Madrid, Spain: Things to Know Before Visiting
Madrid absolutely stole my heart! This cosmopolitan city is a rich blend of cultures and ethnic backgrounds. My time here felt like living out a European fantasy, strolling along cobblestone streets, and looking out on my beautiful balcony. 🇪🇸🏛️🌆
Recommendation: 10/10
Table of Contents
SAFETY | TRANSPORTATION | LANGUAGE | MONEY | TOURISTY LEVEL
For my first-ever solo international trip, I felt remarkably safe wherever I went. I enjoyed not being catcalled or harassed when walking around Madrid, which is a striking contrast to living in NY where this is a common occurrence. I even felt comfortable dining late and walking back from dinner between 10 PM and 12 AM 🌍🌃🚶♀️
During my time in Madrid, I primarily opted for Uber rides, so I could practice my Spanish with the drivers.
However, Madrid's public transportation system is incredibly user-friendly. I was able to easily locate train stops and determine the right direction to take on the trains when I did take the subway. 🚝
Spanish is the official language in Spain. While it's fair to say that a good number of people do speak English, my purpose in visiting Spain was to enhance my Spanish language skills. So, I deliberately sought out places where English wasn't the primarily spoken. I opted to stay in a non-touristy neighborhood, explored the local flea market, took a yoga class at a local studio (yes, an hour-long class was in Spanish!), and ate at mom-and-pop restaurants. 🗣️
CHEAP OR EXPENSIVE?
Considering it's a European city, Madrid pleasantly surprised me with its affordability. Enjoying a meal at a sit-down restaurant typically cost me only 10 euros. I couldn't help but appreciate that Madrid didn't break the bank like some of the pricier cities in Switzerland. (My wallet could not handle that again 😂)
CASH OR CREDIT CARD?
All the places I visited gladly accepted credit cards, and to my surprise, many of them also welcomed mobile payment methods like ApplePay, GooglePay, and SamsungPay. I was taken aback by how common cellphone payments were—I suppose I had mistakenly assumed Spain might resemble Latin America due to the shared language. However, I quickly remembered that Spain is a European nation, on par with the modernization of the United States. 😂
The only time I needed cash was while exploring the local flea market, El Rastro. Even there, I found that many vendors were set up to accept credit cards, making it incredibly convenient. 💳
As I mentioned earlier, my goal was to immerse myself in practicing Spanish, so my experience in Madrid didn't follow the typical tourist route. I found myself literally observing school kids on their way home from my Airbnb balcony because it was not a tourist hotspot. So, the 'touristy' level you encounter in Madrid really depends on the activities you choose and your choice of accommodations. It's entirely possible that my perspective would have differed had I stayed in the city center. 🏙️🇪🇸
