based on 29 experiences
Emily
Spain
Definitely try the Divorare sandwiches and any cute little coffee shop. I love OneFam Hostel, they were great. I feel safe the whole time and really enjoy the community aspects. I love the vintage shops in the vintage district.. amazing Calle de Velarde
Posted: July 19, 2024Andrea (29)
France
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, 2024Y-Nhu (28)
Italy
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, 2024Patricia
Spain
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, 2024Majo
Spain
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, 2024Rachel
United States
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, 2024Paola
Costa Rica
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, 2024Micahela
Uruguay
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, 2023I 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, 2023I 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, 2023Based on 18 experiences
Based on 18 experiences
Aside from pickpocketing near the center, Madrid is perfectly safe and a great place to visit! I don’t know of anyone who has experienced something unsafe in the three years that I’ve lived here. Great city!
Posted: July 23, 2024Rafaella
Madrid is a very safe city in my opinion. In general you can walk alone after dark with no worries. As in all cities, you have to use your common sense and be aware of your surroundings. In most part, you just have to be aware of pickpockets around touristy areas.
Posted: July 19, 2024Emilie
Hello!! My name is Emilie. I am from Ecuador but am currently doing my bachelor degree in Madrid. I am 21 years of old live to mountain climb/travel and run. I speak english spniah and portuguese and begginer level french 😂
Reem
I am an Olympian, international coach, wife and traveler who is kind and full of energy. I love animals, good music and food. I am a genuine person who cares for others and is really a social butterfly but also love my alone time and calm cup of tea.
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, 2023Currently, 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, 2023I 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, 2022I 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, 2022Take 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, 2022Tasia
Madrid
4 days
I love to explore different cultures and to meet new people! Currently I am studying in Rome, because of the Erasmus program, but normally I live in Madrid, Spain :)
Ana
Madrid
2 days
Hi there! My name is Ana, I'm 20, I love travelling, meeting new people and cultures. I like reading, walking, going out ...
Zuzanna
I am 18 girl from Poland, now I'm going to high school im my home city Wieliczka. I love travel and specially meeting new people gives me energy and a lot of fun. I am a scout, I love music I play guitar and I love dance and sport💗
Jacquelyn
Hi! I consider myself a global citizen; living, and studying around the world in order to become more connected with the different ways our humanity is represented. I hope to continue to connect with more people, to learn, grow, and share positive and uplifting experiences.