Alba's Experience in Madrid, Spain

What appeals to you about living in Madrid? Do you recommend it? What is it like?

Living in Madrid is a privilege. The capital has endless possibilities on offer so that both tourists and residents alike can enjoy unique moments and experiences. It's true that the city centre is a very crowded place, sometimes even overwhelming, but it is undoubtedly a magical place, where architecture, history, and all walks of life come together to create an incredible atmosphere.

What is student life like in Madrid?

Student life in Madrid is great. There are loads of university students and people who come to Madrid on their Erasmus exchange to study and meet new people. In Madrid, you will never find yourself getting bored! Absolutely loads of parties are organised throughout the year on all of the university campuses.

How much does it cost to live in Madrid?

Madrid is an expensive city, especially in the most central parts, although it's not as expensive as other European capitals.

With regards to accommodation, the cheapest options are, logically, located in the outskirts of the city. But, this shouldn't be seen as a problem because, in general, there is a good transport network with the buses, metro, and trains. Besides, currently all young people (up to 26 years of age) benefit from a monthly transport pass at a cost of 20€, with which we can get around the whole of Madrid without any zone restrictions. Here you can find information about the zones and costs of using public transport in the city.

Rent prices are, in any case, high; it always ends up being more affordable when a place is rented by several people.

With regards to other expenses like food and nightlife, it also very much depends on the area in which you are in. When you go out, the ideal thing to do would be to search for 2 for 1 offers or happy hour deals.

What is the food like in Spain? What are your favourite dishes?

The food in Madrid is one of the best things about the city, especially the 'cocido madrileño'. With regards to typical dishes from other Spanish cities, you should try: fabada, paella, gazpacho, merluza a la vasca, and migas... there is so much variety that it's difficult to choose. In addition to Spanish cuisine, there is an infinite amount of restaurants that serve international food, themed restaurants, and ones that have live shows.

There are also lots of typical and traditional desserts, like: torrijas, tarta de Santiago, pestiños, crema catalana, rosquillas listas y tontas de San Isidro, etc. If I think about early risers and lovers of coffee shops, the best dessert in Madrid for them, without a doubt, would be the traditional churros and chocolate.

It would also be impossible not to mention the tapas served at bars and terraces, accompanied by a good beer, a pitcher of tinto de verano, or a soft drink. Another thing that shouldn't be missed by anyone who visits Madrid are the bocadillos de calamares, which are sold at the bars in Plaza Mayor, nor the food that is served at the typical taverns in that area.

My favourite food? Spanish tortilla is the best thing in the world!

Tortilla de patatas con cebolla

Ración de patatas mixtas

Ración de lágrimas de pollo con patatas

Which places do you recommend visiting in Madrid?

In the city centre, it's paramount that you visit the following places, all of which are accessible from Sol metro station:

Plaza Mayor: although it seems like a lie, several centuries ago, a lagoon occupied this space, and before the 18th century, the buildings had five floors. Now, after being remodelled several times, it's a fantastic place to have a drink and enjoy a sunny day, as well as having the possibility of finding the ghost, Cirilo, who many have claimed to have seen.

Exiting the Plaza Mayor on Calle Ciudad Rodrigo, you will arrive at the Plaza de San Miguel, and, from there, don't let one of the most charming streets in Madrid go unnoticed - la Cava Baja - one that is full of bars and restaurants. This street has a curvature that makes the shape of an old moat that used to surround it (centuries ago, a city wall was here); besides, the current buildings serve as a retaining wall on that side of the Plaza Mayor.

Access to the Plaza Mayor from Calle Ciudad Rodrigo

Plaza de San Miguel

Calle de la Cava Baja

Puerta de Sol: the Plaza del km 0 is located here, as is the emblem of Madrid, the popular Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree. In addition to this, there is also the clock from the old Royal Post Office, which communicates the arrival of the new year to us every December 31st. It's probably the most crowded place in the capital, with bars, taverns, an infinite number of shops, lottery stands, free hugs, and the immense hustle and bustle that come together there on any given day of the week. The best thing to do is to let yourself go and get lost in the surrounding streets.

