Madrid is known for its legendary nightlife. Often compared with New York, Madrid is one of the liveliest cities of the World

Originally founded as a defensive outpost on the River Manzanarares, Madrid is now a contemporary city with an extremely historic background. In fact, when King Felipe II established “Mayrit” back in 1561, he chose the location as the centre point to unite his country and disperse instructions to every corner of Iberia. 

Located several hundred kilometers from the ocean, this is one of the few tourist destinations in Spain without an enticing coastline and admittedly, there isn't the volume of famous landmarks as found on Barcelona, but incredible collections in the museums at Prada, Thyseen-Bornemisza, and Museo Reina Sofia are testament to how the city still retains a distinctive character. 

There is more than enough culture to inspire in this vibrant civilization which has established Madrid as one of the most sought-after destinations for anyone yearning to study in Europe. 

The historical importance of Madrid may not be evident in terms of landmarks, but incredible collections in the museums at Prada, Thyseen-Bornemisza, and Museo Reina Sofia are testament to how the city still retains a distinctive character. 

While there may be a lack of famous landmarks compared to nearby Barcelona, there are always fascinating places to visit such as the Rastro flea market, Buen Retiro Park, or the infamous Santiago Bernabeu where the locals exude passion, as they gather in support of the most successful club on the planet, Real Madrid.

When it comes to nightlife in Spain, Barcelona is often the city which comes to mind but make no mistake, this is also a topic of excitement for students wanting to study in Madrid. From busy nightclubs and drama shows to hidden pubs with traditional music, you should find that the capital is every bit as vibrant after dark and the perfect place to meet new friends when it comes to student nights out on the town. 

That being said, it would be wrong to use nightlife as the only means to choose a study location and thankfully, daily life in the capital throws up more than a few surprises to make it worthy of its reputation. In this sense, the barrios (local neighborhoods) are an extremely interesting place to stay, where local merchants are the only real interruption to rather sleepy living quarters on the outskirts of town. In many ways, this is partly what makes it such an interesting place to study, for the small customs and everyday experiences are often the most memorable moments.

Benefiting from a wonderfully consistent summer climate, combined with the intriguing culture and attractive lifestyle, studying in Madrid is a smart choice, for a thoroughly enjoyable Higher Education experience abroad.