Exploring Spain Solo: a guide to safe and enjoyable travel

Spain is one of the most gorgeous countries in Europe.

It has a vast and diverse history, with countless museums and historic landmarks to check out. Spain also has lots of natural beauty, with mountains, valleys, forests, beaches, and islands waiting to be explored.

On top of that, Spain has lots of fun attractions, delicious food, welcoming locals, and so much more! So if you’re looking for your next travel destination, consider Spain!

Another reason why Spain is so amazing is that it’s a great place to travel solo.

Solo travel in Spain is very easy and accessible. The transportation is modern and reliable, there are plenty of safe accommodation options, and there are lots of fun things to do and places to see if you’re traveling to Spain alone.

So let’s dive into this ultimate guide for solo travel to Spain!

Planning your solo trip to Spain

It’s important to plan ahead for any solo travel adventure. Things like transportation and accommodation should be researched thoroughly before arriving in a foreign country, especially if you’re traveling alone. 

Here are some important things to think about when planning a solo travel trip to Spain!

Transportation

There is a widespread network of transportation in Spain that will help you get around as a solo traveler. Here is a quick summary of the main forms of transport you will need:

Flights

Spain is quite large, so domestic flights can come in handy! Europe has lots of budget airlines that offer cheap flights. And if you’re short on time, flights are the quickest way to get from one side of Spain to the other.

Train

Spain also has a great rail network. For traveling between major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, the train is a speedy and efficient way to travel. 

Trains can be a bit pricey in Spain, so it’s always a good idea to compare train prices with bus prices to see if you can get a better deal elsewhere.

Bus

Public buses are the cheapest way to travel between destinations in Spain! Buses are a bit slower than trains and sometimes they run late. But they are overall reliable. 

For traveling in smaller towns and rural areas of Spain, the bus may be your only option. There are also public buses within major cities, which is useful for traveling around within a big city area.

Car

As a solo traveler, you probably won’t need to rent a car in Spain. Car rental, insurance, and gas can be very expensive for just one person! But it is an option if you prefer flexibility. 

If you’re doing a work exchange with locals, they may offer to drive you in their car to get to certain destinations, which is handy!

Metro

For traveling within big cities, the metro is a great way to get around! For example, in Madrid, the metro goes right from the airport to the city center in just 15 minutes. The metro is much cheaper than taking a taxi, and it usually has colored routes that make it easy to follow even if you don’t speak Spanish.

Taxi/Uber

In most larger towns and cities in Spain, you can take taxis to get around. Taxis are much more expensive than public transport, but they are obviously faster and easier. 

If you’re traveling alone and you’re out at night by yourself (which is not recommended), a registered taxi may feel safer than the metro. There is Uber in Spain, but it isn’t very widespread. You may only find it in big touristy cities.

Accommodation

You’ll also want to think about where you are going to stay in Spain. Luckily, there are lots of options for travelers of all budget ranges.

Work exchanges

A work exchange is a great idea for those traveling solo in Spain. You’ll get to work in exchange for accommodation, so you’ll save money and make friends with the locals and other volunteers. 

These opportunities are scattered all over the country, but here are some top-rated Worldpackers work exchanges in Spain for inspiration:

• Help with animal care and gardening at a homestay in Barcelona 
• Volunteer in a vineyard in Málaga 
• Work on maintenance and general tasks at an eco-lodge in Cádiz 
• Be a handyman at a surf hostel in Asturias 
• Work on a farm out in nature in Córdoba 
• Volunteer at a family-run hostel located along the famous Camino de Santiago in León 
• Help with social media and photography for a non-profit project in Madrid 

Hostels

Another idea for accommodation in Spain is hostels. Most major cities will have at least a few hostel options, particularly Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, Valencia, and Seville. 

If you’re traveling solo in Spain, hostels provide a social environment where you can meet other travelers and find friends to explore with! Most hostels also have lockers where you can safely store your belongings.

Hotels, Airbnbs, and Guesthouses 

Solo travelers with a bit more money to spend can stay at a nice local hotel or guesthouse. From Airbnbs, to local guesthouses, to hotels of all budget ranges, Spain has so many options. 

If you’re traveling to more remote locations that don’t have any hostels or work exchanges, a local hotel or guesthouse is your next best option.

Tips for budgeting and saving money in Spain

If you’re trying to travel to Spain on a budget, luckily there are some steps you can take to save money! As a solo traveler, being money-savvy can help you travel further and for longer. Keep these budget travel tips in mind next time you embark on solo travel in Spain!

Eat at the local markets: Most cities and towns in Spain have a central market. Here you can find cheap eats and affordable local produce.