Ópera: I have never been to the Teatro Real, where operas are performed, but I love this area of the city. If you wander around the streets, you will find fantastic, yet really eclectic, places where you can have a drink.

Plaza de Oriente: the prelude to the Royal Palace, a place where you can relax or have a wander around with its well cared-for gardens, sculptures, good views, and, almost certainly, street artists, whose musical offerings will delight your ears. It's even cooler with the lights at night.

Gran Vía: this is my favourite street, especially at night; the Metropolis building (Gran Vía, 39) is an icon of the capital. The route along this street is sprinkled with theatres, beautiful buildings, cafés and shops. I will not say that it's coming to be like Spain's version of Broadway in Manhattan... but only because Gran Vía is not the longest street in Madrid! However, it is, in fact, the busiest street in the capital.

Apart from the atmosphere that Gran Vía is characterised for, from there you can easily get to other interesting points that you must visit, like the Chueca neighbourhood; there, you will find, amongst other places, the Casa de las Siete Chimeneas, the Church of St. Anton (with the Messengers of Peace in front of it), the Romanticism Museum, various food markets and numerous bars, restaurants, squares with terraces and places to frequent to experience Madrid's nightlife scene. It's one of my favourite areas of Madrid.

What's more, from Gran Vía, you can walk in the direction of the Puerta de Alcalá, but before reaching it, you will pass by the Fuente de la Cibeles (Metro Banco de España). Both monuments are in the exclusive Salamanca neighbourhood, where you can expect to find places like:

Palacio de Cibeles: headquarters of Madrid City Council. It's a beautiful building that is also worth visiting inside; there are usually exhibitions, and there is also a rooftop terrace with fantastic views that can be accessed free of charge every first Wednesday of the month.

Biblioteca Nacional de España: in order to have access to the materials available here, you must get a membership card, which they will sort for you there and then.

Museo Arqueológico Nacional: there is free entry every Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, and it's definitely worth visiting.

Museo Lázaro Galdiano: entry is free during the afternoon every first Friday of the month. As well as there being works of art, there is a weaponry exhibition.

If you choose to head towards the Plaza de España from Gran Vía, you will be very close to the Templo de Debod; this is something that you cannot miss - it's beautiful. You will also be a very short distance from the Museo Cerralbo, a mansion worthy of being visited, which has free entry on Thursdays and Saturday afternoons.

Another interesting neighbourhood is Huertas (where the House of Commons, the Lope de Vega Museum, and the legendary Plaza de Santa Ana are located); you cannot miss walking around the street that also bares this name. In Calle Huertas, there are restaurants and bars on both sides of the street. You will certainly discover for yourself why the Huertas neighbourhood is also known as the 'Barrio de Las Letras'.

But, I also have to mention other neighbourhoods like Malasaña, which some people consider to be the more "alternative" Madrid, and the legendary districts of Lavapiés and La Latina.

If museums are your thing, you undoubtedly have to go to the Paseo del Prado, where you'll find the Museo del Prado waiting for you, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.

Obviously, it's also important to visit the coolest and most emblematic parks in the city: the Quinta de Torre Arias, Parque de El Capricho (this one only opens at weekends and there are free guided tours available), Retiro (which supposedly, in a few months' time, will have a lookout point), and Parque Europa (in Torrejón de Ardoz). Speaking of parks, you absolutely have to go to the Parque de Atracciones; although entry is expensive, you will often find promotions and will be able to enter for half the price.

Another interesting place is the Royal Palace of Madrid, where there are free visits on certain days of the week and the Changing of the Guard on Wednesdays. You cannot miss it! If you go, make sure you go to the Sabatini Gardens; the perfect place to go for a walk.

I would also recommend the different themed walking tours, like the one about ghosts or that of the lovers. Besides, these tours take place at night, so that means they serve as a great opportunity to take in and admire the city centre all lit up.

