Hi there! I'm Matt Wilson, co-founder of Under30Experiences. I just returned from an amazing trip to Madrid and wanted to give you another travel safety briefing!
As the CEO of a tour operator, I am responsible for keeping thousands of travelers safe each year around the world. We have been operating trips to Spain for nearly a decade and have never had a problem, in part due to good preparation. I have been to Spain several times personally, and this time, I traveled with my wife and pre-schooler, so as you can imagine, I take travel safety very seriously!
You can read some of my travel safety articles on the places I’ve been recently including Dublin, Bogota, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Chile.
In short, Madrid is quite safe and one of the greatest cities in the world. However, it’s important to watch out for common scams, pickpockets, and petty theft. In college, I was approached by prostitutes on the street and had my camera stolen, so I can speak from experience that crime can indeed happen in Spain. I’ll walk you through all the necessary steps to keep you safe on your trip!
The biggest travel safety tip I can give you in Madrid is simple: keep your belongings locked up in the safe at your hotel! I went around with my phone, cash, and a secondary form of ID. I was pleased to see Apple Pay was accepted everywhere, which provides an even better level of security, keeping your credit card number safe.
Never keep anything in your back pocket; if you are carrying a bag, keep it in front of you, especially in crowded areas like Sol and Plaza Mayor.
Spain ranks number 23rd on the Global Peace Index, so in general, the country is rated as safe, but it’s important to be on the lookout for crime anytime you are in a major city. Read on to find out the do’s and don’ts I discovered over my last six nights discovering Madrid…
In this Guide to Safety in Madrid, you’ll learn:
- Is Madrid safe right now?
- What neighborhoods are safe to travel to in Madrid?
- What scams should I look out for?
- What is the safest way to get around?
- What activities are safe? What should I do in Madrid?
- Is the nightlife safe for travelers?
- Are there natural disasters?
- Is there ever political unrest?
- Do I have to worry about terrorism?
- What are the emergency numbers in Madrid?
- What hospitals and clinics should I go to?
- What health risks exist?
- Is the water safe to drink?
- Should I buy travel insurance?
- Should you travel to Madrid?
- Are group trips to Spain safe?
What neighborhoods are safe to travel to in Madrid?
On my recent trip to Madrid, I stayed with my family on Calle Atocha, in the center of Madrid. We were just a short walk to Sol, Plaza Mayor, and El Retiro Park. We had gorgeous off-season weather and had a fantastic time.
Barrio de las Letras, Barrio de la Latina, and Checa all felt very safe. However, these areas are very crowded, so watch your belongings!
I prefer to spend my time in Madrid outside of the most crowded tourist areas and in Recoletas, Salamanca, Castellana, and Chamberí. We walked past all the museums going up Paseo del Prado, Paseo de Recoletas, and Paseo de la Castellana. We walked the Golden Mile (Milla de Oro) along Calle Serrano on our way from the National Archeological Museum (MAN: Museo Arqueológico Nacional) to the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN: Muso Nacional de Ciencias Naturales).
In my research, I read that it was important to be careful around Lavapiés as muggings have recently increased. We didn’t go there, but it’s good to know.
Overall, I didn’t see too many homeless people or addicts begging on the street. Some people were sleeping in parks or on the street, but nothing like you’d see in US cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New York. I was only asked for money a few times and didn’t see too many people who (sadly) looked like zombies. I felt safer in El Retiro Park than in Central Park, New York where these encounters can be intimidating, especially for solo female travelers.
What scams should I look out for in Spain?
Pickpocketing
Pickpocketing is the main scam to look out for in Madrid. To finish the story about me in college… I was visiting a friend who was studying abroad, and it’s safe to say I was a little out in front of my ski tips indulging in Madrid’s vibrant nightlife. Against my better judgment, I was carrying my camera in my back pocket. I’ll never forget walking by a hostel, having a prostitute expose herself, and her friend bump into me and take my camera. Easy pickings!
If someone approaches you with a clipboard for a survey, be sure to protect your belongings. Never carry your belongings in your back pocket; only go out with items you can afford to lose. Pickpockets are professional scammers, so beware!
ATMs
There are ATMs everywhere on the street in Madrid, but I always feel safer going into the bank vestibule to withdraw cash. Madrid is safer than Paris or London, where robberies are more frequent, but I think it's best practice to go inside. Also, by going to a bank, you’ll have less chance of getting ripped off from the ATM. I withdrew at the ATM at my hotel in Madrid, and they told me it’d be a 15% surcharge + 8 euros to withdraw. Even though I pushed “decline,” they spit out my money anyway! My laziness cost me 40 euros!
What is the safest way to get around Madrid?
Uber and Taxis
To and from the Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, I took Uber for about 25-30 euros each way. You’ll probably see many advertisements for Cabify, the European ride-sharing service.
