Is Madrid Safe To Visit?
Are you planning a trip to Madrid? Moving to Madrid? Then it is understandable why you would want to know how safe it is in Madrid. I have lived in Madrid for nearly ten years, and I will give you as much information as I can, along with some tips on how to stay safe in Madrid so you can feel at ease.
Madrid is a really popular destination for tourists and expats, and with any big city there are crime rate and safety concerns. Madrid is the centre of all things popular and millions of people visit the city every year, so there will always be opportunists, you just have to know what to look out for.
So is Madrid safe? Read this article to learn what to watch out for, stats about Madrid crime rates, areas in Madrid to avoid, and how to stay safe in Madrid in general.
Is Madrid Safe For Tourists?
From my own experience of travelling to Madrid for years, and eventually living here, I would say that Madrid is absolutely safe for tourists. But, like every big city you have to take your precautions. It is good to have an overview of the systems in place to keep people safe, then do your best to go with the advice and stay safe.
Madrid is a very popular destination for travellers, and this will attract scammers and crooks, but you can keep yourself safe by being aware of what dangers there are and how to avoid them.
Tourism is a big earner for Spain, so the police are very vigilant and take tourist safety very seriously. They know where the problem areas are, and are always present in numbers and the crooks are also aware of this, so it is kept to a minimum.
You are most likely to be a victim of a petty crime when you are caught unaware in a crowd, lose concentration and get distracted. As long as you stay aware, take into account the tips for staying safe in Madrid, you will be just fine and feel safe throughout your trip.
Crime Rates In Madrid
In terms of crime rates, Madrid is one of the safest cities in Europe. The crime rates in Madrid are low, with the most reported crimes being burglary, theft and pickpocketing. These are the types of crimes you need to be conscious of no matter when you are travelling to.
Compared to other cities like London or Paris, the rates of violent crimes like assault and robbery, Madrid is safer by leaps and bounds. Petty crimes do still happen though, especially when you are in really busy pockets of the centre, so keep your eyes peeled and your belongings safely tucked away.
In all the years I have lived here, me and my family have always felt safe in Madrid. Sure, we are always careful with our backpacks, making sure they are zipped, not having my wallet in my back pocket when we are walking through the centre of Madrid. As long as you take simple precautions, you will be safe in Madrid.
Police Presence in Madrid
To give you peace of mind if you are asking yourself ¨Is Madrid safe?¨, there is a strong police presence in the city. Both the national and municipal police are in charge of the safety and security of the people in Madrid, and they take this seriously and do a very good job.
You will often see the police patrolling the streets in Madrid, more so in the central, touristic areas of the city. You can see their vigilance and they don’t just stand around doing nothing, they actively make you feel more comfortable by addressing areas with pickpockets and the like.
I am from London, and in comparison the police here in Madrid are very well trained and come across as more secure in turn making me feel safer. It can take up to 2 years to become a police officer in Madrid, and the mental and physical tests are very difficult, so the end result is a very competent police force making Madrid one of the safest cities in the world.
Safety on Public Transport In Madrid
Wondering if the metro is safe in Madrid? If you are travelling to Madrid and planning on using the Metro then this is a good question, and in short yes, the Metro in Madrid is very safe. But always make sure you keep your valuables tucked away, no need to tempt faith.
If you have been to London, you have travelled on the dreaded tube network, Madrid has a much better underground system. The trains and stations are modern, clean, spacious and most of all, very safe.
The Madrid metro has its own security guards, and this may seem a little odd when you see it for the first time, but it makes the Madrid metro safer than almost any other network in the world.
You will see security guards travelling in pairs boarding the trains and walking through the carriages every few stops. They are also present on the platforms throughout the metro network. The security guards are dressed in very noticeable clothing so you can always approach them if you have any concerns.
I have never had any altercations on the Metro and always felt safe travelling in Madrid. You can get the odd drunk person on the Metro, but the Metro over here is very well controlled, and you will see security board the metro a few stops down and politely remove any trouble makers.
So overall I would say the Madrid Metro is the safest public transport network I have ever used, and continue to do so on a daily basis.
Pickpocketing in Madrid
Tourists are targeted throughout Europe by pickpockets, and the same is true for Madrid. Pickpocketing in Madrid is definitely something you need to be aware of, and this is true for any major city.
The obvious things like Phones, Wallets and Bags are targeted, but you can keep yourself safe in Madrid by being aware and avoiding certain situations. Especially when in the centre in crowded squares like Puerta del Sol, when visiting crowded markets, and when on the Metro.
