Spain is a beautiful country, and this guide to the best time to visit Madrid travel guide has essential info for solo travel in Spain.
Incredible history, culture, food, and architecture can be experienced throughout the country, especially in its capital of Madrid. They say Madrid never sleeps, and this exciting city lives up to its reputation—traveling solo in Spain is an unforgettable experience. Regardless of your Madrid travel preferences, the city doesn’t disappoint.
As someone who’s spent time in Madrid, these are my top Madrid traveling tips to have the best solo travel Spain experience possible.
Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?
The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing
Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.
Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies.
Best Time to Visit Madrid Travel Guide
You’ll have an incredible sense of freedom if you decide to solo travel in Spain, and there are some essential things every Madrid visitor should do—it wouldn’t feel right to skip them. Make room in your solo travel Spain itinerary for one day in Madrid, and stay at one of the best boutique hotels in Madrid.
Royal Palace
You can’t travel to Madrid and not visit the Royal Palace. Madrid’s Royal Palace is the largest in Europe, with over 3,000 rooms, most of which are open to the public. You can buy a guided tour ticket or walk around alone but don’t miss the throne room, Royal Armoury, and all the fantastic art. You’ll be left speechless by the palace’s lavish interior!
Quick Tip: Book accommodation, tours, and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress.
Best Madrid Tours: Click here to check out the top Madrid tours
Best Madrid Accommodation: Click here to check out the best accommodation in Madrid
Best Madrid Transport: Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in Madrid
Temple of Debod
Once you’re done with the palace, head north to find the stunning Temple of Debod. The Temple of Debod is a genuine Egyptian temple built in the second century AD. What’s it doing in Madrid, you ask? It was a gift from Egypt as a sign of gratitude for Spain’s help in constructing a dam. The temple is in a park, surrounded by water, and is quite a magical sight.
Gran Via
Close to the temple is Gran Via, which you should walk through to experience Madrid’s authentic vibe. This bustling street is full of people, shops, cafes, and street performers. You can feel the city’s pulse here, perfect for people-watching and shopping.
Plaza Mayor
From Gran Via, head to Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s main square. It’s a beautiful area and another excellent place for people-watching, but be warned that the coffee here gets pricey. I found it highly charming that the buildings surrounding the square are residential, making the place feel more homely.
Retiro Park (Parque del Retiro)
Retiro is the most popular park in Madrid. This property used to belong to the royal family, and it shows! Some of the highlights are a central lake, beautiful greenery, an intriguing pavilion, and a gorgeous old tree planted in 1633.
Prado Museum
Next to Retiro Park is arguably the most essential place to visit in Madrid, the Prado Museum. This is one of the most famous and largest museums in the world, with numerous priceless pieces from artists like Goya, Rembrandt, Botticelli, Rubens, and others. The museum was founded in 1819 and is an absolute must on every trip to Madrid, and the ticket prices are pretty affordable at just 15 euros.
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
This impressive stadium is home to Real Madrid, one of the world’s most illustrious and successful football clubs. Take a tour to learn more about the club’s impressive past and peek into the trophy room to see replicas of the Champions League trophies.
Is Spain Safe for Solo Female Travelers at Night?
Madrid is famous for its vibrant nightlife scene, making it a great nighttime place. If you use common sense and stay aware of your surroundings, you’ll have a great time partying in Madrid. The La Latina neighborhood has a fairly relaxed vibe and is home to some of the best tapas bars in Madrid, where you can sit down for dinner.
Malasana is another part of the city to visit for a night out, as it’s a favorite for local young people. There are many parties, and the main square (Plaza Dos de Mayo) is great for foodies. For LGBT+ travelers, there are many Madrid gay bars and clubs, ranging from cozy cocktail bars to mega-clubs.
You can take exciting nighttime tours if you’re not up for partying. The one about the Spanish Inquisition was fascinating, with plenty of incredible ghost stories. There’s also a walking tour with a flamenco show, which seems like a great thing to do when you solo travel to Madrid.
Getting From the Airport to Downtown
If you’re traveling solo in Spain and need to get from the Madrid Airport to the city center, don’t worry—there are two metro station terminals next to Baraja Airport, and Line 8 connects directly to the city center. The trains are five minutes apart, so you’ll never wait long for one.
Apart from that, there are many options, like specialized airport transfers, the Airport Express bus, and a taxi. You can also rent a car at the airport or use Uber. For me, the Metro was perfect to travel Madrid.
There’s also a nice little hotel near the airport called UVE Alcobendas.
The form you have selected does not exist.
How to Travel Madrid Alone Using Public Transportation
Madrid city buses are blue—generally, one ride will cost around two euros. While this is a great deal, you can do better by buying a pack of 10 tickets for 12.20 euros.
There’s also Uber—in Madrid, the company’s drivers must have special licenses meant for professionals. Therefore, not everyone can drive for Uber in the city, which helps maintain a high standard of service. Also, if you’re a woman traveling solo in Madrid, you can feel more relaxed knowing your driver is a professional.
Consider trains to take a day trip from Madrid—I found them just as safe and efficient as the cars and buses.
Quick Tip: View my full Europe packing guide here.
Madrid Travel Guide: Where to Stay
Madrid has many excellent hotels built in the 19th century that have been renovated perfectly. Principal Madrid is the perfect example—not only is it from 1917, but it also offers a spectacular view from the rooftop bar.
The 4-star Hotel Preciados is located in a building from the 19th century and is another excellent example of what the city’s hotels offer. Meanwhile, B&B Hotel Madrid Centro Fuencarral 52 has three stars, provides exceptional value, and is also in a 19th-century building. Incredible, right?
As for hostels, SabiaNatura is the most popular choice in the city center.
Looking for somewhere to stay? Check out these options!
Pestana CR7 Gran Vía Madrid
Nuevo Hola Madrid BIS
Collection Plaza de España
Spain Solo Travel Safety Tips
Is Spain safe for solo female travelers? I felt perfectly safe in Madrid—the people are friendly and welcoming, and you can enjoy the city with minimal worries. Madrid is considered a relatively safe solo travel Spain destination.
Be aware that pickpockets are common, so keep everything nearby and consider buying an anti-theft wallet or bag. Be mindful of your purse, phone, and other essentials. The Lavapies neighborhood isn’t recommended for tourists, especially at night, and Retiro Park should be avoided after dark, too.
When is the Best Time to Visit Madrid?
If you’re convinced to plan a trip, you’re probably wondering what the best time to visit Madrid is. Fall and spring are the top times to visit Spain for comfortable temperatures. This gives you plenty of freedom to explore Madrid’s top sights without overheating!
Madrid Travel Guide Planning
🚗 Where can I book bus or private transportation while I’m traveling?
I strongly recommend using Bookaway. You can book almost all transport in the major tourist destinations through them online. They don’t just cover buses they also cover shuttles, ferries, and private drivers.
🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours?
I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options!
👩⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?
I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance.
I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here
✈️ Any flight recommendations?
WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.
📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?
I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.
With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using eitherAirhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.
🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?
The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.
🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?
I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.
Best Time to Visit Madrid: Final Thoughts
Madrid is definitely worth visiting in Europe, and I hope this Madrid travel guide has been helpful. The city is full of life, history, culture, and fascinating architecture that is sure to inspire. These Madrid traveling tips are all you need for an unforgettable Spanish vacation. Don’t forget to check out my packing advice for Europe.
About the Author:
Anca is the founder and chief editor of One Day Itinerary, a travel blog dedicated to those who want to make the most of their time in a new city, even if they only have one day there. She has traveled worldwide, so she can tell you the dos and don’ts of almost every major city. She’s already done so in her blog posts.
