There’s nothing quite like finding the perfect study spot: that oasis of outlets and plentiful caffeine where you can hunker down and get the job done. Even though most of us spend the majority of our study time at home or on campus, we all need a change of scenery every now and again.
Thankfully, Madrid is full of quiet libraries and quirky cafés ideal for exam prep, group work, and essay writing. The city is home to more than 10 major universities, making it fertile ground for student-friendly destinations.
We set out to create a list of the top 10 Madrid study spots for IE University students. Check them out, see what you think, and find your own favorites!
Where to study in Madrid
1. Google Campus
Where: Calle Moreno Nieto, 2
Metro: Principe Pío/La Latina
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Madrid is home to one of only six Google Campuses worldwide! With two floors, fast and free wi-fi, and a great café offering healthy and hearty options, they’ve got all the essentials for an extended study session. We love their collaborative workspaces, which are perfect for group projects. You have to be a member in order to enter, but registration is free—and you’ll even get a complimentary coffee when you join!
2. Panela & Co.
Where: Calle de López de Hoyos, 10
Metro: Gregorio Marañón
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm. Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Closed Sunday.
Walking distance from the IEU Madrid Campus, Panela & Co. is a great place to catch up on readings or get the ball rolling on an upcoming project. Keep in mind that this cafe is a favorite among our students, so it gets pretty busy around mid-day. To get focused (and give your body a break from all that coffee) try one of their amazing teas!
3. IE Business School Library
Where: Calle de María de Molina, 31 bis
Metro: Intercambiador de Avenida América
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 10:00 pm. Open Saturday and Sunday.
Of course, our on-campus library is an ideal study spot. If you need a space that allows for absolute concentration, take a seat at one of the 68 individual cubicles on the 2nd floor of the building. For intense group study sessions or team meetings for a project, you can reserve private study spaces through the booking app. Each student can use up to 15 hours of reservation time a week, with a limit of 2 reservations per day.
4. Toma Café Olavide
Where: Calle Sta. Feliciana, 5
Metro: Iglesia/Quevedo
Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 am – 7:00 pm. Open Saturday and Sunday.
Right next to the beautiful Plaza Olavide, this is the second location of this beloved specialty roaster, expanding upon their original Malasaña headquarters. Here you’ll find some of the best coffee (and latté art!) in the city. In addition to lightning-fast free wi-fi, they offer a relaxing, laid-back environment that’ll put you straight into study mode. If you get hungry, check out their menu for some brain food (or a sweet indulgence) to fuel those long study sessions!
5. Biblioteca Pública Municipal Mario Vargas Llosa
Where: Calle Barceló, 4
Metro: Tribunal
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 8:15 pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
This public library is free for anyone to use, and offers a quiet, distraction-free environment. Reliable wi-fi and plenty of outlets make it the perfect place to hunker down during exam season! If you’re having tech troubles, take advantage of their computer rooms. Collaborative work spaces are also available, so you can have heated discussions with your study partners without disturbing anyone else.
6. Panadería Pancomido
Where: Calle de Gral Oraá
Metro: Gregorio Marañón/Rubén Dario
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am – 8:30 pm. Saturday & Sunday 9:00 am – 8:30 pm.
Just steps away from our campus you’ll find one of the coolest cafés in Madrid! They’ve got great coffee, incredible cakes and pastries, and a wonderful environment for studying. If you need some extra motivation for a particularly challenging assignment, one of their famous croissants with blackberry jam might just give you that extra push.
7. Biblioteca Pública Manuel Alvar
Where: Calle de Azcona, 42
Metro: Diego de León
Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm. Open Saturday and Sunday.
This public library stands an impressive seven stories tall. With plenty of comfy study spots to choose from, it’s ideal for finishing an assignment or prepping for exams. During finals season they usually extend their hours, making it a popular destination for the city’s student population.
8. Rebel Café
Where: Calle de Ponzano, 90
Metro: Cuatro Caminos/Nuevos Ministerios
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm. Closed Monday.
With delicious coffee and cakes, it’s not hard to see why Rebel Café deserves a spot on this list! Their hip, easy-going atmosphere makes this Madrid cafe the perfect spot to prep a group presentation or catch up on some work over the weekend. They also have an amazing selection of craft beer, in case your study session goes later than expected!
9. Monkee Koffee
Where: Calle Vallehermoso, 112
Metro: Islas Filipinas/Ríos Rosas
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 7:30 pm. Open Saturday and Sunday.
This is undoubtedly one of the coziest coffee shops in Chamberí! In addition to unbeatable customer service, they offer amazing coffee (you can also purchase their grounds to brew at home), as well as fantastic baked goods. Exposed brick, long wooden tables, and a leather sofa make this a stylish and comfortable place to spend an afternoon.
10. Bocados Café
Where: Calle de José Ortega y Gasset, 55
Metro: Lista
Hours: Monday to Friday 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Open Saturday and Sunday.
Bocados is bright, modern, and totally student-friendly, with affordable prices and plenty of small tables that are perfect for working. They offer coffee and snacks as well as full meals, so you don’t ever have to worry about your stomach getting in the way of your studying! Try a towering slice of red velvet cake to accompany your next assignment, and take advantage of the unlimited wi-fi—no password required!