Solo Female Travel in Madrid: A Local's Guide
¡Hola! I’m Lucy, someone who is lucky enough to call Madrid home. Eight years ago I visited the city as part of my carefully planned solo trip around Spain. Madrid was supposed to be a “quick stop before the beach.” Little did I know that I’d love it so much that five years later I would call it my home!
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway in Madrid or a longer adventure through Spain, I hope this guide gives you the confidence to experience the best of Madrid as a solo female traveler and maybe even fall in love with it the way I did!
Perhaps you’ll leave with a new favorite tapas bar, memories from a food tour, friends you met at a social event, or simply the confidence that comes from exploring a city on your own. Whatever your solo travel experience, I hope you’ll discover why solo female travel in Madrid is such a special experience!
Madrid is a fantastic city for solo female travel! Lucy, a Madrid resident who first visited the city as a solo traveler, gives us all her tips.
Why I Love Madrid as a Solo Female Traveler
Solo female travel isn't just about seeing a new city. It's about discovering what you're capable of. Madrid is the kind of place that lets you do exactly that! It's welcoming, easy to explore and full of opportunities to connect with people or simply enjoy your own company.
Madrid is a playground for all ages, and that’s exactly why I love it. There are endless things to do on every street corner. Getting to your next coffee stop, dinner or activity means wandering through a beautiful, picturesque, and vibrant city.
Madrid is a city that you can get lost in (in the best way!). Be sure to let time pass you by as you sip on your tinto de verano whilst people watching from a terraza table out in a plaza.
When traveling to Madrid as a solo traveler, be sure to visit the Madrid Rio park for these gorgeous views of the Royal Palace from the river!
Is Madrid Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
I almost take for granted feeling safe here as it just feels so ingrained in Madrid’s culture. In my experience, I’ve always felt comfortable walking back to my centrally located apartment by myself, whether it’s during the day or after a late dinner with friends.
This is a city where individuality is celebrated. People express themselves through fashion, music, art and the way they live their lives, and there's a refreshing sense that everyone is welcome. As a solo female traveler, I think that creates a really special atmosphere, as it’s not something I’ve experienced in every city I’ve visited.
My Perfect Weekend in Madrid as a Solo Traveler
Friday Evening : A Taste Of Madrid
I’ve just stepped off the plane in Madrid, freshened up in my hotel, and am ready to explore the city. The first thing I do is head to one of Madrid’s many museums. Whether you're admiring masterpieces by Goya at the Prado or standing in front of Picasso's Guernica at Reina Sofia, Madrid’s museums are wonderful places to explore at your own pace, making them perfect for solo travelers.
Museums work up my appetite for the most important part of the trip: a food tour! As it’s a Friday evening, Walk and Eat’s Evening Wine and Tapas Tour slots in perfectly. A tapas tour in Madrid is an ideal way to get a true taste of the city and to meet other travelers who I’d maybe even end up grabbing a cocktail with afterwards.
Learning all about markets in Madrid from the best during Walk and Eat’s Historic Madrid tour in La Latina.
Saturday: Parks, Culture and Local Favorites
I’d start my Saturday with a coffee and pan con tomate to fuel me for the day ahead! I love Panod, a café in the Chueca neighborhood, as they bake their own sourdough bread for their toasts and serve them with the tastiest tomatoes!
After breakfast I’d find a pop up exhibition to visit on the free app ‘Luma’, which lists all the events that are happening in the city.
Then I’d jump on the metro or a city bike down to the stop called “Pirámides” for an afternoon stroll by the Manzanares River. The river is where you’ll find locals spending their afternoons with friends, staying cool by the fountains in summer, reading under the trees or exercising on the gorgeous footpaths that lead into Casa de Campo.
The Casa de Campo is a beautiful and spacious park that is, in my opinion, too often overlooked by travelers! The fact that there are always lots of people walking or spending the day by the river means that you never feel alone, which is a bonus as a female solo traveler in Madrid.
If I have time, I would also soak in the atmosphere at La Ermita de la Virgen del Puerto where people gather to dance salsa and bachata by the river. There are open sessions throughout the weekend if you want to give dancing a go or you just simply watch. Everyone is always very welcoming!
La Ermita de la Virgen del Puerto: An ideal place for early-evening, outdoor dancing in Madrid!
