The Matadero – what is it?

If you are looking for something alternative, modern and slightly edgy… the Matadero contemporary art centre is where you want to go. You can find this interesting building and all it’s cultural wonders in the district of Legazpi, one of the southern barrios of Madrid.

Erasmus: is there anybody out there?

New to Madrid? Just about to start your Erasmus term at one of Madrid’s many universities? This blog post is for you!

FIB

If you’re in Madrid over the summer and looking for a weekend away and well-deserved break from your Spanish studies at Inhispania, I have an idea for you. Fib (Benicásim festival) is taking place this year from the 18th-21st July in Benicásim in Valencia. I can’t sell it as an ideal way to practice your Spanish (owing to the English-speaking crowd that flock there every year) but I can promise it will be a lot of fun!

Aquópolis

Madrid is already heating up and we’re not even truly into summer yet. From the 15th June onwards there will be one more solution to this problem: Aquópolis, Madrid’s very own water park.

Templo de Debod

As summer approaches, you will start to find more and more young people gathering in the streets to enjoy a drink or two, before heading into the centre to the bars and clubs. This is known as a botellón “an open-air drinking session”, and although strictly speaking it’s not allowed, the police will normally turn a blind eye and move you along, providing you aren’t causing a disturbance to other members of the public. 

verbs-online.com

Struggling with your verb conjugations? It’s hardly surprising. Unlike the English language, Spanish has a different verb conjugation for each person and each tense. And just when you think you’ve mastered it, along come the stem-changing verbs and there’s a whole new set of rules!

Piscinas abiertas

What’s the one thing that Madrid is missing? A beach! Fear not however, because Madrid’s outdoor swimming pools will start to open their doors towards the end of May. They tend to stay open until the beginning of September when the children go back to school (although obviously each individual pool will vary) so if you’re here over summer you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the sun!

Easter in Madrid

Might sound like I’m stating the obvious, but Easter is a very religious time in Madrid. There are a number of religious parades that take place on various days throughout the city and some of them are quite a spectacle. So regardless of whether or not you celebrate Easter, you should definitely try and get down to one or two!

Zaragoza

In need of another weekend trip to let off some steam after an intense week of study at Inhispania? How about Zaragoza?

Retiro

Retiro Park is a great place to visit all year round, but is especially pretty in Spring and Summer. Retiro Park is a hotspot for both tourists and Madrileños and could even be described as a symbol of Madrid. Once a private recreational ground for the royal family, today it is open to the public to enjoy the beautiful walks and views.

Preterite v. Imperfect

The problems caused by the preterite and imperfect tenses are certainly up there along with those of the subjunctive and ser and estar for us poor Spanish students. Like both of the above, it’s also something that unfortunately just requires lots of practice to master, but it’s always helpful to start out with a clear set of rules.

Catedrales

Seeing as Easter’s coming up, thought I might grab this holy opportunity and talk about one of Madrid’s religious monuments: Almudena Cathedral.

The circus is coming to town!

From the 1st March onwards, a new Cirque du Soleil show will be in Madrid. Which is certainly one not to be missed! 

Malasaña

Apologies if I’m preaching to the converted, but if you’re not well-acquainted with Madrid’s party district, Malasaña, here’s some info that will change your weekends! 

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike.

What’s stopping you? Here in Madrid there are dozens of ways to get hold of a bike (excluding stealing one, obviously). From free bike hire, to guided city bike tours, you’ll definitely be able to find what you’re looking for.

Be my Valentine

Valentines day: separated from that someone special? Pining over that someone special? Or still looking for that someone special? Why not come along to MadridBabel’s Valentines event, the “Great Saint Valentine’s Language Party”!

Fancy a giggle?

This Friday and Saturday there will be two “yoga laughter classes”, which are designed to exercise both your body and mind through the power of laughter. 

Madrid: the scenic route

Now that the weather’s starting to cheer up a bit there’s no better time to get out of the house and start exploring Madrid, especially if you’ve just arrived. Not sure where to head first? Let me give you a few ideas.

Silence! I'm working

Fed up of studying in your room? Fancy a new, interesting environment where you can get your head down and learn those stem-changing verbs? The Cervantes Institute could be just what you’re looking for! 

Hungry?

Fancy going out for dinner this weekend? Allow me to recommend a new find. La Musa in La Latina is a quirky hide-out which offers great food in great atmosphere.

Calling all online film junkies

Watching films online always leaves you with a slight feeling of “What is it I’m doing with my life again?” But, you’ll be pleased to hear I may have discovered a way to banish that thought. Cuevana.com.

Spanishdict.com

Or saveme.com, as I sometimes like to refer to it. For those of us for whom English is our native language, I think Spanishdict is the most comprehensive online Spanish/English dictionary. 

Salamanca

Now that Christmas and New Year are merely a distant memory and we’re all back working hard at Inhispania, I thought it was about time I returned with some top tips for making the most of your time in Madrid. And what’s my tip for today? Leave Madrid, and get on the bus to Salamanca.