Madrid, Spain’s bustling capital, is a city that draws millions of visitors each year with its rich history, art, and culinary delights. But alongside its celebrated landmarks—from the Prado Museum to the Plaza Mayor—travellers encounter a less glamorous reality: the presence of well-practised scams aimed at tourists.
Scammers in Madrid employ a variety of methods, many of them subtle, to take advantage of visitors unfamiliar with local customs or simply distracted by the sights. The tactics vary, but the goal is the same: parting people from their money with as little resistance as possible.
One of the most common ploys in the city’s tourist hotspots involves unsolicited “gifts”—a rose, a sprig of rosemary, or a handmade bracelet—presented as tokens of goodwill. Once accepted, the giver quickly turns aggressive, demanding payment and invoking tradition or superstition to pressure the target. These seemingly harmless gestures often escalate, leaving visitors feeling intimidated.
Pickpocketing remains one of the most pervasive threats to tourists in Madrid. Thieves often operate in teams, using distraction techniques in crowded areas like the metro, major plazas, or museum entrances. While one person engages the victim—perhaps by bumping into them or asking for directions—another seizes the opportunity to steal wallets, phones, or passports.
Authorities in Madrid have issued frequent warnings, advising tourists to be especially cautious in areas with high foot traffic. Bag-snatching and thefts from open pockets are not uncommon, particularly when travellers are distracted by their phones or maps.
A more insidious tactic involves impersonation. Tourists have reported encounters with individuals posing as police officers, requesting to see identification and wallets under the guise of checking for counterfeit currency or drugs. In such cases, money is subtly taken or cards copied before the tourists realise what’s happened.
Spanish law does not require tourists to show their wallet contents to law enforcement on the street. Real police officers will carry proper identification and will not ask for valuables to be handed over.
Another common scheme involves young individuals with clipboards asking for signatures on petitions—often for seemingly noble causes such as supporting the disabled or environmental protection. While the tourist’s attention is focused on signing, a nearby accomplice may quietly lift a wallet or phone. In some versions, a donation is demanded once the signature is secured.
While most taxi drivers in Madrid operate fairly, some have been known to overcharge by taking circuitous routes, refusing to activate the meter, or quoting arbitrary fixed prices—particularly when picking up travellers near transport hubs like Atocha station or Barajas airport.
Spain’s consumer watchdog advises using official taxi ranks or licensed ride-hailing services such as Cabify or Uber, which offer tracked routes and upfront pricing.
In restaurants, particularly those located near major attractions, there have been reports of customers being charged for items they never ordered—such as bread, tap water, or unsolicited appetizers. In some cases, menus may not clearly list prices, allowing staff to inflate bills for unsuspecting foreign diners.
Travel advisories suggest examining menus and bills closely before paying, and querying any discrepancies without hesitation. Paying with a credit card provides an additional layer of protection, allowing for potential disputes through the issuing bank.
Card skimming at cash machines continues to pose a risk in tourist-heavy districts. Criminals may install hidden devices on ATM machines to capture card details and PINs. These devices are often difficult to detect, making vigilance critical.
To minimise exposure, travellers are advised to use ATMs located inside bank branches during business hours, check for loose fittings or unusual parts on the machines, and always shield the keypad while entering their PIN.
Despite the risks, Madrid remains a safe and welcoming destination for the vast majority of its visitors. Most scams rely on creating moments of confusion or exploiting politeness. Understanding how they work is one of the most effective ways to avoid them.
Basic precautions—such as staying alert in crowds, keeping valuables secured, and questioning unsolicited interactions—can go a long way. So can preparation: researching local customs, knowing emergency numbers, and having a plan in case of lost documents or theft.
As with many cities that receive large volumes of tourists, the challenge in Madrid isn’t avoiding scams entirely, but recognising them when they appear—and walking away before they take hold.