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Back HomeThe 9 Best Neighborhoods to Live in Madrid
The Spanish capital is considered one of the best cities for internationals. Discover the best neighborhoods in Madrid to live in and choose your next home.
Madrid is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, which has both modern places and historical monuments. More than 3 million people live here, Spanish and expatriates, who live together and make this city a perfect destination not only to visit, but also to settle, rich in cultures, languages, colors and history.
Here you can find many opportunities for you: Madrid has great universities, business schools and also the most important companies to start your professional career. And Madrid’s leisure is the best: its fun attractions, quality cuisine and the best nightlife. Discover our 10 favorite restaurants in Madrid.
You really never know what this city has in store for you!
Choosing the Madrid neighborhood to live in depends mainly on 3 key factors: your budget, the proximity to your university/work (or easy access points) and last but not least, the vibes and atmosphere you are looking for. .
Each and every one of the areas of the Spanish capital has its own charm and uniqueness and we are sure that you will find the perfect place to settle. Let’s discover together the best neighborhoods in Madrid to live!
Living in Sol and Gran Vía, the center of Madrid
Sol and Gran Vía are the basics for those who come to Madrid for the first time: the beating heart of the city, located in its geographical center.
Sol, a place of great historical importance, is today the epicenter of Madrid, the place where most tours of the city start, a crucial hub of public transport (for the metro and Renfe trains) and full of bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
A few steps from Puerta del Sol, you will find the most famous avenue in the city: Madrid’s Gran Vía.
Built in the early years of the 20th century, the Gran Vía represents the transition of the Spanish capital to become a great modern European metropolis. It connects different areas of the city center and today it is the most popular shopping center in Madrid.
In addition, Gran Vía is home to countless restaurants, bars and elegant buildings with charming rooftops.
Being the center of Madrid, it will be very easy for you to get around and reach other parts of the city, as well as the university area.
The Sol and Gran Vía areas are perfect accommodation options for young internationals in Madrid; there is everything you need: services, transportation, entertainment and exciting vibes.
Malasaña, among the best neighborhoods in Madrid to live
Named for Manuela Malasaña, a young woman assassinated by Napoleon’s troops in 1808, this neighborhood boasts a rich and incredible history, rooted in the Movida Madrileña, an innovative artistic and social movement.
Malasaña is today one of the most modern, hipster and alternative areas of Madrid, full of very nice bars and restaurants, vintage shops and colorful cafes. It is located a few meters from the central Gran Vía and borders the famous Chueca neighborhood.
Malasaña is widely known as one of the best neighborhoods in Madrid to live in, which is why thousands of young internationals decide to settle here and live in its bohemian and hipster atmosphere.
Staying in La Latina
La Latina is an emblematic and historic neighborhood of Madrid and owes its name to Beatriz Galindo, one of the most cultured women of the 16th century, whose nickname was “La Latina”.
This area is today a very lively place, full of charming cafes, narrow streets, markets and the most popular bars.
It is well known among young internationals for its dynamic atmosphere, but here you will also find crowds of locals, from Madrid, gathering and having a good time eating their typical tapas dishes.
Thanks to its central location, its services and its atmosphere, La Latina is considered one of the best neighborhoods in Madrid to live.
Living in the Chueca neighborhood
Neighboring Gran Vía to the south and Malasaña, Chueca has established itself as the most colorful and cheerful neighborhood in Madrid. It is the home of the LGBT community of the Spanish capital: a unique area, with a happy, respectful and multicultural atmosphere where everyone is truly welcome.
Chueca has incredible bars and restaurants, art galleries and is strategically located (thanks to the great transport network): it is definitely one of the best neighborhoods in Madrid to live.
Living in Salamanca, near the Retiro Park
If you are looking for elegant buildings, a calm atmosphere and an aristocratic essence, Salamanca is the right place for you. The construction of this neighborhood was directed by the Marquis of Salamanca, who wanted to create an exclusive area to live in Madrid, with new houses, large windows and wide balconies, higher ceilings and a modern atmosphere.
Today, it represents a residential and elegant area, where many celebrities now decide to settle.
Salamanca is one of the best neighborhoods in Madrid to live for those who are looking for a central location but away from the tourist crowds, where they can enjoy elegant premises and a relaxed atmosphere.
In addition, living here you can reach the famous Retiro Park, one of the main places of interest in the city, in a few minutes.
Staying in Argüelles and Moncloa
As a result of Madrid’s urban expansion plan (which dates back to the 19th century), the Argüelles and Moncloa/Princesa areas are today beautiful residential neighbourhoods.
Countless restaurants, elegant bars, shopping avenues, parks and other services make these places among the best neighborhoods in Madrid to live.
In addition to its strategic location and great public transport service, Argüelles and Moncloa are the perfect areas for students, as they are next to the Ciudad Universitaria, one of the largest campuses in Madrid.
Living in Lavapies
With the title of the oldest neighborhood in Madrid, Lavapiés, long ago, was inhabited only by the Jewish community. Today it has become a colorful and multicultural area, where the most diverse ethnic groups coexist and meet, making Lavapiés a unique social nucleus.
It is located in the Embajadores district, the largest in the center of Madrid and home to numerous points of interest in the city.
Living in Madrid Río and Arganzuela
Located next to the Manzanares River, Madrid Río is one of the most recent and modern neighborhoods in the city. It is the result of the renovation and environmental improvement carried out in recent years. Nowadays, Madrid Río is one of the most valued areas, where Madrilenians seek to live: services, museums, large green areas, shops and many places to eat out.
The beautiful architecture of the Arganzuela district, where Madrid Río is located, has three main different inspirations: Neo-Mudéjar (a type of Moorish Revival architecture), Rationalism, and cast iron structures.
As it is still a bit undiscovered, home prices are still very affordable here. This area really has many advantages!
Staying in Chamberi
If you want to live like a local and immerse yourself in the lifestyle of young people from Madrid, you have to go to the northern part of the city, to the beautiful Chamberí neighborhood. Rich in charm and history (dating back to Napoleon’s French invasion), this area is considered to be one of the most tranquil yet modern places in the Spanish capital.
Certainly, here you will not find the typical tourist sites, but you can enjoy the best leisure activities, nightlife and find all kinds of facilities. In addition, Chamberí is not far from Salamanca and the University City.
Did you like this brief guide on the best neighborhoods in Madrid to live in? Now is the time to choose one and choose your next Madrid home!
© Jackson Lieblein, LLC 2015.
