Where to Live in Madrid

Madrid is one of the favorite cities for the expat community, remote workers, and digital nomads from around the world, and for good reason! It is the capital of Spain, which means you have everything you might need here.

Madrid is a charming city and once you have enjoyed life here, you won’t want to leave. This city has great infrastructure, a very lively nightlife, many job opportunities, and good weather.

All this sounds amazing, but how do you choose where to live in such a large and diverse city as Madrid? In this article, we will cover the best neighborhoods to live in Madrid.

One thing you should know is that Madrid has 21 districts and 100 neighborhoods. We will list what we believe are the five best neighborhoods to live in Madrid for expats.

Sol

Sol is one of the six neighborhoods that make up the Centro district of Madrid city; it is located in the old town. It is the center, so everything is within your reach here. Unfortunately, this also means high apartment rental prices… It is one of the city’s nerve centers, full of vitality, tourists, and a fast-paced lifestyle.

You have bars, restaurants, and shops on every corner. Without even leaving the neighborhood, you can spend the whole night enjoying the great nightlife Madrid offers.

There are several theaters, parks, and clubs. The Royal Palace is also here. Sol is one of the favorite neighborhoods for the expat community, very cosmopolitan. Since it is a tourist neighborhood, it is quite safe at all times, but as in any European capital, you should be very alert to pickpockets.

Malasaña

The Malasaña neighborhood, like Sol, is part of Madrid’s Centro district, although its official name is Barrio Universidad, it is popularly known as Malasaña.

It is a very lively area with a lot of nightlife. But when it comes to apartment rental prices, it is a bit cheaper than Sol. This neighborhood is full of street art and is very picturesque and attractive. It is lively almost any time of day. Here you can also find many vintage shops, which is why many people visit this neighborhood.

Not only in Sol but also here you will find many bars and clubs that will entertain you and keep you dancing until dawn. It has an unmatched energy.

It is a noisy neighborhood, but the lower rental prices and bustling nightlife attract many expats. Due to more affordable prices than in other parts of the capital, this neighborhood is very popular among young professionals and students.

It is the perfect place to meet people from all over the world.

Chueca

Chueca is part of the Justicia neighborhood, also located in Madrid’s Centro district. It is well known as the meeting place for the LGBT community and hosts the popular Pride celebrations every year in early summer, an event you should not miss if you are in Madrid at that time.

Like all of central Madrid, it has a very international atmosphere, bars, restaurants, pubs… definitely a place to have a great time.

Another advantage is that rental prices tend to be cheaper than in the old city center. Since Chueca is near Gran Vía, you will hardly notice the difference. In other words, this is the perfect place if you want to live downtown but not pay downtown prices.

Lavapiés

Looking for cheap rent in central Madrid? Look no further! Lavapiés is your spot. Lavapiés is part of the Embajadores neighborhood, also located in Madrid’s Centro district.

It is one of the most multicultural neighborhoods in Madrid, and it is said that more than 50% of its inhabitants are foreigners. Not only in residents but also in terms of cuisine and dining options, living here means you will be in contact with cultures from all over the world and can also try their delicious food.

Every August the neighborhood organizes a big street party called the San Lorenzo festival, which is one of the main attractions of this neighborhood.

La Latina

If you are looking for the best tapas in Madrid, this is the place you have to go! La Latina is definitely the top neighborhood in Madrid when it comes to tapas, mojitos, and terraces. On weekends it is almost impossible to find a spot in the packed restaurants and bars.

La Latina is part of the Palacio neighborhood, and like the previous areas, it is within Madrid’s Centro district. You wouldn’t guess it, but this neighborhood is also full of churches and basilicas, hidden in the narrow streets. It’s worth stopping to take a look!

One of the most common plans among Madrileños and visitors is to go to the Rastro market, located in La Latina, which takes place every Sunday morning all year round here.

Another visit I would recommend is watching the sunset from the Dalieda Dahlia gardens next to the San Francisco Basilica. As you can see, Madrid is a city that offers a multitude of possibilities. You have everything you could need.

Meeting and connecting with new people is not a problem since it is an international city. It’s easy to feel at home here. It has a lot of life, good nightlife, but also a lot of culture.

Rentals in Madrid

Globexs is a company specialized in rentals in Madrid for expats and digital nomads.