Solo Travel in Madrid: The Ultimate Guide for the Best Trip Ever

Solo travel in Madrid can be an amazing experience, but it can also be daunting if you’re not sure what to do.

With this ultimate guide, you’ll have all the best tips and advice for making the most of your time in Spain’s capital city! Madrid is an amazing city to explore. Whether you’re looking for top restaurants and bars, interesting things to do, or great places to stay, this guide has you covered.

So buckle up and let’s get started on your ultimate solo trip to Madrid!

Solo Travel in Madrid

The city is full of history, culture, and nightlife, and there’s something to suit every taste. But first things first: when solo traveling, it’s always important to have some type of game plan.

That means knowing where you’re going to sleep, what you want to see and do, and how you’re going to get around.

Madrid is a big city, so getting lost is easy if you don’t have a good map (or better yet, a GPS). Make sure you have data, it’s an absolute must that your phone is working because you will be by yourself.

Please make sure you can navigate yourself comfortably and independently through Madrid. If you like history, you can learn about Madrid before you come too.

Accommodation for Solo travel in Madrid

When it comes to solo travel, one of the best things you can do is stay in a hostel. Hostels are great because they offer an easy gateway to meet other solo travelers who are in the same situation as you.

You can find safe, affordable accommodation. Another perk? Hostels are usually located in central areas so you can easily walk to all the main attractions. If Hostels don’t interest you, then keep reading to learn about the best hotels for solo travel in Madrid.

The best hostels in Madrid for solo travel

There are plenty of great hostels in Madrid that cater to solo travelers. Here are the top 3 hostels in Madrid. The nightly rate for a bed in a dorm room will range from

The Hat Hostel:

Located 2 minutes away from vibrant Plaza Mayor, the Hat hostel has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere but with the cutest aesthetic.

The staff is always on hand to help solo travelers with anything they need, and there are plenty of common areas where guests can socialize and make new friends. Specifically, find lots of ambiance on the rooftop. It’s super popular in Madrid and nonguests frequently head there to catch the sunset.

Some other perks of The Hat are free walking tours, bike rentals, and concerts from time to time.

Sungate One:

Sungate is a traveler cult favorite for good reason. This hostel is known to be the best hostel for solo travelers in Madrid. The aesthetic is also more modern and is definitely a great option, it has amazing location. With certain reservations, you can get complimentary breakfast and dinner. This is a win-win for any solo traveler on a budget.

Room 007 Chueca Hostel

If you like modern, safe, and great wifi, then you’ll love Room 007 in Chueca. The great wifi (that’s free too) is a top pick for digital nomads traveling to Madrid. You can easily get some work done on their terrace.

They also offer free walking tours which is an awesome way to get to know the city. And if that doesn’t convince you, know they have around-the-clock security and baggage storage. Amazing!

The best hotels for solo travel in Madrid

Not everyone is a fan of hostels, if that includes you please see the best hotel options for solo travel in Madrid. Here’s an insider secret about travel in Spain too.

Hotel accommodation is priced extremely reasonably. Parador which is a higher-end hotel has stays for 110-200 euros a night. This isn’t the USA so you’ll still find amazing hotels under 200$ a night and it’ll be pretty lavish too.

Best Budget Hotels in Madrid -($0-200)

H10 Tribeca: This hotel is located in Tetuan, a fun but residential barrio. Here you’ll be super close to the Temple de Debod monument. You are also close to Gran via which is one of Madrid’s busiest streets for shopping and dining.

Nightly price: $110+

Marriott Madrid auditorium hotel & conference: Though this Marriott is located near the airport, Marriot is a classic hotel and perhaps staying at a household chain is ideal.

Madrid is super well connected so if you want to go into the center you’re only a short drive or metro ride away. Trust me when I say that you probably don’t want to be smack in the center anyways by tons of bars. This way you can actually sleep!

Nightly price: $108+

Slow suites Luchana: This accommodation is located in the heart of Chamberi. A beautiful neighborhood you’re sure to love. Luchana suites are apartments so if you want to have a full kitchen, consider this a great option. If you don’t like dining out every single meal, apartments are always a great move.

Nightly price: $104+

Best Mid-range hotels in Madrid:

Barcelo Imagine: Barcelo is a huge hotel franchise all over the world and is seen in Spain. This branch in Madrid has everything you can ever dream of, including a nice pool to lounge at.

The rooms are pretty and it’s in a great location. The Chamartin metro is 4 minutes away and nearby monuments are only a 10-minute walk.

