Erasmus in Madrid

Cost of living in Madrid, Spain

As the Spanish capital, the cost of living in Madrid is higher than in other cities in Spain, but this depends on different factors.

The average cost of living for a student in the city ranges from €600 to €1,200, depending on the type of accommodation. The most common and cheapest one among students is to share a flat, so you only pay for your room and the flat expenses are shared. You should also take into account the transport and leisure costs, there are many student discounts that you can use to save a lot of money.

Student life, Erasmus parties and leisure in Madrid

One of the things an Erasmus student looks for when arriving at their destination is to find entertainment and nightlife. You'll soon realise that this is something Madrid can boast. The Spanish capital has a wide gastronomic offer, you can try the famous tapas and all the typical Spanish food. Young people like the university area of Moncloa and Argüelles neighbourhoods, where you’ll find many bars and restaurants with cheap daily menus. The bar Pez Tortilla, on Pez street, is famous for its potato omelettes and its wide variety of beers.

Madrid is also known for its nightlife. All over the city there are plenty of nightclubs, such as Capital or Blackhouse, and places where you can enjoy all kinds of music. Among university students, one of the favourite meeting places is the ‘bajos de Argüelles’ where you can find a wide range of bars with different types of music, from rock to reggaeton.

Culture and gastronomy in Madrid, Spain

Culture is one of Spain's strengths and Madrid is an example of this. The city has a great cultural offer: museums and galleries such as the Museo del Prado or the Museo de Historia de Madrid; theatres like the Teatro Real or the Teatro Calderón. It also has numerous monuments and historic buildings that make this city a cultural attraction.

Gastronomy is another great attraction of the Community of Madrid, as it has a large number of traditional dishes, which you can enjoy anywhere. ‘Cocido Madrileño’, ‘Callos a la Madrileña’, squid sandwiches, garlic soup... all accompanied by a beer, the style of the Spanish capital. The ideal place to enjoy the best squid sandwiches is the Plaza Mayor.

Advantages and Disadvantages of doing Erasmus in Madrid

Advantages

• Madrid is the university city par excellence, full of students eager to enjoy their life!
• Being located in the centre of the peninsula, it’s very well connected to the rest of Spain.
• You can immerse yourself in Spanish culture, taste its magnificent gastronomy and get to know its customs and traditions.
• As the capital of Spain, it has the most prestigious universities in the country.

Disadvantages

• Rent is expensive, especially in central areas. Restaurant and entertainment prices can be high compared to other cities in Spain.
• If your Erasmus is in the summer, be prepared for temperatures above 40°C / 104ºF. Many flats don't have A/C, which can make sleeping difficult.
• There’s a lot of demand for flats and student residences, which can make finding a good location and affordability difficult.
• Madrid is a very touristic city and there’re always people in the most popular areas, which can be overwhelming, especially in neighbourhoods such as Sol, Gran Vía or Malasaña.

Cheap student accommodation in Madrid, Spain

Are you looking for accommodation in Madrid and don't know where to look for verified accommodation? On Erasmus Play you can compare between the best flats, rooms and residences for students in Madrid.

FAQ about doing Erasmus in Madrid