Madrid

I can write a lot here about Madrid, but I'll keep this post short. There's a Madrid for every taste, for every moment, for every person.

Madrid is the second most populated city in the European Union, and the fourth richest, behind Paris, Moscow and London.

In the Region of Madrid, there are fourteen universities: seven public ones and seven private ones. The public universities have more students more program options, thus it's the teachers are tend to get the know the students less than in the private ones.

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Given the many students, the Madrid region contains several student residences and student halls (66). In these residences, hazing is certainly on the agenda.

Most of these residences have their own dining halls and put together meals every day. Of course, as in every big city, there are countless restaurants, featuring both international and local food. Typical Madrid dishes include the cocido Madrileño, various soups (such as almond and garlic soup), calluses, seashells...

Some of the most famous restaurants are Malacatín, Casa Cirilo, Casa Domingo, Taberna Carmencita, Casa Paco, Casa Lucio...

Coming back to housing and residences, depending on the type of residence, some will even wash your clothes and return them ironed on your bed. Even better than at home!

To get around the city, the best option is undoubtedly the metro. The buses also run well, but as you know buses depend a lot on traffic.

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Madrid offers a lot in terms of leisure and free time. The city boasts several movie theatres and cinemas, showing movies in their original language, museums and expositions, outdoor activities, a plethora of concerts, tapas bars (I would recommend tasting the cider with a side of potatoes at the Plaza Mayor)... From Madrid you can also easily go on many excursions: you can go to the mountains, the the El Escorial monastery (and I recommend you take a free walking tour of the monastery, which is free and the tour is really clear and well-explained). Even the surroundings of El Escorial deserve a visit.

Another place I would recommend visiting is the Pardo mountain, featuring one of the best Mediterranean woods in Europe.

You can even hit up some of the amusement parks nearby, such as the Warner Bros one and the Madrid Amusement Park.

Sundays are holidays in Madrid, and that's when it's a good idea to go to the El Rastro market. Throughout several streets hundreds of vendors sell a variety of different objects, such as antiques, CDs, used clothes, chrome changes... just be careful with pickpockets. They basically go around and scout out the best place to pickpocket people, which they can do easily seeing as the market is packed with people and this makes it easier for them to slide their hands into open pockets or purses.

What to say about must-sees? Go and see the Retiro park, the Plaza Mayor, Gran Via, Sol, the Temple of Debod (which was donated from Egypt in the 60s). I would even recommend visiting these sites at night, because they're even prettier once illuminated. The Temple of Debod is especially unique because it's located on an elevated park that is even calmer by night and the illumination grants it a certain enchantment.

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The Chueca neighbourhood is also well worth a visit. Its showcases and its colourful streets dotted with gay pride flags make it a very appealing area.

With regards to partying, there are so many nightclubs and pubs, and they're all so different! The most well-known areas to go out at night are Moncloa and Argüelles, Salamanca, La Latina and Lavapiés, Calle Huertas... Some of the most popular clubs include Cats, Tiffanys, Pachá...