We had a nice ride in a Mercedes van via Uber from the airport, but we had to walk to the parking lot to be picked up. Next time, I’d probably just take a taxi from the cab stand. If you are a solo female traveler, I always suggest Uber as your ride is geo-tracked, and you have the handy Emergency Button.
I also recommend Uber Green, not just because it’s more eco-friendly but also because electric cars are newer and generally safer!
Madrid Metro
After dinner near the Natural Museum of Natural Sciences, we took the ”Metro de Mardid” back to the Atocha area. The metro was clean, organized, and safe. Someone happened to be in our car, telling their story about their journey as an immigrant begging for money, but it wasn’t too uncomfortable. I’m glad we rode public transportation on our trip, but I wouldn’t do it after 10 p.m.
Walking
Madrid is a fantastic walking city! Everywhere you look you’ll see amazing architecture, but of course, don’t wander down any dark alleys. I highly suggest strolling El Retiro Park and the Botanical Gardens! I put in 15-20K steps per day during my time in Madrid.
I’m sure it’s possible to somehow wander into a sketchy neighborhood, but I didn’t see any. Just use common sense–if things look unsafe, just turn around.
Busses
While I can’t speak to the Madrid bus system, everything I read said it was pretty safe. Again, just use common sense and always avoid waiting at dimly lit bus stops after dark alone.
What activities are safe? What else should we do in Madrid?
Eat
Food is a lifestyle in Madrid! We loved strolling the streets and stopping off at little tapas bars or “tabernas” (taverns). The Spanish lifestyle really prioritizes good food and spending quality time with people who you care about. Be sure to embrace “slow travel” during your time in España!
I can recommend a few places, like La Taberna de El Pimiento Rojo and this little hole-in-the-wall in Barrio de las Letras called Matilda. At Taberna El Alambique, I had a great three-course lunch served with red wine for just 15 euros. I also got a great cut of meat at Pampa Beef, a good little Argentinian place near Puerta del Sol.
I tried to get to Mercado San Miguel, but we went at lunchtime on a Saturday and found it too crowded. Instead, we went down the street and had a great meal. I’ll go off-peak hours next time.
See the following section for nightlife.
Shopping
Shopping isn’t my strong suit, but Spaniards are known for being well-dressed. As I mentioned earlier, my wife informed me that she loved the prices at the Golden Mile. Everywhere you look there were locally run boutiques.
My wife said that clothes and luxury items were much cheaper than in the United States and that you could get a nice refund on the VAT tax at the airport. It’s important to know that you’ll need your passport when you make your purchase so you can get the tax back at the airport. Be sure to arrive 30-60 minutes early because the VAT tax line (DIVA Validation Area) was extremely long!
Museums
You could spend weeks just visiting the museums in Madrid. We hit a few including the National Archeological Museum (MAN: Museo Arqueológico Nacional) and the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN: Muso Nacional de Ciencias Naturales). We were able to walk right in and visit MNCN on a Sunday for free at 5 pm. We also enjoyed the National Museum of Anthropology.
I’d love to go to the Reina Sophia Museum or the Muso de Prado but do your research and book in advance. There were massive lines at the Reina Sophia.
Here are a few more museums you could check out:
- Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
- Sorolla Museum
- Cerralbo Museum
- CaixaForum Madrid
- Lázaro Galdiano Museum
Another category of interactive places to visit is museums, which aren’t museums per se but are a good way to spend an hour. We visited Museo de la Luz (Museum of the Light) and Ikono, which have fun exhibits. Our daughter absolutely loved them, and they are good photo ops for people of all ages. Entrance to these types of places is usually about 15 euros per adult.
Shows
There are endless options for entertainment in Madrid! I took my wife to Teatro Flamenco Madrid. She absolutely loved it!
We also took advantage of being in such a cosmopolitan city and went to Cirque du Soliel in Puerta del Angel. Of course, this circus originated in Montreal, but the show was in Spanish. The show was just as incredible as the one we went to in Quebec.
Is nightlife safe for travelers?
If you are visiting Spain, it’s important to know that everything happens on a very late schedule. Most restaurants don’t open for dinner until 8 pm and nobody really goes out until close to 1 in the morning. My biggest takeaway from visiting my friend studying abroad in Madrid was not to start drinking at 9 pm as we did back home… you won’t last!
Also, keep in mind that Spain has a more mature drinking culture than the United States and Ireland for example, where binge drinking is more popular. It’s important to remember that the later into the night things go, the more risk you generally take on. Tourists from around the world participate in Madrid’s nightlife scene, so I imagine that visitors often cause problems. We were awoken at 3 am by some ruckus outside our hotel, which we learned the following day was a street fight. When alcohol is involved, you never know what to expect.
Just another quick note on dining in Spain... People love to eat dinner at restaurants outside in the many small squares (plazas) around Madrid. One thing that I was very conscious about was keeping my phone out of sight. I like to take my phone out of my pocket and put it face down on the table, but I definitely didn’t do this when dining on the street, as anyone could have just grabbed it and run away.
