Pay 
Language 
Currency 
No results found
The best neighborhoods to stay in Madrid
Access the guide to the best neighborhoods to live in Madrid for digital nomads and students. Choose your favorite Madrid neighborhood!
Spain’s capital is a multicultural city with an energetic pace and plenty of career opportunities, making it one of Europe’s most popular destinations. In this article, we’ll help you discover the best neighborhoods to live in Madrid, whether you are a student, a digital nomad, or simply moving here for the experience.
Madrid’s neighborhoods each bring something unique, from leafy parks and historic traditions to modern vibes, nightlife, shopping, and cultural landmarks. Depending on what you are looking for, we’ll point out important factors like safety, transport links, local culture, and housing. Let’s dive into the best places to live in Madrid.
The 3 best areas to live in Madrid
Located in the heart of Spain, Madrid is made up of 21 districts, and the best neighborhood for you will depend on whether you come as a student, a visitor, or a digital nomad.
You might be looking for a quiet area to focus on work, or perhaps a lively neighborhood where you can balance studying with a bit of fun. Here are what we consider the three best areas to live in Madrid, chosen for their safety, quality of life, and range of services.
1. Chamberí – tradition, safety, and local atmosphere
Chamberí is considered one of the best areas to live in Madrid, popular with both locals and expats. It includes the neighborhoods of Trafalgar, Arapiles, Gaztambide, Vallehermoso, Ríos Rosas and Almagro, and back in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries it was home to the city’s aristocracy.
Home to around 138,000 residents, the district is known for its elegant architecture, and calm, safe atmosphere. Let’s take a closer look at what it has to offer:
- Safety: It is considered one of the safest districts in Madrid.
- Public transportation: Good connectivity with several metro and bus lines.
- Air quality: Moderate pollution levels.
- Environmental noise: According to the Madrid City Council’s Strategic Noise Map, it has average environmental noise levels, between 55 and 65 dB.
- Green areas: Santander Park, Enrique Herrero Gardens, and Olavide Square.
- Nearby universities: Comillas Pontifical University, Polytechnic University of Madrid.
- Hospitals: San Carlos Clinical Hospital and Eloy Gonzalo Health Center.
- Cultural attractions: Sorolla Museum, dedicated to the painter Joaquín Sorolla, Galileo Theater, with a wide variety of events, and Rafael Alberti Bookstore, with a large selection of books.
- Rental price: A one bedroom apartment costs approximately $1,482 per month.
2. Salamanca – luxury and exclusivity
This district has become one of Madrid’s top choices for those seeking luxury and exclusivity. It includes the neighborhoods of La Guindalera, Castellana, Lista, Recoletos, Goya and Fuente del Berro, and is home to around 146,000 residents.
This is a residential area favored by high-income residents, where it’s not unusual to spot famous actors or singers strolling along shopping streets like Serrano or Velázquez.
- Infrastructure: Spacious homes with high-quality finishes and soundproofing.
- Security: Very high, with police presence and private security.
- Public transportation: Connection to five metro lines and buses.
- Air quality: Very good, with green areas.
- Environmental noise: According to the Madrid City Council’s Strategic Noise Map (2022), several areas of Salamanca exceed 65 dB on average during the day.
- Green areas: Eva Duarte Park, Plaza de Colón Gardens, and Descubrimiento Gardens.
- Nearby universities: IE Business School, EAE Business School, and IE University.
- Hospitals: Gregorio Marañón and Clínica Ruber Internacional.
- Cultural attractions: Lázaro Galdiano Museum, Maravillas Theater, and Fernán Gómez Theater.
- Rental price: A one bedroom apartment costs $1,824 per month.
3. Retiro – nature in the heart of the city
For those who want to live close to nature, Retiro is one of Madrid’s top neighborhoods. Known as the city’s green lung, it includes Pacífico, Adelfas, Estrella, Ibiza, Jerónimos and Niño Jesús, and is home to roughly 118,000 people.
Living near this vast park means enjoying boat rides, visiting the Crystal Palace, and watching street performers with puppet shows or live music. If you like exercising outdoors, taking walks, or working remotely in a peaceful setting, this district is ideal.
- Safety: According to the Ministry of the Interior’s Crime Report (2023), it has one of the lowest crime rates.
- Public transportation: Connection to four metro lines and buses.
- Air quality: Excellent, thanks to its green areas.
- Environmental noise: The Madrid City Council’s Strategic Noise Map (2022) places it below 60 dB.
- Green areas: Retiro Park, Royal Botanical Gardens, and Cecilio Rodríguez Gardens.
