Studying abroad is an experience filled with tons of travel, meeting new people and having new experiences. However, somewhere between the bars and socializing we all still need to get some studying done. For many exchange students, getting work done at home simply is not possible with all the distractions. For this reason, we have compiled a list of 8 great study spots for exchange students in Madrid. Let’s take studying and make it trendy! Go grab some coffee, a bite to eat, and finish up your homework so you are free to go back to all the best parts of traveling abroad.
Lolina Vintage Café
Retro, cozy and the perfect mix of calm and buzzing. Lolina Vintage cafe transports you from the streets of Madrid to a chill night in the 60’s. With their antique decorations and colorful wallpaper it is a spot that would make any foreign student feel at home.
Whether you are in the mood for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine Lolina does not miss. They also have the best chai tea I have found in Madrid, so make sure to give it a try!
There are two floors, so there are plenty of places to work. For international students looking to get some work done, I would recommend going earlier in the day on weekdays. They will still let you work anytime during the week, but it tends to get crowded the later it gets. Just ask for the wifi password, grab a coffee and you’ll be set to get some work done.
Located in Malasana, one of the most buzzing and youthful neighborhoods of Madrid, you will mostly find locals at this cafe just hanging out and catching up.
- Address: C. del Espíritu Santo, 9, 28004 Madrid
- Hours: Monday- Friday 15:30- 23:00 | Saturday- Sunday 10:00-23:00
- Work Hours: Monday- Friday All day (better earlier in day)
- Instagram: lolinavintagecafe
Cafe Del Art
Cafe Del Art creates an international atmosphere with a warm ambiance. It is the perfect cafe to enjoy some downtime in the city and get some work done. They have plenty of study spots to plop down your laptop and crank out some homework.
Living in student housing in Madrid can be hectic and that makes it difficult to focus in your flat. I recommend this place if you need to concentrate but also want to be in a more chic environment. They have specific study spaces and some options for charging your devices if your battery ever gets low. You can only work here during the week and after 6pm it gets a little crowded. I suggest going during the day in order to get the most out of your study time.
You will generally always meet and end up talking to other study abroad students here! Cafe Del Art creates an environment where you can get work done and also be social! Not only is this cafe one of the best study spots for exchange students in Madrid, it also has delicious avocado toast. Head over here the next time you need to cram for a test or just want to chit chat with some friends!
- Address: Pl. de Cascorro, 9, 28005 Madrid
- Hours: Sunday- Thursday 9:00-23:00 | Friday- Saturday 9:00-24:00
- Work Hours: During the week and generally not after 7
- Instagram: cafedelart.es
La Bicicleta
Sit back, relax and focus! La Bicicleta, set in the heart of Malasana, is home to all your study needs. You will be set to work for hours with their great coffee, strong wifi and welcoming enviornment. You will find tons of other people hard at work at La Bicicleta if you head over there during the week. I don’t know about you, but when I am surrounded by focused people, it makes me want to work even harder.
If you have explored the city of Madrid at all, you are sure to have walked past this place. At night it is a hip spot to drink and share a meal with a friend. However, don’t let that deceive you! During the weekdays this is a prime study spot. It is filled with other people trying to whip out their all their work for the week.
They are equipped with big tables for groups and small tables for individuals, creating a space for anyone and everyone. There are also plenty of places to charge your devices, so you never have to worry about your work being interrupted. La Bicicleta is one of the best study spots in Madrid, and an even better place to hangout after!
- Address: Pl. de San Ildefonso, 9, 28004 Madrid
- Hours: Sunday- Thursday 10:00-1:00 | Friday- Saturday 10:00-2:00
- Work Hours: Monday- Friday 10:00-17:00
- Website: https://www.labicicletacafe.com/
- Instagram: labicicletacafe
Cafe de La Luz
Cafe De La Luz… lounge, work and chit chat with some friends at this cozy cafe in the neighborhood of Malasana. Set with comfy sofas and a rustic vibe, this is one of the best places to grab a drink with a friend.
During the week, they have an area for people trying to get some work done earlier in the day. On the weekends and at night I have never known this place to not be buzzing and filled with patrons. Due to this, the best time to go here and work is during the week before 5pm. After you have finished up your work, invite some fellow exchange friends over for a drink.
