Madrid as a Solo Female Traveler

Madrid invites women traveling solo to keep the city at the top of their lists for a luxurious and safe travel experience filled with cultural immersion, delectable gastronomy and spectacular sights. A study conducted by Trip It revealed 72 percent of American women choose to go on solo trips and seek experiences promoting empowerment, independence and self-discovery. For women seeking a solo adventure, check out why you should keep Madrid on your radar.

Enjoy an Iconic Tapas Tour

Madrid is renowned as the culinary capital of Spain, known for hosting innovative, creative and traditional cuisine around every corner. Tapas tours are an excellent way for foodies to discover the delicacies in the city, as well as hidden gems in vibrant neighborhoods. Fill your day with tapas at multiple bars while visiting central neighborhoods of La Latina and Barrio de las Letras, two off-the-beaten-path Tapas routes showcasing each neighborhood’s unique personality. Immerse yourself in the Spanish culture in neighborhoods like Chueca, where you will find Madrileños offering classic tapas like patatas bravas, a dish native to Spain consisting of fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce; or tortilla Española, an essential part of Spanish cuisine made from eggs and potatoes.

La Latina Hiberus © Madrid Destino

Explore the Roots of Madrid

Recently, Madrid gained international recognition for its welcoming and fun-loving lifestyle drawing travelers in — even solo travelers. Start your day with a stroll through Madrid’s Landscape of Light and Landscape of Arts and Sciences. These landscapes are made up of Paseo del Prado, El Retiro Park and the Los Jerónimos neighborhood, the first site in the city to receive UNESCO’s World Heritage status. Start at Paseo del Prado, from Plaza de Cibeles to Plaza de Atocha, while passing by important monuments such as Puerta de Alcalá and Cibeles. Don’t miss a trip to El Retiro Park, home to a large lake with multicolored rowboats for travelers to rent. Travelers also have the chance to explore Glass Palace, an extension of Reina Sofia Museum.

After exploring the Landscape of Light, wander through picturesque neighborhoods surrounding the park and visit local artisanal shops to find unique clothing, accessories and more. For those who love to shop, head to Serrano Street, which offers various luxury flagship stores, or stop by Corte Ingles, the largest department store in Europe.

Biking through Nature

The city is full of vast green spaces where solo travelers can rent bikes and explore the area. With more than 55 percent of streets lined with trees and 210 different species of trees in the region, Madrid offers a chance for travelers to connect with nature in the middle of a cosmopolitan city. One of the city’s most inviting spaces is Madrid Rio Park, an enormous recreational and cultural area along the banks of the Manzanares River. On the west bank, cyclists will find the largest public park in Madrid, Casa de Campo, which spans more than 1,500 acres. Casa de Campo is perfect for walking or cycling the many routes and exploring the different terrace bars by the park’s artificial lake.

Stay in Luxury

Madrid emerges as the luxury capital of Europe with its many lifestyle and luxury accommodations. Women traveling on their own have a variety of magnificent hotels to choose from. Options include Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid or the newly opened Thompson Madrid.