Publication 28 October 2024
If you want your visit to Madrid to be as complete and enriching as possible, sign up for one of the workshops and courses that run regularly in the city. Would you like to learn to dance flamenco? Make typical Spanish dishes? Or create your own artisan pieces? The possibilities are endless, so here are a few ideas:
LEARN FLAMENCO
Escuela de Flamenco Sara Martín
No. 5 Calle Santa Isabel. 1st floor. More information and bookings: hola@saramartinflamenco.com.
Flamenco, Sevillanas, stylised dance and preparatory classes to attend the conservatory: these are a few of the disciplines that you can learn and perfect at the Escuela de Flamenco Sara Martín located inside the Antón Martín Market. With more than 20 years’ experience, this is a leading flamenco school in Spain and around the world for Flamenco and Spanish Dance. They offer private flamenco and sevillanas classes for groups, as well as introductory courses to dip your toes into flamenco culture. You can also book private lessons for one-to-one tuition.
Flamenco Experience by Sara Martin Flamenco
No. 5 Calle Santa Isabel. 1st floor. More information and bookings: info@flamenco-experience.es
La Escuela de Flamenco Sara Martín also has an experience designed for English speakers with Flamenco Experience by Sara Martin Flamenco. Private flamenco classes for beginners designed for groups of up to six people.
Carolina Pozuelo Montero-Clases de baile Flamenco
No. 5 bis, Calle Doctor Piga. Information and bookings: (+34) 690388900
You can also take exclusive flamenco dance classes in person with Carolina Pozuelo Montero-Clases de baile Flamenco. You can pay per class or choose a four-class pass. Classes are adapted to the level of the student, with a flexible schedule and personalised instruction. In addition, every Thursday from 8pm to 9pm they offer regular castanets classes taught by the Carolina Pozuelo team.
COOKERY CLASSES
There are plenty of places where you can learn to cook and develop your creativity as a key ingredient. Enjoy making dishes you never imagined in some of the following schools:
No. 6, Calle de la Farmacia. Information and bookings: info@apuntolibreria.com / (+34) 917 02 10 41
Located in the neighbourhood of Chueca, this cookery school offers cooking courses along with various activities throughout the week all based on the common theme of food. Wine tastings, dinners with beer pairings, blind dinners… Don’t miss it!
No. 11, Calle de Moratín. Information and bookings: info@cookingpoint.es / (+34) 910 115 154
In the heart of the Barrio de las Letras neighbourhood, you can visit this cooking school designed for international visitors. It runs courses and daily activities where students participate actively and in pairs, preparing typical Spanish dishes, such as paella or tapas, following instructions in English from the chef.
No. 14, Calle de Seco. Information and bookings: apetitoh@apetitoh.com / (+34) 91 552 76 98
This cooking school has courses designed for all ages and levels, where you can learn to prepare typical Spanish dishes among other things. They run personalised classes where you can work as a team or with a partner, and you can be taught in English or French. In addition, at the end of the class you can sample what you have prepared in a spacious and comfortable area.
No. 30, Calle de Valderribas. Information and bookings: info@loleoeventos.com / (+34) 677 53 48 41
In the district of Retiro, you can visit this cooking school headed up by chef Lola Rodríguez where you can learn all kinds of culinary techniques and tips to cook the best Spanish paellas and tapas. It has participatory classes ideal for tourists, groups of students or friends and families, with no prior knowledge of cooking required. Classes can also be taught in English.
ARTS AND CRAFTS MAKING
No. 20 Calle García de Paredes, bajo C. Information and bookings: elsotanotaller@gmail.com / (+34) 666 07 29 08
This space is open to all people and all levels of experience in jewellery making. Here you can learn to create unique pieces. If you have something specific in mind, they help you to create it and bring it to life, or if you prefer to experiment, they provide the best tools and techniques to train you in jewellery making. They run various jewellery and enamelling classes and workshops. Sign up!
No. 36, Calle del Alcalde Sainz de Baranda. Information and bookings: info@teresaentretejidos.es / (+34) 607 39 79 45
In this exclusive workshop, you can discover the art of making your own espadrilles in a unique and fun environment. Whether you want to participate individually or with others, at this workshop you can not only acquire skills through traditional technique, but also create your espadrilles or complete a sewing project.
In addition to the espadrilles workshop, where they will give you design and colour combination tips and tricks to make them more comfortable and durable, you can also find different themed workshops. For example, an introduction to Japanese Sashiko embroidery, a creative experience to learn this ancient technique; or an embroidery on paper workshop that fuses photography and the art of embroidery.
CREATIVITY AND LEARNING
No. 40, Calle de Don Ramón de la Cruz. Information and bookings: hola@somosnucha.es
In the area of Lista, in the heart of the Barrio de Salamanca neighbourhood, this new café fuses creativity with high quality speciality coffee and great food.
