Whereas in the past Madrid used to be made of people from all over Spain, nowadays it’s made of people from all over the globe, with different cultures and points of view. But there’s something that hasn’t changed: everybody finds their place here, because they will never be asked where they come from. Life is reflected in the streets: they are always busy and it never seems to be late.
Belonging: to be Madrilenian you just have to live in Madrid
Feeling the city as a part of oneself, without the need of being born here, that’s the main characteristic of Madrid. A place to live in: is there a better definition of a city? A place where buildings exist to house people, to create paths between different places, to give out shade in summer and light in winter. Just live the city! You will find as many Madrid’s as different lifestyles. Madrid belongs to everyone, because everyone has thought, at least once, that there should be a place in the world that we can own.
Welcoming: being in Madrid is being at home
Welcome home! Madrid has always been a welcoming city, since its origins. The migrations all over the centuries have always had an effect in this melting pot city. If you have just arrived, you can feel a Madrilenian too, it won’t take you over two hours! Get out to the street and put your camera and map away. Walk down the streets like everyone else, get in a bar and order something: you’ll realise that, sooner than expected, you’ll be talking to someone else, who maybe came to spend a couple of days to the city and stayed for a few years. This is Madrid, a city for the people.
Moving: a city that never rests
Spanish pulse in the heart of the city, feeling like doing something 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Madrid is an active city where you’ll always find something interesting to do. Socialising gets together with working and resting. You’ll always find a chance to find something new.
The physical, social and cultural regeneration that Madrid is currently going through is helping our city live one of the biggest urban transformations in the world. Economical and social growth has favoured the largest place to dream, no matter the way you are. Move, Madrid will always be by your side.
The streets: life outside
It seems unreal that there are always so many people in so many places every time. We like the streets, we can’t deny it! We have the best climate and a place for everyone. One of the best things about Madrid is the amount of places to be outdoors, and locals like enjoying them fully.
Its not necessary to have a plan. Just get to the street and wander around. You will be surprised when you’ll realise that it seems there’s always something interesting in every street. You can go from one place to another on foot, distances aren’t so large. You might find that place that will become your favourite place in the world…
Activity: working at ease
Why is Madrid one of the leading cities in organising Fairs and Congresses, and the favourite destination among every professional? Maybe our visitors just want to enjoy for a day this original way of working that combines leisure and business? Here in Madrid, both words always go together. Maybe the meal times will surprise you (we have lunch at 2 pm and dinner at 10 pm), but we believe that combining work and fun makes the day more complete. If you work in Madrid, you’ll make friends. Do you like talking long after lunch time? Why not doing it everyday?
Football: a daily passion
In Madrid, football is passion. Since we were children, we have experienced the love for our club, the excitement of playing in a team, of sharing a goal. No matter how old you are, Sunday evening is always special. Both if you go to the stadium or watch it at home, both if you meet some friends at the bar or listen to the radio. And on Monday, reading the sport newspapers and discussing the game with your mates.
If you walk around a football stadium during a match, you’ll find out how intensely we celebrate goals. On a Tuesday or Wednesday, Champions League’s evening, have a beer in a bar full of football fans. You can’t say you know Madrid if you haven’t felt the passion for football.
Gay and Lesbian: we are open
Madrid is, undoubtedly, one of the most important gay-friendy cities in the world. Open city, here we’ve always welcomed those who wanted to live their lives according to their own sexuality, and you can find a proof in Chueca Quarter, an example of how to recover an area of the city which is now a place for freedom unique in the world. Nowadays, you can feel the normal life like anywhere in the world. And also you can have fun like anywhere! If you’re staying in the city between the end of June and early July, you can take part in the Gay Pride, the largest European celebration since 2006.
Contrasts: the essence of Madrid and migrations
Living in Madrid means being ready for changes, believing that things can always improve is compulsory, and analising the world through critical eyes is part of the Madrilenian spirit. Belonging to here is such an open concept to those newly joining the city life that it can sometimes being seeing from the perspective of the lost of identity. What do you think?
