Is Madrid Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Madrid, as a popular European capital, has a strong safety infrastructure with a visible police presence in major tourist areas. Local people are generally friendly and willing to assist travelers. However, like any bustling city, it is advised to stay alert, especially in crowded areas or at night due to potential pickpocketing. Always be aware of your belongings and avoid isolated areas late at night. But, overall, Madrid is relatively safe for solo female travelers.

Safety rating

4.7 /5

Based on 20 experiences

4.5 /5

Based on research and crime data

Safety overview

Safety at night:Safe

Madrid is considered a secure city for solo female travelers. The city's main areas and public transportation services are generally safe at night. However, like any other bustling city, it is advisable to stay aware of your surroundings, avoid isolated areas and keep personal belongings secure. Local authorities are usually vigilant and responsive. As in most places, pickpocketing can be a concern, hence prudence is necessary.

Public transportation: Safe

Madrid's public transportation system is generally safe, modern, and efficient. Requests for help are usually met with friendly assistance and it's perfectly fine to use at all hours. It includes the metro, buses, and taxis. However, like any big city, it's advised to stay alert for pickpockets especially in crowded areas or during peak hours.

Street harassment: Low

While Madrid, like any large city, is not completely free from street harassment, many solo female travelers find it generally safe in terms of day-to-day interactions. There might be occasional catcalling or unsolicited attention, particularly in crowded and tourist-frequented areas, but most women report feeling comfortable walking around the city both during the day and at night. That said, it's important to stay vigilant, aware of your surroundings, and follow the same precautions you would in any major city.

Petty crimes:Moderate

Madrid’s vibrant capital, has a moderate level of petty crime. Pickpocketing, purse snatching, and theft from unattended vehicles or hotel rooms are the most common crimes. The city's bustling tourist spots and public transportation are especially targeted. Therefore, always remain vigilant, secure your belongings, and avoid flaunting valuable items in public.

Tap water:Very safe

In Madrid, the tap water is very safe for consumption. It meets all the sanitary standards required for drinking water quality. It originates from different sources including reservoirs and rivers which go through an extensive purification process. Therefore, you can unhesitatingly drink tap water in Madrid and even use it for cooking.

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Travel experiences

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 20 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.8/5

Safety

4.7/5

Food

4.7/5

Budget-friendly

3.4/5

Solo travel experience

I went to Madrid solo. It's safe. I learned some phrases in Spanish so it helped me a lot. The city center is great. I lived in a hostel. It was cheap and clean and in the center. Liked it.

Posted: October 1, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I was there alone for two nights (was a bit worried about the safety) but I never felt in danger or any of that. Even taking the metro alone felt safe, at night as well. I don't speak Spanish and didn't encounter any problems. Staying in the city center was definitely a great idea because everything was much closer and I didn't have to walk/take the metro when going home. Trains weren't expensive either, I took a Renfe to Valencia and it seemed like a reasonable price to me.

Posted: September 28, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 4/5
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Solo travel experience

I have been to Madrid twice. It is a very safe and very fun city. Beware of the pickpocketing but the rest is so safe. A lot of things to do and see. As for the language no problem as they try to communicate in English.

Posted: September 20, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I went to Madrid and felt very safe. It’s one of my favorite European cities. If you love shopping Gran Vía is the place to be. For the sightseeing, I took the hop-on hop-off bus and visited Segovia. Retiro Park is also beautiful.

Posted: August 21, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I loved Madrid! It is a super vibrant city with a lot to explore, I felt safe there, the people are really nice and the food is good :) Once you get to one of the central metro stations you can walk everywhere. The heat is intense during the summer but if you nap like the spanish do you’ll be ok ;)

Posted: August 13, 2023Experienced: July, 2022
Things to do: 4/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Group travel experience

Madrid is a great city to travel. I ate the best Churros in „Chocolateria San Gines“ and Patatas Bravas en „El Tigre del Norte“! I do have to add though that if I remember correctly „El Tigre del Norte“ is also a bar. There are Liga of things to do in Madrid. One of my favorites was visiting „Parque del Retiro“ were you can also paddle boat in a little lake, which was really fun. We also took a day trip to Toledo with the train and it was amazing. Everything from the train station to the town itself was pretty. If you go to Madrid for like 5-7 days, I would really recommend taking a day trip to Toledo it other nearby towns!

Posted: August 6, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I loved it. 20 euros for unlimited transport?? Less than 30 euros for a month long phone line??? SAYLESS The people here are kind and warms and I never faced any issues as a black woman. It was so easy to get around alone with just my maps app and zero Spanish skills. There are so many cities and sites in a three hour radius using the train, a ticket being around 40 euros. I visited Valencia, cordoba, Toledo and a couple more cities!

