We are traveling to Madrid with children to visit the family of our exchange student. We are looking at hotels on the Gran Via. We will be out late several nights during our trip. Is it safe to travel late at night on and around the Gran Via ? Some travel books have implied that it is not. <BR>Thank you

Well, I live in New York and the Gran Via didn't scare me at all. Apparently the only bad thing about it are the prostitutes and drug dealers, but these are par for the course in many large cities. The Chueca district was scarier as it wasn't well lit. Just be smart. Don't carry a purse or easily removed bag. Put your money and credit cards in a safe place, etc.

When we were in Madrid two years ago, we stayed at a hotel (the Carlos V) right off the Puerta del Sol, and wandered around there and the Gran Via at night, and I felt safer than I have in a lot of American cities. I'm sure there were some unsavory types around, but it was so busy and well-lit that I never felt threatened.

I have never encountered a problem on Gran Via- just be smart. Madrid is alive at night and there are people about 24 hours a day so you'll never be alone

Jeff, <BR>Think of the Gran Via as Madrid's Broadway-not nearly as "grand" a way as it used to be-a major thoroughfare filled with movie theaters, souvenir shops (stores selling LLadro and Majorica pearls abound), American fast food restaurants (but also Gula Gula), Spanish coffee shops with outdoor terraces, book and music stores, airline offices, hostals/pensions galore and some 3-4 star hotels. It's bustling at all hours, noisy, congested -certainly not Madrid's prettiest or most upscale avenue, but one that I walk up and down feeling safe. My favorite bookstore is on the Gran Via, and I've made countless trips over the years up and down this thoroughfare and have never had a problem. While it's not my favorite area for a stroll, I don't feel unsafe. What you do want to avoid, particularly at night are the streets to the north of the Gran Via: Fuencarral, Hortaleza, Ballesta, Barco and the very trendy but also seedy area around Chueca, where the nightclubs are very popular with the gay community but unfortunately where drug trafficking goes on as well.

Jeff: we stayed at the Carlos V many times and walked the Gran Via. No problems. The sector going away from the center towards the bullring might seem a bit creepy at night for a short few blocks, as I recall. Go.