The pickpockets in Madrid tend to be pretty young, teenagers, and operate in groups. Someone will try and distract you with a question, or bump into you, the usual signs of someone trying to pickpocket you. Here are a few tips to avoid getting pickpocketed in Madrid.
Be aware of your surroundings: You are having a good time visiting Madrid, so you may be a little caught up, but always be aware of your surroundings. Before you visit crowded attractions, markets, shopping districts, check you have all your valuables in a safe place.
Use a Money Belt: These are not just for spy movies, but actually very useful to have. Use a hidden pouch to keep your valuables like passport, cash and credit cards safe.
Hide your Valuables: Though crime rates in Madrid are low, you don’t want to advertise to everyone that you have valuables. Keep your camera’s. Valuable watches, jewellery etc out of sight, don’t give anyone reason to become the target.
Don’t leave belongings unattended: This is an obvious precaution, but you could be sitting there having a coffee and you leave your mobile on the table. Before you know it, someone is asking you for directions by placing a huge map over your table and you don’t realize they are actually stealing your phone.
Don’t get distracted: The oldest trick in the book for a pickpocket is to distract you whilst someone else takes something from you. If someone approaches you when sitting at a terrace, ordering at a fast food restaurant, or just walking down the street, be aware. Take a step back and give yourself space and time to gather your thoughts and see if the request is genuine.
Do not use unregistered taxis: What we know as moonlighting, do not ever do this. This is not reserved to Madrid, but no matter where you are travelling to, never get in an unmarked vehicle to save a little money.
Tips For Staying Safe In Madrid
Wear your backpack to the front: This is a very simple yet useful tip to keep your belongings safe when travelling. I always wear a backpack, and even forget at times, and this is how you get pickpocketed.
If you carry a backpack with all your important stuff, when you are in crowded areas, wear it the other way around to the front. This way no one can unzip or reach into your bag without you seeing it, thus keeping all your belongings safe. Makes it easier to reach for your water bottle too!
Keep copies of your documents: Having a valid form of I.D with you is required in Spain, and though not strictly enforced, it can come in handy if you need it. You can use photocopies, a picture on your phone, or even store copies of your documents in your email or cloud.
This way, you can leave the original in the hotel safe, and always have a digital copy. Even if you have the original in your bag, it’s safer to show a copy. Sometimes you take something out of your bag and you just never see it again.
Travel relaxed but be cautious: Yes, Madrid is a safe city, but never let caution go. As a tourist, you are a potential target no matter when you go. Don’t get distracted in crowds, have a plan and don’t be disorientated, keep your valuables safe and don’t make yourself an easy target.
Do not carry everything with you: If you are staying at a hotel and have a room safe, then use it. Do not carry all of your valuables with you at all times as this increases the risk of losing everything on one go. If you do not have a safe, then before travelling to Madrid, you should probably leave behind the Rolex and the gold chain.
Keep your wallet/purse out of easy reach: Most people carry their wallets and purses in similar places, and pickpockets know this. Instead of keeping your wallet in your back pocket, put it in the tighter front pocket of your jeans. Invest in a wallet that comes with a loop and chain and clip it to your belt.
Better yet, get yourself a travel wallet you hang around your neck, this way it makes it pretty impossible to get pickpocketed. If you have a backpack, get yourself a little padlock for the zips, or get a roll top bag that is a lot harder to open without your knowledge.
Be careful in crowds: This is where common sense kicks in. If you are in a crowded area, there are going to be more opportunities for someone to get closer and touch you without you realizing. Check all your belongings before you go through a crown, and keep your hands on your pockets, and make sure your bag is closed the whole time.
Avoid dark, narrow and empty streets: You have seen enough tv and heard enough stories to know to avoid these. If you see a shortcut through a tiny street that has no lighting, then you probably should not walk down there. Probably nothing will happen, but being safe is all about minimizing risk.
Get yourself some travel insurance: We never feel like getting travel insurance is worth it, but you don’t know how valuable it is until something happens. We had an expensive pushchair stolen once, and without the travel insurance it would have been really hard to afford another one.
Travel insurance is for the unexpected, lost luggage, travel delays, stolen valuables. You want to have the peace of mind that if something happens that will cost a lot of money, you have the correct coverage so you don’t end up in a situation where you have to deplete your holiday budget.
