madrid
 

My sister and I are thinking of taking a trip to Madrid in middle April..is a week there too much and should we consider day trips? If so where and also is Madrid a safe city for two women to travel to? If anyone could suggest things to do in Madrid and day trips, also good restaurants and accommodations I would really appreciate it. Thank you.

Segovia and Toledo are typical day trips from Madrid, although IMO Toledo offers too much for a day trip -- I thought it worth 2 full days and 2 nights. Avila can also be seen as a day trip from Madrid. Whether that will be "enough" for you and your sister, or whether it will be too much, depends on your interest in art. Art-lovers are likely to want 4 full days in Madrid. If you aren't into art, you might find 2 days sufficient.

A good guide book or two should prove invaluable.

I traveled through that area as a solo female and felt perfectly comfortable. Just take normal precautions.

Madrid is a relatively safe city for two women to be stomping around in. It all depends on how much you want to spend when shopping.

For things to do, beside dining in style, you should look at esMadrid.com to see what's happening during your time in the city. You'll find there is a lot to do, especially coming up to Holy Week.

Madrid abounds with great restaurants. If your budget is moderate, then I can highly recommend our favorite, Álbora, Jorge Juán 33 in the Salamanca Dist (http://en.restaurantealbora.com). You might even run into Robert Downey Jr. (a good look-a-like) slicing Jamón. David Garcia is one of the best chefs in the area. It's hard to get any better, but of course you can try.

I've travelled to Madrid twice for work, both times spending quite a bit of time on my own. It was totally fine. I have another trip planned on my own later this year. I never felt or thought I was in danger at all. You do have to watch for pickpockets and petty theft like you do in most cities.

Rober2533- what do you define as moderate? Thanks for the recommendation.

Perfectly safe.
My first suggestion is to get your bearings by relaxing the first day.Take the on/off bus tour of Madrid.The ticket is good for 24 hrs-Madrid looks great lit up at night!

Wandered alone and no problem..Keep eyes open and be aware of surroundings as in any place you go!!!

My sister-in-law was not perfectly safe when she was violently mugged on a Sunday morning in front of Atocha station and muggings, rare in most of Europe can always happen here.

Chances of being mugged - very small and smaller with certain precautions - don't wear the family jewels, etc.

I was in the Madrid tourist office on the Royal Place and the staff lady there was talking to an American lady and advised her to take off her jewelry because it could cause a theft, etc.

Madrid along with Barcelona are the most street crime against tourists cities in Europe - just Google Muggings and Madrid and see what comes up.

Now that you know there is a real problem - and it always raised my hackles when anyone says 'perfectly safe' because that means you can let your guard down - no you can't but a few precautions can lessen the problem of being victimized greatly - avoid dark unpopulated areas at night - again carry all you valuables in a secure under your clothing money belt - never wear a day pack - that was my sister-in-law's cause - the mugger - probably one of the many immigrant drug addicts in Madrid - tried to get her day pack off and she wanted to let him but she ended up in the gutter bloodied and bruised.

Be aware of anyone coming up to you - unfortunately usually for no good reason - the so-called diversion tactic with crooks working in pairs.

So no reason for two ladies not to be safe in Madrid but realize that there are precautions you must take to avoid being a target.

and 5 days for me would be too long in Madrid - but the day trips on its door step are astounding - Toledo, Segovia, Avila, Aranjuez, the Spanish Versailles, etc. all an easy train ride away.

Again I do not want to scare you off of Madrid but whenever I see 'perfectly safe' I feel that is misinformation that could well lead to folks letting their guard down.

Madrid is NOT perfectly safe and probably no place is but be wise and then be save.

Knowing about the problem greatly lessened the chance of being victimized.

As of late, there has definitelt been an increase in police presences.I saw it around Atocha,Puerta del Sol and the museums.I even saw police on horeseback on the pedestrian streets!

I think there can be more crime late at night around a lot of train stations in lots of cities, actually. It's not a good place to be hanging around outside.

I've always felt safe in Madrid, but I think Palenque has a point. Don't wear jewelry, even inexpensive stuff that could be mistaken for real stuff. Use common sense about dark alleys and questionable areas.

I carry a large purse with zipper compartments, but I don't put very much money in it, and I keep it zipped up. (Twice when I've left it unzipped, I've had Spanish women--perfect strangers--advise me to zip it closed. I didn't tell them that I don't keep anything important in my purse. I appreciated their concern.) Mostly I keep my guidebook, maps, etc., in it.

I ALWAYS wear a money belt under my top for my big cash and my credit and debit cards. I also keep my passport in it, but that's probably not necessary.

When I'm walking on a busy street, I tend to keep my purse on the side away from the street, and in fact, I walk closer to the buildings than to the street because I've heard that in some cities, guys on motor bikes can zip up, grab your purse, and be off before you can react.

I'd also advise you to loop your purse strap around the leg of your chair if you're in a sidewalk cafe, so that it can't easily be grabbed.

Keep your hands at all times on your electronics. Don't put them down for a second, especially in a busy, congested area.

Electronics... buy a cheap small old style phone and leave your smart phones at home.

chapla - I hope they are really trying to end or perhaps have largely ended the spate of street crime in Madrid (and Barcelona) as for years nothing seemed to be done - same old reports - including many on Fodor's about being pickpocketed or even mugged - so maybe recently it is all better.

But with the Spanish economy in the tank and desperate unemployed immigrants who may also be drug addicts may be more desperate than ever.

Again I don't want to say do not go to Madrid as even if you take no precautions your chance of being victimized is small but not non-existent but with warnings you will be very safe - if you use a dollop of common sense.

We have visited Madrid five times( I was alone twice ) and always had a great and safe stay.

Palenq-How many years ago was your sister unfortunately mugged? And fortunately the economy is started to improve slowly.

I do not how many times we have visited Madrid without an incident. I was pick pocketed in Istanbul just a few years ago after taking precautions and I would return in a heartbeat.

Take precautions but don't let others dictate what you do.

While I would not suggest a nightly stroll through Retiro park, the typical "entertainment" areas with the most bars and pubs are crowded till the sun rises. So your biggest concern there would probably be pickpockets, but not some violent mugging. Many areas like Chueca or the area South of Sól are pedestrian zones, so the drive-by moped mugging does not really work that well there.

When you make a wrong turn into a deserted street, walk back to the busy street.
When you get lost, go into any bar, order yourself a copa, relax and ask the bartender how to get back to your hotel.
As these are the days it does not hurt to ask your hotel receptionist if any demonstrations are announced for the day. And try to avoid those areas.
While it is sensible not to let down your guard, not everyone approaching you is a thug. While it may be a different thing to walk the streets at night as a guy and not as two girls, I have to admit that I never got into an awkward situation so far. Even the drug dealers in Retiro park had been nice when I took the shortcut through a bit of the park at night (NOT NOT NOT recommended!)

In total, Madrid is still a very young, vibrant metropolis and you should not expect to be in bed when it's still dark outside :-)

And you will surprised how many people are on the street late at night through the early morning in the area where are there are bars, restaurants, and clubs.

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...rity-BR-1.html

some tips on keeping safe in Madrid