Is Madrid Safe? The Truth About Travel To Madrid In 2024
If you’re considering visiting Madrid, you probably wonder: Is Madrid Safe?
Madrid is beautiful from the pictures and videos, and it’s seemingly safe, but how safe is it actually?
If you find yourself asking that question, then you’ve come to the right place.
When I used to live in Spain and travel to Madrid (or anywhere in the world), safety was always a top priority. So, in this post, I will cover some tips for staying safe while in Madrid.
You’ll learn some top safety tips for visiting Madrid, along with tips for solo female travelers, Madrid at night, and more!
The topic of this post is: Is Madrid Safe?
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Is Madrid Safe?
Is Madrid safe? The short answer is yes, absolutely! Petty crimes like pickpocketing and scams are the major concerns for people visiting Madrid, but other than that, the city is relatively safe.
As a black female traveler, I didn’t feel unsafe at all when I visited. So, it’s definitely a safe destination for minorities, solo travelers, female travelers, and more!
Now, this doesn’t mean you should be careless and stupid. Yes, Madrid is safe, but you should always be aware of your surroundings, don’t do anything you know would be against the law, and make sure others (family and/or friends) know your plans.
If you follow general traveling safety tips, you will be just fine while visiting Madrid.
Is Madrid Safe at Night?
Yes, Madrid is safe at night. You can be out at night without fear of being harmed. However, you still want to keep an eye on your surroundings at all times.
Although Madrid is generally safe at night, it is important to note that the rate of petty crimes, such as pickpocketing, tends to increase during nighttime. Therefore, it’s best to take extra precautions and keep a watchful eye on your surroundings, especially in crowded areas.
Also, only use transportation from licensed taxi drivers or rideshare apps like Uber.
For more information on using Uber in Madrid, check out my post about this rideshare app in Spain’s capital.
Is Madrid Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Yes, Madrid is safe for all travelers, including solo female travelers. As a black female who visited Madrid, I never felt unsafe in the big city. So, regardless of ethnicity, you can feel secure in this city.
However, as I mentioned earlier, this is not an excuse to act recklessly. Use good judgment and the safety tips in this post, and you shouldn’t have any trouble!
Safety Tips For Madrid
Again, Madrid is safe, but here are some specific safety tips you should implement during your visit. These tips are specific to Madrid and will help you feel more at ease whether you are a solo female traveler or going with a larger group.
#1: Purchase a strong anti-theft bag.
Pickpocketing is the most common crime in Madrid. To lower your chance of becoming a victim, purchase a solid anti-theft bag for your trip.
Anti-theft bags usually wrap around your body and have many zippers/compartments, making it much harder for thieves to steal from you. And because of the difficulty required, you’re less of an easy target wearing one of these bags.
Here are some of my favorite anti-theft bags:
- Roulens Crossbody Bag for Women
- Travelon Women’s Messenger Bag
- Travelon Women’s Anti-theft Classic Mini Shoulder Bag Sling Tote
- MINTEGRA Shoulder Handbag
- VADOO Sling Bag – For Women & Men
#2: Keep bookbags strapped to the front of you instead of the back.
If you can’t purchase an anti-theft bag or happen to be carrying a bookbag, keep it in front of you when you’re out, especially if you’re riding public transportation. Bookbags are a HUGE target because they usually sit on your back, making it impossible to see if a pickpocketer is going through your bag.
Now, you may be thinking: I would surely feel if someone was in my bag. Unfortunately, this isn’t as easy as you might think. Pickpockets are very good at what they do and can sneak in and out without you knowing any better. By the time you notice something is missing, it’s too late.
So, it’s best to pull your bookbag in front of you so you can visibly see it.
However, there are anti-theft bookbags, which makes it much harder for thieves to steal from.
Check out these anti-theft bookbags here:
- Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Backpack
- SHRRADOO Travel Laptop Backpack
- CHERUTY Women Backpack
- Tzowla Travel Laptop Backpack
- Business Travel Anti-Theft Backpack
#3: Only take what is necessary with you.
A big way to prevent your items from being stolen is to avoid bringing them out. I recommend only bringing the essentials. This way, if something does get stolen, there’s only minimal damage!
You can save yourself a lot of headaches by only bringing what is necessary for your day. For instance, you don’t need your car keys. Can you imagine the hassle it would be if you brought those and they got stolen?! You would still have your keys if they were left behind.
So, do your best only to bring what is necessary for the day.
#4: Don’t carry too much cash & make sure all your money is in different areas.
Don’t carry a lot of cash on you. If your bag were to get stolen and you had a lot of money—or, Lord forbid, all of your money—you’d be in a pretty tough spot. So, it’s best to limit the amount of cash you carry.
Additionally, you don’t want to carry all your money in the same spot. Let’s say your bag gets stolen; if you had all your money in that bag, you wouldn’t have any money left. This is no bueno!
Instead, divvy up your money, putting some in your bag and some on your person.
#5: Hang out where the locals hang out.
Last on the list of safety tips in Madrid is to hang out where the locals hang out. With the city’s yearly tourism, tourists are an easy target for pickpockets, meaning that pickpockets are less likely to be where the locals are.
