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Cities/Madrid

Madrid

Madrid

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Madrid is one of the largest and most important cities in Spain. As the capital, it is a city worth visiting if you travel to the country. However, with so many leisure and transportation options, it can be complicated, especially if it is your first time in the city. If you want to enjoy your stay in Madrid, we share with you a list of places to visit as well as general information on how to make the most of your stay at the capital of Spain.

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How to get to Madrid?

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Madrid is one of the best connected European cities and there are many ways to get there. We tell you how to get to Madrid from the airport. If you want to use public transport, you have both bus and metro options. Depending on what area of Madrid you go, you may find it more convenient to use one or the other. In addition, Taxi, Uber, Cabify and other VTC services are available.

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  • Bus: You can take the bus called “Airport Express Bus”, which connects with the Atocha train station and Plaza Cibeles. This bus runs all day long and runs every 15-20 minutes during the day and every 35 minutes at night. A single ticket will cost you around 5€ and you will have plenty of space for your luggage. Remember to check more information on the Madrid EMT website.

  • Metro: You can also choose to take the metro to the airport, which is located in Terminal 1. You will have to get on line 8, which goes from Nuevos Ministerios to the airport. When you come from the airport, you will have an extra charge, so it may be a bit more expensive if you don't have a public transportation card. Be sure to check the timetables on the Metro de Madrid website.

  • Cercanías: You can also take the Cercanías train from Terminal 4 (C1). This will take you to Príncipe Pío station, in the center of the city. Together with the metro, it is the fastest and most recommended option. You have more information on the website of Cercanías Renfe.

  • Taxi or VTC: Taking a taxi is the fastest option to get from the airport to the center of Madrid. It has a fixed cost of €30 at any time of the day to take you to any point within the M30 of Madrid. You can also find VTCs like Uber or Cabify for about €20 per trip.

Living in Madrid

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What is the cost of living in Madrid?

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To live in Madrid you will need approximately 900€ to cover accommodation, living expenses and related costs. Keep in mind that Madrid offers many possibilities for leisure and cultural activities. Depending on your social activity, your expenses will be higher or lower, but as a young person or student you will have many discounts.

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What are the best neighborhoods in Madrid?

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With Lodgerin, you can find accommodation abroad in some of the most recommended neighborhoods.

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Barios de Madrid
Retiro

El Retiro is an elegant and peaceful neighborhood in Madrid, known for its famous park of the same name, where visitors can enjoy pleasant walks, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences.

Barios de Madrid
Moncloa / Argüelles

Two neighborhoods that blend a student-friendly and residential vibe with a strategic location in Madrid. Both stand out for their green spaces, like Parque del Oeste, and excellent public transportation connections.

Barios de Madrid
Tetuán

Tetuán is a neighborhood full of contrasts, with traditional markets, local shops, and a cultural mix reflected in its diverse gastronomic and commercial offerings.

Barios de Madrid
Chamberí

Chamberí is a neighborhood that combines a residential vibe with a lively social scene. Known for its architecture, plazas, and excellent dining options, it’s a favorite among both locals and tourists.

Barios de Madrid
Chamartín

Chamartín is a neighborhood that blends its more residential and peaceful side with the bustling financial district. With excellent connections to the rest of the city, it features the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, lively shopping streets, and green spaces like Berlin Park, perfect for unwinding.

Barios de Madrid
Madrid Centro

Madrid Centro is the heart of the city, where history, culture, and modern life come together. Known for landmarks like Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía, it’s a vibrant area filled with iconic attractions, diverse dining options, and endless shopping and entertainment.

Barios de Madrid
Barrio de Salamanca

The Salamanca neighborhood is synonymous with elegance and exclusivity in Madrid. Known for its wide avenues, luxury boutiques, and high-end restaurants, it’s a must-visit destination for fashion and fine dining enthusiasts.

Barios de Madrid
Arganzuela

Arganzuela is a lively neighborhood known for its family-friendly atmosphere and cultural spaces. Highlights include Madrid Río, a vast park along the Manzanares River, perfect for walking or exercising, and venues like Matadero, a cultural landmark in the capital.

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How to move around Madrid?

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Although in the city of Madrid it is easy to reach many places on foot, you can also make use of its extensive public transport service.

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  • Metro: Madrid has 12 metro lines and more than 300 stations operating from 6am to 1:30am.

  • Bus: Another transportation option is the bus, which operates both within the city of Madrid and in nearby municipalities. In addition, there are night bus lines, commonly known as 'búho', which make it possible to travel by bus at any time.

  • Cercanías train: To get around the areas farther from the city center, there is a Cercanías train service. These trains connect the outskirts with the city center and operate from 5am to 00:00.

To start moving around Madrid, you can get a transport pass card for 20€ per month (for people under 26 years old). This card allows you to use any of the mentioned means of transport and move around the Community of Madrid. Here you can check all the information to get your transport pass.

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If you do not plan to use public transport much or someone from outside Madrid is coming to see you, you can buy for 2€ a bono card in which you can load trips, and reuse as many times as you need.

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Finally, there are several applications that you can use to move around Madrid: Google Maps, Moovit, Citymapper. These three offer you navigation with interchange, that is, starting your trip by metro and continuing by bus Don't forget to check them out!

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What are the best universities in Madrid?

