4 areas to avoid in Madrid if you want to live here

Is Madrid safe? Although the Spaniard capital is considered safe, you should avoid some places in Madrid (at night). Find out which ones!

Jale

4 minute read

·

Updated on 31 Oct 2024

·

Living

If you want to live in the capital of Spain, you’ll be relieved to hear Madrid is a safe city to live in. But just like every other bustling major city, crime isn't unknown to Madrid and there’re certain parts you may want to avoid.

Before you rent a place in Madrid, check if the Madrid neighborhood you want to live in is considered safe.

Find out which areas to avoid in Madrid and what to do if you feel unsafe.

Overall, Madrid is considered a safe city to live in because of the low violent crime rates. Crimes such as kidnapping, assault, and armed robbery are rare. Hate crimes targeted towards minorities and the LGBTQ+ community aren’t common either. When it comes to drug trafficking, the government keeps it under control. But the issue is still present in peripheral neighborhoods like Caño Roto, Pozo del Tío Raimundo and Cañada Rea.

In 2021, The Economist rated Madrid as the 21st safest city to live in out of 60 cities worldwide, safer than Brussels or Paris.

Common crimes such as minor burglaries, pickpocketing, and scams are generally present in neighborhoods popular with tourists and on some busy public transport lines. But it’s reassuring to know that there’re police officers on the streets to help you when needed.

Central neighborhoods in Madrid are rarely empty, even at night, so you’ll never feel alone in the streets.

At night, you won’t feel alone or worried as most streets are busy until late at night in the central neighborhoods of Madrid. In particular, women report feeling safe to walk home alone.

So while certain areas can make you feel uneasy, residents of Madrid will tell you it’s even safer than other European capitals such as London or Paris. With good judgment and basic safety measures, you’ll have nothing to worry about.

Generally speaking, there’s no particular neighborhood in Madrid that counts as dangerous. But some areas in certain neighborhoods are best avoided, especially at night, if you don’t want to worry about feeling uneasy.

San Blas

San Blas is a suburban neighborhood located in the south part of Madrid. It’s a newly developing region, so you can find many affordable housing options in this neighborhood.

There used to be drug dealing, robbery, and street fights incidents in San Blas, but the area has gotten better with the latest developments. Since it’s very residential, there’re also not many nightlife venues in San Blas. As a result, the streets are empty at night and not as brightly lit as in the city center.

Carabanchel

The Southwest district of Madrid, Carabanchel, is one of the most diverse neighborhoods. It’s a developing area with many working immigrant residents and the newly built 10km long Parque Madrid Rí park.

Carabanchel is the hood of Madrid, but not very dangerous. There isn’t drug trafficking, but the walls are painted with gang-related graffiti.

Besides that, you might want to avoid living in Carabanchel as it’s a tough neighborhood to reach, especially at night, due to a lack of available public transportation options. The area is also excluded from the bike-share program BiciMadrid. So you might want to avoid walking alone in Carabanchel, especially around or through the park, when it’s dark outside.

Centro Madrid

Centro Madrid is the heart of Madrid. This area has all the historical quarters, shopping sites, and main touristic attractions. It’s also one of the busiest areas as it consists of several popular neighborhoods to live in, such as Sol, Malasaña, Chueca, La Latina, and Lavapiés. It’s also home to Madrid’s most famous street: Gran Via.

Because the area is so popular and busy all the time, you’ve to be careful with your belongings on the streets. But you don’t need to worry about walking the streets alone at night because the area is well lit and busy at all times.

La Latina

Generally speaking, La Latina is one of the best and safest places to live in Madrid. Its maze-like narrow alleys are filled with galleries, tapas bars, cafes, and colourful, picturesque buildings.

Yet, at night, you should avoid a few blocks around El Rastro, one of the most popular open-air flea markets in Madrid. While completely safe and scrutinised with tight security during the day, at night, it’s a hot spot for many drunk and homeless people, which can make you feel unsafe.

Madrid is a very safe city to walk in at night, with well-lit streets and plenty of foot traffic. Neighborhoods are alive and crowded with many partygoers, so you’ll never feel alone.

Avoid going to peripheral neighborhoods at night, such as San Blas, especially when alone. If you’re taking public transport late at night, take extra precautions, as you’ll likely come across a few sketchy people on metro lines. In most cases, they’re harmless but being alert won’t hurt.

If you ever feel unsafe, call the 24h report hotline: 902 102 112 or call the emergency number 091 if you need immediate support. Because Madrid has many foreign residents and tourists, agents will usually speak in English if you ask them.

You can spot local police officers from their blue uniforms. If you need to report minor incidents, you can approach them directly too.

1. Don’t compromise your safety for a cheap apartment. Use this guide to pick a safe yet affordable neighborhood. If possible, walk around the neighborhood at different times of the day to see if you feel safe.
2. If you rent apartments in neighborhoods like Carabanchel and San Blas, take the time to meet with your neighbors and befriend local business owners. They’ll be the regulars on your commute and a few familiar faces will make you feel much safer.
3. Share your whereabouts with close friends or family when commuting at night.
4. When you go to touristic areas, beware of your belongings.
5. Invest in a good lock, and don’t keep expensive belongings in front of a window. If you prefer using cash and have expensive jewelry at home, invest in buying home safes. It’ll be a small price in exchange for your safety.