Part of our guide to learning Spanish in Spain.
If you really want to learn Spanish, there are few places better than Madrid. The political and economic capital of Spain is also located slap bang in the geographical centre of the country.
Madrid is one of Europe’s friendliest and most sociable capitals. The Madrileños, in general are an easy-going bunch, and having an evening “caña”(glass of beer) and tapas with friends or colleagues is very much in their DNA. In fact, while other cities limit social time to the weekend, in Madrid any day of the week is valid for an impromptu meet-up.
When it comes to foreign visitors, Madrid is a very much behind its Catalan rival, Barcelona; but this is is a good thing! When you are in Madrid, you feel like you are in a proper city, not a tourist camp. It’s also positive for language learners as you are less likely to be surrounded by those dreaded English-speakers. This is not to say that Madrid doesn’t attract foreign visitors. It does, and in their thousands, but there are (still) far fewer than in Barcelona.
Unlike Barcelona or Bilbao, there are no pesky local languages to worry about in Madrid! No disrespect to the Basque or Catalan languages, but if you’re trying to learn Spanish, they can, sort of, get in the way.
One of the most famous art galleries in the world. The Prado is particularly well known for its collection of European art from the 16th to the 19th century.
Probably the area of Madrid with the highest concentration of bars and restaurants and a popular going-out spot for both Madrileños and foreign visitors.
Who says the Spanish don’t do parks? Retiro is a magnificent expanse of green located slap bang in the centre of Madrid. With temperatures around 30 degrees for much of the summer, this elegant, shady park is a welcome refuge.
There’s a famous Spanish phrase which describes the weather in Madrid (and a large part of central Spain) as “nueve meses de invierno y tres de infierno“. That’s largely true. The winters in Madrid are long and tend to drag on into April and May. Then, suddenly, summer arrives and temperatures can easily reach 35 degrees.
We’re working on this selection of Spanish course providers in Madrid!:
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With thanks to the following photographer:
Palace at night
By Luis García, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
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