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The best neighborhoods to live as a student in Madrid

Submitted by Redacción DMM on January 31, 2023

If you are planning to go to Madrid to study, you will need to look for accommodation. Luckily, Madrid has a huge amount of student residences and shared apartments to choose from.

But be careful! It's important that you choose the right neighborhood for you. Madrid is a vibrant and lively city, with many different neighborhoods offering multiple opportunities.

Here are some of the best student neighborhoods in Madrid:

Index

Malasaña
Chamberí
Lavapiés
Salamanca
Chueca
Argüelles

Malasaña

This neighborhood is one of the most popular among students thanks to its young, artistic and alternative atmosphere. Here you will find a large number of bars, restaurants and independent stores, as well as a lively nightlife. It is also very well connected to the city center and it is easy to get to the main universities from here.

Places to see:

El Rastro: This is Madrid's famous flea market, held every Sunday in Malasaña. It's a great place to find unique souvenirs, vintage clothing and antiques - you'll love to take your friends and family when they come to visit you in Madrid!
Mercado de San Ildefonso: A market full of food and drink stalls, as well as clothing and design stores.
Joy Eslava: A concert hall where you can see your favorite artists live and the occasional celebrity on duty.
Calle Pez: A street full of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy Madrid's nightlife. You will also find alternative theaters to enjoy a good play with your friends.
Plaza del Dos de Mayo: This is a popular square in the heart of Malasaña, known for its lively atmosphere and numerous bars and restaurants. It also has a famous mural by Miquel Barceló.
Museo de Arte Moderno: This museum, located in the iconic Edificio de la Financiera, features a collection of modern and contemporary art from Spain and around the world.

Student Residences in the Malasaña Neighborhood

Chamberí

This neighborhood is a quieter and more residential option than Malasaña, but still has a lot of charm. Here you will find a mix of old and modern buildings, as well as a wide range of stores, restaurants and bars. It is also well connected to the city center and it is easy to get to the main universities from here.

Places to see:

Museo Sorolla: One of the museums in Madrid that you should not miss, both for its works and for the place where they are exhibited.
La estación de Chamberí: Also called Platform 0 or the ghost station, closed in 1966 and now converted into a museum where you will feel transported to Madrid in the early twentieth century.
Plaza Colón: With the monument to Christopher Columbus, the towers with the same name and a Spanish flag the size of a tennis court.
Calle de Fuencarral: A mythical street full of bars and restaurants, stores of all kinds and cultural spaces.

Student Residences in the Chamberí Neighborhood

Lavapiés

This neighborhood is popular with students for its affordable housing options and lively atmosphere. It is one of the most multicultural neighborhoods in Madrid and has a large number of stores, restaurants and bars offering food from all over the world. There are also numerous art galleries and theaters in this neighborhood, making it an ideal place for students interested in the arts. It is also very well connected to the city center and it is easy to get to the main universities from here.

Places to see:

Plaza de Lavapiés: A square full of open-air bars and restaurants, as well as clothing and souvenir stores.
Teatro Valle-Inclán: A theater where you can see theater, music and dance performances.
Mercado de San Fernando: A market where you can sample delicious Arabic food.
Museo Reina Sofía: A museum with works by artists such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.
La Tabacalera: The old tobacco factory of Madrid converted into an exhibition hall and a reference of urban art in the capital.

Salamanca

This is one of the most luxurious and elegant neighborhoods in Madrid, but it is still a good option for students thanks to its proximity to the main universities and its wide range of stores, restaurants and bars. Here you will find imposing buildings and wide streets and lots of trees, making it an ideal place to live and study in Madrid.

Places to see:

Parque de El Retiro: A giant park in the center of Madrid, where you can find the monument to Alfonso XII, the Palacio de Cristal, the Estanque Grande, among many other things.
WiZink Center: Multipurpose space that mainly offers many concerts of great artists and Real Madrid Basketball matches.
Calle Serrano: A street full of luxury stores where you can buy clothes and accessories of the most expensive brands.
Museo Arqueológico Nacional: One of the most interesting museums if you like history with the permanent exhibition and different incredible temporary exhibitions.

Student residences in the Salamanca Neighborhood

Chueca

This is another neighborhood popular with students, known for its LGBTQ+ friendly atmosphere and vibrant nightlife. There are plenty of bars, clubs and stores, and it is a popular destination for nightlife in Madrid.

Places to see:

Mercado de San Antón: This is a popular food market in Chueca, where you can try a variety of traditional Spanish dishes.
Plaza de Chueca: This is a popular square in the heart of Chueca, named after the composer Federico Chueca. It is a popular meeting place for locals and visitors alike.
Sala Chueca: This is a popular theater in Chueca, known for its excellent productions of Spanish and international plays.

Student residences in the Chueca neighborhood

Argüelles y Moncloa

This neighborhood is popular among students, as it is located near the Complutense University and other universities in the city. It is known for its proximity to many cultural attractions, services and amenities. It is also a popular place for nightlife, with numerous bars and restaurants.

Places to see:

Parque del Oeste: This is a popular park in Moncloa, known for its beautiful gardens and monuments, such as the Temple of Debod and the Monument to Alfonso XII.
Plaza de España: This is a popular square in Moncloa, known for its iconic monument to Miguel de Cervantes and its many bars and restaurants.
Cines Golem: This is a popular cinema in Moncloa, known for its independent and international films.

Student Residences in the Argüelles and Moncloa Neighborhood

Any of these neighborhoods can be an excellent choice for students moving to Madrid. The most important thing is to find a place that suits your needs and preferences, and that allows you to enjoy all that Madrid has to offer. Which, as you can see, is a lot.

Are there any neighborhoods that we have missed and should include? Share in the comments.