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Madrid Travel Guide

Your personal travel guide to Madrid

📍 Madrid, Spain

This route is optimized by LonelyRoad's traffic data and community feedback from solo travelers who have explored Madrid. All recommendations are verified by our community.

🎯 Suggested Activities

Curated activities based on LonelyRoad community recommendations

🌳

Explore Retiro Park & Crystal Palace

Wander through Madrid's green oasis, perfect for a chill afternoon. Bring your laptop and work from the park benches with mobile hotspot.

Location: Plaza de la Independencia, 7, 28001 Madrid
Best Time: Morning or late afternoon
Duration: 2-3 hours
Price: $
🎨

Prado Museum Visit

World-class art museum with works by Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco. Go solo at your own pace, free entry during last 2 hours.

Location: Calle de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014 Madrid
Best Time: Weekday mornings or last 2 hours for free entry
Duration: 2-4 hours
Price: $$
🌅

Sunset at Templo de Debod

Ancient Egyptian temple with stunning sunset views. Chill spot to meet other travelers and photographers. Totally free.

Location: Calle Ferraz, 1, 28008 Madrid
Best Time: Sunset (arrive 30 mins early)
Duration: 1-2 hours
Price: $
🍷

Mercado de San Miguel Tapas Crawl

Historic market hall with gourmet tapas stands. Perfect for solo dining—stand, sample, and chat with vendors and other travelers.

Location: Plaza de San Miguel, s/n, 28005 Madrid
Best Time: Evening (6-9 PM)
Duration: 1-2 hours
Price: $$
🚶

Walk the Gran Vía & Malasaña District

Stroll Madrid's main boulevard, then explore hipster Malasaña for vintage shops, street art, and indie cafes. Super walkable and safe.

Location: Gran Vía, 28013 Madrid
Best Time: Afternoon or early evening
Duration: 2-3 hours
Price: $

🎉 Events & Social Activities

Great places to meet other travelers in Madrid

💃

Flamenco Show at Corral de la Morería

Authentic flamenco performances nightly. Intimate setting, easy to attend solo. Book ahead for dinner show or just drinks.

Location: Calle de la Morería, 17, 28005 Madrid
Best Time: Evening shows at 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM
Price: $$$
🛍️

Sunday El Rastro Flea Market

Massive open-air market every Sunday. Great for people-watching, vintage finds, and soaking up local culture. Watch your belongings.

Location: Calle de la Ribera de Curtidores, 28005 Madrid
Best Time: Sunday mornings (9 AM - 2 PM)
Price: $
🍹

Rooftop Drinks at Círculo de Bellas Artes

Iconic rooftop terrace with 360° city views. Popular spot to meet other travelers. Small entrance fee, worth it for the views.

Location: Calle de Alcalá, 42, 28014 Madrid
Best Time: Sunset or evening
Price: $$

🏨 Places to Stay

Recommended accommodations for solo travelers

The Hat Madrid

Hostel

Top-rated hostel for digital nomads with coworking space, rooftop bar, and social atmosphere. Private rooms available. Fast WiFi throughout.

⭐ 4.6/5💰 $$

📍 Calle Imperial, 9, 28012 Madrid

TOC Hostel Madrid

Hostel

Modern hostel with excellent coworking area, fast WiFi, and regular social events. Central location near Gran Vía. Great for solo travelers.

⭐ 4.5/5💰 $$

📍 Plaza de Celenque, 3, 28013 Madrid

Room007 Chueca Hostel

Hostel

Chill hostel in trendy Chueca neighborhood. Relaxed vibe, good WiFi, kitchen access. Mix of dorms and private rooms. LGBTQ+ friendly area.

⭐ 4.3/5💰 $

📍 Calle de la Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 18, 28004 Madrid

Eric Vökel Boutique Apartments Atocha Suites

Aparthotel

Aparthotel perfect for longer stays. Full kitchens, workspace, reliable WiFi. More privacy while still being centrally located near Retiro Park.

