In our last readers’ survey, over 30% of you said that making new friends was a big part of your move to Spain. But that’s not always so easy, with language difficulties and people coming and going. So how do you find a regular, reliable and permanent group of friends in Spain?
Moving to a new town, let alone a new country, can be daunting. And if you don’t know anyone in your new location, it’s even harder. Luckily, Spain is one of the easiest places to meet people and make lasting friendships.
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Thousands of people made the same leap before you and will be there to welcome you and give you a helping hand. You don’t even need to speak Spanish, although it will open more doors for you if you do.
Whatever your interests, you will find groups and associations which fulfil them and more. Indeed, rather than seeing it as a challenge, making new friends in Spain is a chance to try new hobbies, sports and interests, or have more time to indulge in your current favourites.
For those who love sport, Spain’s wonderful climate means that you will spend most of the year outside in sunny weather. Many people take up additional activities they never thought of in the UK.
Now, not everyone is the same, so I’ve put together some ideas for particularly types. I hope there’s something for you!
With a bit of effort it should be easy to make friends in Spain
For Extroverts
You will be surprised at how many amateur dramatic groups and choirs there are here. Not all are run by ex-pats, so if you speak Spanish this would be a great way to get to know the local community. On the Costa Brava, for instance, an amateur dramatic group of varying nationalities puts on a traditional pantomime with a twist in early December. There is also a very active choir run by English people. In Madrid, a group performs plays in English, and in Murcia, there is the Cloud 9 drama group.
For general information about such activities, just Google “amateur dramatics in Spain” or “choirs in Spain.” The website ‘Meetup’ is another fantastic resource for meeting likeminded people.
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For Intellectuals
You can find plenty of book clubs and art groups throughout Spain. The U3A (University of the Third Age) has several branches and many include these clubs. The U3A groups have a great variety of activities, so it would really be worth joining your local branch. The only requirements are that you are over 50 and speak English.
You’ll find plenty of book clubs throughout Spain.
For art lovers, there are many local art groups, including some that have been formed by just a few friends. In the province of Girona, there is a Whatsapp group for internationals dedicated to local events, and in particular, art exhibitions in the region. Often, they arrange to go together for lunch and a major show in Barcelona. There will be other such informal groups you can join, you just need to get to know a few people first. Meetup is a good place to look as they have art clubs amongst their many other activities.
For Good Samaritans
Volunteers are always needed to help other expats and local charities. Apart from supporting people in need, you will get to meet other likeminded individuals who give up their time for the benefit of their communities. The Spanish Red Cross welcomes assistance from other nationalities, but you will easily find something more local too.
Some examples of places to volunteer in Spain are pet rescue centres, a women’s association, British charities such as Help the Aged, Caritas (the Catholic Church’s official organisation in Spain for charity and social relief) and local food banks. A good place to look is the Support in Spain website.
The website ‘Meetup’ is a fantastic resource for meeting likeminded people.
For Politicos
Did you know that EU members can become local councillors in Spain? Even though the UK is no longer part of Europe, you can still get actively involved in your local town hall and local political groups. You can also join a UK political group in Spain, for example the British Conservatives abroad or the Labour Party.
For the Sporty
Spain is the perfect place to practice pretty much every type of sport under the sun (literally!). Wherever you live in Spain you won’t struggle to find sports clubs to join. Many clubs welcome people of all abilities, so don’t be afraid to try something new! Some common sports expats enjoy in Spain include tennis, golf, cycling, walking and cricket. Spain truly is the country for golfers, with 349 golf courses spread from north to south and east to west. Ladies’ golf is just as popular as men’s in Spain.
Spain is the country for golf.
On the other hand, if you like the outdoors but aren’t looking for anything too energetic, there are many local petanca groups (like boules in France) to join.
Lastly, have you ever tried yoga? It’s a great way to find your inner zen whilst also keeping fit! There are numerous yoga groups across Spain, as well as other relaxation groups, nutrition groups and dance groups.
Some of these clubs are run by British people or others who speak English, but joining clubs with Spanish speakers is a great way to improve your spoken Spanish while enjoying a sport at the same time.
For Linguists
The obvious one for language lovers is to join a Spanish class! Or, if you already have a good grasp at Spanish, why not challenge yourself by learning Catalan or Basque too? You will integrate much more quickly if you try to converse in the local lingo. Go on, give it a try!
For Everyone!
As I mentioned a few times throughout this article, the website Meetups is truly brilliant when it comes to meeting people in Spain. It’s the perfect way to get involved in fun activities and to meet people with similar interests. For example, the Costa del Sol and Málaga Meetup has 609 members and events include things like a summer night drink/coffee and chat, a day trip to Gibraltar and Beers Before Christmas. There are Meetups in most areas of Spain, so go online and look for www.meetup.com.
