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Student survival guide: field reports and logistical advice.

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Three smiling women sit around a wooden table in a cafe or co-working space, engaged in lively conversation while working. Two open laptops sit on the table—one displaying a grid of images—alongside a closed leather notebook and glasses of iced drinks. The woman on the right wears round glasses and a bleached denim jacket, laughing with her companions, while the background features a dark, textured wall with a vase of tall dried grass.
Jan 17, 2026

Spanish Class Survival: Actually Learning Spanish in Madrid

Spanish Class Survival: Actually Learning Spanish in Madrid You came to Madrid thinking you’d magically become fluent just by being here. Three weeks later, you’re still ordering at restaurants by pointing at the menu, your Spanish class is moving way too fast, and you just realized everyone speaks English to you because your Spanish is […]

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A person wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans lies face-down on a bed with white linens, appearing to be asleep with their face buried in a mustard-yellow pillow. Their arm is draped affectionately over a golden-brown dog lying beside them. The dog rests on its side, looking calmly toward the camera with one visible eye, creating a cozy and peaceful scene of rest.
Jan 17, 2026

The Unwritten Rules of Madrid: What Nobody Tells You Before You Arrive

The Unwritten Rules of Madrid: What Nobody Tells You Before You Arrive Nobody tells you that dinner at 7pm makes you a tourist, or that kissing strangers on both cheeks is just how you say hello, or that the entire city shuts down for two hours every afternoon and everyone acts like this is completely […]

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A large, bright yellow "SALE" sticker dominates the foreground, adhered to a shop window. Through the glass, a busy pedestrian street scene is visible, slightly out of focus. The background features people walking on a paved walkway, historic-style buildings, and an outdoor dining area with rows of white umbrellas. The vibrant text contrasts sharply with the muted tones of the urban environment outside.
Jan 17, 2026

Student-Discount Paradise: Where Your Student ID Actually Works

Student-Discount Paradise: Where Your Student ID Actually Works You have a student ID. You know it should get you discounts. But where? And how much? And do you have to ask, or is it automatic? And why does nobody actually tell you where students get deals? Welcome to the frustrating world of student discounts in […]

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A view from a dimly lit bedroom looking out a large, black-framed window covered in raindrops. Through the wet glass, tall pine trees are visible against a gloomy, grey sky. In the foreground, the bottom right corner is occupied by a bed with rumpled grey linens, while the wall below the window remains in deep shadow, revealing a small electrical outlet on the left.
Jan 17, 2026

Rainy Day Madrid: Indoor Activities That Won’t Break the Bank

Rainy Day Madrid: Indoor Activities That Won’t Break the Bank You wake up to grey skies and rain. Your plan to walk through Retiro or watch sunset at Temple of Debod is ruined. You’re stuck inside, bored, and your apartment is too small and distracting to spend the entire day there. Welcome to rainy day […]

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A crowd of people silhouetted against intense, saturated red stage lighting at a club or concert event. A vertical beam of bright light cuts through the hazy atmosphere in the background. In the center, a person wearing glasses is captured in profile, facing left, surrounded by the dark outlines of other attendees.
Jan 17, 2026

Madrid Nightlife for Broke Students: The Real Guide

Madrid Nightlife for Broke Students: The Real Guide Madrid’s nightlife is legendary. It’s also expensive if you don’t know what you’re doing. A night out can cost €50-80 if you’re buying drinks at club prices, or it can cost €15-20 if you understand how the system actually works. This is the guide to going out […]

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A top-down view of three rectangular glass meal prep containers lined up side-by-side on a white, speckled surface. Each container is filled with identical ingredients arranged in colorful, neat rows: a section of purple rice garnished with herbs at the top, followed by yellow corn kernels, a middle layer of sliced cucumbers, black olives, and halved cherry tomatoes, and a bottom base of lentils topped with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Jan 17, 2026

