Madrid
Spain
Madrid is Spain’s capital, largest city, and cultural and financial center. When made capital of the Kingdom in 1561, Madrid started growing exponentially, later hosting masterminds like Cervantes and Velazquez that would turn the city as a beacon for culture and innovation, greatly funded by the richness of its empire. Most of the buildings that are now landmarks where built during that time.
While the old part of the city is dotted with churches and squares, the modern section along Paseo de la Castellana is home to avant-garde architecture, world-class shopping, upscale hotels, and the most important financial center of Southern Europe.
Once done visiting the impressive collections of the city’s best-known museums El Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza, tourists and locals alike come together one of the most active nightlives in Europe, marching up and down the Gran Via and Puerta del Sol. And if bringing people together at bars is not enough, a soccer match will do it, during the Derby madrileño, which involves two of Madrid’s most popular teams, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
Why learn Spanish in Madrid?
Breathe culture and refinement while walking around Paseo del Prado and visiting the Golden Triangle of Art.
Most visited city in Spain, with easy connections abroad and within Spain.
Outstanding center for commerce, business, and shopping.
Pilgrimage place for soccer fans around the world as the home of Real Madrid, amongst other teams.
Language Schools in Madrid:
Linguaschools Madrid has a quiet location right next to Madrid’s touristic center. The school focuses on small classes and offers a highly personalized learning experience while including arts programs to get the most out of your stay in the city.
Spaneasy Madrid has one of the best locations in the city, right next to Puerta del Sol. Small classes, an innovative approach, young crowd and teachers, and great reviews from students have made this school one of the most popular in Madrid.
Inhispania is heavily focused on multiculturality and has students from over 60 nationalities. On top of that, this school is right next to Gran Vía, which means that you will never run out of things to do the moment you step out from class.
Enforex Madrid is one of the most seasoned schools in Madrid, with almost 30 years of experience, and the first of the 32 Enforex schools around the world. Located near Plaza España, it combines a university residential area with top-notch education.
Don Quijote Madrid focuses in socialization, offering lots of after-class in-school activities to learn different aspects of Spanish culture. On top of that, it’s located right next to the university area of the city, full of a student-fueled nightlife, yet steps away from Gran Via.
Travel
tips
When
Best time to go is in the Spring and the Fall (avoid Winter and Summer temperatures).
FYI
Madrid has one of the largest and best integrated transportation networks in the world. So, if you every get bored of the surface, lose yourself beneath the ground which is unsurprisingly, full of art as well.
Meet
Plaza Santa Ana and Fuente de Neptune, a pair of gorgeous squares surrounded by some of the city’s best hotels, are probably some of the best places in the city for celebrity spotting.
Real Madrid, one of the most famous sports teams across the world, is based in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium (almost a celebrity itself) bringing fans closer to meeting the players.
See
Madrid’s -and Spain’s- epicenter is Puerta del Sol where tourists, locals, political demonstrations, and New Year celebrations converge amid stunning architecture and statues.
The Monarchy, symbol of Spain and its history, is based here in a massive Palacio Real complex that dominates half of the city.
Madrid would not be Madrid without the impressive and awe-inspiring Plaza Mayor: its harmonious architecture, impressive archways and hundreds of chairs from the restaurants and bar that line it are definitely unforgettable.
Do
The Madrid LGBT Pride festival is regarded as the biggest party in Europe and lasts a full week starting on June 28th.
With one of the world’s best nightlife, locals and tourists enjoy top entertainment in the city at any hour, including flamenco shows, bull fighting, theaters, bars and club that stay open well into the morning hours.
Even though Madrid is a modern metropolis, ancient traditions are kept alive and showcased during La Trashumancia every October, when the city is freed of cars and instead invaded by shepherds and their livestock.
Eat
Winter’s cold temperatures bring along the cocido madrileño: a deconstructed stew composed of soup, chickpeas with vegetables and assorted meats.
Buy
El Corte Ingles, the 4th largest department store chain in the world, has its flagship store in Madrid: a 9-storey shopping experience encompassing any top-tier brand imaginable.