Are there natural disasters?
Madrid is generally safe from major natural disasters, but it does face some risks:
- Flooding – Heavy rains, especially in autumn, can cause flash floods. The city has flood action plans to mitigate risks.
- Wildfires – Forested areas around Madrid are at risk, prompting increased fire prevention efforts.
- Seismic Activity – Madrid experiences occasional minor tremors but is not in a high-risk earthquake zone.
- Extreme Weather – Heatwaves in summer and rare heavy snowfall, like Storm Filomena in 2021, can disrupt daily life.
Spain has national disaster risk reduction plans to enhance preparedness against these events.
Is there ever political unrest?
Madrid is the capital of Spain, and like any capital city, there are protests related to political events. We saw two very small protests: one in Puerta del Sol and the other in front of the Reina Sofia. There was a large police presence in both areas, and these protests were barely noticeable.
That being said, protests around the world can turn violent, so it’s best to steer clear of them.
Do I have to worry about terrorism?
Terrorism is uncomfortable to think about, but it should be considered. I used ChatGPT’s new reasoning model, and it ranked Madrid in the top five tourist cities at risk of terrorism along with New York, London, Brussels, and Paris. It’s important to know that Madrid has a history of terrorist attacks in public areas, including transportation hubs, so always be on the lookout for suspicious-looking behavior and random packages or bags left unattended by their owner. Also pay attention to passing vehicles, as there have been several European terrorist attacks that involved driving cars down the sidewalk and injuring innocent people.
Personally, I don’t like crowds, so when I visit main tourist attractions like Plaza Mayor and Sol I try to go off hours if possible to avoid large gatherings. Crowds are the most vulnerable areas for attacks. Keep your eyes and ears open; it’s best not to wear headphones. I always wear sneakers when I’m walking around as a tourist, and if I ever need to run or fight, I’m ready to do so. Additionally, it's important to follow the instructions of local authorities while exploring these areas.
What are the emergency numbers in Madrid?
In Madrid, the main emergency number is 112, which connects you to police, fire, and medical services and supports multiple languages.
Other key numbers:
- 091 – National Police (serious crimes)
- 092 – Local Police (traffic issues, disturbances)
- 061 – Medical emergencies
- 080 – Fire department
- 062 – Civil Guard (rural/highway emergencies)
Does 911 work in Madrid?
No, 911 is not officially recognized, so always dial 112 for emergencies.
Always file a police report when contacting the police during emergencies.
The US Embassy can be found at:
Calle de Serrano, 75, 28006 Madrid, Spain
Phone: +34 91 587 2200
Email: AskACS@state.gov (for U.S. citizen services)
Website: es.usembassy.gov
I always recommend that US citizens register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), that can contact your family and send you alerts in case of emergency.
What hospitals and clinics should I go to in Madrid?
The main hospital and emergency room near Madrid city center is Hospital Universitario La Paz. It is located at:
Hospital Universitario La Paz
Paseo de la Castellana, 261
28046 Madrid, Spain
Phone: +34 917 27 70 00
What health risks exist?
According to the US Center for Disease Control, health risks in Spain, including the popular Spanish islands, are very similar to the United States. The CDC simply recommends routine vaccinations. The water is clean to drink in Madrid.
Should I buy travel insurance?
It's always a smart move to have travel insurance! Unexpected issues can arise anywhere, so I recommend getting coverage to safeguard against trip disruptions, lost or stolen luggage, and medical costs, including medical care and medical evacuation.
This is just a quick note from my lawyers: "This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance." I will receive compensation if you decide to purchase through my links. I usually recommend Wanderwell, SafetyWing, and World Nomads for reliable options.
Should you travel to Madrid?
A resounding yes! Madrid is an incredible city, with lots to see and do. It’s very safe, so please go and enjoy! My wife says she sees us spending extended time in Madrid one day, and I don’t disagree.
Traveling to Madrid was a really nice change of pace, as most of my travels over the past few years have been around Latin America. Exploring various European countries and cities on this trip was a blast! Madrid is safer, more sophisticated, and much more beautiful than LATAM. If you are a non-native Spanish speaker like me and want to practice, people seem less likely to try to use their English than they are in the Americas.
I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Madrid and can’t wait to return. Although I used to say that Barcelona was my favorite city in the world, it might just be Madrid now!
Read More: Science-Backed Jetlag Tips from an Expert Travel Hacker.
Are group trips to Spain safe?
Group trips are one of the safest ways to travel. Solo travelers love group trips because they can travel solo but never actually be alone! This means you’ll have a local guide who speaks the language and can help keep you safe, and you’ll always have a travel buddy to do activities with! For travel advice, If you want to stay out late in Madrid, it’s really great if you have someone to walk home with!
Of course, I’m biased, but you should check out the Under30Experiences Spain trip for people ages 21-35, even if you just want to scope our itinerary. We also have trips for people in their 30s and 40s!
