Solo Female Travel in Madrid

Madrid, the vibrant capital city of Spain, is located in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula. This sprawling, cosmopolitan city is steeped in history and culture, known globally for its grand architectural landmarks such as the Royal Palace, the majestic Puerta del Sol, and the Plaza Mayor. Madrid is also recognized as a world-class culinary destination, offering a stunning array of traditional Spanish dishes, tapas bars, and modern gastronomy. Additionally, it’s a haven for art enthusiasts with its 'Golden Triangle of Art', a trio of world-renowned museums: the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. A unique blend of tradition and modernity, Madrid captivates every visitor through its lively street life, vibrant nightlife, and passionate flamenco performances.

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Is Madrid good for solo travel?

Safety:

Safety:Very safe

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.
Transport:

Transport:Easy

Madrid has a well-established public transportation system, making it relatively easy to navigate. The city metro, buses and taxis are widely available. Even though there may be language barriers if you do not understand Spanish, signages are usually dual-languaged. Additionally, Madrid is a walkable city with many landmarks situated within walking distance of each other. While distances may sometimes be too vast to cover on foot, travel can be expedited using the public transport options available. However, it may take some time to get used to the various routes and transport options but it can be mastered soon with a little research and practice.
Things to do:

Things to do:Fascinating

Madrid, holds a wealth of attractions suitable for female solo travelers. From its rich history, which can be explored through its numerous museums like the Prado Museum or the Royal Palace, to the rush of shopping in the fashion-forward Salamanca district. There is an abundance of cafes and tapas bars where you can sample delicious Spanish cuisine. The wonderful Retiro Park offers a peaceful respite from the city's hustle and bustle. Madrid's thriving nightlife scene, characterized by flamenco shows and jazz clubs, is also very inviting. Despite the busy city life, it is considered a safe city for solo female travelers.
Food:

Food:Excellent

The food experience in Madrid is immensely diverse and outright fabulous. There is a wide array of Spanish cuisine that reflects the region's rich cultural history. You can find everything from traditional tapas bars to avant-garde gastronomical experiences. Local markets offer fresh produce and delicious local products, while numerous bakeries and pastry shops entice with their sweet treats. Vegetarians, vegans, and those with dietary restrictions can also find a good variety of dishes satisfying their needs. The city’s love for food is palpable in its many food festivals as well. A place worth savoring for every food lover.
Budget:

Budget:Affordable

Madrid offers a balance between affordability and extravagance. There are options for budget-friendly accommodations, free museum hours, and affordable meals, especially when indulging in tapas. Though some attractions may come with a cost, the city's extensive public transport system is reasonably priced, making it easy to navigate and explore the city. However, higher-end dining and shopping experiences can significantly increase your spending.

Is Madrid worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 28 experiences

Things to do

4.6/5

Safety

4.7/5

Food

4.5/5

Budget-friendly

3.5/5
Andrea

Andrea (29)

France

Solo travel experience

It was an incredible experience. Madrid has a lot of nightlife. There are many free and paid plans to do. I highly recommend when you first arrive to take the bonus transportation so you can travel around the metro without any problem.

Posted: June 22, 2024Experienced: April, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Y-Nhu

Y-Nhu (28)

Italy

Solo travel experience

Madrid was excellent! I accidentally ended up in the city during a 28 hour layover, worked remotely for a while, had tapas, went to a blues club, and went dancing 💃🏽 here are my recommendations: Bar Sidi for cheap late night tapas Abonavida for smart working La Coquette Blues Bar for late night blues shows

Posted: June 17, 2024Experienced: April, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Patricia

Patricia

Spain

Couple travel experience

Madrid is a safe place with all kinds of leisure activities, both during the day and at night. Travelling alone or with your partner, even if you are LGTBI+, is very safe as long as you stay in central areas and in neighbourhoods that are not marginal. It's a beautiful place to visit, eat and spend the day, but beware of the heat from late June onwards! Always carry a bottle of water and walk in the shade if you're a foreigner and can't stand the heat. I highly recommend visiting the theatre, it's a good way to practice the language, but if you come to have fun or go out, the "Malasaña" neighbourhood is the place you are looking for.

Posted: June 4, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Majo

Majo

Spain

Solo travel experience

I really enjoyed the experience, the people were incredibly nice and I found many super welcoming Latinos, and the local people were super friendly. There are beautiful places, the architecture is impressive and the nightlife varied and very fun. And about the food, no complaints at all, delicious!

Posted: March 5, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Rachel

Rachel

United States

Solo travel experience

I stayed in a hostel in the city center in a room of all women, and felt safe in the hostel. I was hesitant to be out alone at night (past 11), which I think is normal for a big city. Looked on maps for food and activities- super last minute, and had a lot of fun. Spaniards seem generally open and happy to talk. I do speak a bit of Spanish and was happy to meet new people spontaneously.