I’d then head up to the best neighborhood to tapas hop: La Latina! A few of my favorite spots in the neighborhood are:
La Concha - The perfect spot tapas as a solo traveler as this busy bar serves individual-sized small plates. Be sure to have a vermouth, which they are famous for and comes in a martini glass. No tapas crawl in Madrid is complete without a glass of vermouth, one of the city's most traditional drinks!
Pez Tortilla - I’d also have a Spanish tortilla in Pez Tortilla. Spanish tortilla is a golden omelet made with egg, potatoes and onions. Simple ingredients, but when done right it’s delicious!!
Taberna Almería - The best spot for pinchos in La Latina! Pinchos are bite-sized snacks that are perfect if you're a solo traveler in Madrid and want to sample a range of flavors without ordering a large meal.
Mercado de la Cebada - Another favorite would be a small plate of papas con mojo in the Cebada Market. Papas con mojo (literally potatoes with sauce) are the Canary Island’s twist on Spain's typical dish patatas bravas. The sauce has a subtle kick to it and the potatoes are slightly salty and melt in your mouth! What more could you want?!
To fully explore the Mercado de la Cebada, one of Madrid’s most historic markets, join us on our Historic Madrid Market and Tapas Tour! Taste your way through the market, stop for tapas and end the day with the best paella in town.
Once I’ve had my fill of tapas, I’d then head to a jam session at Intruso Bar in the city center. Anyone can go up and sing, play an instrument or you can go along to simply enjoy some creative music! People from all over the world go alone or with friends, and it feels like a real community. It’s incredibly easy to spark up a conversation with others!
Tapas hopping, one plate at a time! Tapas are perfect for solo travelers in Madrid as the dishes are usually small so you can try multiple things, even when you’re on your own.
Sunday: A Slow, Madrid-Style Wander
Sunday is family day for Madrid locals and the thought of work the next day is the last thing on their mind. It’s a day to take it slow and wander the beautiful streets of Madrid and see what you stumble across.
I’d take this day as a chance to visit the Royal Palace and its gardens and take in the sights in the historic center of Madrid. I would also head back to La Latina to experience the famous Rastro Flea Market. It gets busy there so I’d wander through the backstreets. Start on Calle Santa Ana, turn onto Calle Rodas and end up in an antiques gallery called Nuevas Galerias del Rastro where the true hidden gems are!
One of my favorite spots just down the road from the Rastro is Sala Equis. Once an old cinema, it’s now a unique bar and culture centre and there is live music every Sunday at 2pm.
Sunday would also be a great day to indulge in Madrid’s most famous sandwich: the bocadillo de calamares at La Campana. Don’t let the line put you off! It’s worth the wait for this iconic fried calamari sandwich. The line at Campana is designed to move quickly and you can take a peak at the beautiful Plaza Mayor while you wait.
I’d get the sandwich to go and eat it whilst I finish off my weekend watching the sunset from the Templo de Debod or the Royal Palace looking over Casa de Campo and the mountains. ¡Perfecto!
The hill on Calle Factor overlooking Madrid’s Cathedral and the Royal Palace is one of the best places to watch the sunset in Madrid!
The Madrid Neighborhoods I Keep Coming Back To
La Latina
There’s a reason why I chose this as my neighborhood to live in! La Latina has an incredible tapas scene and buzzing atmosphere. It’s famous for its lively streets full of tapas bars, it’s central location and the vibrant nightlife.
One of my favorite spots in the neighborhood is the indoor market called Mercado de la Cebada. Back in England, everyone always talks about how juicy and large the tomatoes are in Spain, and in this market you can witness them for yourself!
The ingredients sold here are fresh and colorful and there’s also many independent stalls to wander around. The market has a real community feel so you’ll find shopkeepers talking amongst themselves across their counters and sharing produce. It feels like you’re really in the heart of Spain!
La Latina is also one of Madrid’s most historic neighborhoods. I loved learning about how Madrid evolved from a tiny village to the capital of an empire on Walk and Eat’s Historic Madrid Market and Tapas Tour.
On this tour we wandered the most ancient streets and plazas and stopped for an aperitivo and the best tomatoes of my life in the Cebada Market. We got a crash course on Madrid’s iconic tapas and ended the day with a paella!
Tucking in to delicious vermouth and juicy, locally-grown tomatoes on Walk and Eat’s Historic Madrid Market and Tapas Tour!
