In one of the great European cities, one of the most cosmopolitan and one that never sleeps, millions of people meet and get to know each other on a daily basis. Madrid is alive, very much alive.
The Spanish capital is a meeting point for people from all over the world, and now you are in the thick of it. The question is, do you want to make the most of it? Well, let’s get moving and meet people.
Join us in this guide to tips on where and how to meet people in Madrid. There’s nothing better than socialising in one of the liveliest cities in the world.
Where to meet people in Madrid
Common tastes to meet people in Madrid
Have you ever heard or has a friend ever told you the famous phrase: be yourself? Well, that’s just it. If in the city where you grew up you were a phenomenon at padel or Parcheesi, why don’t you continue in Madrid?
Remember that everything is bigger here, so you have more options. Practice your favourite sport, look for a club for that sport. Or a hobby, anything from playing role-playing games in specialised shops to collectibles.
This kind of community is great because you know you have things in common with the people in it, so you have a warm welcome from the start, the rest is up to you.
If you don’t have the hobby yet but you’ve always wanted to start, it’s time to sign up for group classes for that thing you’re crazy about learning; dancing, singing or whatever you can think of.
And, needless to say, if you’re a university student, hang out in the circles where all students do, whether they’re freshmen or master’s students. Check out our list of the best university clubs in Madrid.
Languages to meet people in Madrid
Although we could have mentioned language learning in the previous option, the truth is that the fact of wanting to improve or simply start to learn a language deserves its own section.
The reason is clear; forget about academies. Here the excuse is the language, but what you want is to meet people, have a good time, have a drink and if you learn or teach while you’re at it, all the better.
Madrid Babel or the app Tandem are perfect platforms for organising get-togethers that encourage chatting as a vehicle for learning and teaching. You’ll find everything from one-hour chats where you just teach or conversations halfway between your language and the one you want to learn.
It goes without saying that the best places are bars, but to give you a hand here is a guide to the best places for language exchange in Madrid.
Neighbourhoods in Madrid: afternoon chills and tapas in Madrid
Get around where the people move in Madrid. The centre of Madrid is great, but how about getting lost in the streets where the capital is at its liveliest, in its busiest neighbourhoods?
The Malasaña neighbourhood is an icon of Madrid. It has a bohemian vibe that will get you hooked, you’ll want to come back every day, because Malasaña is alive. Where there used to be a shop, a new bar, a tapas bar or your new favourite place for a beer appears.
Enter Malasaña and you’re almost guaranteed to leave having met new people. And another place where you’re almost guaranteed to meet people is the neighbourhood of Chueca. Chueca’s hustle and bustle is known halfway around the world.
Chueca not only has an impressive nightlife, but it also combines leisure and culture with cultural events that are on a par with its fiestas and festivals.
In both, tapas and chill evenings is the order of the day, although we can’t forget about other places such as the La Latina neighbourhood. Wherever there’s a drink or a tapa involved, there’s going to be a bond.
Music to meet people in Madrid
Music, as well as taming the wild beasts, brings people together. That is undeniable, and whether or not you are an absolute fan of any musical genre, going through the streets of Madrid following the music is a hobby that you should start.
Madrid’s cultural and musical agenda is full of good ideas. Starting with the best clubs and venues with live music and ending with concerts and major festivals in the capital.
As you’ve already seen, great friendships are made between chairs and tables in a bar, whether chatting, singing or dancing. But if a bar is too small for you, and you’re one of those who want to live the whole experience, take a look at the best spring music festivals in Madrid.
Wait a minute, are you telling me that after finishing the course you’re going to continue in Madrid? All right, good choice. If so, make the most of Madrid and have fun while you meet people at the best summer music festivals in Madrid.