- Nearby universities: Nebrija University, Menéndez Pelayo University, and UNED.
- Hospitals: Santa Cristina Clinic.
- Cultural attractions: Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Art Center, and Retiro Puppet Theater.
- Rental price: A one-bedroom apartment costs $1,596 per month.
The best neighborhoods to live as a digital nomad in Madrid
Madrid is full of digital nomads from all over the world, thanks to Spain’s nomad visa, which allows you to live in the country for up to five years.
In addition to its pleasant weather and rich cultural scene, the city is one of the country’s most active tech hubs, offering plenty of opportunities for daily networking. Here are the best neighborhoods to live in Madrid as a digital nomad:
Malasaña
Known as the city’s creative and artistic hub, this neighborhood has a young, multicultural energy. Its roots in the 1980s Movida Madrileña still shine through in the vibrant street art and cultural scene.
We recommend it for nomads looking to be part of a lively community, stay in some of Madrid’s top coliving spaces, and work in local coworking hubs. Here is what the area has to offer:
- Coworking spaces: The Shed or Espíritu 23, with rates starting at $17.11 per day for a shared desk.
- Coffee shops for remote working: HanSo Café, Federal Café, or Toma Café.
- Colivings: Urban Campus is a coliving space with prices starting at $1,150 per month for a private room with utilities included.
Lavapiés
Lavapiés is a top choice for nomads who want to live in a culturally diverse neighborhood. The area is full of bars, markets, cultural events, and offers excellent metro connections.
- Coworking spaces: LOOM Tapices and La Manual, with prices starting at $171 per month.
- Coffee shops for remote working: Pum Pum Café and Café Barbieri.
- Colivings: Living San Carlos and Nuva from $2,279 for a private apartment with utilities included.
Connectivity in Madrid’s neighborhoods
Internet in Madrid is generally fast and reliable, but for extra stability, security, and 5G speeds, we recommend checking out Holafly Plans.
With the unlimited plan, you can enjoy unrestricted internet on your smartphone, work remotely from anywhere in the city, and share data across two devices at the same time for $64.90 per month.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
The best neighborhoods to live in as a student in Madrid
Madrid is renowned worldwide for its universities, including UCM, UPM, and the Autonomous University. Thanks to the scholarships available for international students, many choose the city to pursue their studies.
The best neighborhoods to live in Madrid as a student are those close to university campuses, with good transport links and affordable housing.
Ciudad Universitaria – Moncloa
This neighborhood is located in the Moncloa district, close to campuses like the Complutense University of Madrid and the Polytechnic University. It offers several student residences and green spaces, including the Dehesa de la Villa.
The atmosphere in its streets is entirely student-oriented, with bookstores, libraries, and residences:
- Libraries: María Zambrano Library, open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
- Student residence: The Joaquín Blume residence offers scholarships that allow students to stay there at no cost. At Abay Moncloa, you can rent a single room starting from $1,396.
Argüelles – Moncloa
Also located in the Moncloa-Aravaca district, this is one of the top neighborhoods for students in Madrid thanks to its central location and youthful atmosphere. It is just a short walk from major universities like Complutense, Polytechnic, and Nebrija.
- Libraries: José Acuña Public Library, open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
- Student residence: Antonio Gistau offers shared double rooms from $1,293 and single rooms from $1,806, with all services included.
What is the best area to live in Madrid?
After exploring the top neighborhoods in Madrid, highlighting their features and looking closely at areas for digital nomads and students, we want to show you which area stands out above the rest.
Chamberí, located in the north-central part of the city, offers everything you need to live in a safe environment and enjoy a variety of activities, whether working remotely, studying, or visiting as a tourist.
According to Idealista’s 2023 ranking of the best neighborhoods in Madrid, Chamberí ranks among the top three for its amenities, quality of life, and access to housing.
Chamberí is the perfect choice if you want a calm neighborhood that still has culture, restaurants, parks, schools, and easy access to transport, making it ideal for your new home in Madrid.
Frequently asked questions about the best neighborhoods to live in Madrid
The neighborhoods of El Retiro, Chamberí, and Salamanca are among the best places to live in Madrid in terms of safety.
Moncloa – Ciudad Universitaria and Argüelles are very close to the capital’s main universities and are safe areas.
Lavapiés and Malasaña are home to a large community of digital nomads attracted by the multicultural atmosphere and coworking spaces.
Retiro is one of the best areas to live in Madrid, thanks to its proximity to the Retiro Park, low noise levels, and excellent air quality.
Plans that may interest you
Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍
