Can anyone say me which parts of Madrid are dangerous,or not so safe areas???
thank you very much!

That depends on what kind of dangerous are you talking about.....danger of getting your purse stolen, or danger as in personal safety...

I lived in Madrid for a year and can honestly say that I can't remember a time when I feared for my personal safety. However, I was always worried about having things stolen, etc, especially being foreign, it makes us easy targets.

Some areas to be careful/watchful for pickpocekts are the main touristy areas, like Sol, Atocha, Gran Via, Plaza Espana, Tribunal, the museums and the RASTRO!! and always always THE METRO. people are very quick and you may not always realize that they've got their hand in your bag, etc. Bus/train stations are always areas to be careful in as well. I would suggest to always use common sense, be VERY careful of your bags/purse, never leave them unzipped and make sure they are strapped on well. When I was studying abroad, several of the parents who had come to visit got robbed, mostly by people in the metro, and sometimes on the street. Some pickpockets have good strategies, like distracting you by "dropping" their keys, while someone behind you (working with them) will take your wallet/purse. and you may never know it happened. Other techniques are distractions with maps, or other things, to catch your attention while the thief goes through your things. These are some things I ran into.

As far as personal safety, I can't think of a specific area that I would classify as "dangerous". It's always important to not be alone at night, and use common sense. The Retiro is known for being semi dangerous after dark, so make sure you aren't there alone. Metro stops and bus/train stations become sketchy too, the best thing is to always stick with your friends.

I think you will enjoy madrid, it honestly is not a scary place. The most important thing is to make sure to stick with your friends, and if you're flying solo, use COMMON SENSE, and especially don't go by yourself at night!

hope this helps!

Hi! Your question is rather timely since I just got back from Madrid and was traveling, for the most part, alone. I would agree totally with lismari's advice. Use common sense everywhere, but Madrid really isn't scary or intimidating. In fact, if you stick to well-lighted streets, to restaurants/bars that look like they're filled with locals, etc; you'll have a great time.

This was one of my biggest worries as a woman traveling alone, but I must say that after spending almost a month in Spain and most of that in Madrid, I felt quite safe. I do speak Spanish so perhaps that made a difference. I also never, ever walked around like a tourist, with my camera out, reviewing a map on the sidewalk or looking "lost." When I wanted to review my map, I would go somewhere discreet. I also carried a bag that I could strap diagonally around my torso, kept my hand close to the zipper and my wallet tucked deep inside my purse under my book, camera, etc; I really wish I could've acted more like the tourist that I was, but I suppose the precautions were worthwhile ... I never got harrased or robbed. (In fact, people would ask me for directions.)

Another point for ladies (gentlemen, please excuse this): I found that the little pocket inside a bra - Victoria's Secret Miracle Bra, to be exact - is much better than a money belt. It was too hot in August to wear a belt under anything snug fitting. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I found the "money bra" to be the best place where you can protect your hard-earned travel cash and even your credit card! Believe me, no one can see where you stashed the loot, and they'd have to get extremely "fresh" with you to find out. I don't think this is a sleight of hand that pickpockets have figured out (hopefully no pickpockets will read this). I only kept a few euros in my purse at any given time and would make a "cash transfer" from bra to wallet in a bathroom whenever I needed to. This little security accessory made all the difference because it gave me peace of mind ... even if I'd gotten mugged, they wouldn't have left me penniless.

(In retrospect I probably would've sewn an inside pocket into my favorite pants or skirt, but at the time, this was the best I could do.)

Enjoy Madrid! I can't wait to go back to Spain!

Churrito

PS ... Also, I walked EVERYWHERE in the main tourist areas of Madrid, some of it at night ... I was told to avoid Lavapies at any time of the day or night, and so I did. But I never felt unsafe.

Well, it's been said before, use common sense. Around Puerta del Sol you'll have to be especially cautious, it's a very touristy and populated area and pickpocketers know it (beware of an organized group of gypsy women who are experts in the subject). El Rastro on Sunday mornings is also a place where you don't want to carry a backpack.
But I wouln't be scared about personal safety, things happen everywhere but you won't find very dangerous places wandering around the city. Those places, usually related to drugs in gypsy settlements, are not near the city center and you don't find them by chance.

