Madrid is a Spanish-speaking city, and learning the language will open it up in a way nothing else can. But whether you are visiting for a week or still in your first year here, there is a lot you can do in English while your Spanish catches up.
This guide collects the main options, with links to our more detailed articles.
Live comedy in English
Comedy is one of the strongest parts of Madrid’s English-speaking culture. There are English stand-up nights in the centre every week, from open mics where new comedians try material to full shows in theatres. Improv groups also perform in English. Most of it is independent, run by comedians themselves; here is how those small shows get made.
Our own shows are in English from start to finish, at Off Latina in La Latina:
- No Offense, But...: stand-up, live podcast moments, improv and a lot of chaos, hosted by Mehdi Mahtaj.
- The Arab and the Jew: comedy, sketches, music and an honest conversation about politics, identity and Palestine, with Mehdi Mahtaj and Rachel Arieff.
First time? Read what to expect at a comedy show.
Cinema in the original version
Look for V.O.S.E. on listings: original language with Spanish subtitles. Many cinemas in the centre show films this way every day. Our guide to culture in English explains the codes and where to look.
Museums and galleries
Art does not need translation. The big museums provide information and audio guides in English, and their free hours make it easy to visit often. See our guide to free museum evenings.
Walking and food tours
Guided tours in English cover everything from the history of the Austrias to tapas crawls and street art. They are a good way to get your bearings in your first week, and to meet other people who have just arrived.
Language exchanges
Intercambios are one of the easiest ways to meet people. You practise Spanish, someone else practises English, and everyone has a drink. They happen across the city most nights of the week. Our article on meeting people in Madrid has more ideas.
Sport
Watching football is a shared language in Madrid. Pubs across the centre show international matches, and of course the city has two of the biggest clubs in the world. If you prefer to play, there are English-speaking running clubs, football groups and other sports communities.
Nights out that work in any language
- Live music and jazz.
- Flamenco, which needs no translation at all.
- Tapas crawls. A few words of Spanish help, pointing works too.
- Rooftop terraces in summer and cellar bars in winter. See our guide to Madrid’s cuevas.
Year-round calendar
| Season | In English, or no language needed |
|---|---|
| Autumn | Jazz festival, autumn performing arts festival, comedy season in full swing |
| Winter | Christmas lights and markets, indoor nights out, the December long weekend |
| Spring | Museum nights, terraces return, outdoor events |
| Summer | Open-air cinema and concerts, late nights outside |
For the current month, see our November 2026 guide.
Where to find listings
The city’s official tourism site, esMadrid, has an English-language agenda. For English comedy specifically, our what’s on page lists every upcoming Madrid Comedy Shows date.
Start with one night a week
The easiest way to build an English-language life in Madrid is to pick one regular night and stick to it. Comedy is a good choice: small rooms, friendly crowds and a reason to come back. Pick your first date.
