Madrid is a very safe city. The police are visible, and the city is equipped with cameras. There are always a lot of people in the streets, even at night time, so you can walk across the city without fear. Travelers who remain aware of their surroundings, and keeps an eye on their belongings will have little to worry about.
Madrid has a fair amount of nonviolent pickpocket crime so always watch any bags you have with you especially in the underground and busier public spaces. And for your own safety regarding belongings; do not fall asleep in the metro or thiefs will steal as much as they can from you.
Be careful when carrying luggage, especially if anyone approaches you with an outspread map in hand asking for directions. This may very possibly be a trap to distract you while an accomplice steals your luggage.
When using ATM machines, be aware of your surroundings, just as you would anywhere. Bring a friend if you need to withdraw cash after dark. If someone approaches you while using an ATM, simply hit CANCELAR, retrieve your card and move on.
Have fun when going out, but do avoid drinking too much, and keep an eye on your drink. Beware of thieves preying on people leaving night clubs who have had a lot to drink. Try not to bring valuables on a night out with you.
Beware of a women who approaches you and asks you to write down your signature: it is normally for a "sick hospital" unit, and she will point out the "stamp" on the paper. She will then ask for a generous donation of €20 or more.
Avoid people offering masaje (massages). Be firm and say "No me toque" (Don't touch me) or "No tengo dinero" (I don't have any money) and keep walking. This is often a scam to extort money.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Madrid
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Madrid - updated Apr 2024
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Madrid Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
