Ultimate Girl’s Guide to Spain Travel
I once drove across Spain in a shift-stick, ALONE. Even though I’d never driven a stick, & didn’t speak a word of Spanish! How I survived that trip, I’ll never know!! Point is: Spain is a wonderful country for solo female travelers…like its neighbor, Portugal. And it’s a country that loves late nights. So even if you’re wandering Madrid at midnight: you won’t be alone. Spain is exotic ~ yet somehow familiar. Friendly, but not overly so. Lively ~ but they also take siestas. And as one of the safest countries in Europe, it’s a great country for female travel. So let’s dive right into this “Ultimate Girl’s Guide to Spain Travel!”
Map of Spain Highlights
Madrid
Barcelona
Ibiza
Pamplona
San Sebastian
Salamanca
Segovia
Granada (The Alhambra)
Mallorca
Seville
Women & Safety in Spain
The numbers for violent crime in Spain are very low ~ among the lowest in Europe. As of 2017, Spain sits at #30 out of 163 countries, in terms of safety (Iceland is the safest at #1, while Syria is the least safe at #163. The U.S. is more dangerous than most of Europe, at #121). What’s more likely to occur in Spain is petty theft. Pickpockets in major cities (like Barcelona) are very good at what they do. They thrive in crowded, touristy areas.
While sitting with friends at an outdoor restaurant in Barcelona, my purse was stolen from under the table ~ without any of us seeing a thing! We figured it must have been a child thief, who was extremely skilled! But don’t let this be a reason not to travel to Spain.
Just take some basic precautions….& consider wearing an anti-theft, cross-body purse.
To stay relaxed & carefree in Spain, follow these simple tips…. (Photo shot in Ibiza, at Playa Cala Xarraca).
Here are some tips for avoiding petty theft in Spain: 1) Use a money belt that can be hidden, or put credit cards in varying places (like interior jacket pockets); 2) Use an anti-theft, cross-body purse ~ & don’t leave it under a table or out of sight in busy areas; 3) NEVER have all of your money/passports/valuables in one place! If a thief snags it (like happened to me) ~ you’ll be shit out of luck; 4) Ask your concierge or host what parts of town to avoid, & let them know when you plan to return; & 5) Don’t keep your phone (or anything valuable) in your back pockets, particularly on the metro.
Spain Travel Quick Facts
- Spain in One Word = Lively.
- Spain in One More Word = Gaudi.
- Wi-Fi? Wi-Fi is readily available in most of Spain’s major cities; less likely to find it in more rural areas.
- Global Peace & Safety Ranking = Spain is the 23rd safest country, out of 163 countries (the U.S. is #132). Since I’ve written this article: Spain has become MORE safe, & the United States LESS…which unfortunately, make sense. Spain is statistically speaking, one of the safest countries in the world, like most of Western Europe.
- Hotels = Can be expensive in major cities like Madrid, & hot spots like Ibiza. But with a wide range of accommodations available & plenty of hostels: budget travel is definitely do-able.
- Spain Must-Do’s = Party with beautiful people in Ibiza. Eat tapas & shop in Spain’s regal capital, Madrid. Take in a soccer (futbol) game with raving fans. Run with the bulls in Pamplona! Admired the curved, crescent-shaped beach of beautiful San Sebastian. Discover Gaudi’s crazy buildings in Barcelona. Bask in the warm sunshine of the Costa del Sol region (Southern Spain). Wander the crazy cute, cobble-stoned streets of Sevilla. Admire the architecture in Segovia, & amazing cathedrals in Salamanca. Stand in awe of the Alhambra, in Granada.
- Is Spain Good for Solo Travelers? Yes, Spain is a fantastic option for solo travelers. It’s a lively, safe country where it’s pretty easy to make new friends…with both travelers & locals. Taking Spanish classes here is also a great way to meet people.
- What to Expect as a Female Traveler = Spanish men can be forward, but not as forward as the men in Italy! Watch out for pickpockets & thieves in busy cities like Barcelona (where my purse was stolen from underneath our table ~ yet none of us saw a thing)! What I found in Spain was, especially in bigger cities: most of the people are so busy getting where they’re going ~ no one really took the time to hassle me/us. And in smaller towns, there’s much more of a communal, neighborly feel.
- Would I Go Back to Spain? Yes!!! There’s so much more I want to explore here…including Mallorca & Ibiza.
Ultimate Girl’s Guide to Spain Travel
Take a look at this gorgeous gallery of Spanish cities, which are listed in alphabetical order. If you’re dying to know where a particular shot was taken, click on the photo & you’ll be able to search hotels in that region. Hotel suggestions for particular cities are also sprinkled into the mix here….
Photos of the Alhambra & Barcelona
These shots takes us from the world-famous Alhambra, in Granada, to the busy streets of Barcelona. If you’re a solo female traveler who’s overwhelmed by big cities: than places like Granada might appeal more. It’s small enough city to figure out, & quite easy to meet friendly locals…particularly if you get involved with local volunteer work or Spanish classes.
