The best places to go swimming in Madrid

July 12, 2016 guiriguide Comments 0 Comment

Everyone knows here how hard can be summer in Madrid therefore which is why there’s nothing better than relaxing in fresh water: thankfully, the city offers many opportunities to do just that! First of all, in the center of the Spanish capital, you will find plenty of swimming pools of all types (private, municipal). Nevertheless, a breath of fresh air out of the bustling capital can make you forget the hot summer routine, if only for a short while. So, to enjoy a sweeter summer and appreciate the strong Madrid sunrays, we’ve selected the top 5 spots to get all wet in Madrid: Happy Summer!!!

_The 5 best municipal swimming pools

1-The swimming pool of Complutense University

The perfect way to enjoy an incredible student atmosphere: situated in the Campus of a famous Madrid University, la Complutense, it is the meeting point of all young people who want to gather to swim together. Your student ID will be required but no worry because you can also enter as a +1!

• Address: Avenida Obispo Trejo 28040 Madrid
• Metro: Moncloa
• Opening hours: 11h-20h
/!\ Children aren’t accepted

2-The swimming pool of Centro Deportivo Municipal Casa de Campo

The popularity of this swimming pool speaks volumes: the number of sports facilities and room for hobbies of all types makes for a great day! Located fairly near the center of Madrid, with easy access via public transportation.

• Address: Paseo Puerta del Angel, 7 28011 Madrid
• Metro: El Lago/Puerta del Angel
• Opening hours: 11h-21h

3-The swimming pool of Centro Deportivo Municipal Francos Rodríguez

These 11,500 m2 of aquatic paradise create the perfect space to spend your time off this summer. Another swimming spot in Moncloa where also everyone is welcomed to enjoy summer and have fun in the water!

• Address: Calle Numancia, 11 28040 Madrid
• Metro: Francos Rodriguez
• Opening hours: 11h-21h

_The best rooftop option

4-The swimming pool of Hotel Oscar Roommate

Probably one of the most amazing swimming spots in the Spanish capital! This pool is located on the top of the Oscar Roomate hotel! Spend a hot Saturday afternoon surrounded by the Madrid elite and drinking some delicious cocktails in a bright, chill atmosphere accompanied by low key music. What more could we ask for?

• Adress: Plaza de Pedro Zerolo, 12
• Metro: Gran Via, Chueca
• Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday=11h-17h/Friday to Sunday: 11h30-18h

_The best natural swimming pools

5-Las Presillas (Rascafría)

This very natural and awesome area provides a wide range of natural swimming pools. This is an ideal place to lunch with your family or friends . More, it contains a magnificent landscape and trials ideal for peaceful walks.

• Adress: Diseminado Cr C 604, 8, 28741 Rascafría
• Bus: 194, plaza de castilla
• Opening hours: 9h-22h

Madrid Summer Romance: 8 Dates Under 8€

July 10, 2015 guiriguide Comments 1 comment

By guest writer Sarah Carroll, an English teacher and AIL Madrid student living in Madrid.

Summer: the season of warm weather, long days and whirlwind Madrid Summer Romance. Whether you’re an avid tinder user or in a serious relationship, coming up with date ideas can be difficult; we always tend to fall back on the classic dinner and a movie. But, though a staple in the dating world, this classic outing can also end up costing an arm and a leg. Luckily for us, we live in a hub of historical sights, lavish parks and, most importantly, reasonably priced wine! So, for all you English teachers and/or travel enthusiasts who are new to Madrid and looking for something affordable to do with your honey, here are eight romantic summertime activities- all under 8€!!

Churros con Chocolate

Take a walk through the historical center of Madrid. Meander the streets of Sol and bask in the beauty of the old buildings, check out street performances and experience the lively energy at any hour. Down the quaint street of Pasadizo San Ginés (number 5) you will find the guiri favorite, Chocolatería San Ginés. For just €3.50 you and your sweetheart can sit on a terrace and enjoy five churros with a steaming cup of melted chocolate.

Row, row, row your boat

Get away from the hubbub of the center and go to Madrid’s own oasis, Parque del Retiro. Stroll through the 350-acre park and discover several gems like the Cristal Palace and the Fountain of the Fallen Angel. After, head to the north end of the lake where you can rent a rowboat for you and your date. Enjoy 45 minutes on the lake for just €5.80(Mon-Fri) or €7.50 (Sat, Sun and Holidays). This summer, the rowboats are available for rental between 10:00-20:30.