ChurroCaliente,

I'm so pumped about the money bra!!!!!!!!! I've stuffed money in there for years, and even my ID sometimes, so the money bra seems like an ingenious idea to me! I have a feeling it will be more comfortable than just shoving it into a regular bra! I'm headed to Victoria's Secret right now to buy one! SWEET! thanks for the heads up on such a good idea.

I LOVE the money bra idea!! I'm contemplating going to Madrid for a few days alone in a few weeks (I have the LGA-MAD $419 fare on 'hold' until I can work it out...) myself, and that's great to know!!

Churro, one question, WHERE in Madrid did you stay? I've always stayed in the Sol area, but I've always been at least with 1 other person. I know there are a few hotels right there, so I wouldn't feel particularly unsafe, but some of the side streets can have some dark corners...

Thanks!!

-GG

Hi! Sounds like I should patent this idea of the money bra!!! Before I answer your question let me share a "it was funny at the moment" anecdote. At the end of a cena at a terraza in the outskirts of Madrid, my friend and I were the only ones left. I had to excuse myself to go to the bathroom (ehem make a cash transfer), but we ended up just telling the waiter, "turn around."

Anyway, last night I posted feedback on the two hotels where I stayed under the lodging section.

Hotel Regina was close to the Sol. It was pricey though, but I recommended it. Yes, there are dark streets with dark corners around there, and just about everywhere else in Madrid ... I always avoided them. The Sol is very crowded and so I would always "gear up" and grab the zipper area of my purse tightly. (At night I would just take a small makeup purse and place it under my armpit, like a clutch.) I was expecting to be approached by gypsies and/or con artists around there, but that never happened. The Hotel Regina crosses with Alcala/Sevilla streets. That puts you very near Plaza Santa Ana and all the clubs/bars in between. I walked by myself to Casa Patas one night and got stupidly lost (I was always about two or three streets away from the place) ... I asked for directions several times and never got harrased. (Surprisingly most of the madrileños didn't know where Casa Patas was ... nor Calle de Cañizares.)

As many of you know, life doesn't start until after midnight over there, so when I walked back, the streets were actually crowded and my walk back to the hotel was very pleasant.

I also stayed at the Hotel Mora, and while it's not as close the Sol, it's only about a 20 minute walk, maximum ... I like the area around the Mora. You can walk back down the Paseo del Prado (street side - not the park). There's a section there after Calle Cervantes that's a little dark but there were always people walking on it. On the Plaza de Platerias and Calles Huertas/Angel area there are great little bars/restaurants where you can feel comfortable eating/drinking alone.

Again, I was mainly warned about Lavapies from someone who lives in Madrid as a "bad" neighborhood known for drugs, crime ... I almost wandered in there around lunch time (when the streets are eerily deserted everywhere), but I found my way back into La Latina.

Overall, I must say that after a couple of days in Madrid, I felt very comfortable as long as I used common sense and avoided looking like a tourist. I didn't see any of the locals clutching their purses or being overly careful either ... but you know what they say, better safe than sorry.

The only issue I had with traveling alone is that very few restaurants would split a "ración" for me!!! (But this should be discussed in another section.)

Enjoy your trip!

Churrito

Thanks Churrocaliente!! I've actually been thinking of staying at the Hotel Regina too!! I'll check out your posting in the other forum. I stayed at the Hotel Madrid last time, and I still say it's the BEST shower I ever had in the whole country, but I wouldn't mind trying a new place too.

Victoria's Secret, here I come...

-GG

GG, Hotel Regina had a full-sized bathroom and the shower had piping hot water and excellent water pressure!

By the way girls, the bra I am refering too has "pockets" with access from the sides of the bra (another style has a slit horizontal slit at the center of the cup, which is harder to access).

Churrito

churrocaliente, I have also done the money bra thing, and loved it. I have a similar bra--it came with little inserts for that full-figured look--I just took the inserts out and let the money do that job--just be sure to pack both sides evenly! Doesn't work for coins, though!