Making the Most of Madrid: Studying Abroad in Spain
LOCATION
Spain’s capital city, Madrid, is located just about right in the center of the country. It’s surrounded by mountain ranges. The Manzanares River flows through, dividing it in two. Madrid is well connected to other areas of Spain by train, road, and plane, and is often a stopover airport that connects many cities in Europe. You’ll have easy access to onward adventures at your fingertips.
STUDYING ABROAD IN MADRID
When you study abroad in Madrid with ASA, you’ll have a choice of two host institutions: Universidad Carlos III or Universidad Nebrija.
Universidad Carlos III is one of the most prestigious universities in Spain. Academics are taken very seriously here and it’s well respected for the quality of its teaching and academic research. The university is spread over three campuses and has about 17,000 students. You’ll attend the Getafe campus and the Laganés campus, about 8 miles south of the city, accessible by train with about 30 minutes commute each way.
Universidad Nebrija, a private university, also has three campuses, but you’ll take classes primarily on the Madrid-Princesa campus in the city center. You’ll be part of student body of about 12,000 students of 56 nationalities.
You can find more information about both universities on our website. English language courses are available in all of our host cities.
While in Madrid, you’ll live in a Spanish homestay in a safe neighborhood, within a reasonable distance from your school.
WHAT’S MADRID LIKE?
Madrid is a city of contrasts, where ultra-modern architecture mixes with the medieval. Students love wandering through the narrow winding cobblestone streets of El Centro, the capital’s oldest neighborhood just as much as they enjoy the impressively wide boulevards lined with restaurants, department stores, markets, discotecas, theaters, monuments, and museums. In Madrid, you’ll find the best of contemporary Spanish culture in all its forms: politics, fashion, art, film, food, sports, and more.
Madrileños take pride in their city and culture and speak with a distinctive regional accent called Castellano. They appreciate time spent lounging in their beautiful parks as much as they do their legendary nightlife! Keep an eye on the calendar if you study abroad here. Madid hosts many festivals every year like the San Isidro Festival (May), which is an important cultural event, Madrid International Jazz Festival (late fall) and one of the world’s biggest Pride celebrations (June).
HOW CAN I SPEND MY FREE TIME?
As a dynamic global city, Madrid is pumped full of places to explore and activities that could fill up your calendar for years if you stuck around!
Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
PARKS. Madrid has 1,400 acres of green space to relax in. The most well-known—Retiro Park—is referred to as the “lungs of Madrid”, and Madrid Río Park, which lines the banks of the river, is a popular choice. Casa de Campo is one of the biggest parks in Europe. Watching the sun set from Sabatini Gardens, Parque del Oeste, or Vistillas Gardens is a treat. For something on the wilder or more natural side, try Dehesa de la Villa.
GALLERIES & MUSEUMS. If you’re an art lover, head to the “Triangle of Art” in Puerta del Sol, a short walk from Plaza Mayor, which includes three of the world’s most important art collections: Museo del Prado, Museo Reina Sofía, and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. We also recommend a visit to the preserved home of painter Joaquim Sorolla - Museo Sorolla, Museo Cerralbo for its impressive ceilings alone, and the Museo Arqueologico Nacional if you’re interested in archaeology.
WALKS. Madrid is a reasonably walkable city and heading out on foot is an excellent way to understand its layout, get to know some of its neighborhoods, pop into new cafes or restaurants, experience the vibes of local life, and get some exercise! We recommend familiarizing yourself with your own neighborhood first, then the city center which is where many of the must-see sites can be found. Since you’ll be there for a while, you’ll have time to venture further out too. Look up, down, and all around; there’s a lot to take in! Wander at random with a friend or two or sign up to participate in a guided walking tour.
FASHION. Madrid hosts fashion week in September. It’s a great city for spotting interesting street styles and shopping vintage (Magpie Vintage, La Mona Checa), department stores (El Corte Ingles), independent boutiques (La Integral), concept stores (El Moderno Concept Store, Slowly Concept Store) and chains (Zara, Mango) to name a few places. Shoes are especially popular to buy in Madrid. Check out Casa Hernanz for their famous espadrilles.
