Gap Year in Madrid Spain - Plaza de Cibeles - 1

Cultural and Social Madrid

 The Spanish capital is a cosmopolitan metropolis with a vibrant nightlife, great food, excellent shopping and an international and culturally diverse feel. Madrid’s warm and pleasant climate makes the city an ideal location for both having fun and learning on your gap year abroad.

Madrid has a wide range of cultural and social events on offer. Our gap year program aims, not only to transfer language skills, but also (and foremost) to give insight into the Spanish culture and way of life.


Madrid´s impressive central Correros (post office)   
                in the Plaza de Cibeles
Spain is more than tapas, paella, sevillanas, and the corrida (the Spanish bullfight). In some parts Madrid may even resemble hip and cultural London, or Vienna, with impressive architecture and Habsburgian buildings like those found in the barrio “Madrid de las Austrias”.

No matter which time of the year you travel to this brilliant city, it always hosts a huge range of expositions and concerts, outstanding festivals and unique events. Our gap year program is constructed to suit your preferences for the various cultural events.                                                                                   
Gap Year in Madrid Spain - Ventas - 2

We offer:

  • Guided city and museum tours – getting to know the “barrios”, visits to the world-famous art museums (El Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen) to see works of Picasso, Dalí, Velázquez, and Goya

  • Spanish film nights – Spanish cinema is a large industry and worthwile watching

  • Spanish literature – Read extracts from famous authors such as Cervantes, Machado, Calderon, and Garcia Lorca


The Plaza de Toros (bullring) located less than 1km away from our school
  • Introduction to modern Spanish history – learn about the Civil War, the Franco era, or Spain´s role in Europe

  • Canas and tapas evenings – consume typical “snacks” and beers in an authentic atmosphere

  • Organised language exchange with Spaniards – (intercambios)

  • Full day / weekend excursions to neighbouring cities such as Salamanca, Toledo, Segovia, El Escorial, and Cuenca
 Gap Year in Madrid Spain - La Plaza Mayor - 3
                                                                                                                    The Plaza Mayor (Main Square) designed by Felipe II in about 1580

Why not try our Spanish & Dance gap year program, which combines learning Spanish in Madrid with taking Spanish dance (Flamenco, Sevillanas, Danza Espanola, …) or Latin dance (Salsa, Merengue,…) classes.