Madrid Student Meal Prep: 10 Easy Recipes Under €3 Per Serving

Madrid Student Meal Prep: 10 Easy Recipes Under €3 Per Serving You’re spending €10-15 every time you eat out, your grocery shopping haul sits unused in the fridge, and you’re surviving on pasta with jarred sauce for the third night in a row. Meanwhile, your budget is crying and you’re pretty sure you’re developing scurvy. […]

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A candid shot of four joyful friends sitting in a circle on the floor of a sunlit, white-walled enclosed balcony. Two men in the center lean in to high-five while laughing, surrounded by two smiling women, one of whom holds a mug. They are dressed in cozy casual wear, including hoodies and plaid pajama pants. In the foreground, a low wooden table is set with a mint-green teapot, tea strainer, and mugs on cork coasters. Large windows behind them show bare tree branches and a building exterior.
Jan 17, 2026

Making Friends in Madrid: A Shy Student’s Guide

Making Friends in Madrid: A Shy Student’s Guide You’re in Madrid, supposedly having the time of your life, but you’re scrolling through Instagram looking at everyone else’s friend group photos wondering why making friends feels so hard. Nobody tells you that making friends abroad as a shy person is genuinely difficult. Spanish people already have […]

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A storefront window display showcasing cured meats. Seven whole ham legs hang in a row from the ceiling; the leftmost one is encased in a black branded bag, while the others are exposed. The window glass is decorated with holiday stickers, including gingerbread men and gift boxes. On the counter below, arranged from left to right, are paper cones filled with meat pieces, stacks of rectangular filled pastries, and piles of ham baguette sandwiches. In the background, a staff member wearing a Santa hat works behind the counter.
Jan 17, 2026

How to Grocery Shop Like a Madrileño: Student’s Guide to Spanish Supermarkets

How to Grocery Shop Like a Madrileño: Student’s Guide to Spanish Supermarkets Your first time in a Spanish supermarket is confusing. Everything’s in Spanish (obviously), the layout makes no sense, and why are there 47 types of jamón but only one peanut butter option? Welcome to grocery shopping in Madrid. It’s different, it’s overwhelming at […]

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A black and white photograph showing the exterior of the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. A large, rectangular sign bearing the museum's name stands prominently in the foreground. To the right, a lone person wearing a dark coat and hat walks along the paved area next to the building's facade, which features a series of identical barred windows. Sharp, angular shadows cast by the building create a strong geometric contrast across the scene.
Jan 17, 2026

Free Museums & Galleries Beyond the Big Three

Free Museums & Galleries Beyond the Big Three You’ve done the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza. You’ve seen Guernica and Las Meninas. You’ve checked the major museums off your list. But Madrid has over 60 museums, most of which tourists never visit, and many are completely free. While everyone crowds into the “Golden Triangle of […]

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A man wearing a black beanie and a black and white windbreaker performs an exercise on blue parallel bars in an outdoor setting surrounded by trees. He is captured in a medium shot, grimacing with effort as he supports his weight. The blue bars in the foreground are slightly out of focus, creating a frame around him against the forest backdrop.
Jan 17, 2026

Free Fitness in Madrid: Parks, Outdoor Gyms & Student Sports

Free Fitness in Madrid: Parks, Outdoor Gyms & Student Sports Gym memberships in Madrid cost €30-50/month—money that could buy you 3-5 menú del días or fund weekend trips. Meanwhile, you’re sitting in libraries, eating meal prep pasta, and slowly transforming into a sedentary blob. Good news: Madrid is packed with free outdoor gyms, running routes, […]

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A male performer sits awkwardly on a wooden stage floor, leaning on his left hand while gripping a microphone in his right. He wears a dark graphic t-shirt, jeans, and white sneakers, with an intense expression. The background features a floor-to-ceiling red velvet curtain. To the right, a tall wooden stool holds a white mug, a soda can, and a water bottle, positioned next to a wooden chair where a blue acoustic guitar rests.
Jan 17, 2026

