María in Spain: My Madrid Experience

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

Madrid is the perfect place to live as it is a welcoming, fun and beautiful cosmopolitan city.

I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone as, even if it is my hometown, there is no denying that that anyone that visits always feels welcome and completely at home.

It’s almost impossible to get bored of too as it offers something different to do every single day of the week and at whatever time.

Go shopping, visit some museums, go to a concert, grab some tapas, go clubbing, have a picnic... or simply take a walk and enjoy the stunning architecture of some of the city centre’s most famous sites.

Despite having fairly extreme weather in terms of temperature (being really cold in the winter and then really hot in the summer), compared to most European cities it is far from the worst place to be. It never usually snows (3 times a year max) and there aren't many huge downpours throughout the year either. In Spring the weather is perfect.

People of any age can make the most of Madrid. There are things to do for everyone: loads of shows for kids, quiet parks perfect for the elderly to take a stroll through, bars suitable for a group of adults to have some drinks and a bite to eat, romantic restaurants for any couples that visit, etc.

What is the student lifestyle like in Madrid?

Madrid has students from all over the place, from other parts of the city as well as the country and even the world (a lot of Erasmus students choose Madrid for their studies abroad). Because of this, there is a real student atmosphere around the city, mostly so in La Ciudad Universitaria.

In general this sort of atmosphere is great. Those that travel such long distances have no trouble making friends, whether through university itself or on nights out more generally. The locals too have a lot of time for them, especially when they cross paths on the street.

How much does it cost to live in Madrid?

As I've already mentioned, the city offers one hundred and one things to do, the price of which however depends entirely on each local’s own thoughts about what is deemed to be expensive and what isn't.

For those coming from abroad it will seem either cheap or expensive depending on which country you've traveled over from (cheap for Germans, Brits, French, Danes and Swiss, etc. and expensive for anyone coming from other parts of Spain).

According to your budget, you have two options:

• If you don't need to worry about what you spend, then Madrid has many high quality restaurants, luxury apartments to enjoy as well as various gigs and other live music events every month.
• If you need to stick to a strict budget then Madrid also has loads of cheaper options (especially good for students and those perhaps doing internships and not earning much). For example: avoid the bars in the more central and touristy parts if you want good but also cheap tapas, eat in cheaper restaurants (100 Montaditos. Museo del Jamón, La Sureña), explore other parts of the city and only go out to clubs with free entry, etc.

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

I've lived in Madrid my whole entire life so I’m not really the best to ask about where to find the best accommodation.

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

Spanish food in general is amazing. Fortunately we have a Mediterranean diet, as eating pretty much just rice is pretty healthy. In the typical Spanish kitchen you’ll generally find pasta, salads, meat cooked in oil and garlic, Serrano ham, etc.

You’ll also catch a glimpse of many typical Spanish dishes, the likes of tortilla, croquetas, gazpacho and paella to name just a few.

My favourite dishes are pork fillets and lasagne, although these aren't particularly unique to Spain.

What places would you recommend visiting in Madrid?

As I've already said a million times before, there is just so much to do in Madrid.

• Museos: there are hundreds of different kinds. In my opinion, you can’t leave without visiting El Museo del Prado. It’s an incredible museum both on the inside and out. El Museo Reina Sofía is also another I’d recommend.
• Paseos: you can’t visit without taking a stroll down La Gran Vía or La Calle de Fuencarral, where you can also do a spot of shopping. As well there is La Puerta Del Sol where you’ll find Spain’s Kilómetro 0 as well as many other interesting attractions depending on when you.
• La Plaza Mayor y el Mercado de San Miguel: you just have to go... there’s not much else to say.
• La Zona de Ópera: here you can find and admire El Palacio Royal, La Catedral de Almudena and El Teatro Royal.
• El Rastro: make sure you go to this little market in La Puerta de Toledo (open every Sunday morning).
• El Retiro: take a stroll through this magnificent park and have a look at El Palacio de Cristal.
• La Calle Serano: another place for a nice walk or to go window-shopping due to the many boutiques it has to offer.
• El Templo de Debod: come here and to watch a beautiful sunset (get off the metro Plaza de España).
• El Escorial: visit this famous site on the outskirts of Madrid.
• El Círculo de Bellas Artes: here you’ll find it’s famous terrace, especially beautiful in the summer.

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

Here you can eat whatever food you like (Spanish or food from abroad(. There are cheap and expensive restaurants, and you can always find somewhere to grab so tapas, a drink or something else to eat.

My favourite places are the following:

• Órale Compadre: great Mexican restarant found on La Calle Nieremberg.
• El Museo del Jamón: great for typical Spanish dishes.
• Peggy Sue: ideal place for a quick snack.
• VIPS: another great place to grab a quick bite.
• Intsbul Doner Kebab: near the Quevedo metro stop, serves large portions at a good price.

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

Depending on your age and what sort of vibe you are looking for, there are plenty of places to suit your needs.

• Zona de Moncloa: a great place for university students.
• Kapital: a massive club with offering different rooms each with their own style of music.
• Space Monkey: a small place in Alonso Martínez that’s perfect for fans of rock and alternative music.
• Sala Marco Aldani: perfect spot for DJs sets.
• Gabanna: a place with a more sophisticated environment.
• Zona de Huertas: great place to find loads of different pubs.
• Discoteca Fun: more for the really young people to go to.

What advice would you give future students heading to Madrid?

Make the most of the city and soak up all the culture by meeting and getting to know the Spanish people.