Solo Traveler's Guide To Madrid - Things To Do Alone

Now that you’re equipped with a list of low-key places to reconnect with your zen at sunset, it’s time for the places in the city where you are sure to get lost among the locals. Calle de Fuencarral for one is a street of wonders. Very expensive to live in, but happily free to explore, the leafy store-lined lane is full of character and is great – for those who don’t have the budget to splurge on all the goodies in these high-end boutiques – for crowd watching and window shopping! Then, for some yummy Spanish eats and the chance to connect with the local culture look no further than the closest food market in one of the many squares that dot the city. The food markets tend to be very mixed and are one of the fun things to do in Madrid at night, not just for the enticing dishes but for the chance to meet some locals. Find a spot on a terrace or in a bar, grab a drink and make friends. From the market in swanky Salamanca to Mercado San Fernando in hippie-loving Lavapiés, going out alone in Madrid is made easy by the many markets that bare the heart and soul of Madrid.

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Of course, while the chance to make new friends is a great drawcard for one-man adventures, you might just be into the solo side of life because of the very simple benefit of not having to share your food! If new foodie sensations are the driver behind your travels, head to Mercado de San Anton, to the second floor where Spanish tapas and all manner of gastronomical delights are calling your name. Once you’ve eaten your fill you might venture up to the fancy cocktail bar overlooking Madrid’s skyline, or down to the ground floor for a spot of shopping. Alternatively, the Mercado de San Miguel market offers a more classical setting with equally inviting eats; an early-20th-century market, the glass walls and spacious arrangement make this one of Madrid’s oldest and most beautiful. With food bars serving the finer things in life from croissants and chocolate, to caviar and vermouth, here you will find everything you need for a thoroughly indulgent afternoon. Other markets worth a visit are Mercado de Maravillas, Mercado de la Paz and Mercado de Antón Martín.

Photo Credit: https://viajes.nationalgeographic.com.es/a/que-hay-nuevo-mercado-san-miguel_13247

If munching at markets isn’t on the menu, and a more formal sit-down affair is in order, I have some great suggestions. For a lunch of the finest seafood tapas in a friendly and vibrant atmosphere, seek out a seat at La Pescaderia where you simply must try the salmon tartar, octopus carpaccio, and the classic patatas bravas. On weekends you’ll get the extra treat of a lively ambiance with music and groups of friends out for the night. For a more subdued affair settle down for coffee at L'orangerie café where the crepes are delicious, and the appetizers are perfect for single dining. With fresh-squeezed orange-juice on tap and power outlets for your laptop, this is a great spot to catch up on some work or update your travel diary. Frida, a cool and casual eatery, is amazing simply because of the thoroughly local layout, with a space that is completely integrated with the surrounding plaza that feels like part of the neighborhood. If you visit in summer be sure to get a table outside where you are very likely to catch some of the neighborhood inhabitants lounging outside their homes, catching up with neighbors while you graze on Spanish specialties like gazpacho. 

Photo Credit: https://www.lamuccacompany.com/madrid-me-gusta-15-diciembre/

When choosing from the best places to stay in Madrid for your solo trip, it really comes down to what you’re looking for. For an edgy dive into an avant-garde barrio full with technicolor street art, tattooed baristas and a sense of cheerful rebellion, look no further than Malasaña right in the heart of Madrid. One thing is certain, for solo travel in Madrid there may be no better place to call home, being as it is that in alternative Malasaña, everyone is welcome. In this unique and trendy area, you’ll be delighted by the creativity expressed in all realms; including those of gastronomy, art, culture, and entertainment. For an older (but not in the least bit less lively!), more historic part of town opt for La Latina which, built on the foundations of an Islamic Fort, boasts some of the oldest and most beautiful architecture. While dotted liberally with old churches, and narrow cobbled streets winding between 18th-century buildings, this neighborhood is one of the more vibrant and busy ones, with an abundance of things to do! Other excellent options include the maze-like, hilly and diverse streets of Lavapies, or the colorful Chueca; just a stone’s throw from one of the best places to go out in Madrid – Gran Vía. 

Photo Credit: http://madridnofrills.com/lavapies-beaten-but-never-defeated/