Experience in Madrid, Spain by Yara

What is it like to live in Madrid? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Madrid, the Capital of Spain is awesome. Living here makes you feel at home. Spanish people are like that. Madrid is big, with a lot of things to do. Even if there's no beach, no sea, you can find cheap trips to the beach in the North or in Valencia, or even in the South of Spain. Cold during the winter, hot during the summer, Madrid has its charming places to feel yourself at home.

What is the student lifestyle like in Madrid?

Student lifestyle is everyone's envy. Except from difficult Universities, the normal ones, offer an easy schedule and let you organize your week with a lot of free time. So, you can have a beer with friends, go running across El Retiro, go to see an exhibition in a lot of Museums (Reina Sofia, Prado, Thyssen... ) or walk around streets and eat something in some Markets dedicated to gastronomy.

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How much does it cost to live in Madrid?

Madrid is as expensive as Barcelona, except from the transport which is cheaper for -25 people. For a room, you can pay 300€ and for a flat, around 700€, depending on the area. Food is quite cheap (except for some new restaurants) but in any case, you shouldn't pay more than 25-30€ for a very good diner and you can eat well from 12€.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Madrid? Is there any advice you can give?

I don't think so. I was lucky to find an apartment thanks to a friend, but Madrid changes constantly, so there is a lot of movement in that sense. Facebook groups are a good idea as well as idealista.

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

The most famous dish in Madrid are Callos a la Madrileña, which I don't really like. But calamares, patatas bravas, or churros for breakfast are valuable to taste. During the winter, you have to eat "cocido" (well done in La Daniela). You can find good "carne de caza", "morcilla"... I love it.

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Madrid is good for confectionery too: Torrijas, Rosquillas de San Isidro.. Madrid is incredible to gain weight, so go to the gym too.

What places would you recommend visiting in Madrid?

Madrid is a city to walk around. Madrid de los Austrias, Malasaña... There are also monuments and many churches (most of them don't seem attractive to me) to visit but Madrid is a city to enjoy doing things: take a bike around el Retiro, going to the cinema, to the theater, have a beer in Santa Ana or a glass of Wine in Ponzano. If you want to visit some monuments, Segovia or Toledo are very near and it is worth to visit them. You can also travel to Riaza, Rascafría o Pedraza if you want to visit typical Spanish villages.

Is it good to eat out in Madrid? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Actually it is one of the best things in Madrid. In Chueca, Malasaña and Chamberi you can find good spots to have a glass of wine or a good diner. Particularly, I like Larrumba places (they have many restaurants in Madrid), Saporem.. (Find more in my tripadvisor webpage).

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Is the nightlife good in Madrid? Where is good to go?

Awesome. There are many pubs and discos.

What advice would you give future students heading to Madrid?

Have fun and don't doubt: if you feel like doing something, do it. You will have time to regret it, but better to know and have lived with it.