SPORTS. Soccer is big in Madrid. If you’re a fan, don’t pass up a chance to catch Real Madrid play at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium! Other sports are popular here too, especially basketball, cycling, tennis and padel tennis, to name a few.
NIGHTLIFE. Madrid is famous for its lively nightlife, which starts no earlier than 8pm when people might gather to share tapas before heading off to a bar (like El Tigre). Not until around 3am do the clubs really come to life. Some popular clubs are Joy Eslava and Palacio Fortuny. Enjoy it (but remember to stick together in groups, drink responsibly if you’re going to drink, and always look out for each other, making sure everyone gets home safely).
FESTIVALS. In addition to San Isidro Festival and Pride (both mentioned above), one of the best Madrid festivals is Noche en Blanco (“Sleepless Night”) where art installations light up the city and form a backdrop for performances, exhibitions, and other late night cultural activities.
WHAT (AND WHERE) SHOULD I EAT?
Madrid’s food scene is a mash-up of traditional dishes and international flavors. Recently, vegetarians and vegans are much more accommodated for, and there are plenty of delicious options to suit a student budget. Note that locals eat later than most of us are used to, like elsewhere in Spain. Lunch might happen around 2pm and dinner at 9pm or 10pm.
Here are a few places and foods to try:
CAFES. If you love a good pastry, don’t miss La Mallorquina (est. 1894!) for a napolitana de chocolate. For hipster vibes and avo toast, head to Pum Pum. If you’re out with your laptop, Mision Café and Hola Coffee are study-friendly with decent wifi. For a bigger breakfast, try Plenti. If you love a flat white, head to Natif Coffee and Kitchen. And you have to try a sweet treat from the cloistered nuns of Convento de las Carboneras (a tradition dating back to the early 17th century!).
FOOD. Bocadillo de calamares (calamari sandwich) is a local favorite. Try one at La Campana. Taberna La Dolores is the perfect place to gather with friends for tapas, or larger “raciones”. Looking for something different? Eat Indian at Shapla, Greek at Periplo, pizza at La Pizzateca, Mexican at Cherry Pecas, or Peruvian Chinese fusion at Mercado de Mostenses. Indulge in some cheap tasty eats at Petisqueira or pop into Bocadillos Oink for a sandwich. The food markets are a must!
MUST TRY. Cocido Madrileño (chickpea stew), huevos rotos (broken eggs over fries and jamón serrano), gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns), all the tapas, salmorejo (cold tomato soup), tortilla Española (spanish omelette), pig’s ears, pisto manchego (great vegetarian dish), churros con chocolate (chocolate for breakfast, anyone?) and their fatter, doughier cousin—porras.
ANY OTHER TIPS?
A few other things to keep in mind to make the most of a study abroad experience in Madrid…
SAVE ON LUNCH. Look for restaurants (away from the main tourist areas) with a “menu del día”. This is a set menu, including drinks and desserts, which tends to be cheaper than ordering individual plates.
MUSEUMS. Most museums have paid entry, but offer specific free hours during certain “off-peak” periods. For example, the Prado Museum typically opens a free 2-hour slot from 6-8pm (or 5-7 on Sundays and public holidays). Check museum websites for details. Remember to line up ahead of time (because you won’t be the only one looking for a freebie!).
SIESTAS. In Spain, a lot of businesses close in the middle of the afternoon (typically from around 2-5pm) and then re-open in the evening. If you’re heading out, double-check the times or simply plan around the siesta to avoid disappointment. As a big city, you can always find something that is open in Madrid, but it’s still best to be aware, especially for smaller shops!
AWARENESS. While it’s unlikely, pickpocketing can and does happen, so do be vigilant and keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded spaces like El Rastro market or the metro.