Study Abroad in Madrid: Your Insider Guide
Introduction
Before coming to Spain, I had numerous preconceived notions about what the country would be like. I imagined beautiful architecture and streets, rich history, a bunch of small shops and cafés, people dressed very well, the scent of cigarette smoke, great nightlife, tapas bars, and amazing restaurants. Upon my arrival in Madrid, I quickly realized that almost everything was just as I had imagined. The first thing I noticed was how full and lively the city was. There weren’t any empty streets, and on almost every corner, there were people talking and enjoying meals and Mahou at small restaurants. My roommate and I ended up walking around for six hours on the first day, simply enjoying the city and getting to know where we would spend the next four months.
I chose Madrid for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, Spain was a country I had wanted to visit for a long time. As someone who enjoys learning about other cultures, my knowledge of Madrid and Spain sparked my interest, especially because of the history, the energy of the cities, the famous food, and more. I chose Madrid specifically because I wanted to be in a bigger city, and I knew Barcelona had a lot more tourists (I’ve also been a Real Madrid fan since I was very young). Another reason I chose Madrid was that I wanted to improve my Spanish, as it is such a highly applicable language I had always wanted to learn.
Even after just a couple of hours in the city, I knew I had made a great decision. Furthermore, after just a few days of living in Madrid, I knew it was a city I would definitely consider living in long-term. Almost everything about the city fit exactly into my criteria: the streets are full of people, the energy is high, the metro is incredibly efficient, food and activities are affordable (compared to other European cities), there’s something to do at every hour of the day, there are beautiful parks, and there’s always a new café or restaurant to try. The only thing Madrid is missing is a beach, but this isn’t a major issue since some of Spain’s nicest beaches are nearby—anywhere from a two-hour train ride to Andalucia, to a five-hour train ride to San Sebastián in the north.
Why Study Abroad in Madrid?
During my studies abroad, I visited a total of seven countries and 16 cities. In each place, I fully took advantage of my time and tried to make the most of each location. After analyzing all the cities and comparing different aspects of their lifestyles, I found Madrid to be truly unique and, in my opinion (with bias), the best place to study abroad.
Of the seven countries I visited (besides Morocco), Spain—and Madrid in particular—was one of the most affordable cities to live in. Access to public transport was cheap, with the metro offering trains every three minutes for just €8 a month. A full menú del día (three-course lunch) could cost as little as €10. Two avocado toasts and a cup of coffee at Manolo Bakes were only €3.50. Grocery stores were extremely affordable, and even daily/nightly activities could fit into a student budget.
I also found Madrid to be one of the liveliest cities I visited. It was active at all times of the day and night, with an incredible selection of stores, restaurants, bars, and nightlife.
Madrid’s central location in Spain allows for easy travel across the country and the Iberian Peninsula. Traveling across Europe from Madrid was affordable, even to countries further east like the Czech Republic and Croatia. Ultimately, I have absolutely no negative things to say about the city. I loved every aspect of it.
Housing Experience
During my stay in Madrid, I lived in a homestay near the Ríos Rosas metro stop. I shared a room with one roommate and had another roommate in a single room. We lived with an older couple—a Spanish man and a French woman. I loved every aspect of my homestay and got along very well with our hosts.
Every night, our host dad would spend hours cooking us beautiful Spanish meals, always ensuring there was enough to fully satisfy the three of us. We’d spend about an hour at dinner, talking to our hosts. Having a homestay family was one of the top reasons I was able to improve my Spanish significantly, as they spoke no English and helped me learn during our time at dinner.
I didn’t spend too much time at the apartment, as I was out and about most of the day and usually returned just before dinner. My host family was very understanding, and if I couldn’t make dinner, it was never an issue. I grew quite close to my host family, and they were definitely a vital part of making my experience abroad so incredible.
Top Local Recommendations
Food & Cafés
La Caprichosa: Great menú del día for €10. Nothing extraordinary, but good value for lunch.
Tiki Tacos: €1 tacos—good food for great value.
Manolo Bakes: Close to my school, offering two avocado toasts and coffee for €3.50 before 12 PM.
Casa Benigna: Expensive, but excellent paella.
Casa Dani: Known for tortilla española if you like runny eggs.
Swiss Butter: €19 for a steak, fries, salad, and bread—not budget-friendly but worth it.
Mercado de San Miguel: A vibrant tapas market.
Nightlife
Cien Montaditos: A chain with €2 jugs of beer, tinto, and cheap tapas—perfect for pre-bars.
El Amazonico: Fancy and lively, better for special occasions.
Jack’s Library: A quiet, intimate speakeasy—great for early nights.
Toni 2: A piano bar that’s always fun. Arrive early to avoid long lines.
Espit Chupitos: A budget-friendly pregame bar with fun shots and bartenders.
Closing Thoughts
Studying abroad in Madrid was an incredible, transformative experience. Madrid is a city full of energy, culture, and opportunities to learn and grow. If given the chance, I wholeheartedly recommend studying abroad—it’s an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.
About the Writer
This article was written by a student at the University of San Diego who studied abroad at Universidad Carlos III in Madrid.
