Retiring in Madrid, Spain | Local Spotlight

By Georgia C - Madrid Resident

If retiring in Madrid is your dream, it can be an affordable and fulfilling place for retirees to settle. The living is easy and there are so many wonderful things to do.

Ahh, Madrid. It's a romantic city that hold the world's oldest restaurant founded in 1725, Sobrino de Botín, Western Europe's largest royal palace, Palacio Real, as well as being home to the controversial sport of bullfighting. 

Top Things Locals Like to Do in Madrid

Top 3 Things Locals Avoid

Getting Around Madrid

Madrid is a pretty spread out city with a lot of distinct neighborhoods around the center. In fact, you can easily spend an hour on public transportation getting from one point in the city to another. The city center is very walkable and you can see the main central districts on foot. In case you feel like venturing further afield, there are great public transportation links. 

The majority of people take the metro, which is super simple to navigate, or catch buses. Other transportation options are electric scooters and bikes which you can pick up on the street around the city. The traffic is generally not too bad and it’s unlikely you’ll arrive late because of a traffic jam.

How is the Weather in Madrid?

In the Summer, the weather in Madrid is hot and sweaty. The majority of Madrileños escape to the coast during the hottest month, so if you visit over July and August when the temperature average is 90°, it’s likely you’ll be mostly surrounded by tourists. The winter between November and February is cold and rainy but also has a good number of blue sky days. In Spring and Autumn, the weather is bright, sunny and pleasant.

Is Madrid Dog Friendly?

All around Madrid, you’ll see fluffy friends accompanying their owners. The city is pretty dog friendly. The majority of dogs in the city are small ones as most people live in relatively small apartments. It’s permitted to bring dogs on public transport, although the rule is one dog per traveler. 

You can also bring your dog to restaurants and bars, as long as you sit at a table on the outdoors terrace. If you plan on going shopping, it’s better to leave your pup at home as they won’t be permitted in grocery stores or larger clothing stores. If you have a dog and want to rent an apartment, be aware that not all landlords will accept pets. It’s probable that you’ll need to provide references and a larger deposit.

Do I Need to Speak Spanish to Live in Madrid?

The language spoken in Madrid is Castilian, the most widely spoken dialect of Spanish in the country. Whilst the level of English speaking is increasing in the city, it’s still likely you’ll find yourself in situations (especially outside of tourist zones) where you’ll need to speak some Spanish to be understood.

Restaurants that Madrid Locals Love

Food is an institution in Madrid, so you better take it seriously when you visit. Don’t be upset by slow service, the tradition is to take long, leisurely meals. Often, a lunch can last 3+ hours. 

One popular way to do lunch is to go on a tapas crawl. Avoid the Mercado de San Miguel, which is mainly a tourist attraction, and head to Mercado de San Fernando in Lavapiés, Mercado Antón Martín in Antón Martín or Mercado de la Paz in Serrano.

Retiring in Madrid, Spain Cost of Living Chart

Data from Numbeo

Bottom Line

Madrid is a fantastic choice for retirees. The weather is great and there is plenty to do so you won't get bored. Culture, history, cuisine...so many great things about Madrid!

If you have your heart set on Spain but want to be by the sea, how about Malaga?

If you'd like something affordable outside of Spain, check out our top picks for the 10 Most Affordable Places to Live in Europe for 2021!