Voices from the Tribe The student’s guide to solo travel in Madrid By Ant Wolverson A little while ago, a girl who came to Madrid on her own found her way to our community. She joined La Tribu, turned up to a meetup on her very first day in the city, and ended up spending her holiday with people she’d only just met. When she got home, we asked her if she’d write something about what it’s like to arrive in Spain alone — the nerves, the surprises, what she’d tell someone about to do the same. She said yes,…

Christmas in Madrid 2026: The Lights, The Crowds, and Where Locals Actually Walk Yes, the lights are spectacular. Yes, Sol and Gran Vía in late December are a human traffic jam where you shuffle instead of walk. Here’s the honest version, from people who live here: what’s worth it, when to go, and the neighbourhoods where you can actually see the city instead of the back of someone’s coat. Updated: July 2026 · Written in Chueca Christmas in Madrid runs roughly from the light switch-on in late November until 6 January, when the Three Kings Parade closes the season. Expect…