Beat the heat

Change up your regular Saturday night drinks by taking your boyfriend/girlfriend/tinder lover on a cool weeknight date, literally. Escape Madrid’s sweltering temperatures with a Wednesday night movie for just €3.50/ticket at any Yelmo Cinema.

Night on the Town

Set aside your dresses and button up shirts because for this date all you’ll need is comfortable clothes, trainers and a bottle of water. Rent an electric bike from one of Madrid’s many new bike share stations (pick up points: http://u.bicimad.com/mapa). Set off on an hour-long bike ride around the vivacious streets of Madrid for just €2/person.

Champagne Sunset

Head down to your local supermarket for some strawberries and cava. Pack those up, along with a blanket and two glasses, and take them to the adorable little park of Templo de Debod. There, you’ll find a gorgeous view of the city (including the Royal Palace) and a breathtaking sunset to enjoy with your sweetie.

Picture Perfect

Madrid is home to some wonderful art museums. And one of the most wonderful things about them is their weekly free admission hours. The Prado: Mon-Sat from18:00-20:00, Sun and Holidays from 17:00-19:00. The Reina Sofia: Mon, Weds-Sat from 19:00-21:00. Thyssen Musuem: Monday from12:00-16:00. Use the rest of your €8 to grab drinks at a nearby bar after exploring the museum.

Stay Fresh

Enjoy a relaxing night in your awesome new apartment by cooking up a lovely dinner for two. Get fresh meats and veggies at your local pollería and frutería. By avoiding the “big name” supermarkets you are sure to find all the ingredients for less than €8. And hey, you might even have enough money left over for an affordable, but delicious, bottle of vino!

When in Rome…

Take a detour off of Plaza Mayor onto Calle de Botoneras (number 6). There, you will find La Campana, a busy cervezería serving up some of the best bocadillos del calamares in Madrid. You and your main squeeze can enjoy this local favorite for just 2.70/sandwich. You can eat them in the upbeat bar or enjoy them as your wander the picturesque streets surrounding Plaza Mayor. La Campana is open Sun-Thurs 9:00-23:00 and Fri-Sat 9:00-00:00.

Sarah is a California girl gone Spanish who finds all the best ways to be thrifty in Madrid. If you like her recommendations, you might also like: AIL Madrid Spanish School, her article “Dos Besos”, and picnics in Retiro!

Viva San Isidro!

May 11, 2012 Shana Comments 0 Comment

If you work in Madrid city, enjoy your day off this Tuesday, the 15th of May, and thank Madrid’s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador. Also the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro is celebrated every year with a procession through the Carabanchel district of Madrid, as well as various activities in the center. Viva San Isidro!

As San Isidro falls on a Tuesday this year, the celebrations begin today, with the pregón, or kickoff taking place in Plaza de la Villa tonight at 8:00pm. Once the Gigantes y Cabezudos (a few giant statues with enormous heads) arrive in Plaza de la Villa from Plaza Santo Domingo and Plaza del Oriente, San Isidro weekend will officially begin. After the pregón, head to Plaza Mayor to hear a great concert by the Madrid Symphonic Orchestra at 9:30pm.

My favorite part of San Isidro is the music. All weekend in Parque de Las Vistillas (metro Ópera), live music can be heard at practically any time of day. Every evening there will be concerts with a bit more flair and staging and the park will be completely full of people singing and dancing to traditional tunes. However if you want to hear something a bit more contemporary, make your way to the Espacios y Congresos at Puerta del Ángel for PlanetaMadrid. This free concert series celebrates a dedication to sustainable development and runs from approximately 5:00pm to midnight Saturday evening. There will be environmental and education workshops while eight bands play on one of the two stages. On Sunday another concert series, UniversiMAD, will be held in the same space. This is another concert series, but it’s only free to enter if you have an invitation, which you can find at FNAC and opentrada.com. Also, keep your eyes open at the smaller concert venues throughout the weekend, as many of them will be having free shows as part of the celebration.

I think the one of the best parts of the San Isidro program this year will be the fireworks show in Parque Retiro. At 10:30pm on Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday, different pyrotechnics companies will prepare and ignite a spectacle of lights and music at the Alfonso XIII monument. And, like every year, this holiday would not be complete without a visit to La Pradera (also known as Parque de San Isidro, metro: Marques de Vadillo). There will be a different concert in La Pradera every night during the weekend as well as next weekend… don’t miss it!

All of this and much, much more is available during San Isidro weekend. Click here to download the official program and take advantage of your city’s patron fiesta!

Guiri Guide to Madrid

Honest Advice from Expats Living in the Spanish Capital

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