Sound advice.
Credit: Lagniappe | ©Lagniappe
This time of year, many Americans are taking advantage of the gorgeous weather to do some sightseeing abroad. Lately, the trend has been to hit Spain, including its capitol city, Madrid. Unfortunately, sometimes the tourists visiting Madrid are the victims of crimes.
It's important to keep in mind that Madrid is a great deal safer than most American big cities. When people talk about random crimes, they are virtually always referring to nonviolent pickpockets, and the locals are vigilant to guard against it as is. People are also very understanding of the non-grid style of the city, so whipping out a map while walking is par for the course, as is checking the route maps on the Metro. Still, there is some danger to losing your lunch money, so here are some steps to take in order to avoid anything unfortunate befalling an otherwise blessed Spanish vacation:
1. Buy a moneybelt.
This is a really easy step to insure your most important belongings are always safe. Moneybelts are easily available from most travel shops, and are miles better than fannypacks for keeping valuable hidden and secure. Find a flat version, meant to be worn under clothing, and load it up with the bare essentials: passport, plane tickets, and one credit card. This way you won't have to chance sketchy hotel room safes, or worry about your purse quite so much, and you can enjoy your Madrid adventure, knowing you can always get back home again.
2. Metro tips
It's important to keep in mind that Madrid is a great deal safer than most American big cities. When people talk about random crimes, they are virtually always referring to nonviolent pickpockets, and the locals are vigilant to guard against it as is. People are also very understanding of the non-grid style of the city, so whipping out a map while walking is par for the course, as is checking the route maps on the Metro. Still, there is some danger to losing your lunch money, so here are some steps to take in order to avoid anything unfortunate befalling an otherwise blessed Spanish vacation:
1. Buy a moneybelt.
This is a really easy step to insure your most important belongings are always safe. Moneybelts are easily available from most travel shops, and are miles better than fannypacks for keeping valuable hidden and secure. Find a flat version, meant to be worn under clothing, and load it up with the bare essentials: passport, plane tickets, and one credit card. This way you won't have to chance sketchy hotel room safes, or worry about your purse quite so much, and you can enjoy your Madrid adventure, knowing you can always get back home again.
2. Metro tips
Comments
Good tips! :)
Great tips for travel anywhere!
Never would have thought of these tips. Probably good for traveling anywhere. Thanks
Great tips for Spain safety...hope to use them someday!
These are excellent tips for anyone traveling anywhere. I would love to visit Spain though. It seems and looks like such a beautiful country.
These are good tips for wherever your travel.
Thanks for the article
Common sense is important for any traveler - these tips should be used always when traveling even in your own state.
Ronald Gene Watson
(Guest)
(Guest)
06/29/2009
Having lived here for 36 years, I agree that Madrid is safer than most U.S. cities, and a bit of common sense is always advisable, but without becoming paranoid . Moreover, the triangle downtown (Prado Museum-Plaza de España-Palacio Real)is not only the safest but also the most scenic, especially "Old Madrid" (Madrid de los Austrias), where the streets are crowded even at 2 A.M.
These sound like good tips for travel to/in any large city that you aren't familiar with.
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