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Spain is the European country that receives the most Erasmus students throughout the year, and Madrid is the Spanish city with the most university campuses. In total, it has 80 universities, including public and private centers.

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Some of the university campuses are located in the city center, as is the case of the Complutense University of Madrid, or the Pontifical University of Comillas. In other cases, they are located in other areas further away from the city center, such as Getafe, Pozuelo de Alarcón or Leganés. Even so, you have nothing to worry about because, whichever university you choose, you can get there by public transport.T

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Here are some of the most important universities:

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Universidad Complutense
Universidad Complutense

It is one of the largest universities in Europe and has two campuses, in the Moncloa neighborhood and in Somosaguas.

Universidad Carlos III
Universidad Carlos III

Among the best young universities in the world and has four campuses. Three of them outside Madrid and one in the city center.

Universidad Comillas
Universidad Pontificia de Comillas

It is one of the most renowned universities in Spain, run by the Compañía de Jesus.

ESIC
ESIC

It is a business school that offers everything from undergraduate and graduate degrees to master's degrees.

Universidad Francisco Victoria
Universidad Francisco de Vitoria

It is a prestigious, catholic, private university located in Pozuelo de Alarcón.

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Tourism in Madrid

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What are the best parks in Madrid?

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For walking, playing sports or enjoying the weather in Madrid, the best known park is the Retiro Park. This park is the green lung of the city and inside you can find a lake, sports areas, cafes and even exhibitions.

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However, Madrid has many other parks, such as the Parque del Oeste or the Casa de Campo, also located very close to the city center. Check the list of parks and gardens in Madrid, choose your favorite and enjoy nature in the heart of the capital.

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What monuments and historical sites does Madrid have?

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Madrid is a city famous for the richness of its architecture and in it we can find monuments of totally different styles. Even to this day, Madrid's style is constantly changing. But, despite its continuous transformation, there are certain monuments that are undoubtedly icons of the city and that you have to visit:

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  • El oso y el madroño Madrid
    El Oso y el Madroño

    This typichal statue located in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid is an icon of the city that you can not miss.

  • Puerta de Alcalá Madrid
    La Puerta de Alcalá

    It is one of the most emblematic monuments of the capital and even has its own song. It is one of the gates that formerly gave access to the city and is located in the center, in the Plaza de la Independencia.

  • Palacio Real en Madrid
    El Palacio Real

    For many years, it was the residence of the kings of Spain, although, at present, they reside in the Zarzuela Palace. It is located at the back of the Plaza de Oriente and is the largest palace in Western Europe.

  • Fuente Cibeles Madrid
    Fuente de Cibeles

    The fountain of the goddess Cibeles has become internationalized thanks to Real Madrid's soccer celebrations and is located in a privileged location. In the square to which it gives its name, you can find four other emblematic buildings of the capital: the Buenavista Palace, the Bank of Spain, the Linares Palace and the Palace of Communications.

  • Las 4 torres Madrid
    Las Cuatro Torres

    These four towers are the four tallest skyscrapers in the country and in recent years have become one of the most emblematic places in Madrid. To reach them you must get off at the Begoña metro station (line 10). In the area you can find viewpoints to sit and enjoy the views, as well as a very nice walk with water fountains and lights.

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What museums are there in Madrid?

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Visiting museums is one of the best ways to get to know Madrid and its culture. The city has its famous Art Triangle, formed by the Prado Museum, the Thyssen - Bornemisza and the Reina Sofia. These three museums are within walking distance of each other.

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However, Madrid offers many other museums to visit that will surely delight and surprise you. From open air museums, such as the famous Templo de Debod, to the most fun ones, such as the Wax Museum, where you will find some of the most famous personalities.

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Leisure in Madrid

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What is the nightlife like in Madrid?

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Madrid is a city where nightlife exists every day of the week. In addition, you can extend the party until you end up having some good churros with chocolate for breakfast. Here are some examples:

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  • Teatro Barcelo Madrid
    Teatro Barceló

    Located in the heart of Madrid, Teatro Barceló is a renowned nightclub housed in a historic theater. It features multiple dance floors, VIP areas, and hosts a variety of music genres, from electronic and pop to hip-hop. It's a popular spot for both locals and tourists looking for an upscale nightlife experience.

  • Florida Park Madrid
    Florida Park

    In the heart of the Retiro Park, Florida Park is nightclub, restaurant and event space. It offers a unique blend of live music, DJ performances, and spectacular shows in a glamorous setting.

  • Kapital Madrid
    Kapital

    In the Barrio de las Letras, in the Art Triangle of Madrid, you will find the Kapital Theater. In its 7 floors, different styles coexist and will not leave you indifferent. It is the party temple par excellence of Madrid.

Where to go shopping in Madrid?

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Madrid has dozens of shopping areas throughout the city. Undoubtedly, the busiest is Gran Vía and Plaza de Callao, where you can find stores of the most common and well-known brands. If you want to shop in more exclusive stores, Serrano street, in the heart of the Salamanca district, is a perfect choice.

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In addition, Madrid also has dozens of shopping malls, both within the city and on the outskirts. If you prefer the convenience of shopping in a shopping center within the city, the closest to the center are the Príncipe Pío shopping center and the Plaza Río shopping center. If you want something more exclusive, you can go to Las Rozas Village.

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