⭐ 4.4/5💰 $$$

📍 Calle de Atocha, 34, 28012 Madrid

☕ Cafes & Restaurants

Best spots to work, eat, and meet other travelers

Federal Café

Cafe📶 WiFi Available💻 Work-Friendly

Aussie-style brunch spot with excellent flat whites and reliable fast WiFi. Spacious with plenty of outlets. Digital nomad favorite in Malasaña.

⭐ 4.5/5💰 $$

Toma Café

Cafe📶 WiFi Available💻 Work-Friendly

Specialty coffee roasters with excellent espresso. Good WiFi and work-friendly atmosphere. Gets busy, best for shorter work sessions.

⭐ 4.6/5💰 $$

Misión Café

Cafe📶 WiFi Available💻 Work-Friendly

Third-wave coffee shop with strong WiFi and laptop-friendly seating. Great coffee and healthy food options. Popular with freelancers.

⭐ 4.4/5💰 $$

Hanso Café

Cafe📶 WiFi Available💻 Work-Friendly

Specialty coffee with Japanese-inspired minimalist design. Excellent WiFi, quiet atmosphere perfect for focused work. Top-quality pour-overs.

⭐ 4.7/5💰 $$

La Bicicleta Café

Cafe📶 WiFi Available💻 Work-Friendly

Cozy neighborhood cafe with vintage bikes as decor. Solid WiFi, friendly for laptop users. Great coffee and homemade cakes. Chill vibe.

⭐ 4.3/5💰 $

Mercado de San Antón

Market/Restaurant📶 WiFi Available

Three-floor market with food stalls, grocery, and rooftop terrace. WiFi available, casual dining perfect for solo travelers. Mix and match foods.

⭐ 4.4/5💰 $$

💡 Local Tips

Insider advice from the LonelyRoad community

  • 📱 Mobile Data & eSIM: Get data for Madrid with PikaSim - 1GB for 1 days costs $1.30 (other options: 0.5GB/1d for $0.80, 0.3GB/1d for $0.90). Privacy-focused, no account needed, instant activation. Get yours at https://pikasim.com/download-spain-esim-packages
  • Visa & Entry for US citizens: US passport holders can enter Spain visa-free for tourism/business stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period under the Schengen Agreement. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen area. Starting in 2024, you'll need to register with ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) before travel—costs €7, valid 3 years. No arrival forms currently required. Proof of onward travel, accommodation, and sufficient funds may be requested at entry. Check https://travel.state.gov for current requirements.
  • Madrid is extremely safe for solo male travelers. The main concern is pickpockets in tourist areas (Gran Vía, Retiro, Metro). Keep your phone and wallet in front pockets, use a crossbody bag, and stay alert in crowds and on public transport.
  • Spanish meal times are late: lunch 2-4 PM, dinner 9-11 PM. Many restaurants close between 4-8 PM. Embrace the schedule or seek out cafes and international spots that stay open. Siesta is real—some shops close 2-5 PM.
  • Get a rechargeable Metro card (Tarjeta Multi) for €2.50, then load 10-trip tickets for better rates. Metro is fast, clean, and runs until 1:30 AM (2 AM on weekends). Much cheaper than taxis for getting around.
  • Learn basic Spanish phrases—Madrid is less English-friendly than Barcelona. 'Hola,' 'gracias,' 'por favor,' and 'la cuenta' go a long way. Download Google Translate offline for emergencies.
  • Free museum hours: Prado (Mon-Sat 6-8 PM, Sun 5-7 PM), Reina Sofía (Mon/Wed-Sat 7-9 PM, Sun 1:30-7 PM). Go early in the free window to avoid crowds. Totally worth it for budget travelers.
  • Tap water is safe to drink in Madrid—carry a reusable bottle. Most cafes will refill it for free if you ask politely ('¿Puedo rellenar mi botella?'). Save money and reduce plastic waste.
📱

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