We moved to Madrid last year. So before coming, we were trying to find out whether there are Indians in Madrid or not. We surfed, posted questions in Quara, looked for pages or groups in Facebook, looked for Instagram hashtags but all in vein. Could not get much info.
So I thought of writing my experience and sharing as it might help other Indians moving to Madrid.Here we go …….
Actually there are quite a number of Indians living in Madrid. Though not in any specific area or locality but all around Madrid (Unlike USA or UK).
Many Indian communities or groups are there, such as Indian Family in Madrid (IFIM), Indians in madrid (IIM), Indian Students in Madrid (ISM) etc. The most prominent one is Indian Sindhi community known as ISAOM .
All these groups are quite active and welcoming. Have separate whatsapp group and they all organize various get togethers and cultural events at different occasions.
When relocating to Madrid all that one need to look for is-
1.To connect with fellow indians Join Facebook page named “Indians in Madrid”.(This group was inactive one year back so we could not find it at first,. But now it is very active and functioning).
https://www.facebook.com/groups/250316002088823/
The Admins are super friendly and active. They keep posting about the latest Indian events. Whatever query you have you can just post in the page and it will be answered for sure.
Once you join the FB group share your mobile number to join the Whats-app group as well and connected. All the Major Indian festivals are celebrated together.You will definitely make good friends once you start going to the events.
2. To rent a flat/house.
Search in Idealista (Madrid)
Look for a locality that’s close to your workplace. You can save your daily commute time; As public transport connectivity is good across locations, it’s easy to visit city center or anywhere around Madrid on weekends.
Flats listed in idealista are either by direct owners or by real estate agents. So if you wanna save agent’s commission then look for posts by owners only. And also its OK to bargain a bit on rent ;).
3. For Indian groceries.
Well there is a area named “Lavapies” in the city center where you will get all the Indian grocery stuff. There is one Indian store named “Foodland” which everyone recommends Address: Calle Amparo, 99, 28012 Madrid, Spain
Few more Asian (Pakistani and Bangladeshi) grocery shops are also there in same area where you can get few of Indian vegetables as well. Just explore Lavapies to know more 🙂
Also there is an online store named “Desi gourmet”. So if you wanna home delivery go for this :https://www.desigourmet.es/
4. Indian restaurants
There are many Indian restaurants in Madrid (Bangladeshi and pakistani people also call their restaurants as Indian restaurants ). Few good indian restaurants are –
- Curry Masala
- Mantra
- Bollywood Tadka
- Bangalore Restaurant
- Swagat Restaurante Indio
- And many more are there…google zindabad 🙂
5. Temples / Gurudwara / Indian Cultural center in Madrid.
- Geeta Ashram Temple ( Taken care by ISAOM- Indian sindhi association of Madrid) – ISAOM’s cultural centre is the venue for all big Festivals such as Holi, Dandiya, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Diwali, New year celebrations, etc.
- Jhulelal Mandir
- Sai baba mandir
- Iskon Temple
- Gurudwara Nanaksar
- Gurudwara Singh Sabha
Congratulations on am excellent insight but I am sorry to disagree with you when you say that sindhis in madrid have become “like kind of Spanish “. In fact the longest standing temples , indian shops and meeting places were opened by sindhis. While it is true that we have been here a long time, our strongest efforts have been devoted to keeping alive indian culture and traditions in Madrid. In fact the Isaom cultural centre was built with the only purpose of being a second home for indians in madrid. Having been here for a very long time, we are obviously integrated with the spanish community but we think it is not fair to say that we are “almost like spanish”
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Sir, My idea was not say that Sindhi community is not connected or something like that…. I apologize if it hurts the sentiments….. I myself being a Sindhi know that Sindhis Jahan bhi rehte hai wah ek dum ghul mil jate hai…. 🙂 I just wanted to convey that being the oldest Indian community here Sindhis have adapted the Spanish culture well. 🙂 I am rephrasing my words. Thanks for suggestions
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Congratulations. Excellent job.Yes we are always here to help and guide the newcomers. Good wishes
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Thank you:)
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I want to contact u for performance of ghazals.
How it is possible?
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I am not in Madrid now. You can connect the “Indians in Madrid” fb group. Admins will help you want in best posible way
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Thanks for all the insights… This is really helpful..
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Thanks for appreciating👍🏻
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I am urgently in need of helping hand in Madrid for an emergency. Can you please message if you know of any person living in Madrid and will be happy to help on humanity grounds.
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Hey may I know what’s the issue … then I may accordingly connect you to someone
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Thank you for replying Deepshikha, Can you please share your number/email and I can personally connect with you to explain further. Thank you
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Deepnawani@gmail.com
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Need immediate help , safe of my hotel room Nh collection has been broken , all money n passports stolen , need legal advice
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Hi, I am Sourav Pramanik a PhD fellow in jadavpur university, kolkata, india. I will visit UPM, Madrid from 1st September 2019 to 31st January 2020 (5 months) for research purpose and looking for a accommodation near to UPM. If you have any contact and suggestion please let me know. Probably “Indians in Madrid” fb group is not active now. thank you
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Hey …. I moved out of Madrid … it’s been a year now…. Please share you mail Id … I will try to get you connected with someone but I cannot guarantee the reply back from them
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Email: srv.pramanik03327@gmail.com
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Hi – my sister’s getting married in Madrid in December. Yay! I’m looking for locally based caterers, henna artists, decorators, musicians. Would appreciate any recommendations.
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I recommend Curry masala restaurant … they do full service for marriage events. I will try to get the number and share 👍🏻
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You can contact Ms Sakshi on 647946031
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Great. Thank you so much.
Your blog has been a great start for me. Thanks for creating it. All the best in your new city! 🙂
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Connect…. Mr. Praveen ..+34 619906787. He is the owner of Curry masala 👍🏻 and all the best for the wedding preps 😀
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One can order home made food by contacting Ms Sakshi on +34647946031
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Hi is there any whasapp social groups of only indians in madrid?
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There was a group but I am not sure if it’s still there ….we left Madrid
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