Erasmus in Madrid

Madrid is a great city to spend your Erasmus. ESN of Complutense is really good and it organizes lots of parties, events, and trips. The best parties are always in Joy, Gabana, Kapital, Schoco, Pacha. Kapital in the biggest club in Madrid. There are 7 floors with different types of music so you will find something for you for sure.

If you gonna be bored with ESN parties there are lots of clubs around Puerta del Sol. At Sol you will find people inviting you to those clubs and offering free entrance and shots (chupitos in Spanish) for free, so you can have a great night in a club and get drunk almost for free.

There are lots of great underground clubs in Malasana district as well. El Barco is one of the greatest ones I think. Very often there was a concert live there.

The best thing about parties in Madrid and the whole Spain is that they last till the very bright morning so you will always find an open place to dance or to have a drink. It is also nice when it comes to going back home after a party because metro starts from 6 a. m. , but the only problem is a sad picture of people going to work while you are on your way to bed after a great party.

The food is very nice and there are lots of cheap tapas bars like El Tigre, 100 MontaditosI know. You can have a huge Mohito for 5 Eur there and you get some plates of food with it for free. I a really tasty food like montaditos, croquetas, jalapenos, etc.

The best zones to rent a flat are Moncloa, Arguelles, La Latina, which are close to the centre. I lived in Arguelles and I paid 300 EUR for a room. The zone is really great, lots of students live there. It's close to the centre and close to the University if you have classes at Ciudad Universitaria.

The places you have to see in Madrid are Palacio Real, Plaza de Espana, Plaza de Cibeles, Templo de Debod, Prado Museum, Atocha Renfe station, Reina Sofia Museum and an amazing Retiro Park. When the weather is nice Retiro is full of people playing some sports, making picnics, playing the guitar and chilling. It's a great place to spent the afternoon with some friends drinking sangria.

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There are lots of beautiful places to see close to Madrid too, for a one day trip like Toledo or Segovia. You can also travel really cheaply by Ryanair around the whole Spain and Portugal. I went with my friends for a trip to Porto and it cost us around 20 eur ida y vuelta. Alsa buses are really cheap too.

If you are going for the summer semester you just have to go in March to Valencia for Las Fallas. It's an amazing experience. Around the whole city, there are maskletas - big colourful monuments which are burnt at the end of the fiesta. Besides the whole city is really beautiful and in March it is already warm enough to chill on the beach with Sangria.

For party animals, Ibiza is an obligatory destiny with its famous clubs like Eden, Paradise, Pacha, Space and Privilege and beautiful beaches like in Formentera- an island close to Ibiza. About Cafe del Mar I don't have to say anything I guess. It says itself.

There is a nice place to see Flamenco show called Sala Juglar, it's close to metro Lavapies.

Every Sunday on the streets of La Latina there is a big flea market called El Rastro. It's amazing, you can buy great vintage stuff like vinyls, books there or eat in one of the tapas bars. The whole atmosphere is magic there with music of Paco de Lucia in the background.

You will enjoy your Erasmus in Madrid for sure.

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If anyone needs some help or advice do not hesitate to contact me.

Magdalena