Another place that you must go to is the most symbolic flea market in Madrid: El Rastro. It's situated in the La Latina neighbourhood, and it's an ideal place not only to do some shopping (there, we can find almost anything, from antiques to modern art prints, clothes, food, etc. ) but also to go to bars. It's an area with a lively atmosphere.

And, if we are going shopping, why don't we go to a food market, one that's really trendy right now, to have some tapas and a good time? The well-known, and my personal favourite, Mercado de San Miguel, will surprise you: in addition to the classic stalls, food tastings and different activities are also offered. At weekends, the market closes at 2am. There, you will have the chance to try delicious, gourmet tapas that doesn't just include the 'pinchos de tortilla de patatas' that the population of Madrid survive on, but also fantastic cocktails and a really tasty sangría.

Mercado de San Miguel

If you like shopping centres, don't miss out on going to the Sambil Outlet. It's located within La Fortuna metro station, and you will find the same things as those in other malls but on a much bigger scale, with several stores... because it's the biggest shopping centre in the whole of Spain!

A final recommendation: don't miss out on going to the LGBT Pride festival if you are in Madrid during the dates that it takes place. In addition to what it stands for, it's a massive event that attracts visitors from all over the world, whose schedule will not disappoint anybody.

And eating out in Madrid? Can you name your favourite places?

One of the best places to grab something quick to eat in Madrid is 100 Montaditos, which serves a really broad range of small sandwiches and tapas at a decent price. Although, there is also a huge range of bars that you could go to, whose menu prices usually vary between 7€ and 10€. I personally really like a bar called Alcazaba de Almería, situated on Calle María Sevilla Diago, 5 (Metro Las Musas): the menu is fantastic and meals cost around 10€, with an aperitif included, but, in all honesty, all the food here is delicious.

I would have to say that my favourite restaurants are: Steakburger Fuencarral (where they serve beef and ox burgers), Foster's Hollywood, Vips, and Tommy Mel's... I love fast food.

Speaking of restaurants like these, I must mention one that is quite peculiar that I only recently discovered: Peggy Sue's. There must be several restaurants in the city because it's a franchise, but I have only been to the one in Calle Uruguay (Metro Colombia), which isn't far from Santiago Bernabeu stadium, which I really liked. Everything on the menu is reasonably priced, and the place itself, although small, is very neat and tidy. It's the most similar thing to the diners in the film, Grease, when the students meet up for a sandwich or a milkshake.

Maybe somewhat more expensive, although not at all over the top, is a restaurant that I quite like called Amargo Place to Be, located in the Malasaña neighbourhood (Metro Callao). It's a very different, yet quite cool, place, where the food is delicious (well, at least the burgers are! ). I won't ever forget one of their desserts either: it's the only place where I have eaten pancakes with melted white chocolate and they were unforgettable. This is a really good place to have dinner, followed by drinks in a place nearby, starting in La Vía Láctea, for example, which is one of the most popular places.

Another restaurant that I also really like and have known about for quite a while is Poncelet Cheese Bar, located on Calle José Abastal, 61 (Metro Gregorio Marañón). This is the ideal place for cheese lovers - its name says it all. If you go some time, don't forget to try the Manchego cheese bites, the croquettes, and any of the fondues or raclettes that they have - all the food is really good. Oh, I cannot forget about their interesting cheesecake: it has nothing to do with the classic biscuit-based cake with cream cheese in the middle and red berry jam on top, but I assure you that it does contain cheese. I won't say that it ends up being cheap, but I don't mind the cost as I am a cheese maker and everything that I have tried is fabulous.

One of my favourite restaurants

Which places do you recommend for nightlife in Madrid?

There are several areas that are great for nightlife, like: Chueca, Malasaña, Huertas, Moncloa, and Argüelles. With regards to nightclubs, just some of a long list of them that I would recommend are Copérnico, Penélope, and Sala Marco Aldany. There are also themed parties and some celebrations held exclusively for university students! Of course, don't miss out on the infamous "Juernes".