Madrid exudes all the bravado of a capital city. Cars and buses jam the city's streets, yet the commute proceeds with order, speed, and efficiency Everything you might want to see is close by, via a leisurely walk, a quick subway trip, or an inexpensive taxi ride.

You will find the locals "Madrileños" are gregarious! Animated discussion and dancing enliven the city's cafés, taverns, bars, and open squares until the early hours of the morning.

Locals often munch on tapas and postpone dinner until 11:00 p.m. Then follow the crowds to a wonderful play at Plaza Santa Ana, shake to the dance scene of La Latinaor or take in a show at Madrid's top flamenco clubs near Plaza Tirso de Molina. Madrid is a fascinating place to learn Spanish!

Madrid has cafes, tapas bars and nightclubs on almost every block. The area most favoured by those who enjoy going out to these places is probably Plaza Santa Ana. This is where tourists usually flock to, however you will also come across a considerable number of locals as well. Tapas bars line the streets here so the selection is endless.

Along Castellana you will find mostly upscale bars and nightclubs with the kind of crowd such places attract. It is unlikely to find students here and the general age group ranges from 25 years upwards. The same goes for Retiro and Salamanca areas. This is where the "pijos" hang out, Spanish for yuppies. Running parallel to Castellana are many salsatecas or salsa nightclubs, owned and run by Latin American immigrants.

As everywhere else in Spain, food in Madrid is an important subject. Going to a restaurant for a meal is not only intended for eating purposes, but as a social occasion as well. In Madrid you will come across the simplest of snack bars and cafeterias as well as true gourmet shrines. And the beloved tapas bars must not be missed. Whether it’s a small snack you’re after or a plentiful and mouthwatering meal, in Madrid you are sure to find the food to your liking.

Madrid is a city of contrasts. This is evident by the large modern department stores that exist alongside small family run shops on narrow side streets that have managed to survive through the ages.

Just as in the rest of Spain, people here in Madrid go out very late. Most begin the evening at around 10 PM at a tapas bar. The nightclubs open up at around 1 AM but people head for these at around 3 AM, when the bars close up. Then they party and dance until around 7 AM, which is closing time for most nightclubs. It is pretty common to stop over for some breakfast on the way home at one of the city’s many cafes.

For many, the weekend already starts on a Thursday night as Fridays usually imply shorter workdays. Madrid’s nightlife is so varied that everyone is sure to find something to their liking. Spaniards in general are friendly and sociable people so you should have no trouble meeting new people at the places you go to.

Our Spanish language immersion vacation allows you plenty of time to discover the culture of Spain & Madrid