Free Entertainment: Comedy, Live Music & Open Mic Nights in Madrid

Free Entertainment: Comedy, Live Music & Open Mic Nights in Madrid You can only go out clubbing so many weekends before it gets expensive and repetitive. You’re craving entertainment that doesn’t involve €15 club entry and €10 drinks. Something different. Something free. Something that makes you feel like you’re actually experiencing Madrid’s cultural scene, not […]

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A view from inside a train carriage looking out a large window at a passing cityscape. In the distance, a Ferris wheel stands against a grey, overcast sky, positioned behind row houses and railway infrastructure including tracks and overhead wires. The window glass captures strong reflections of the train's warm interior lighting, red seats, and passengers, including hands holding a book, creating a layered visual effect.
Jan 17, 2026

Madrid Day Trips on a Student Budget

Madrid Day Trips on a Student Budget You’ve been in Madrid for weeks, you’ve explored every neighborhood, you’ve mastered the metro system, and you’re starting to feel like you actually live here. Now you’re craving something different—medieval castles, Roman aqueducts, ancient cities that feel like stepping into a history book. Good news: Some of Spain’s […]

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A close-up view of a wooden dining table set for an evening meal against a backdrop of blurred city lights (bokeh). In the foreground, a white tent card displays the word "RESERVED" in a bold, handwritten-style font, with "Joe's Backyard" printed in smaller text underneath. The table is arranged with white plates, clear drinking glasses, and a small, conical black table lamp that casts a warm glow on the surface.
Jan 17, 2026

Date Spots in Madrid Under €20 (Total, For Two)

Date Spots in Madrid Under €20 (Total, For Two) You want to take someone on a date in Madrid. You want it to be memorable, romantic, and show that you put thought into it. But you’re a student, not a trust fund kid, and dropping €50-80 on dinner and drinks isn’t realistic every week. Welcome […]

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A workspace set up on a wooden counter facing a large window with a rainy, blurred city view. In the center, a black open laptop displays a desktop background of a ship at sea. To the right of the computer sits a black wireless mouse, a ceramic mug, and a glass with a spoon. Further right, a smartphone rests on top of a closed silver laptop. To the left, a portable power bank and a blue pen lie on the wood surface. A potted plant sits in the upper right corner, framing the cozy scene.
Jan 17, 2026

Student-Friendly Coworking Spaces & WiFi Spots in Madrid

Student-Friendly Coworking Spaces & WiFi Spots in Madrid Your apartment is too distracting. The university library closes too early. Casa Victoria is too crowded. You need somewhere with reliable WiFi, comfortable seating, power outlets, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you actually want to work—without paying €200/month for a fancy coworking space. Welcome to […]

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A dimly lit movie theater auditorium filled with an audience seated in tiered rows of red plush chairs. The viewers face forward, looking toward the camera's perspective, with expressions of engagement and attention. On the left, a staircase is marked by small green safety lights, and in the upper rear background, a bright light emits from the projection booth.
Jan 17, 2026

Cheap Thrills: Affordable Activities Under €10

Cheap Thrills: Affordable Activities Under €10 You’re bored of the same routine: classes, studying, cheap meals, occasional nightlife, repeat. You want to actually DO something—something more exciting than walking through parks but less expensive than €30 concerts or €50 escape rooms. Welcome to the sweet spot: activities that cost €5-10, give you an experience worth […]

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Overhead view of a shared brunch platter on a wooden board. Two people interact with the food; one uses a fork on scrambled eggs with herbs, while another reaches for grilled toast and holds a latte with heart art. The board contains bowls of crispy bacon, sliced grapefruit, cheese triangles, sesame-topped avocado, and a central pastry bowl filled with berries and cream.
Jan 17, 2026

Madrid’s Best Cheap Brunches & Weekend Breakfast Spots

Madrid’s Best Cheap Brunches & Weekend Breakfast Spots You slept until noon after going out Friday night. You’re craving eggs, coffee, and the kind of leisurely weekend breakfast that makes you feel like you have your life together. But most Madrid brunch spots charge €15-20 per person for avocado toast and overpriced mimosas. Welcome to […]

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