Moving to Madrid sounds like a dream — sunny plazas, sangria nights, and endless tapas. But if you’re a student or young professional making the move, you’ll quickly learn that life here runs a little differently than what you might be used to. Some of these quirks will make you fall in love with the city, while others might leave you scratching your head (at least at first).
1. Dinner Isn’t Until 10 PM
Think you’re a night owl because you eat dinner at 8? Think again. In Madrid, the kitchen doesn’t really “open” until 9 or 10 pm. If you show up at 7, you’ll probably be the only person in the restaurant — and the staff might still be setting tables.
Tip: Grab a merienda (afternoon snack) around 6 or 7 to survive until dinner.
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2. Sundays Are for Sleeping (and Struggling)
You’ll learn this the hard way: almost everything is closed on Sundays. Forget last-minute shopping or errands. Instead, locals spend the day with family, strolling through parks, or enjoying long lunches.
Tip: Stock up on groceries Saturday — or embrace Sunday as your reset day.
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3. Menú del Día = Best Deal in Town
One of Madrid’s best-kept secrets is the menú del día — a full sit-down lunch with two courses, dessert, bread, and a drink (yes, wine or beer counts). All for around €10–15. For students and young professionals, this is a lifesaver.
Tip: Make it your main meal of the day. Dinner can be light and cheap later.
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4. Metro Life Is Real
The Madrid metro is clean, fast, and connects pretty much the whole city. It’s cheaper than taxis or Ubers, and everyone uses it — from students to business execs. But brace yourself: after a night out, you may end up waiting for it to reopen at 6 am.
Tip: If you’re partying late, plan to either taxi home or join the legendary “walk of shame” to the first morning metro.
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5. Siestas Are Real
In Madrid, many shops and businesses close in the afternoon for a few hours, usually between 2 pm and 5 pm. This break, known as the siesta, is less about everyone taking naps and more about resting, eating, or avoiding the hottest part of the day. Even though it’s not as common as the stereotype suggests, many local shops do close down during this time for lunch, and some people take advantage of this quiet period to take a short nap.
Tip: Plan your errands and shopping for the morning or evening, since many places won’t be open mid-afternoon.
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6. Some Restaurants Close Their Kitchens
One thing that often surprises newcomers is that restaurants in Madrid don’t keep their kitchens open all day. Many shut down between lunch and dinner service, usually from around 4 pm until 8 or 9 pm. The restaurant might still look open, but if you try to order food during that time, you’ll probably hear: “The kitchen is closed.”
Tip: Plan your meals around the Spanish schedule — lunch in the afternoon and dinner later at night.
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7. Local Stores Supermarkets and Pharmacies Close on Weekends
While Madrid is a bustling capital, don’t expect all shops to be open every day. Many local stores like butcher shops, fruit shops and even some pharmacies close on Saturdays afternoon or Sundays. This can be frustrating if you run out of essentials and assume you can just pop out to buy them.
Tip: Do your grocery and pharmacy runs during the week or early Saturday to avoid being caught off guard.
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Final Thoughts
Living in Madrid comes with its quirks, but once you embrace the late dinners, long lunches, and even the mountain of administrative tasks, you’ll start to see why people fall in love with the city. What feels like a shock at first quickly becomes part of your everyday routine — and before long, you’ll be the one explaining to newcomers why eating at 7 pm just doesn’t make sense.
And don’t forget: if you’re looking for a place to stay, Help Housing is here to make it easy. Click here for more information and find the perfect spot to call home in Madrid.