However, if this is your first time visiting Madrid, you will likely see all the tourist attractions during your trip. And I recommend seeing all these spots! Just remember that these tourist areas are high-risk for pickpockets, so when you can, hit up some local dining or shopping spots to lessen the threat of being stolen from!
General Safety Tips
Next are some general safety tips that can be implemented anywhere you travel. So, when visiting Madrid, definitely incorporate these with the tips mentioned above.
#1 Trust your instincts.
The number one rule when traveling and in life, in general, is to trust your instincts. Humans are more intuitive than we give ourselves credit for. Your body can tell when something isn’t right.
If something feels off, it probably is.
Now, this isn’t always the case, but if something feels off nine times out of 10, it probably is. And it’s much better to be safer than sorry. Your life is not worth risking to avoid looking silly or offending someone. So, if you feel that something is wrong, find a way to exit the situation or environment immediately.
#2: Do not resist if someone is stealing from you.
Your belongings are essential; I totally get that. Especially if that’s all you have with you in that country. However, YOU ARE WAY MORE IMPORTANT.
I can’t stress this enough – your life is more valuable than a few credit cards or a phone. These can always be replaced. I say all this to say: do not resist if someone is stealing from you.
You never know if someone has weapons or how dangerous someone else is. So, just hand over your items and then head to the nearest police department to report it.
#3: Blend in with the locals.
Wherever you go, you want to blend in with the locals as much as possible. Why? Pickpockets target tourists, so you are less of a target when you look like a local.
#4: Make copies of all your important documents.
The last tip in the ‘Is Madrid safe’ post is to make copies of all your important documents. This way, if you lose the hard copy of your documents, you will at least have some form of identification. So, be sure to make a few copies before your trip.
Safe Places To Stay In Madrid
While Madrid is safe, some neighborhoods are safer than others. So, for peace of mind, you want to stay in the safest areas in the city.
The safest neighborhoods to stay in Madrid are La Latina, Malasaña, Retiro, Salamanca, Chueca, Chamberi, and Huertas.
Below, I’ve listed some excellent, safe places to stay in Madrid, from super affordable to luxury.
📍7 Islas Hotel – Best Budget Hotel:
The 7 Islas Hotel is perfect for budget travelers who want to experience a calming yet comfortable stay in Madrid without breaking the bank. Located right in Madrid City Center, you’ll be close to several tourist attractions, restaurants, and more!
📍The Pavilions Madrid – Best Mid-Range Hotel:
The Pavilions Madrid hotel is in Chamberi, one of the safest neighborhoods in the city. It is also close to the metro station and has spacious rooms and a restaurant.
📍Hertiage Madrid Hotel – Best Luxury Hotel:
The Heritage Madrid Hotel in Salamanca offers this beautiful fairytale experience. If you’re looking for luxury, this hotel is for you.
If you want a complete list of the best places to stay in Madrid, check out my post on boutique hotels in Madrid here.
Getting Around Safely in Madrid
One of the top ways to get around in Madrid is public transport. Generally speaking, public transportation is safe. However, if you can avoid public transit late at night, do so. During the night, the metro becomes sketchy. Instead, consider grabbing a ride from a licensed taxi driver or a rideshare app like Uber.
Besides public transport, there are several other safe ways to get around the city, such as taxis, rideshare apps, and renting bikes or scooters. So, there are several options to choose from!
In my post about Uber in Madrid, I list all the different rideshare apps, bike and scooter rentals, and tips on using Uber. So, check out that post for more information on getting around safely in Madrid.
Safety in Madrid FAQs
Here are a few frequently asked questions about safety in Madrid.
Is Madrid friendly to tourists?
Yes, Madrid locals are friendly tourists! Be considerate of others and treat people like you would want to be treated, and you’ll be just fine.
Is Madrid or Barcelona safer?
Although Madrid is the capital of Spain and the larger city, it has a lower crime rate than Barcelona. Therefore, Madrid is a safer city.
However, if you adhere to this post’s safety tips when traveling to Barcelona, you shouldn’t run into trouble!
What is the safest area to stay in Madrid?
The safest neighborhoods to stay in Madrid are La Latina, Malasaña, Retiro, Salamanca, Chueca, Chamberi, and Huertas. So, check these out when planning your trip to Madrid.
What to do if robbed in Madrid?
The first thing you should do is cancel all credit and debit cards. Nowadays, you can quickly do this in your banking app(s) or by calling your bank directly. If you don’t have the phone numbers, the police station should have a list of numbers for various banks.
Second, you will want to file a police report for insurance purposes. The police department will likely not find the person who stole your belongings. However, you still want to file that police report so you have documentation to give to your insurance company.
Final Thoughts: Is Madrid Safe?
As you can see, Madrid is a very safe destination to visit. But you should remember to be aware of your surroundings, trust your gut, and use good judgment. These essential tips and specific safety in Madrid tips will set you up for success.
Additionally, with these safety tips, you will surely have a wonderful time in Madrid. If you’re looking for things to do in Madrid, check out my two-day itinerary for Madrid or my post on non-touristy things to do in Madrid.
Stay blessed, lovelies! Wishing you happy & safe travels.
~Jacquelyn
The topic of this post is: Is Madrid Safe?
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