Hi everyone! I’m visiting Madrid as a tourist and need to exchange some Swiss francs (CHF) for euros (EUR). Could anyone recommend a reliable exchange office that offers a good rate without excessive commissions or hidden fees? Preferably near Plaza de Oriente!

I’d really appreciate any recommendations based on personal experience. Thanks!

I have an extra day in Barcelona and am looking at doing an easy day trip somewhere. I’ve gone to Sitges and Montserrat. I’m looking at Girona or Tarragona. (I’m open to other options too.)

Which city would you choose?

Hi everyone! I’m visiting Madrid as a tourist and need to exchange some Swiss francs (CHF) for euros (EUR). Could anyone recommend a reliable exchange office that offers a good rate without excessive commissions or hidden fees? Preferably near Plaza de Oriente!

I’d really appreciate any recommendations based on personal experience. Thanks!

I will be traveling with my wife and 9-year old in December. We are considering 5 nights in Sevilla, 3 nights in Malaga and two nights in Granada.

We will have a car as we are traveling from our home base in the Algarve.

We don't want to pack in too many different places or do any day trips so we're most strongly considering these three places.

From your experience is this enough time in each city? Any tips or ones you'd remove/add?

PS - We don't plan to drive while in each city, but just park at the hotel/AirBnB. Is this realistic to do in Sevilla and Malaga or does it really lessen the options?

Since last week, I am not able to book a cita previa:

Both of the links don't work. Nobody is willing to help me.

https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/index.html

https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/pagina/index/directorio/icpplus

Anyone has the same problem or can help me?

Hi all, I'm looking for realistic advice from people who've been through something similar, ideally in Spain or just in general

Background
I'm 21(M) and hold a Spanish passport. I grew up in the UK and moved to Catalonia a bit under a year ago.
My education is UK GCSEs, tried doing A levels but dropped out after the 1st year.
My Spanish is decent for understanding but weak for speaking( i can have basic conversations and day to day but thats my limit ) I have zero Catalan, and English is my only fluent language.
Work history is mostly retail, warehouse and some carpentry trainee experience
Current situation
I live with family, which to keep it short is unbearable and super draining and gets worse as time passes, apart from that also threatened and told to find my own place or i will get kicked out ( i know its not legal to get kicked out of parents put until late 20s i think in spain ) but i still want to leave as soon as possible if i could tomorrow although thats not realistic
I have no savings or income, no friends or contacts here or anywhere and no job. I've been applying for about 3-4 months with no interviews or progression, and my low Spanish and lack of Catalan are a big barrier. - also the state spain is in i dont have hope i will find anything from what ive heard and seen
Im open to any kind of job i could get apart from job that require a lot of socialising/customer service or language( since i dont know the language well) - also due to my mental health/personal issues i struggle with roles like this or a opportunity abroad or anything i can do to have a fresh or stable start, so job searching and actually finding something seems not achievable
Plan so far
I'm doing an online prep course (IOC) for the Grado Superior entrance exam. But again because of the language problem im struggling to understand and complete it
My initial plan/goal is a Grado Superior in 2D/3D animation and games or Dam or ASIR. But with the job market and what going in the world im worried im going to dedicate 3 years to it for it to end up useless and wont do me any good, the other problem actually getting accepted into a school in my position.
I considered the European Solidarity Corps, but I'm unsure if its worth it and how long i should do one for , but most importantly whats after the ESC where do i go and stay and whats next.

Additional:

I should be upfront that this isn't only about logistics: I've been struggling with my mental health for a while and feel stuck and directionless. I'm low, I don't have much of a routine, and I want to leave my current life behind and start over somewhere new, with my own space, independent and something to work towards. I don't expect a move to fix everything, but staying in the same place and habits aswell as my home and family is making things worse. I'm hoping for a stable, sustainable path that gives me structure and purpose. I'm mentioning this because it should shape the advice: i dont mind anything since i have nothing to lose but a lot to gain, having my own place or independencey feels like it cpuld help with a lot of my current mental problems but again not possible without a job or income as long as i know

So what ,where do i start and do or is it over for me

Sorry for the long rant , if i missed any context or anything i can provide thank you

I will be in Salamanca, planning to go north east of spain (Around Basque region), should I avoid buying train tickets at Oct 29 and possibly the weekend?

Hi all! I'm slightly confused and have struggled to find official information online for this.

I'm moving to Spain (Valencia) on a Blue Card next month. I haven't been able to find a long-term rental remotely (landlords are reluctant with no Spanish payslips etc.), and I also want to view houses in person, so I'm opting for a short-term for my first few months there.

I will of course apply for my physical residence card ASAP, but I also know that I need to get an empadronamiento ASAP, which requires a long-term rental contract to obtain.

Can anyone help with / had experience with:

• Do I need an empadronamiento to apply for my physical residence card, which I know I need to do within a month of arriving?
• If not, how long do I have to get an empadronamiento?

This will help me plan how long I can rent short-term better! Thanks for your help ❤️

I am planning on enrolling into a Spanish language school in Madrid and applying for a student visa. I was recently told that because I was born in a Spanish Speaking Country(Mexico), that I will more then likely be denied the student visa at the Spanish consulate. Although I was born in Mexico , my parents immigrated to the US with me at a very young age and I never learned Spanish. I wanted to take this opportunity to learn but now am worried that I will get denied. Has anyone else had this issue? Does anyone know if this is true???

Hi everyone!