Frequently asked Questions:
What to do if you get Pickpocketed in Madrid?
Pickpockets in Madrid are not violent, and if caught in the act will just run away from their unsuccessful attempt. However, these things can happen and put a sour note on your trip, but if it does happen to you, you should report it.
If you have taken all the precautions but still have something taken from you, then the likelihood of you getting it back is low, but you should still register this at a local police station. Or if you see a police officer approach them as most have a basic level of English and will help you.
If something valuable of yours gets taken, you will need to have a report of the theft if you wish to claim this from any insurance you may have. The process is pretty simple, you go to the police station, let them know what happened and you get a paper with a crime reference.
Is Madrid safe for solo female travellers?
Overall, Madrid is considered to be a safe city for solo female travelers. I have three daughters myself, and I feel confident that they are safe when out with friends, but there are still some necessary precautions you should take to ensure your safety in Madrid:
Stay in a safe area: Choose a safe area to stay in when visiting Madrid. If you are travelling to Madrid alone, you want to stay as close to the centre as you can. This area is well lit throughout the night, and there are always other groups of tourists on the streets.
Avoid walking alone at night: If you do have to go anywhere alone at night, you want to stick to the main roads that are well lit and busy with other people. Avoid small streets and poorly lit areas.
Use public transport wisely: The trains are safe, but you still want to be careful if you are travelling alone in Madrid at night. Keep your belongings safe and close at all times. A good tip is to sit in the first carriage of the train as the driver is right there and you can literally knock if you don’t feel safe.
Use Common sense: The most valuable resource of all. Do not carry all of your valuables with you all of the time, and always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.
As long as you are taking the necessary precautions, Madrid is a safe city for Solo female travelers.
Is Madrid safe at night?
All the information I give you is based on my experience of living here. My experience tells me Madrid is safe at night, and I have been out at all hours of the morning and evening.
I go for long runs, and I like to go when it is dark, so early in the morning or late at night. I am always cautious about my surroundings, but I have never had any trouble and always felt safe in Madrid at night.
If I go out with friends and we stay out until late, if the weather permits, I will always walk home and not feel like I need to be intimidated by anything. Of course, I will take the main well lit roads, but still take a shortcut where necessary not feeling like I am jeopardising my safety.
Madrid is a very safe city overall, so when night time comes the criminals don’t come out of the woodworks and make the city less safe. You just take the precautions you would take to keep yourself safe and the evening in Madrid is just as safe as the Day.
Stick to well lit areas, stay with a group where possible, don’t wander the streets blind drunk, keep your valuables safe and you will get home just fine.
Is Chamberi Madrid safe?
Chamberi is a very popular district for tourists visiting Madrid, and close to the heart of the city. For this reason, the streets are kept well lit, there is a constant police presence and always people out and about. So is Chamberi safe? I would say yes, a very safe neighborhood in Madrid.
Is Chueca Madrid safe?
Chueca is one of the best known party districts in Madrid. There are bars literally on every corner and in between. You can imagine that the opportunists will be around looking for drunk people who are less aware of their surroundings.
As long as you are taking the necessary precautions Chueca is perfectly safe day and night, and the people in the area are always nice. I work in Chueca and absolutely love the area, it’s so lively and vibrant. Just don’t get too drunk and avoid crowds of drunk people and you will be safe and sound.
Is Malasana Madrid safe?
Malasana is the most hip area of Madrid, full of people out having fun into the early hours of the morning. Malasaña is a very safe neighbourhood, everyone is there to have fun and you should feel comfortable here no matter the time of day.
However, like any other busy area in any major city you need to be cautious and take the necessary precautions to reduce risk.
Is Lavapies Madrid safe?
Lavapies is a melting pot of cultures, and reminds me a lot of East London where I am from. I actually love this area and feel at home here, but some locals have a different feeling about the area as there is a large African and eastern population here.
I feel this is more perception than reality, and I have sat in the park with a group of guys from Senegal who like to play drums and workout all day and had a great time. I can see how this can be unfamiliar and intimidating for some, but it is just a cultural difference.
Now, I will say that on the busy days where the Rastro market is present, be aware of pickpockets, but don’t avoid the area just because of the types of people that live here. Overall Lavapies is a safe neighbourhood. I go there all the time to buy some foods you can’t find anywhere else in Madrid and never feel intimidated.
One thing I will say that I don’t like about Lavapies, is the square around the Metro station at night. It is not unsafe, but you can get approached by people offering you certain types of products to change your state of mind, but other than this the area is great.