The Alhambra, located in Granada.
For a hotel with views of the Alhambra (that’s right across the street!), check out Hotel Alhambra Palace ~ which features beautiful Moorish architecture.
Barcelona is set right on the coast, & is famous for its many Gaudi structures.
Park Guell is a Gaudi masterpiece, & a MUST on your tour of the city.
La Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona.
If you’re looking for a safe, chic hotel in Barcelona: check out the stunning Seventy Barcelona, which offers guests an indoor & outdoor pool, sauna, + hip restaurant & bar,
Seventy Barcelona is a great hotel choice for female travelers, with a near-perfect location for walking.
Don’t miss STUNNING Tibidabo, which is a mountain overlooking Barcelona. Pictured is the Sagrat Cor church.
Ultimate Girl’s Guide to Spain Travel
These shots takes us slightly off-the-beaten path to one of the world’s greatest solo pilgrimages: the Camino de Santiago (perfect for spiritual solo travelers, or those seeking solitude & reflection). From there, we’ll head to the mountainous region of Espot Esqui, then back to charming Granada. And finally, to epic party island: Ibiza.
One of the most iconic solo treks in the world: The Camino de Santiago, which is meant to be walked alone.
A great place to stay after hiking the Camino de Santiago is Convento de San Francisco do Val de Deus. Located in Santiago de Compostela, this hotel is housed in a former convent ~ but also has an indoor pool & hot tub…so you’ll get some luxury along with a historic feel.
The mountainous region of Espot Esqui, near the French border & Andorra, Spain.
Sun-drenched days in Granada.
A peaceful spot on world-famous party island: Ibiza, Spain.
If you’re looking to party: head to the massive pool scene at Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel. Photo: Booking.com
If you’re looking to party in Ibiza (which most are), check out the Ushuaia Beach Hotel, Adult’s Only ~ which many say is the best place to party on the island.
Ultimate Girl’s Guide to Spain Travel
Next up, we head to a place you’ve probably never heard of: Illa Pancha, in Ribadeo ~ a region not often traveled to by tourists. Then, it’s off to popular Madrid & Mallorca, the gorgeous island next to Ibiza, in the Balearic Sea…
Illa Pancha, in Ribadeo, Spain ~ in the very northwestern corner, on the ocean.
Admire all the gorgeous architecture in Spain’s capital: Madrid.
The sunny, gorgeous island of Mallorca, Spain ~ next to Ibiza, in the Balearic Sea.
For a beautiful hotel stay in Mallorca: try the upscale boutique hotel: Hotel Basilica.
Relax with the rich & famous on Mallorca…
Ultimate Girl’s Guide to Spain Travel!
Malaga, Spain ~ on the southern coast, near the Costa del Sol region.
Beautiful Monestir de Montserrat, northwest of Barcelona.
Nora, Spain ~ west of Bilbao, & near the northern coastline.
One of my favorite Spanish memories ~ running with the bulls in Pamplona! You’ll see men running for their lives (women aren’t allowed to run).
Ultimate Girl’s Guide to Spain Travel
All cities in this section make ideal selections for female travelers, because they’re slightly smaller cities ~ but still oozing with charm & culture. Salamanca is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been: I fell in love at first sight with her soaring cathedrals. Seville is another city that charms everyone, & makes a great base for exploration in the Costa del Sol region.
Then, there’s lesser-known Tarragona, set on the southern coast.
I drove into Salamanca, Spain at dusk, & was ASTOUNDED by the beauty of twilight against the city’s gorgeous cathedrals. It’s also a university town, so streets are lively at night…
Sevilla (Seville), Spain.
Watch the horses & Spanish culture in Seville.
Colorful streets in Tarragona, Spain ~ on the coast, south of Barcelona.
A Few More Photos….
Toledo, Spain. Located just south of Madrid.
The port city of Valencia, Spain houses many futuristic structures, & lies on the southeastern coast.
Valdemossa, Spain ~ which actually lies on the island of Mallorca.
Ultimate Girl’s Guide to Spain Travel
Thanks for reading this guide to travel in Spain. This is a large country, with many diverse regions…& we’re just scratching the surface of it here. Also ~ don’t forget to visit Spain’s beautiful & highly underrated neighbor: Portugal. It’s the third safest country in the world, & offers another great, relaxed place for female travelers ~ it’s one of my favorite countries!
xoxo Noelia
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Of course! You’re welcome : )
What time of the year do you recommend and how many days for this itinerary?
Hi Vidya, thanks for your comment. So I definitely wouldn’t recommend hitting every city mentioned here unless you have a month or more to spend in Spain, that would be far too hectic. After reading, I’d identify the top 3-4 places you want to visit. If they are spots more beach-oriented (i.e. Barcelona, Ibiza, Mallorca) then I’d probably aim to visit between June-September. But the larger cities like Madrid can be visited anytime of year, & winter/spring travel will give you better deals & fewer tourists. Hope that helps! xoxo Noelia