Which is Better: Teaching in Madrid or Barcelona

The age old debate of which Spanish city is better to visit lives on: Madrid or Barcelona. Ask a lot of Spaniards or tourists and they will tell you that Barcelona is their preferred choice because of course; Barcelona has a beach while Madrid is located in the centre of Spain.

But what about teaching and living in either Madrid or Barcelona? Personally, I would have to choose Madrid. Although I’ve never taught or lived in Barcelona, I was lucky enough to teach English in Madrid for several months back in 2019.

And to be honest I had to time of my life in Madrid! So why should you consider Madrid as an option when choosing where to live and teach?

Well, Barcelona is obviously a great choice. It’s an amazing city with great culture and way of life. For my liking though, it’s a little too overcrowded with tourists, especially during the summer months.

Madrid has plenty of tourists as well for sure, but it’s probably a little less noticeable than in Barcelona.

Why I loved teaching Madrid

Madrid has so much to offer despite not being anywhere close to a beach. From the beautiful architecture everywhere you go, to the countless museums and its nightlife culture, Madrid is really a fantastic city to work and play.

For me, living in Madrid meant getting to experience the real, authentic Spain. For starters, Madrid has one of the best city parks in the world in the Retiro Park, which is a great place to de-stress after a long day of teaching.

The Prado Museum is a must visit place if you’re into renaissance art as well. It is free to enter on Sundays, and I made a habit of visiting this wonderful place once every few weeks. If you’re more into contemporary art then Madrid has a plethora of those too.

Madrid is big on shopping as well; the centre of the city has all types of shops you could ever wish to explore. And the city has fantastic nightlife, the locals love to socialise until the early hours.

With regards to not having a beach compared to Barcelona, yes this is a drawback if you’re a big sun worshipper. But because Madrid is so central, it’s easy to hop on a train to wherever you want to go to.

It’s no problem to head to Valencia for a weekend, or the fantastic cities in the south of Spain such as Seville, Granada or Cordoba.

What I didn’t like about Madrid

Was there anything about Madrid I didn’t like? For sure! It has a good underground metro system but the daily commute to my academy took up to 1 hour each way.

If you live in one of the many suburbs on the outskirts of the city then expect to do a lot of travelling via public transport.

This was so tiring after a long day of teaching and is something you should definitely keep in mind if you’re thinking of teaching in Madrid.

Madrid is also the most populous city in all of Spain, which means it’s a very busy place! Using the metro during peak rush hours before and after working hours can be quite an overwhelming experience!

Why Teaching Abroad Can be Difficult

Teaching and living abroad can be isolating at times, especially if your knowledge of the country’s language is not up to scratch.

As part of my TEFL course I was fortunate enough to have daily Spanish lessons, but I never excelled at Spanish beyond a basic level.

So integrating with Spanish friends sometimes felt daunting, I would often lose track of conversations spoken in Spanish within seconds. You don’t have to integrate with the locals, but it doesn’t hurt to make an effort.

A lot of teachers hang out together after teaching hours or at weekends, making for an exciting social scene. In that case it’s not really necessary to be proficient in Spanish, but it sure does help!

But don’t expect to be on holiday when undertaking a TEFL qualification either. It’s hard work!

The combination of teaching students English as well as completing the TEFL course means you’re going to be very busy most days; it’s definitely not a relaxing time!

Why teaching abroad is so rewarding

Teaching abroad is like embarking on an amazing adventure of self-discovery and professional growth. Yeah, it might throw some challenges your way, especially if you’re new to the whole teaching gig, but trust me, the rewards are totally worth it! As you step into that classroom and connect with your students, you’ll start to feel that special spark.

I’ve been there, done that, and let me tell you, the more heart and soul you put into teaching abroad, the more you’ll get out of it. Sure, there are days that feel like a rollercoaster ride – overwhelming, confusing, and downright tiring. But every bit of exhaustion is swept away by the thrill of being part of something big.

Teaching abroad is all about diving headfirst into the culture and lifestyle of the place you’re in. Forget about being a tourist and checking off those touristy boxes. It’s about getting to the heart of it all – understanding the people, their ways, and what makes them tick. You become one with the community, and that’s where the real magic happens!

And oh, the joy of being an English teacher! You’re not just teaching a language; you’re tearing down those language barriers and forging awesome connections with your students. Seeing them grow and flourish, not only in language skills but also in confidence and achievements, is like a burst of happiness. Those “aha” moments when a student nails a tough concept or speaks fluently are pure gold!

Teaching abroad isn’t just a job; it’s a soul-stirring journey. You’ll make friends from all over the world, have adventures you never imagined, and grow as a person in ways you never thought possible.

So, if you’re up for a life-changing escapade, teaching in Spain can be your ticket to incredible experiences, unforgettable memories, and a whole lot of fun. It’s the chance to be part of something bigger and to find that place where you truly belong.

My verdict: is it better to teach in Madrid or Barcelona?

There’s no clear winner here to be honest, yes I’m biased and will say Madrid because of my personal experience teaching there. But I can only imagine that teaching in Barcelona is just as dynamic, fun and unique.

Whether you end up teaching in Madrid, Barcelona or another great city that Spain has to offer, I can guarantee one thing: you’ll definitely have an unforgettable experience!

By Mark Jeavons from Solo Travel Man