Posted: June 28, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I went to Madrid in Erasmus knowing no one, and it was the most beautiful experience I did in my life. Madrid is a fabulous city and the energy of the people who lives there is magic. There are always thing to do and to view/visit. People are open minded and very kind. I really love this city I hope to come back one day <3

Posted: June 25, 2023Experienced: September, 2022
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

Absolutely loved Madrid. I did a long weekend there and it was great and relatively inexpensive. Highly recommend touring the Las Ventas Bullring and going to San Miguel Market. Best food and wine all in one place.

Posted: May 22, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I really enjoyed Madrid. It was safe, pleasant, interesting. So many cultural institutions plus food culture, plus walkability, plus value for money, plus good transportation, plus a nice little botanic garden right downtown. A lot to do.

Posted: December 10, 2022
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Local experiences

I’ve lived in Madrid for almost 15 years. It’s a super safe, super fun city. Go out at night, explore, eat everything, and have a blast. I would say follow normal city rules and be mindful but in general, Spanish cities and towns are very safe for everyone (your biggest safety concern is pickpocketers).

Posted: September 26, 2023
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I'm currently living in Madrid and I feel very safe there. Lots of pickpocketing so be aware of your belongings. Everyone stays out late at night (a lot of Spaniards eat dinner at like 10-11 or they’re out for drinks late) so you never feel like you’re unsafe walking the streets even at night. Of course, I recommend not walking alone at night, especially in a new city. Most people will know some English, especially in restaurants and clothing stores. And the city center near Puerta del Sol is great to stay in. Be aware that it can be very loud on the streets late at night so if that bothers you I would look into staying in one of the other neighborhoods like Chamberi, Salamanca, close to Retiro, areas like that. Transportation within the city is so easy and pretty quick so even if you stay a little outside of the main city center away from Sol and Plaza Mayor you can get there fairly easily.

Posted: September 24, 2023
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I lived in Madrid for a year. Definitely go to Retiro park, buy some beer from people selling at the park, and canoe in the boats on the lake. Temple de Debod, the palace, and any museums that seem interesting. Chapultepec is my favorite taco place ever! The neighborhood of Salamanca for shopping. Malasaña neighborhood for cool bars and sttreet drinking. La Latina neighborhood for good tapas. Look up the best rooftop bars too. All the little food market halls are great. Mercado de San Anton is my fav. El rastro Sunday flea market. And use the public transportation! Very efficient and easy. Uber as well if anything

Posted: October 30, 2022
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I love Madrid. Visit Plaza Mayor... there’s tons of restaurants all long the borders of the plaza serving the most amazing food. One of the delicacies from Madrid are bocadillos de calamares (fried squid sandwiches) but all food in Spain is delicious. Also, off the Plaza Mayor is Mercado San Miguel. It’s a “market” but really is a very chic place where you can eat tapas, get some wine, sit in communal tables and meet friendly people. I loved it!! There’s a stall for everything you would like to try out in Spaniard food. You must try Tortilla de patatas and Tinto de Verano.

Posted: June 10, 2022
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Take a hop on hop off bus. It’ll take you to the most important places in Madrid. Hop off where you feel most inclined. I recommend visiting the Palacio Real, the Catedral de la Almudena (where the king and queen got married), Parque del Buen Retiro, Plaza del Sol, where the Km 0 is, San Gines to eat churros with chocolate. A day trip to Toledo or Segovia or both are highly encouraged.

Posted: May 22, 2022
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Meet locals in Madrid

Esmeralda

Esmeralda

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About Me

Hello, my name is Esmeralda. I am originally from Spain. I travel for work and during holidays as well.

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Azucena

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Hi!!! I am currently 21 years old, and I am studying a double major in philosophy and law at "la Universidad Complutense de Madrid." In August, I’m going to do an Interrail trip with some friends, but then I have decided that it would be nice to continue alone once we separate. So, I decided to create this account to meet people.

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Ingrid

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Hello! I'm Ingrid from Barcelona and currently living in Madrid.

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Stay with locals in Madrid

Belen

Belen

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

About me

Hi! I’m cute person хихи

Countries I’ve Visited

🇺🇸 United States, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇨🇺 Cuba, 🇵🇫 French Polynesia, 🇲🇫 Saint Martin, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇲🇨 Monaco, 🇲🇪 Montenegro, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal

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klerry

klerry

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You can stay for:

3 days

About me

Hey!, I'm klerry and I'm interested in art, books, culture, events & social, food & cuisine, games, live music, nature, nightlife, solo travel, surfing and sightseeing

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇹 Austria, 🇰🇭 Cambodia, 🇨🇳 China, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇲🇴 Macao, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇹🇼 Taiwan

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Bea

Bea

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3 days

About me

I'd say I try to make the most of my life living with curiosity and the kindness as my way of exploring the world.

Countries I’ve Visited

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Anni

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Safety in Spain