Is the Embajadores neighborhood in Madrid safe?
Embajadores is close to and similar to Lavapies. It is a safe neighborhood, you just need to take all the precautions we have spoken about in this article. It is a more touristic area of Madrid, and a lot more lively at night, so the risk may be a little higher, you just have to be a little more cautious to mitigate it.
Is Madrid safe at night around the airport?
I can tell you without doubt that the Madrid airport is very safe. The Barajas Airport in Madrid is a modern airport. There is a heavy police presence, the airport is always busy and well lit so you should feelñ perfectly safe when arriving at the airport.
When you arrive you are greeted by the police, the Airport is very clean and well kept. You can access all major transport links directly from the airport, taxis, trains, metro and feel safe and sound the entire time.
Is Alonso Martinez square in Madrid safe?
I spend a lot of time in this square, it’s just around the corner from the office. I will bring my lunch and sit here in the sunshine. The square is surrounded by bars, bakeries, and there are a couple little parks for kids to play in. It is a great place to be when the sun is out, sit down on one of the many terraces and enjoy.
Areas of Madrid that should be avoided?
Madrid is a big city with millions of people, and there are some places that you would be better off avoiding. All major cities have their less desirable areas.
This is not to say they are actually dangerous areas in comparison to most other European cities, but these are places I have felt a little uneasy in and would prefer to avoid hanging around at night:
- Case de Campo
- Puente de Valecas
- Entrevias
- Palomeras Bajas
- San Blas (some areas)
- Orcasur
Notice these areas are more on the outskirts and not directly in the centre. You will most like be in the centre of Madrid during most of your trip, but if you want to visit these areas during the day, you should have no worries at all and venture on over.
Is Madrid safe to live?
As I mentioned, I live here in Madrid and have three kids. I have never felt unsafe, and often am amazed that after living here for a decade I have never even come across people fighting. Sure, it happens, but so sparingly that I don’t ever think that I may be unsafe.
I always make sure my kids let me know where I am, I keep my belongings safe and know how to navigate the city. I didn’t always though, and even when I first moved here, the energy of the city never gives you cause for concern, you feel safe all of the time.
If you are thinking of living in Madrid, don’t let the safety concerns give you pause, it is a very safe city and all of my experience of living here has shown me this first hand.
Is biking in Madrid safe?
So here I may have a little to say. I don’t feel like Spanish drivers have fully accepted the integration of bicycles into the traffic system, so you need to be very careful. Spanish people drive pretty aggressively in general, and I can’t say I feel completely safe on a bike.
In the centre of Madrid people are more used to seeing bikes so it is quite a lot safer, but once you leave the centre, biking in Madrid is not so safe. You have to share the bus lanes, and the buses go pretty fast, the roads are big and wide, and no one has patience for cyclists.
If you are visiting Madrid, then biking in Madrid is safe as long as you are in and around the centre. I wouldn’t have the same confidence if you are going to be biking around the outskirts, so just be extra careful.
Are hostels in Madrid safe?
When choosing a hostel in Madrid, you will be very well served to read the reviews first. In general, the Hostels in Madrid are safe and have very good reputations, but you want to take all the precautions you can.
If you are staying at a Hostel in Madrid and sharing a room, then of course you want to be very careful with your stuff. Everyone else there is probably thinking the same thing, so your belongings will be safe in most cases.
Use any lockers you are provided with, also a lot of Hostels come with storage under your bed that you can lock. Choose a reputable hostel that has good reviews and you will be fine as long as you are careful and vigilant.
You do not have to be on edge all of the time though, as the Hostels here in Madrid are very well kept and for good reason, tourism is a big earner for the city, so they take care of tourists in Madrid.
Is Madrid Safe ? A final few words
In conclusion, we can say that no city will every be completely immune to safety concerns, but Madrid is pretty close and one of the safer cities you can travel to in Europe for tourists and residents.
Madrid has low crime rates, efficient and sage public transportation systems, friendly locals and a very well trained and efficient police force. The welcoming atmosphere is very hard to resist, you will feel this after you visit Madrid for the first time.
To be safe in Madrid, you just need to take the basic precautions outlined in this article and lean on your own travel experiences and you will have a great time. Avoid dark areas, be careful in crowds, keep your zips secure and enjoy all the fun and charm Madrid has to offer.
If you have any questions that were not answered in this article, feel free to contact me and I will be more than happy to help.