Their philosophy is to offer a cosy and relaxing space where customers can enjoy their coffee while finding artistic inspiration to unleash their creativity. Their workshops and master classes encourage creativity and learning. The maximum duration of the experience is approximately 90 minutes, but if there is not enough time to finish the activity, participants can take home the different products of the kit purchased. All necessary materials for painting are included: brushes, napkins, paint palettes, easels and rests.
No. 1, Calle de la Unión. Information and bookings: official website
In the heart of the Barrio de los Austrias district, very close to the Plaza de Oriente is this charming café with its own candle-making workshop where you can enjoy a good cup of coffee while learning how to make a candle. Participants can create their candle from start to finish. All they have to do is choose their favourite design, colour, fragrance and finally decorate it with ‘toppings’. The experience takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
Two venues: No. 11, Calle de Concepción Jerónima / No. 5, Plaza San Juan de la Cruz. Information and bookings: official website / (+34) 915 39 01 29
New concept café where in addition to enjoying a great cup of coffee, herbal tea, or a glass of juice or wine, you can decorate a piece of pottery. Customers can unleash their creativity with more than 80 different pieces of pottery to choose from, which are regularly changed. In addition, you can choose from more than 25 different colours to decorate them.
In addition to the piece of pottery, the price includes the colours used, the final glaze and firing (these last two steps are done by them, and the customer returns a few weeks later to pick up their creation). Each reservation lasts 2 hours, but if the table is still available at the end, you can stay longer. They have more than 50 ceramic pieces, and their prices range from 15 to 32 euros. As a guide, the price of a cup is 18 euros.
No. 31, Calle de Maldonado. Information and bookings: evespottery.taller@gmail.com / (+34) 665 24 64 43
Located in the Barrio de Salamanca district, this place specialises in pottery classes where they teach you both pottery wheel and modelling techniques. In these workshops, you can try both experiences, learning all the steps and processes involved with both techniques.
You work with low temperature clay, which is then fired at 1060 degrees. Once made, the pieces can be decorated as you learn to use each material, which are all included along with firing.
No. 3, Calle de Velarde. Information and bookings: info@pintaencopas.com / (+34) 644 20 98 98
Café or "ceramicafé" located in the neighbourhood of Malasaña where you can paint a piece of pottery while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea. It is extremely popular so booking is essential. You can choose from over 100 models, and before starting they explain the technique in detail so you can paint at your own pace.
You do not need to be a particularly skilled artist to take part in this activity. At the end, the piece will be fired in their kiln and will be ready for collection in around 5 or 6 days.
WINE TASTINGS
Calle de los Reyes, 6. Information and Bookings: info@labodegadelosreyes.com / (+34) 91 547 92 13
Delve into the fabulous world of oenology thanks to the wine tastings at La Bodega de los Reyes, where your knowledge can be enhanced and renewed. There are several experiences to choose from, including a Gourmet Wine Tasting (5 Wines + 5 Pintxos = € 25) or a Basic Experimental Course (12 Wines + pairing = € 50) to introduce you to its secrets and stories.
Information and Bookings: info@gourmetmadrid.com / (+34) 916483307
Founded by professionals with an extensive career in the world of wine, Gourmet Madrid Tours offers a wide range of tours and wine tastings at Madrid wineries where tradition and the variety of Madrid’s wine region close to the city can be discovered. Participants will be accompanied by a bilingual wine expert throughout the tour. There is also an introductory wine tasting course in Madrid, which is an experience to compare, learn and have fun.
Various Establishments: Salamanca; Chamberi and Boadilla del Monte. Information and Bookings: (+34) 918 626 606
VinoPremier is presented as an experience that focuses on the world of wine and its appreciation. It has three exclusive establishments, Vinopremier Silvela in the prestigious Salamanca neighbourhood; Vinopremier Chamberí which combines the tradition of wine with modernity; and Vinopremier Boadilla del Monte located in a quiet setting.
Its services include educational tastings and pairings, which are perfect for wine lovers. Don't miss the international wine tasting, which includes a pairing with Iberian cured meats in Madrid, offering an oenological and gastronomic experience that combines the diversity of wines from different regions of the world with the exquisiteness of Spanish Iberian cured meats.
Office in Calle de las Huertas, 11. Information and Bookings: info@cata-de-vinos.madrid / (+34) 625 067 659
This company focuses on unforgettable experiences revolving around wine. It offers high quality wine tasting at affordable prices, in which up to six different wines can be tasted, ranging from robust red wines to refreshing white wines and rosés.
It is also possible to learn how to pair wines with especially selected Iberian products, which elevate and complement the notes of each wine. Each wine tasting is led by a professional with years of experience in the identification and appreciation of wines and cheeses.