Welcome to Madrid.
Where to live, according to your school — and a closer look at Madrid’s neighbourhoods.
You’ve been admitted to a school in Madrid, and the next question is where to live. Here is what we tell every student in that exact position: where your school’s students usually live, how to get around the city, and a closer look at Madrid’s five most popular student neighbourhoods.
Albert School
Paseo de la Castellana, 93B — 28046 Madrid · Tetuán (AZCA / Castellana) · Metro: Santiago Bernabéu, Nuevos Ministerios
Bachelor Business, Data & AI · International BBA · MSc Data & AI for Strategic Management
The campus sits right on the Castellana, between the business towers and the stadium. Tetuán and Chamartín are walking distance or a single metro stop away; Chamberí, Salamanca and El Viso stay under twenty minutes for those who prefer a quieter neighbourhood.
ESCP Business School
ESCP has two faces in Madrid.
Arroyofresno campus — Calle Arroyofresno, 1 — 28035 Madrid · Puerta de Hierro · Metro: Moncloa, Ciudad Universitaria
Most Bachelor’s and Master’s students live around here. Moncloa, Argüelles and Puerta de Hierro itself are the natural student neighbourhoods — lively and affordable; Chamberí and Valdezarza make good, quieter alternatives close by.
María de Molina campus — Calle María de Molina, 4 — 28006 Madrid · Salamanca · Metro: Gregorio Marañón
Used for MSc programmes and Executive Education. Salamanca is the obvious choice right by campus; Chamberí, El Viso, Prosperidad and Retiro are all a short ride away for a calmer, more residential base.
IE University
Which campus you’ll use depends on your programme.
IE Tower — Paseo de la Castellana, 259E — 28046 Madrid · northern Chamartín · Metro: Chamartín, Plaza de Castilla
Bachelor’s students are here, at the very top of the Castellana. Chamartín, Plaza de Castilla and Tetuán keep the daily commute short; Castillejos and Chamberí are a little further but still convenient.
María de Molina campus — Calle María de Molina, 31 — 28006 Madrid · Salamanca · Metro: Gregorio Marañón, Avenida de América
Master’s, MBA and Executive Education. Right in Salamanca, walking distance from campus — Chamberí, Retiro, El Viso and Prosperidad all work well too, a few minutes further out.
Université Paris-Dauphine — Dauphine Madrid
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid campus, Calle Madrid, 126 — 28903 Getafe · Licence Sciences des Organisations — Madrid
The campus is in Getafe, about thirty minutes from the centre. Students who want to keep the commute short live nearby, sometimes in Delicias; those who prefer central Madrid often choose Arganzuela, Atocha or Embajadores, all well connected to Getafe.
Getting around Madrid
Madrid has one of the most efficient metro networks in Europe. The main university campuses are easy to reach from the most popular student neighbourhoods, such as Salamanca, Chamberí, Chamartín, Moncloa or Tetuán.
Thanks to this network, you don’t always need to live right next to your university — choosing the right neighbourhood often means a better quality of life, while staying just a few stops from campus.
Five neighbourhoods we place students in most often — described the way we would describe them to a parent, not the way a listing site would. There is no single right one: it depends on the school, the budget and the way a student likes to live.
Centro
The historic heart of the city — Sol, Ópera, La Latina, Malasaña, Chueca. Everything is within walking distance, and the streets are alive at any hour. It suits students who want to be in the middle of things and don’t mind older buildings, smaller flats and more noise. Rents here are among the highest in Madrid for the space you get.
Salamanca
Grand, quiet, residential streets north-east of the centre — one of Madrid’s most sought-after addresses. It sits close to IE University’s campuses around Serrano and María de Molina, and to the IE Tower on Paseo de la Castellana. It suits families who want comfort, safety and a settled, adult neighbourhood — with a budget to match.
Prosperidad
A quieter, more residential barrio just north of Salamanca, along Avenida de América. Less expensive than Salamanca itself, but still an easy ride from IE and the Castellana business corridor. A good option for students who want proximity without the Salamanca price tag.
Argüelles & Moncloa
Madrid’s classic student district, built around Ciudad Universitaria and a short ride from ESCP’s Madrid campus in Puerta de Hierro. Lively, full of bars and other students, with the green space of Parque del Oeste close by. Suits students who want a genuinely studenty atmosphere and don’t need to be in the historic centre.
Tetuán
A mixed, working, increasingly popular district north of the centre, close to the Nuevos Ministerios and Chamartín business area. Less polished than Centro or Salamanca, more affordable, and changing fast — new restaurants and bars keep opening on Calle Bravo Murillo. Suits students on a tighter budget who are comfortable in a neighbourhood still finding its identity.