I'm doing my first solo/friends road trip across Andalusia from December 2nd to 11th (with the option to extend until the 12th/13th if it's worth it). I've been dreaming of this trip for a long time and love driving, exploring detour routes, and soaking in local vibes.

Above all, I'm looking for recommendations on authentic tapas bars, local bodegas, and great spots for a drink that aren't pure tourist traps.

Here is my tentative draft:

• Dec 02: Pick up car in Seville early morning ➔ drive to Jerez for a sherry bodega tasting/lunch ➔ head to Cádiz for the afternoon and overnight.
• Dec 03: Scenic drive through the Pueblos Blancos (e.g., Arcos, Zahara de la Sierra) ➔ overnight in Grazalema. (Is Grazalema lively enough for dinner in early December, or will it be completely dead? Would Zahara or another village make for a better overnight base?)
• Dec 04: Caminito del Rey early/mid-day ➔ drive to Ronda to explore and sleep there.
• Dec 05: Drive to Málaga – coastal vibe, food markets, and overnight. A couple of friends will join me here.
• Dec 06: After lunch, head to Granada for the evening.
• Dec 07: Full day in Granada (Alhambra, Albayzín, Arab baths).
• Dec 08: Friends leave. Need advice here: Should I push east toward the Tabernas Desert / Cabo de Gata for something unique and off-road, or head straight to Córdoba?
• Dec 09: Explore Córdoba (Mezquita, Judería) ➔ late afternoon drive to Seville, drop off the rental car.
• Dec 10 & 11: Full days exploring Seville.
• Dec 12 (or 13): Open end. Can fly out or extend an extra day or two.

A few specific questions for you:

1. Food & Drink: Any must-visit tabernas, freidurías, or hidden tapas spots along this route? (Especially in Cádiz, Granada where free tapas rule, and roadside stops).
2. Logistics check (Dec 04): Does doing Caminito del Rey between Grazalema and Ronda make sense driving-wise, or should I reorder to avoid zigzagging?
3. Alhambra tickets: Nasrid Palaces tickets are sold out on the official site for Dec 6–7. Any reliable workarounds (Granada Card / Dobla de Oro / guided tours)? If I can't snag a ticket, is it worth adding an extra day in Granada on Dec 8 just for the Alhambra?
4. Dec 08 fork: Is the Tabernas Desert detour worth the driving hours in winter, or should I allocate that extra time to Córdoba/Seville instead?
5. Pacing: Since I have flexibility until Dec 13, where would you add the extra day?

Any insight, brutal honesty on drive times, or secret scenic detours are hugely appreciated. Muchas gracias!

Quero sair do Brasil,tenho 17 anos e ano que vem (2027) faço 18 e quero ir pra fora trabalhar em algo mais simples que não precise de formação de faculdade me estruturar e juntar um pouco de dinheiro pra começar um negócio online muito provável, sei que os EUA é melhor pra empresa mais vi que parece que tá bem difícil até pra imigrante legal fora que é difícil conseguir visto, Espanha parece ser bom em questão de vida segurança, saúde, infraestrutura etc,qual acham melhor pra essa situação?,OBS: QUERO IR SOMENTE LEGALMENTE

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a trip to Madrid from November 14 to 19, but I keep seeing news about a general strike, Halloween protests, and so on, and I’m getting a bit worried.

What worries me most is that my trip falls right between the general strike on November 11 and the general election on November 29, so I’m really concerned about the atmosphere during that period.

It’ll be my first time in Madrid. I picked it because a lot of travel vlogs said it’s a great base for day trips, people are friendly, the food is amazing, and the shopping is great. But then I saw a video of violent protests in Barcelona, plus news saying things might get worse, and now I’m nervous.

The free cancellation deadline for my hotel is coming up soon, so I feel rushed to decide whether to cancel or not.

If anyone is currently traveling in Madrid or lives there, I’d love to hear what the mood is like on the ground right now, and how you expect things to go in the days after the strike and leading up to the election.

Thanks in advance!

Hello! I am currently living in Barcelona and I am looking to move somewhere else on the Southern coast. I have been exploring my options but I am so overwhelmed and I would really appreciate some help!

Some notes: I speak Spanish (not fluent, but def enough to get around anywhere) and I am a remote autónoma so work is not a consideration. Also, I don't want to move somewhere that is only older people. I am in my early 20s and would like to be around people my age.

Here is what I am looking for:

- Beachside town: I want to be able to walk to the beach easily and spend time there.

- Well-connected: I rely on public transport, so I would like a place that I can get to/around easily.

- Queer community: I am not a big nightlife person, so I am not looking for clubs, but I am a lesbian and I would like to be able to meet/date people in the community.

- Somewhere gorgeous: I am sick of seeing skyscrapers and ugly buildings. I would love to live in a place with character. If it's close to green landscapes, that's a big plus!!!

Thank you in advance for any help or suggestions!!!! I love Spain and am hoping to find my forever home here <3

Hi!

I have a trip planned to Spain next week, and the recently turned violent protests have me a little concerned from a safety POV.

My planned cities are Madrid, Malaga, Granada and Cordoba spread across 2 weeks, starting next week.

Any and all advice/opinions are welcome!

Thank you for taking the time!

Hey All

Could someone please tell me which places I should avoid in Madrid due to the ongoing protests?

I am already planning to avoid Puerta del Sol completely as it looks absolutely filthy and deplorable with all those tents that have been there for weeks.

Are there any other places like that currently that I should avoid?

Thanks