Drink local alcohol: If you’re out in a tapas bar or restaurant and you want to indulge in some drinks, choose the local stuff. Local Spanish beer and wine are very cheap, but imported stuff is very expensive.

Wear comfortable walking shoes: Public transport is very cheap in Spain, but walking is completely free! Spain is also incredibly scenic, so try to walk whenever possible to soak in the scenery and save money.

Do a work exchange: You can seriously save so much money on accommodation when you do a work exchange in Spain! And the memorable cultural experience is an added bonus!

Find free activities: From hikes, to free walking tours, to beaches, churches, monuments, and more, you can often find free attractions in Spain.

Bring a student ID card: If you’re a student, bring your ID card to Spain! Many attractions offer discounts or free entry for students.

Staying safe as a solo traveler in Spain: avoiding common risks

No matter where you are traveling, solo travelers should always maintain common sense and use their judgment to stay safe! Here are some safety tips for those traveling to Spain alone.

Read ratings and reviews for accommodations

Whether you are staying in a hostel or Airbnb, or you’re doing a work exchange, read reviews from other travelers to know what you’re getting into! 

Lots of positive reviews is a good sign, bad reviews or no reviews is not a good sign for solo travelers.

Avoid going out at night alone

This is the case in any country, but avoid exploring or going out partying at night by yourself. It just puts you in a vulnerable position, especially if you’re a foreigner in a new country. Only go out with a group at night!

Keep your belongings safe

Spain is a relatively safe country, but pickpocketing is common in big cities. Wear a money belt, don’t wear flashy jewelry that attracts attention, and keep your things in a secure bag that you can keep a hand on. In your hostel, always keep your bags locked up safely in a locker.

Make local friends

Having some local friends is a great way to stay safe for solo travel in Spain. Whether you make friends at your work exchange, or you befriend local staff from your accommodation or tours, locals always know the safe places to go and will give you their local knowledge!

Learn some Spanish

Learning a bit of the local language is a great way to navigate your way around Spain while traveling alone. It shows you respect their culture and are willing to put in the effort! 

That doesn’t mean you won’t be safe if you don’t speak Spanish, but just learning some basic words will make you come across as more worldly and compassionate to the locals!

Solo activities to experience in Spain

Now that you know how to get around, where to stay, how to save money, and how to stay safe during your solo travel in Spain, here are some ideas for fun things to do!

Visiting museums, churches, and monuments

Spain has so much history, art, and religion to learn about. Museums are the perfect place to uncover all of Spain’s interesting culture! For example, Toledo is a town near Madrid that is known for its religious tolerance. 

The museums and religious buildings here showcase what a unique role Toledo has played in the history of Spain. Madrid is also home to world-famous art museums such as El Prado.

Going hiking

From the peaks of the Pyrenees to the volcanic hills of the Canary Islands, Spain has so many breathtaking mountains that offer excellent hiking opportunities! Hike part of the iconic Camino de Santiago, or take on the famously dangerous but breathtaking Caminito Del Rey.

There are also lots of national parks, islands, and coastal walks around Spain. If you’re hiking during solo travel in Spain, make sure you prepare well, have a first-aid kit, hike during daylight hours only, and try to find a buddy so you can stay safe.

Sampling local cuisine

Spanish food is heavy and heartwarming. Be sure to indulge in it all! 

From small plates at tapas restaurants to chilled gazpacho soup, to heaving servings of paella, you will have a blast sampling the delicious and flavorful foods of Spain.

Hitting the beach

Spain has a long coastline that is full of gorgeous beaches. Slap on some sunscreen and hit the water! 

From popular city beaches in Barcelona or Valencia to smaller towns like Alicante, San Sebastian, or Tossa Del Mar, there are beaches galore on the mainland.

And if you head out to the islands, you’ll find even more stunning strips of sand and sea. Ibiza is a popular beach party spot, Mallorca has more relaxing, idyllic beaches, and Tenerife has more secluded beaches as well as dramatic volcanic scenery.

Seeing a local performance

Spanish culture is heavily involved in the arts. No matter where you go in Spain, you are sure to see some local performances. 

From watching locals play instruments in the street, to attending an official flamenco performance, music and dance performances in Spain are beautiful and moving.

Solo travel in Spain wrap-up

It’s an amazing idea to try solo travel in Spain! This country is easy to get around as a solo traveler, and it’s safe if you just take the necessary precautions to avoid the occasional pickpocket.

The culture is rich and the people are kind, and it’s fun to learn a bit of Spanish while traveling through Spain. A work exchange can help you immerse yourself in the local traditions and culture, and hiking, beach-hopping, or exploring museums is a great way to learn everything you can about Spain!

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