Posted: February 16, 2024
Things to do: 4/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 4/5
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Paola

Paola

Costa Rica

Solo travel experience

Madrid has been my favorite, the people are so friendly, the atmosphere is like the place, the food is very delicious and the ice cream is my favorite, my best memory so far is Madrid 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷😍🫠🫠

Posted: January 6, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Micahela

Micahela

Uruguay

Solo travel experience

I would recommend to go to Madrid maybe just for a few days. I was expecting so much of the city but in reality, there is just a few mind-blowing places (if compared to other European places) It is definitely a must go but just to get it off your checklist

Posted: December 21, 2023
Things to do: 3/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 4/5
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Solo travel experience

I went to Madrid alone. It's safe. I learned a few phrases in Spanish, which helped me a lot. The city center is wonderful. I stayed in a hostel. It was cheap and clean, and moreover right in the center. I 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 (I was a little worried about safety), but I never felt in danger or anything like that. Even riding the subway alone was safe, even in the evening. I don't speak Spanish and I didn't encounter any problems. Staying in the city center was definitely a great idea, because everything was much closer and I didn't need to walk/ride the subway when I was coming back home. Trains were also not expensive, I took Renfe to Valencia and it seemed 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's a very safe and very fun city. Watch out for pickpockets, but the rest is very safe. There are many things to do and see. As for the language, there is no problem, because 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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Is Madrid safe for women?

Safety rating

3.8 /5

Based on 11 experiences

Crime rates rating

1.2 /5

Based on 11 experiences

Lucia

Lucia

Madrid is very respectful and safe, as any other cities it has its dangerous parts but those are mainly outside the center. Also there’s so much police around all day. I always go out by myself and never had any problem.

Posted: June 30, 2024
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just keep your wits about you! if you’re alone at night, head straight home and dont engage with anyone - 9 times out of 10 they’ll give up very easily. also be careful with phones especially around nightclubs and touristy areas - pickpocketing is a big problem!!

Posted: June 30, 2024
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Meet locals in Madrid

Meet local women in Madrid who are open to meet up for a coffee or a drink, show you around, give local advice or practice a language with.
Minerva

Minerva

About Me

I'm a young and enthusiastic girl from Spain interested in science and humanities, but with a newly discovered passion for travelling too. Last summer I volunteered in Dominican Republic and now I feel like the world is open for me to explore it. I'm very open-minded, a good listener and a learner at core \^O^/

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Lonnie

Lonnie

About Me

Hi! I’m Lonnie, I’m from New Jersey, USA, but I’m studying abroad in Madrid this semester. I’m studying theater and government, and I’d love to meet other travelers while I’m still in the city!

Speaking

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Local tips

I have been living in Madrid for almost 15 years. It's a super safe, super fun city. Go out at night, explore, eat everything and have a great time. I would say that you should follow normal city rules and be careful, but generally speaking, Spanish cities and towns are very safe for everyone (the biggest threat to your safety are pickpockets).

Posted: September 26, 2023
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Currently, I live in Madrid and I feel very safe there. There are many pickpockets, so be careful with your belongings. Everyone stays up late (many Spaniards have dinner at 10-11pm or are out for drinks till late), so you never feel unsafe walking on the streets even at night. Of course, I do not recommend walking around alone at night, especially in a new city. Most people speak a bit of English, especially in restaurants and clothing stores. And the city center near Puerta del Sol is a great place to stay. Remember that it can be very noisy on the streets late at night, so if that bothers you, consider staying in one of the other neighborhoods, like Chamberi, Salamanca, near Retiro, places like that. Transport in the city is very easy and quite fast, so even if you stay a bit outside the main city center, away from Sol and Plaza Mayor, you can get there without any problem.

Posted: September 24, 2023
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I lived in Madrid for a year. You must visit Retiro Park, buy some beer from the people selling there and go kayaking on the lake. The Temple of Debod, the palace and any museums that seem interesting. Chapultepec is my favorite place for tacos! Salamanca district for shopping. Malasaña district for cool bars and street drinking. La Latina district for good tapas. Also check out the best rooftops with a bar. All the small food halls are great. Mercado de San Anton is my favorite. The Sunday flea market El Rastro. And make use of public transportation! Very efficient and easy. Uber as well, if you need anything.

Posted: October 30, 2022
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I love Madrid. Visit the Plaza Mayor... there are many restaurants situated along the edges of the square that serve the most incredible food. One of Madrid's specialties is bocadillos de calamares (sandwiches with fried calamari), but all the food in Spain is delicious. In addition, near the Plaza Mayor, there is Mercado San Miguel. It's a "market", but in reality it is a very elegant place where you can eat tapas, drink wine, sit at communal tables, and meet friendly people. I loved it!! There is a stall for everything you'd like to try in Spanish cuisine. 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 will take you to the most important places in Madrid. You can get off wherever you like the most. I recommend visiting the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral (where the king and queen got married), Buen Retiro Park, Plaza del Sol, where Km 0 is, and San Gines, where you can eat churros with chocolate. I highly recommend a day trip to Toledo or Segovia, or even to both of these places.

Posted: May 22, 2022
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Stay with locals in Madrid

Stay with local women in Madrid who offer free accommodation as part of cultural exchange. Couch surfing is a great way to meet new people, learn more about new cultures and experience destinations like a local.
Lucia

Lucia

Madrid

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hello! I am a Spanish girl that loves art, design and culture. I love my city Madrid but I also love traveling and exploring new countries

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Upcoming visitors to Madrid

Connect with upcoming visitors to Madrid who are looking for travel buddies or meet ups.
Ilaria

Ilaria

About Me

Hi! My name is Ilaria, a full time traveler from Venice, Italy. I love yoga, cooking, animals and deep conversations. I love to meet new people and see their prospective, I think this is a cool way to connect with the others.

Speaking

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Laurie-Mei

Laurie-Mei

About Me

Hi I'm Laurie, Young soul trying to explore the world on a budget and meet new people on the way. I have a Tourism Management degree so I can suggest you places to visit around town. I drove across Canada with my friends during Covid. I'm looking for a place to stay somewhere in the world and have the most local experiences I can have. Always motivated to try and discover new things.

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