Legend has it, that since 1894, a mouse runs through the streets of Madrid every night. This legend also tells us that it is not just any mouse, but one with gold rimmed glasses and a red purse on his back. Every night since then, all children who have had a tooth fall out place it under their pillow to receive a visit from the elegant Perez the Little Mouse (Ratoncito Pérez).

Read the spanish version

And so, for the children of Madrid it’s a cause for joy to lose a tooth, because they know they will receive a little treasure. They themselves clean it and leave it under their pillow, so that when night falls, Ratoncito Pérez will pay a visit and leave coins, or a small toy. This half legend, half story, has been passed down through many generations and is, today, one of the most widespread traditions throughout Spain.

It all began when King Alfonso XIII as a child lost his first tooth. So that he wouldn’t be sad, his mother, the queen, had Father Luis Coloma write a story about the tooth. And he, without knowing the tale would live on in history, invented Ratoncito Pérez, the story of a mouse that collects fallen childrens’ teeth and lived in 8 Arenal Street, Madrid. So next time you’re walking through the center of Madrid, remember to go to the house and discover this great tale.

When leaving the Ratoncito Pérez house/museum, take a walk to Álvarez Gato Street. You may not recognize the name, but if I tell you that it’s where one of the most important works of Spanish literature was born, surely that will intrigue you. Better known as “The Cat’s Alley” (el Callejón del Gato), this is where the famous Spanish writer Valle-Inclán had the protagonist of his renowned book “Bohemian Lights” (Luces de Bohemia) stroll. And this alley is not just any alley. Everyone who passes through will stop before reaching the end. Why? It’s because of a series of curved mirrors that deforms the image of those who look into them. These mirrors are precisely those responsible for Valle Inclán's invention of Esperpento, a literary style in which reality is deformed. A style that was born in Madrid and extended to the rest of the world.

And after all this walking around the city, so enchanting with its culture, literature… why not stop and have something to eat? Without needing to leave the center, you could stop at the Guiness Book of Records’ oldest restaurant in the world. Restaurante Botín, at 17 Cuchilleros Street, was founded in 1725. It’s the perfect place to discover the true flavor of Madrid, and enjoy the typical recipes and the people who gather at the tables. The importance of this place was not lost on authors such as Serna and Benito Pérez Galdós who included it in their works. Even Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Dos Passos, to name just a few, came to enjoy these delicacies of Madrid first hand.

Now you know. Madrid is a city to discover. A city in which, while learning Spanish, you will live one of the most important experiences of your life. Or as Hemingway said, “It is the most Spanish of all cities.”

All cities have their charm. Granada has its own, and that of all the others. That’s what the poet Antonio Machado said, but, is there any another city in the world in which the same thing happens? We think so: Guanajuato.

Both cities share a spirit, an atmosphere that unites them. In Granada and Guanajuato, you will find narrow cobbled streets, picturesque architecture, lots of history ... and even a university environment! Ideal if you want to learn Spanish.

If in Granada a palace, La Alhambra, dominates the horizon; in Guanajuato it’s the Basilica de Nuestra Señora. A detail that also links this Mexican basilica to the Spanish city is that inside it is a sculpture of the Virgin brought from Granada in 1577!

If we go beyond history and focus on legend, a curious detail stands out. Both cities have a street named after a kiss, the Calle del Beso. While in Guanajuato it pays homage to a tragic love story, in Granada the legend tells us of a young deceased woman who is resurrected by her mother’s kiss. The important thing is that you can walk through a colorful, traditional and romantic street.

And after some walking, one begins to have an appetite. You already know the good dishes of the Spanish city, well the Mexican one does not lag far behind: its gastronomy is one of the most delicious in the country. Typical dishes of tamales, chalupas, enchiladas, empanadas… but made with such care and pampering, like good home cooking, that they are leagues beyond the fast food taco restaurant fare. And best of all, you will find these delicacies at good prices.

Perhaps the reason Guanajuato is one of the cheapest cities to live in is because, like Granada, it’s a university city. Half of the Guanajuato population is under 30 years old, which also means that there are numerous entertainment options. Who knows better that a student how to have fun on a modest budget? A movie ticket costs 60 MXN (not quite 3€), a beer 30 MXN (1.4€), a refreshment 12 MXN (less than € 0.60), a dinner in a restaurant 150 MXN (almost 8€) ... You can enjoy and have fun without scaring your wallet!

And if you want to tour spots full of history in Guanajuato, just like Granada, it’s full of them. If the Spanish city has the Nasrid legacy, medieval Christian, the Renaissance ... in Guanajuato you will see prehispanic constructions like Cañada de la Virgen or Peralta; and inside the city you will be surrounded by monuments and baroque buildings such as the San Diego Temple or the Basilica itself; Colonial style, as in the Plaza del Baratillo; Neoclassical style, like the Juárez theater ... It should not surprise you that this beautiful city has been declared a "World Heritage Site".