Las Letras
This neighborhood is where you’ll find the best museums in Madrid! The Prado Museum, The Reina Sofia and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid’s big three museums, are all in the Barrio de las Letras. These must-visit museums are surrounded by quiet streets, local bars and great restaurants.
If you’re looking to take home something unique, this is a great neighborhood to find gorgeous Spanish ceramics. The shop Morueco Ceramicas is my go-to.
Also be sure to visit the local Anton Martin Market. You can buy some local goods such as olive oil and paprika inspired by things you tried on the Walk and Eat tour! The Anton Martin Market is a great mix of produce stalls where locals buy their weekly fruit and vegetables, stalls selling gourmet Spanish ingredients and independent international food stalls!
Malasaña
Malasaña is the heart of independent cafes, live music and nightlife! People spend the day relaxing here in one of its many plazas, getting lost in the colorful streets and heading to Calle Fuencarral for a bit of clothes shopping. It’s the neighborhood where you’ll find a cafe, independent boutique or vintage store on every corner.
To explore the modern history of Madrid while indulging in incredible tapas and local wines, check out Walk and Eat’s Evening Wine and Tapas Tour! This experience visits 4 locally loved tapas bars throughout the Malasaña neighborhood.
Wandering the colorful streets of the Malasaña neighborhood is a must-do as a solo female traveler in Madrid. Just don’t forget to look up as the buildings are beautiful!
Chamberí
If you’d like to experience the more residential side to Madrid, Chamberí is a great area to visit. It’s very local and stylish and a great place to have a menu del día (a great value 3-course lunch that is traditional on weekdays).
From Chamberí you can also wander over to Parque del Oeste, another underrated green space in Madrid. On Sundays the roads around the park are closed off to traffic so you can pick up a city bike or take a relaxing walk through nature. Again, there’s always people around in this neighborhood so you’ll never feel alone!
A Local’s Tips for Solo Travel in Madrid
1. Embrace Madrid’s Rhythm
There’s no rush in the morning to get out and about. Madrid’s 300 days a year of sunshine means you’ve got the whole day to explore. Most breakfast spots and shops will not open until 10am!
Book your dinner reservation no earlier than 8pm. Most restaurants’ kitchens don’t open before 8pm unless they specifically cater to visitors rather than locals. Sit at the bar by yourself with a glass of wine and experience dinner like a local.
Finally, embrace the terraza culture by picking a seat at an outdoor table and people watching into the early evening! Restaurant tables often spill out onto the sidewalks and plazas, so you'll feel right in the heart of the city's everyday life.
Celso y Manolo is a great tapas bar in Madrid for solo travelers. Their famous tomato salad is a winner!
2. Learn the Art of ‘Callejear’
The fact that there is a verb that means “to wander the streets” shows how important it is in Madrid. It is not a city to simply tick off the “must see spots” it’s all about being in the moment.
Better yet, the streets themselves are beautiful! Don’t forget to look up at the historical buildings and typical Spanish apartments with balconies decorated with houseplants and twinkly lights.
3. How to Meet People in Madrid
Madrid is a very sociable city so you’ll find it very easy to meet people if you’re open to it. Joining a food tour like one of the great ones by Walk and Eat I mentioned above is a brilliant way to start your trip. You'll not only discover local food and wine, but you'll also instantly have something in common with the people around you.
If you’re staying a little longer, keep a lookout for community events, language exchanges and jam sessions on the Luma App, Facebook groups or Meetup. Madrid has a way of making solo travelers feel welcome and it’s very normal to arrive at a local bar by yourself and get talking to others over a coffee or a vino.
Enjoying an evening of music at a free jam session in the Chueca neighborhood.
4. Get Around Like a Local
One thing I hope you take away from this article is that Madrid is a very walkable city. And as a solo female traveler, you can do this whilst feeling safe. Walk as much as you can! You'll discover far more than you ever would from the back of a taxi.
Another fun way to explore is by using BiciMAD, Madrid's public bike-sharing system. You'll see the bike stations dotted all over the city. It's easy to sign up and rent one on the spot. It's a great way to explore a little further, especially along river or through some of the city's beautiful parks.
A BiciMad bike, Madrid’s electric bike share system, is the best way to get around the city!
So book the trip, wander without a plan, order that extra glass of wine, take the scenic route back to your apartment and say yes to the experiences that come your way. Madrid rewards curiosity, and some of the best moments are the ones you never planned. Go make it one to remember!