My Erasmus Experience in Madrid, Spain. By Óscar.

How is living in Madrid? Would you recommend it? What is it like?

Madrid is an excellent city to live in. I would recommend it because it is so difficult for anyone to be bored in this city. There are many things on offer for you to do in your free time, museums to see and parties for everyone to go to. If you are young or a student, you need only pay attention to the offers associated with vouchers for youths, student card, etc.

From my point of view, Madrid is an aesthetically-beautiful city. Despite the fact that there is air pollution, the buildings in the majority of areas within the city are worth being visited, as well as the parks and other places like that. Madrid doesn't have an icon that represents the city (like the Colosseum, Eiffel Tower, etc. ) and this is precisely what gives the city such a particular charm: it has so many monuments worth seeing, and I would advise that you do that. Within itself, it is an enchanting city that calls out to tourists (I don't know anyone who has come here and not loved it! ).

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What is the student lifestyle like in Madrid?

Excellent. In the university that I know best, the people are nice and welcoming. In terms of academic problems, there is an atmosphere of trust and respect where the staff will help you with whatever you need. In terms of nightlife, the university parties are quite fun. At the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM, the Autonomous University of Madrid) there regularly are parties outside where you can have a good time with your friends and get to know other people listening to the music and enjoying the fun. I'm sure that other universities have this type of party as well. There are also promotions in clubs and discos where you can go with your friendship group and you will definitely not be left disappointed - you'll want to do it all over again... The nightlife in Madrid is captivating.

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How much does it cost ot live in Madrid?

In reality, I'm not sure. I have been here all my life living with my parents, so I don't have to pay any rent, or worry about how much food costs and other things. Leisure activities very much depend on the area in which you're doing them, you can find things for every price and, as always, I would advise for you to use your common sense and be somewhat clever in finding the best quality-price ratio.

The public transport has a special price: until you're 26 years old, it costs €20 a month to move through the whole community on any transport that you like, at whatever time of day you need.

Was it hard to find accommodation in Madrid? Can you give any advice?

I have answered this in the previous question. I would advise for you to use your common sense again: find something in a central area that is good and not too expensive, and somewhere safe.

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What is the food like in the country? Which are your favourite things to eat?

The food is one of the main reasons why people come to fall in love with Madrid. If you like to eat, this is your city. It's like everything, really, if you pay for the cheapest then you will go to places that are very shabby and you will have an unsatisfactory experience. However, if you enjoy the pleasures of food, I would advise you to enjoy as much as possible and try as much as you can. I would advise for you to try the typical dishes of not only Madrid, but of Spain too, things like croquettes, Serano ham, chorizo, stew, paella, cheese, cider, the famous tapas... And I've probably forgotten something.

Where do you recommend visiting in Madrid?

Any monument to start with is a good choice. You have Las Ventas Bullring, Retiro park, the Country House, Atocha station, Barrio de las Letras, Plaza Mayor, Sun, Puerta de Alcala, la Cibeles, Plaza España, Gran Via, and some other places that I'm sure I have forgotten. In the town hall there is one day a week when you can climb the roof to see Madrid, I climbed one day at sunset and the views are unbeatable.

If you like football, you cannot forget that Madrid is one of the most elitist cities internationally, home to Real Madrid FC, as well as Atletico de Madrid. I advise you to visit the Santiago Bernabeu stadium or the Calderón, depending on the team you support.

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In relation to cultural visits, Madrid has many offers related to museums. You have the Reina Sofia, the Tyssen, the Prado, the Archaeological Museum, the Naval Museum, the observatory, the Museum of Romanticism and on the outskirts is the Escorial, in case you feel like doing a cultural excursion (some museums I have forgotten for sure).

The young season ticket you have is for the whole community of Madrid, so you can make any excursions you want outside the city, even to Toledo.

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What about eating in Madrid? Can you tell us your favourite places?

In the main square they have the typical squid sandwiches that are very good! Also, there is a place that's called the Museum del Jamón, where you will be able to taste Serrano ham sandwiches at a good price. If you go with friends and are looking for good value for money, I recommend the Tiger: they give you plenty of tapas and I guarantee that you are not going to leave hungry. There is also 100 Montaditos which is everywhere. These last two are options to try tapas.

Which places do you recommend to go out to party in Madrid?

You have the centre, of course, where you can find bars in the garden area or in narrow streets next to the Gran Vía. Chueca, a central neighbourhood, is dedicated to homosexuals and the LGTB+ collective. There are also big clubs such as Joy or Velvet. In the area of Moncloa you can find other discos, as well as bars in the area of Argüelles, which is very close. Also, by Alonso Martinez there are interesting places. For Atocha there is a very famous club called Kapi, it's the largest in Madrid with seven floors and at the same time, the most expensive. If you like to extreme party you have Fabrik, but it is very far from the city and also very expensive. A good plan for an ordinary and cheap party night out is to go downtown with your group of friends and stay quiet until some PR offers you an discount and, after listening to several, discuss it, evaluate the options and choose one. Normally they offer one or several drinks in one place, in several places and then clubs.

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Any advice you want to give to future students in Madrid?

Enjoy the city, the people of Madrid, the good weather, the cultural offers and the parties in the city of Madrid.

Pay attention to the metro because it closes at 1:30 and opens at 6, so if you are out partying, I advise you to find out where you can catch a night bus to take you home or find a route on foot.

Want to do the same as Óscar? Follow this link to an article about public university tuition fees in Spain.