Madrid, Spain

A Year in Madrid

I moved to Madrid for a year to complete my Master’s in International Management. I loved it. I learned a lot. Best of all, I traveled and met people from all over the world. Madrid became a classroom, a kitchen, and a dance floor.

Why Madrid works

Madrid is perfect if you want nightlife, cuisine, and a real feel for Spanish culture. Late dinners. Long walks. Music in the streets. You can go out any night and still find a quiet corner when you want it.

What I loved most

• Nightlife that starts late and ends with gyros.
• Food that ranges from simple tapas to creative tasting menus.
• Neighborhoods with their own energy. Barrio de Las Letras for history. Malasaña for vintage shops and cafés. Salamanca for elegant streets and window shopping.
• Art that lives in your daily routine. A Sunday at El Rastro. An afternoon at the Prado or Reina Sofía. A quiet hour in Retiro Park.

Must try

Tinto de Verano. It is simple and perfect on a warm day. Red wine with soda and a slice of lemon. Order one on a terrace and linger.

Easy eats to start with

• Tortilla de patatas that is soft in the center.
• Croquetas that melt.
• Bocadillo de calamares near Plaza Mayor.
• Churros con chocolate after a night out.

How the year shaped me

Studying international management in Madrid pushed me to think globally and work with people from everywhere. Group projects turned into friendships. Weekend trips turned into lessons on culture and pace. I left with a degree and a new way of moving through the world.

Day trips and getaways

Madrid sits in the center of the country, which makes travel easy. You can hop on a train for a quick escape or plan a long weekend by the sea.

Alicante

Alicante is an easy choice if you want beaches and food. The water is clear. The pace is calm. The paella is some of the best you will ever eat. Spend the morning on the sand. Have a long lunch. Take a sunset walk along the promenade. It is a simple plan and it always works.

A simple Madrid starter plan

• Morning. Coffee and a pastry. Walk through Retiro and visit the Crystal Palace.
• Midday. Art hour at the Prado or Reina Sofía.
• Late lunch. Tapas crawl in La Latina.
• Evening. Sunset on a rooftop.
• Night. Tinto de Verano on a terrace. Live music or a quiet wine bar. Your choice.

If you are thinking about Madrid, go. Learn. Eat well. Stay out late sometimes and stay in when you need to. Let the city teach you how to slow down and enjoy the moment.

-Aneta