I have been reading guide books and all state that Madrid is a hot bed of crime. Is this true? How bad is the crime? Is there a lot of theft? I am planning on going in April of 2009 and wonder if I should change my plans. Please advise.
Thank you,
Jo Jo

"I have been reading guide books and all state that Madrid is a hot bed of crime."
could you list a few guide books
that make that statement????

Hi j,

I think the guide books are telling you something as maybe you should simply stay home.

In two days in Madrid our tour group of 49 people was successfully pickpocketed 3 times. I suppose a 6% chance ain't all that bad. Seriously, everywhere we went concerned locals warned us to watch our stuff and to be sure our cameras and bags were slung in front of us. The residents of Madrid seemed highly embarassed about what is going on. The good news is that we didn't hear much about violent crime.

Oh, and by the way, we still had a great time. We never felt threatened our scared. You simply need to be alert at all times.

Don't know if this is any relief, but Barcelona certainly looked and felt more dangerous than Madrid: less police, more riff-raff, dirtier and darker subways... On our visit, we survived Madrid easily, but were robbed in Barcelona.

Pickpockets are the main worry, in Madrid and many other European cities. I would combat them by carrying your passport, your credit cards, and other valuables in a money belt or in the zippered inside pockets of travel clothes. Violent street crime is less of a problem.

an acquaintance of mine was seriously mugged while in Madrid - does that make Madrid unsafe, no. I live in NYC - at least one violent crime occurs every day in my fair city. (not that this is a competition) Be aware but don't be overly defensive or paranoid You're more likely to get roughed up here at Fodor's than Madrid.

The 2 of us spent a week in Madrid and were never pickpocketed.

Nothing happened in 10 days in Rome either.( another " hotbed of crime"!)

The residents of those cities often blame the influx of immigrants for the rising crime rate. Who knows?

Be careful, like you should be in any big city, and you will be o.k.

I won't change plans! I have been lucky enough to spend a fair bit of time in Madrid over the last decade, and have never been pickpocketed or whatever. There are good and shady areas like anywhere. Just be aware of where you are. And use common sense like not to count cash in the middle of the street!!etc.

>>The residents of those cities often blame the influx of immigrants for the rising crime rate. Who knows?<<

So why are you repeating scurrilous statements like that? Do people who get robbed in a foreign country feel less robbed when they are told it was an immigrant?

I have not been to Madrid, but we were warned to be very careful in Paris,especially on the Metro.
We had no issues at all. I left my passport and most everything of value in the hotel safe. I carried only some daily money and one credit card. I was very aware of my surroundings in the metro and the people around me. We looked like tourists and my DH has a huge camera. No one looked at us. We walked all around the city and saw gypsies and some scams (the gold ring). One approached my DH and asked if he spoke English, he said no.
I also heard bad things about Barcelona and my my mother in law was there in July and said it was beautiful and she had no problems.

I think it is potluck. Be aware of your surroundings. Don't carry your stuff on you unless it is in a moneybelt under your clothes. Don't wear flashy jewelry. Don't stay out late at night and then walk home, take the cab. Also, learn what areas to stay away from and don't go there.
My daughter is dying to go to Spain and someday we will make it there. I would say go and just take precautions just like you would in any large city anywhere. Learn as much as you can about Madrid before you travel.

"So why are you repeating scurrilous statements like that?"

What is your probem lady?
Kindly stop yelling at everyone here !

My friends in Rome made the comment, as well as our friends in Barcelona - both life long residents of their cities, and very decent people.

I'm not yelling. I asked a question.

People used to blame those things on Jews. Hardly a decent thing to do. That's "my problem," since you asked a question. Not that I'm Jewish. I'm an immigrant.

My feeling was that Madrid was perfectly safe. Barcelona had some crime, but nothing that would prevent me from returning. I was in Madrid for a month in January 2000 and for a few days in 2004. I never felt any apprehension there, either for my personal safety or for my belongings. By the way, I am a gray/white-haired female of 72.

I always carry money, passport and credit cards in a money belt, and I try to be aware of my surroundings.

Under no circumstances should you let rumors like this deter you from visiting. Personally, I plan on returning to Spain in early spring next year and traveling solo.

Actually, I really shouldn't imply that Jews don't get still blamed -- even killed. The recent beating death of a Romanian Jewish immigrant by supporters of the mayor of Verona -- decent guy, right? the mayor? -- was only the most visible beginning of an alarming trend of people casually repeating slurs against immigrants.

Newsweek had the story early:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/139019?tid=relatedcl

I was in Madrid and Barcelona in 2007. We walked about day and night, on side streets to a chocolate shop, in a busy crowded plaza to a street performance and to beautiful architecture lit up at night. We never wandered to secluded areas and were aware of our surroundings. We felt perfectly safe and we were safe. There is no difference in the big European cities than the United States.

The only time I have ever had my pocket picked was on the Metro in Barcelona and they were successful BECAUSE I was careless. I've been back since and will continue to go back.

As to Mardrid, it used to be that pickpockets worked the Sunday flea market..ideal conditions..very crowded, etc.

I've been to Madrid several times and have never felt unsafe and I doubt you will, either.

IMO, neither one of these places are a "hotbed of crime" which I think is an exaggeration.

And I agree that we have heard about immigrants and rising crime rates...HERE in the US!

IMO take the usual precautions and enjoy Madrid. It is a wonderful city (as is Barcelona).

factetty crime has increased GREATLY in spain since our HUGE influx of immigrants.

FACT: passion murders are sky high, MOST involving NON-spaniards.

Fact: Organized mafia crime has also found a comfortable base in spain which at times is being successfully dismantled by the police/guardia civil.

now if only or judicial system would back up this hard work with some quick tough sentences.

FACT: The mafia found it very easy to settle in spain due to the loopholes in our judicial system. ask them.
ask anyone who lives here.

FACT: i have been to madrid at least 20 times in the past two years and never been robbed. same for barcelona, but too many of my guests/clients have been victims for me to brush these warnings off lightly.

learn to be an aware traveller and you should be fine.

sorry about the tongued face...