You will mostly see Cafe De La Luz come to life at night, after study hours are over. As people gather to drink wine and enjoy the company of others it is an excellent post study spot as well.
- Address: C. de la Puebla, 8, 28004 Madrid
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:00-1:00 | Friday- Sunday 10:00- 2:30
- Work Hours: Monday- Thursday 10:00-17:00
- Instagram: cafe_de_la_luz
Honest Greens
This study spot is going to be a bit different from your other options. It is not just a cafe, but also a restaurant. Honest Greens is home to some of the most healthy, fresh and delicious meals in Madrid. It has actually become one of my favorite spots in the city! They have tons of options for vegans and vegetarians and the service is more than speedy everytime I go there. Not only this, but you can sit there and work for as long as you need.
Honest Greens is going to be the perfect mix of locals and other fellow travel patrons. If you wanna grab lunch or dinner and then set up a station to work for a couple hours it is no problem. It can tend to get a little noisy during peak hours, but if you can stick some headphones in, I’d say it is one of the best study spots in Madrid. The restaurant is rather spacies so there is always room to grab a seat and work. To top it all off, they have great WiFi that is sure to never let you down. So, let’s go study, but make it healthy at Honest Greens!
- Address: C. de Hortaleza, 100, 28004 Madrid (Chueca)
- Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-23:00 | 9:30- 23:00
- Work Hours: Always
- Website: https://honestgreens.com/en/
- Instagram: honestgreens
Little Big Café
As they say in life… It’s the little things that matter. At Little Big Cafe, they sure do stay true to this. This cafe is not going to be the biggest place ever. However, they make up for it with their kind service, delicious food and cozy atmosphere. They have a brunch that is to die for on Saturday and Sunday. If you can’t make it there on the weekend they also have a menu of the day that includes a sweet treat and a coffee throughout the week.
Little Big Cafe is a quaint spot to sit and get some work done in the neighborhood of Chamborie. They have great unlimited Wifi and they have no problem with people sitting down to get some work done. Sometimes it does get busy at peak hours and you might feel bad hogging a table for too long. Because of this, I suggest going in the middle of the day, when it is a bit quieter.
- Address: C. de Fernández de los Ríos, 61, 28015 Madrid
- Hours: Monday- Friday 9:00- 20:00 | Saturday- Sunday 10:00- 19:00
- Work Hours: Anytime during the week
- Website: https://thelittlebigcafe.com/
- Instagram: thelittlebigcafe
La Colectiva Café
To all my vegans out there, boy are you in for a treat! La Colectiva has a superb menu filled with delicious vegan options that even a meat lover would enjoy. This cafe, rich in flavor and ambiance, is the go-to place for university students looking to get some work done.
At first glance when you walk in the cafe, it may not look like much. But wander downstairs and you won’t want to leave. This underground area is one of my favorite study spots. It is specifically for people trying to get some work done and need a quiet place to focus. The Wifi is generally pretty strong, every once in a while when I struggle with it, I just connect to the hot spot on my phone. Overall though, it really should not be an issue.
Providing you with a quiet work space and some healthy eats, it is the perfect getaway for study abroad students. Whether you need to focus on work or want enjoy a good book, La Colectiva is the place for you.
- Address: Calle Francisco de Rojas, 9
- Hours: Monday- Friday 8:00-16:00 | Saturday- Sunday 9:00-17:00
- Work Hours: WiFi is avilable anytime during the week
- Website: https://www.lacolectivacafe.com/
- Instagram: lacolectivacafe
HanSo Café
This Japanese inspired cafe has a minimalistic feel with great food and drinks. Depending on how busy it is, the service is generally pretty quick and all the workers are very kind. They have a specific table for working that can be used to study at any time during the week. With being able to choose from breakfast, brunch or lunch, all of their meals are top notch. It isn’t going to be the cheapest place to grab a bite, but your money will still be well spent here.
HanSo Café provides you with a hipster feel while also sustaining a modern vibe. This is one of those study spots that will have you motivated and excited to get to work! Don’t forget to reward yourself with a sweet treat from their Asain bakery when you finish up all homework!
- Address: C. del Pez, 20, 28004 Madrid
- Hours: Monday- Friday 9:00-20:00 | Saturday- Sunday 10:00-20:00
- Work Hours: All day during the week at the work table
- Website: https://hansocafe.es/
- Instagram: hansocafe