturday, November 18th 

Timing - 5:30 to 6:30 pm 

 tickets - 8 euros 

64 Calle de Fuencarral 

Sunday free running club 

5km run at your own pace but start together. 

Timing: 10:30 am 

 free 

Puerta de la Independencia 

Outdoor Escape Game - in La Latina 

Explore the beautiful streets of La Latina neighbourhood of Madrid. Become immersed in the culture through traditional food, murals depicting scenes from history, and small museums packed with meaningful objects on display. You’ll get to feast all your senses as you discover restaurants with colourful exteriors, serving delicious traditional dishes. The grandest church in Madrid is also one of the attractions waiting to be discovered by you, and be prepared to fall in love with the squares and markets of the neighbourhood! Adventure is one click away!

The route you’re going to follow in the city is sprinkled with unique places, fun clues and challenges, and incredible stories of past and present.

The experience will play out like you’re the main characters of a movie, only that you’re experiencing everything in first person! Fun dialogue, intrigue, and unexpected interactions are guaranteed.

HOW IT WORKS❓

1. Book your tickets 🎫

2. Download the Questo app - it's free 📲

3. Head to the starting point📍

• Available 24/7
• Pause and resume anytime.
• You can play offline

 tickets for 7.99 

Botin Restaurant 

Interested in exploring your artistic side and socializing ... maybe make some holiday presents

Pinta en Copas - CeramicafeChoose a ceramic piece from the more than 100 models available. Then paint and drink a coffee. A week late you can go pick up your piece after it has been fired. This is a super central and really accessible option to spend a few hours!

Prices range from €10 for the smallest pieces to €30 for the largest. For example, a cup of breakfast would cost a total of €15 (although there are cups between 12 and 19 euros)

Youth card: 15% discount on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, in the morning.

LINK

                                                           

Everyday there is an option to pain a different category at ARTE BAR

40 Euros for a three hour session with a professional teacher, an apron, paints and bottomless wine

LINK provides options for each day 

                                                           

Wednesday November 29th

Sip and Paint - 5 Euro Tickets

Are you ready for a fun and creative experience? Join our Sip and Paint event. In a relaxed atmosphere, you'll enjoy a glass of wine while exploring your artistic side. Awaken your creativity and take home your own masterpiece - come and discover the pleasure of painting while socialising! ??

LINK

THE SOCIAL HUB

The Social Hub is a home for next-gen students and professionals, a hotel for travellers, a coworking space for big thinkers, a playground for entrepreneurs and a city meeting place for locals. Whatever your journey, it starts at The Social Hub.


Some options - all start at 3 euros

- sign language

- pilates

- yoga

- music jam sessions

- Spanish class

- Pop up night of Sicilian Street Food

LINK

Jazz Madrid !

 

Now through the 22nd of November there are events all over Madrid to experience the language of Jazz. 

There are all sorts of options, full concerts, expeditions, Jazz in clubs, etc. 

Here is the LINK to the programming. 

Some of the options are free, you just have to look! 

Start November with a laugh

After a long Halloweekend and short Halloweek it is time to kick off your third month in Spain!

Stand up comedy in La Latina is a perfect option for Saturday night socializing, it is also free and in English. 

LINK to tickets 

Laughing not your thing? More into fashion? 

San Bernardo Fashion Festival might be more your speed. Another free event. 

From their website: 

San Bernardo Fashion Road, an event created for and by lovers of fashion, design and original pieces.

We will have Fashion Popup with a selection of designers and brands of clothing, accessories and jewelry.

On this occasion we will have a very special space of fashion influencers, in collaboration with the GoTalents agency , who will be present with unique pieces from their personal closets.

And of course a Lineup with DJs and the Generator Hotel Bar open to enjoy the best cocktails.

We will wait for you!

Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023

Time: 1:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Price: free entry

LINK for more information

Mid October Slump --> Over

Thursday: 

A reflection of feminine power - Caixa Forum - This exhibition is FREE to students with your student card. It is a collaboration with the British Museum, an exploration of 5,000 years of spiritual power. 

September 28 - January 14 

10 am - 8 pm Monday through Sunday 

Paseo del Prado, 36 

LINK

 

Friday: 

Spanish Art, a reflection of self - Luis Gordillo - 20 years of work from this Spanish artists fills a huge, beautiful space. Enjoy not only the art but also the room. A FREE exhibit for a curious mind. 

Sala Alcala 31

Now through January 14, 2024 

                                                  

Easy Apply - Young Art Room - The exhibition proposes a response to the relationship between young people and their current occupations that, embedded in the economy of occasional work, are reflected through different and varied artistic languages.

Avenida de America, 13

11 am - 2pm and 5pm - 8 pm Tuesday through Saturday

More info: LINK

Saturday: 

The coolest art gallery in Madrid - a water tower turned four story free exhibition all the way up into the water tank - The current photography exhibit features Crisitna de Middel showcasing war, violence and migration. 

September 29 - January 14, 2024 

11am - 8:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday 

Sala Canal de Isabel II 

For more information: LINK

                                                  

Otro Puto Mercadillo - downtown art and culture event. This little market pop up in the heart of Malasana is FREE. There is a variety of expositions, independent artists, performances and workshops. This event happens almost every month, so if you miss it this week you can always try for next time! 

5 - 9 pm 

Calle Jesus del Valle 28 28004

for more info follow their insta @otroputomercadillo 

                                                  

Lofacil - FREE concert in the museum - Spanish artist, worth checking out! 

6 pm - No tickets needed 

LINK to her instagram 

LINK to a music video 

                                                  

Free Spooky walking tour - Practice your Spanish listening skills and learn about the mysteries and scaries of Madrid. 

8 - 10 pm 

Plaza Cibeles 

Book your ticket here : LINK

Sunday:

The running of the sheep - Transhumance Festival - This is an incredible experience, and it is totally worth going out and watching regardless of the weather. Thousands of sheep are let loose in the city on a tour around town. The Sheep run/walk from Casa de Campo to Plaza de Cibeles

10 am - 2 pm 

For more info on the full itinerary: LINK

                                                  

A reflection of artists and models - Fundacion Canal provides a FREE exhibit with almost 100 pieces by 13 different artists. It is an exploration of Picasso's conception that the artist is nothing without their model. 

October 11 - January 5, 2024

11 am - 8 pm