Living in Madrid: tips and advice

Madrid is a cosmopolitan city. It is actually one of those that never truly sleep, offering places, activities, and recreation for every taste. In the capital of Spain, you can experience how it is to live in a city that combines student environment with corporate and business life. Facilities and transportation in Madrid make your life way easier; you can move by metro, bus or even bike. Madrid metro is one the most complete and modern metro network around Europe, working every day from 6:00 am to 1:30 am. Apart from that, there are many ways to get a taxi if you need it during those 5 hours in the night. Since it's a capital and a big city, Madrid can sometimes be overwhelming, but also gives you the opportunity to escape from the chaos to one of its beautiful and relaxing parks like Retiro, Templo de Debod, West Park, Casa de Campo or Madrid Río.

Spain is well known for the good food and easy lifestyle, and people like to spend time outside with their friends and families. Food and drinks are the perfect combinations to share time with people that you appreciate or that you just met. Madrid gives you an amazing perspective and opportunity to enjoy this aspect of the Spanish culture on its beautiful terraces and rooftops. The whole city is full of charming terraces, markets, and rooftops where you can spend afternoons and weekends hanging out while enjoying a beer, a gIn-tonic and of course tapas. Some areas like La Latina, Chueca, Lavapiés, Malasaña, and Alonso Martinez are famous for that. Markets such as San Miguel, San Antón, San Ildefonso are great choices to have a snack, a beer, or some appetizers.

Madrid has a well-connected public transport system. You can move around by metro, tram, train, bus, and bike. BiciMAD is the public electric bike system in the city. It offers hundreds of bikes almost everywhere. Madrid also offers electric cars for rent by using apps such as car2go. To use the public transport, it is necessary to buy the Tarjeta Transporte Público. It is possible to add a monthly or annual plan to it and you will be able to travel as many times as you will. For students, the city offers the youth plan. It could be a monthly rate of 20 euros or an annual one of 200 euros that allows you to move all around Madrid.

Madrid is a vibrant city 24/7. You don’t need to be worried about being bored; there's always a great spot to relax in one of the parks, or an event just around the corner. If you want to party, don't forget to go to Gran Via at any time. When you're hungry, visit a typical Spanish market or just go around Latina on Sunday evening, and you will end up full of delicious Spanish products. In Madrid, you will always feel welcome, so go out, walk around and you will get a nice grasp of this amazing city.