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, surveying over 1,500 American travelers, revealed that 72% of American women are choosing to go on solo trips, and the numbers continue to rise as women seek experiences that promote empowerment, independence, and self-discovery. Tapas routes, cultural experiences, and astonishing sights are among the reasons why Madrid is the perfect destination for solo female travelers.
Enjoy an Iconic Tapas Tour
Madrid is renowned as the culinary capital of Spain and is known for hosting innovative, creative, and traditional cuisine around every corner. Tapas tours are an excellent plan for foodies to discover the delicacies in the city as well as hidden gems in vibrant neighborhoods. Women looking to tapear, also known as a day full of tapas at multiple bars, should visit the central neighborhoods of La Latina and Barrio de las Letras, are two off-the-beaten-path Tapas routes that showcase each neighborhood’s unique personality. Solo travelers looking to immerse themselves in the Spanish culture can explore neighborhoods like Chueca, where they’ll find Madrileños enjoying some 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, this tapa is made from eggs and potatoes. Those looking for more international flavors will be pleasantly surprised at the unique tapas in Lavapiés. Travelers searching for more elevated dining can delight in any of Madrid’s numerous Michelin-star restaurants—including that of world-famous Chef David Muñoz, who was selected by Best Chef Awards 2021 for offering the most unique food experience at international level.
A Day as a Madrileño Exploring the Roots of Madrid
Buzzing with activity and a vibrant atmosphere, Madrid’s locals are warm and welcoming. In recent years, the Spanish capital has gained international recognition for its welcoming and fun-loving lifestyle that draws travelers in. Solo travelers can start their day with a stroll through Madrid’s Landscape of Light, Landscape of Arts and Sciences comprised by Paseo del Prado, El Retiro Park, and Los Jerónimos neighborhood, the first site in the city to receive UNESCO’s World Heritage status. Starting at Paseo del Prado, from Plaza de Cibeles to Plaza de Atocha, passing by important monuments such as Puerta de Alcalá and Cibeles travelers can make their way to the park. El Retiro Park is home to a large lake with multicolored rowboats available for rent as well as the Glass Palace, an extension of the Reina Sofia Museum that often hosts temporary exhibitions.
After exploring the Landscape of Light, travelers can wander through picturesque neighborhoods surrounding the park and visit local artisanal shops where they can find unique clothing, accessories, etc. Women who enjoy shopping will delight at the offering that can be found in the city, ranging anywhere from the famous Serrano Street with various luxury flagship stores to the prominent Corte Ingles—the largest department store in Europe, headquartered in Madrid with over 15 locations in the city or Galería Canalejas – a luxury shopping center recently inaugurated. Towards the end of the day, solo female travelers can enjoy a typical Madrilenian afternoon, a Terraceo—which describes hopping around different rooftop bars and restaurants to enjoy a captivating sunset surrounded by joy-filled locals.
Rent a Bike and Explore Nature
This Spanish city is full of vast green spaces where solo travelers can rent a bike and explore its nature offering. With over 55% of streets lined with trees, 210 different species, and nearly 300,000 trees in total, Madrid is the ideal destination for travelers to connect with nature in the middle of a cosmopolitan city. One of the city’s most inviting spaces is Madrid Río Park, an enormous recreational and cultural area along the banks of the Manzanares River. On its west bank cyclists will find the largest public park in Madrid, Casa de Campo. Spanning over 1,500 acres, Casa de Campo is the perfect place for walking or cycling around its different routes and exploring the terrace bars by the park’s artificial lake, whose origins date back to the 16th century.
Dine to Music
Madrid hosts some of the most entertaining Flamenco performances, better known as Tablaos, in Spain. These scenes are native to Spain and are recognized as part of the World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO for incorporating poetry, singing, guitar playing, dance, polyrhythmic handclapping, and finger snapping to create thrilling shows. During a Tablao, the crowd is able to connect with the flamenco stars on stage, who through this intense and prestigious dance, are able to reconnect with their inner feelings and share those emotions with the crowd. These remarkable performances, often paired with authentic Spanish gastronomy, will create a significant memory for any travelers who are able to experience it.
Live in Luxury
Madrid is emerging as the luxury capital of Europe and their lifestyle and luxury accommodations form a large part of that. Women travelling on their own have an endless number of magnificent hotels ready to greet them with open arms. Lodging options include the Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid located in the city’s famous Golden Triangle of Art, and the newly opened Thompson Madrid, part of the Hyatt hotel chain and located in the center of Madrid. These luxury hotels, among many others, are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to luxury in Madrid.
Madrid, one of the most sociable and welcoming capital cities in the world, is the perfect destination for solo female travelers. With the option to explore everything from sustainable sights to delicious gastronomy, consuming musical culture and unique local experiences, this Spanish city is the perfect luxury destination to create unforgettable memories. For more information, please visit www.esmadrid.com/en.
