Best Things to Do in Madrid for Solo Travellers

Whether you're visiting as a couple, friend group or family, you'll find intrigue down every street corner. But today, we're focusing on solo travellers. Madrid deserves to be appreciated for all it has to offer, most of which will easily appeal to solo travellers. So, whether you’re relocating to Madrid as a digital nomad, or heading on a solo trip away, let's discover the best things you can do on a solo holiday in Madrid.

Taking a bus tour across any city is the best way to see a plethora of sights and landmarks. And, the best part about tour buses is that they are hop-on, hop-off, so you can disembark or board whenever and wherever you want. Madrid is one of the best cities for touring by bus, as you can sightsee, take pictures or learn facts about the local landmarks.

See sights like the Royal Palace, Puerta del Sol, Plaza de la Cibeles, and more via the classic big red or yellow open-top bus. Citywide bus tours in Madrid generally cost around €24 for an adult, and €20 for children, but you can find cheaper deals by booking with DoTravel. A bus tour is the perfect way to get around the city as a solo traveller, as you might meet new people and gain a deeper insight into the city's culture. It may seem like a quintessential tourist thing to do, but where’s the shame in appreciating Madrid’s architectural beauty?

A classic thing to do as a solo traveller is to visit a museum. Why? They usually have free or cheap entry, they can give you an amazing insight into a city's culture or history, and everyone is there to do the same thing – to enjoy the exhibits and displays. But, where do you start in a city like Madrid, which is rife with museums? We'd recommend visiting the Prado Museum, Reina Sofia Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.

Entry to the Prado Museum costs around €15, with free entry in the final two hours before closing (6-8 pm Monday-Saturday, 5-7 pm Sundays). The Reina Sofia Museum costs €12 to enter, but free admission can be booked in advance online. The Thyssen Bornemisza Museum has certain exhibitions that are free of charge. Regardless of the entry price, why not consider a museum-hopping tour around Madrid? It's the perfect way to see local art throughout history, learn about local culture or simply just admire artefacts and pass the time.

Flamenco dancing shows are held nightly across Madrid. Having first originated in the Andalusia region, the dance form is highly regarded in Madrid. Solo travellers can enjoy a flamenco night at Corral de la Morería, the city’s best known and loved flamenco spot. If you want to add dinner, drinks or any other extras, the prices can vary, but you can find price packages.

Book a Flamenco show with DoTravel to enjoy starting prices of only £20. And, if you're feeling daring enough, why not book a flamenco class too? What a perfect way of immersing yourself in Spanish culture. Plus, if you met new people on a city bus tour or elsewhere, why not bring them along too?

Did you know that Madrid is famed for its ghost tours? With over a millennium of history that was notably turbulent, there's bound to be a ghost or two. Give yourself a chill and spice up your trip by heading on a ghost tour around the city. Several companies offer free ghost tours around the city, or you can give yourself a self-guided ghost tour by visiting places that are known to be haunted.

The most popular places and sites you can visit on a ghost tour include Madrid's Old Town, Plaza Mayor, and Linares Palace. Here, you can learn about Madrid's dark past, which includes tales of the Spanish Inquisition and local legends. One of the more unique things to do in the city. It's a fun way of making your trip memorable and exciting. And, it's even scarier doing it alone.

You’ll find several kayaking and boat tours at Madrid’s neighbouring Alberche River’s reservoirs. If you want to add an adventurous activity to your solo-travel itinerary, why not consider renting a kayak? The Alberche River offers scenic views and relatively easy kayaking routes across its reservoirs.

The San Juan and El Berguillo reservoirs are popular kayaking spots along the Alberche. At these reservoirs, you can rent double kayaks for as little as €10 and single kayaks for around €13. Whether you're a beginner or an avid kayaker, try your hand at kayaking, which can be enjoyed solo or in a group. A professional kayaking tour is the perfect way to enjoy Madrid's countryside and even meet new people.

One of Madrid's busiest shopping areas, El Rastro flea market, is the perfect place to find a souvenir, try local food or buy antique jewellery. As one of the main shopping districts in the city, El Rastro's atmosphere is consistently bustling. While this might be off-putting or overwhelming, it's a reminder of its popularity and the array of goods you can find there. If you want to avoid the busiest crowds, try to visit the market in the morning before 11 am.

As a solo traveller, you might be on a strict budget, but you can find goods of varying prices at El Rastro. If the market itself gets too busy for you, you can always escape into one of the nearby bars or restaurants for some respite. El Rastro is located in the La Latina district of Madrid, which is also famous for its tapas bars! The market itself offers a diverse range of vintage finds, antiques, books and clothing.

One of the best things about Madrid is its proximity to some of the most culturally significant and intriguing cities. If you want to explore Madrid's surroundings (although you most likely won't want to leave the city), head to cities like Toledo or Segovia. Toledo is known for being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its ancient history. Perfect for sightseeing and history tours, Toledo is only a 30-minute train journey from Madrid's Atocha station.

Additionally, consider visiting nearby Segovia too. Segovia is known for its Roman architecture and castles, as well as its rich culture and culinary scene. What's more, Segovia is only a 30-minute train journey from Madrid. If you don't want to take the train, you can reach Toledo and Segovia by car in under 1 hr 30 minutes. Give yourself a deeper understanding of Madrid's culture and history on a day trip out of the city.

Amongst Madrid's best-known attractions, the city is a hub for hidden gems. One of the city's most intriguing sites is the ancient Temple of Debod. Built around 2,500 years ago, the Nubian temple was gifted to Madrid in the 60s from Egypt. The stones were since reconstructed and opened for public access, which is free of charge for all.

For the ultimate dose of history in Madrid, this ancient temple, albeit reconstructed, is well worth a visit. Its walls are adorned with hieroglyphics and various other carvings that act as an ode to its ancient origins. Solo travellers, business travellers, families, you name it, will all be interested in this wondrous site. Plus, if you're running on a low budget, it doesn't cost a penny to visit this temple, so what are you waiting for?

It's safe to say that Madrid is full of attractions that will appeal to solo travellers, as it suits a range of budgets. Its efficient transport system, diverse culinary scene and flamenco culture make it the perfect city to explore.