Nightly price: $152+

NH Collection Madrid Suecia: NH is a chain of hotels that originated in Spain but today operates in over 20 countries. The design is beautiful, the rooms are great, and the service is top-notch without breaking the bank.

This branch is in Madrid Centro which is the central neighborhood of Madrid. If you want everything to be within walking distance, NH is an awesome choice.

Nightly price: 199+

Hyatt Regency Hesperia Madrid: The Hyatt is a famous hotel that is known to be higher end. The Hyatt in Madrid won’t disappoint. The location is perfect, in Chamberi, and has some nice amenities. Though they don’t have a pool, they do have a gym and restaurant on-premise.

Nightly price: 275+

The best neighborhoods for solo travel in Madrid

So to mention the best of the best “barrios” for solo travel undoubtedly are:

• Malasaña
• Sol
• Chueca
• Lavapiés

Each of these neighborhoods has something unique to offer solo travelers.

Malasaña is known for its cool, (super) hipster vibes, while Sol is right in the heart of Madrid and perfect for those who want to be close to everything.

Chueca is the city’s gay neighborhood and a great place to meet new people, and Lavapiés is perfect for solo travelers who want to experience Madrid’s more multicultural side.

Activities in Madrid for solo travel

Now that you know where to stay, let’s talk about what to do! Madrid is full of amazing museums, parks, and historical landmarks. The best list of things to do is right here:

The Prado Museum

The Prado Museum in Madrid is the most popular and largest art museum in Spain. It has the largest collection of Spanish art

The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace of Madrid used to be the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family. It is located in central Madrid on the east side of the Plaza de la Armería, not far from the Buen Retiro Park. Super gorgeous, a must-see!

Retiro Park

El Retiro Park is a large park in the center of Madrid. It has a lot of different green spaces, lakes and fountains. The park is also home to the Buen Retiro Palace, which was originally built as a royal palace but now functions as an art museum.

The park is popular with tourists and locals alike and it’s one of the best places to go for a walk or jog in Madrid. In the summer they offer yoga at the park sometimes.

Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor is one of the most popular and iconic squares in Madrid. It is a large square in the center of Madrid, surrounded by three-story buildings. It’s a place you have to walk around and see, it’s very pretty.

Calle Gran Vía

Calle Gran Vía is one of Madrid’s most important streets, the first to be illuminated with electric light. Shockingly the first blueprints of the street go all the way back to 1862!

It features many shops and restaurants as well as a number of historic buildings. This is a great place to go shopping and has plenty of different places to eat.

El Rastro flea market

El Rastro is a flea market that takes place every Sunday in Madrid, Spain. It’s the largest outdoor market in Europe.

The El Rastro flea market is a very popular tourist destination for people of all ages. The market has a variety of items for sale and it takes place every Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm.

There are many vendors selling everything from food to clothes, jewelry, and souvenirs. The El Rastro flea market has become so popular that there are often more than 300,000 visitors on any given Sunday.

Mercado de San Miguel

The Mercado de San Miguel is a covered market in Madrid, Spain. It was built in 1916. The market has more than 100 shops and stalls and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Madrid.

Pro tip: the food isn’t really that great, since it’s a market you have quick access to other options, but don’t get caught up in that. There’s millions of other places where you can get amazing Spanish food in Madrid.

Calle de las Hortaleza

Calle de las Hortaleza is one of the most famous streets in Madrid. It is located in the center of the city, near Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor.

It was named after the hortaleza, a type of herb that grows in this area. The street got its name from a convent called Santa Ana de las Hortaleza that was built here.

The street has been around since medieval times and it has been witness to many historical events like the revolt against King Charles III and the proclamation of Queen Isabel II as Queen on November 9, 1833.

Temple De Debod

The Temple of Debod is a Greco-Roman style temple located in Madrid, Spain. It was originally built in the ancient Egyptian city of Debod, but was relocated to Spain in 1976.

The temple was originally constructed by the ancient Egyptians and then later reconstructed by the Spanish who brought it from Egypt to their country.

The temple is now an important tourist attraction for the Spanish people and many tourists come to see it every day. Temple De Debod is a great place to see th sunset.

Want more? 😉 For more ideas on what to do, make sure you read the best things to do in Madrid Spain.

Solo travel in Madrid conclusion

Madrid is an incredible city for solo travelers. With its central location, an abundance of things to see and do, and friendly atmosphere, Madrid is the perfect place to explore on your own.

Today you learned about where to stay, what to do, and the best neighborhoods to explore. If you follow this guide, you’ll be in great shape.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today! Thanks for reading!