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. And it’s a country that loves late nights, so even if you’re wandering Madrid at midnight: you won’t be alone. Spain offers the best of all worlds: it’s exotic ~ yet somehow familiar. Friendly, but not overly so. Lively ~ but they take siestas. And given its ranking as one of the safest countries in Europe, it’s an ideal country for female travel. So let’s dive right into this “Ultimate Girl’s Guide to Spain Travel!”
**Author’s Note: Article updated as of December 2022.
Spain Travel Map!
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, Syria is the least safe at #163 ~ the U.S. is more dangerous than most of Europe, at #121). What is more likely to occur in Spain though, 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’ve been a child thief, who was extremely skilled!
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 in rural areas.
- Global Peace Ranking = #30 out of 163 countries (U.S. is #121) = One of the safest countries in the world, like most of Western Europe.
- Hotels = Can be expensive in major cities & hot spots like Ibiza; but with a wide range of accommodations available & hostels, budget travel is definitely do-able.
- Must-Do’s = Party in Ibiza. Eat tapas & shop in Spain’s regal capital, Madrid. Take in a soccer (futbol) game. Run with the bulls in Pamplona. Admired the curved, crescent-shaped beach of San Sebastian. Take in Gaudi’s crazy buildings in Barcelona. Bask in warm sunshine in the Costa del Sol. Wander cobble-stoned streets in Sevilla. Admire the architecture in Segovia & Salamanca. Stand in awe of the Alhambra in Granada.
- Is Spain Good for Solo Travelers = Yes. Spain is a fantastic option for solo travelers, as it’s a safe, lively country where it’s relatively easy to make new friends. 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 city centers like Barcelona (where my purse was stolen from underneath our table ~ yet none of us saw a thing)!
- Would I Go Back = Yes!!! So much more to explore…including the gorgeous Costa del Sol region along the coast.
Ultimate Girl’s Guide to Spain Travel
The best way to get to know a country, & determine which regions you really want to visit, is to view photos of them. 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.
This first grouping of shots takes us from the world-famous Alhambra, in Granada, to the lively streets of Barcelona. If you’re a solo female traveler who’s a bit overwhelmed by big cities, than places like Granada might appeal more ~ because they’re small enough to be manageable, & it’s quite easy to meet friendly locals.
The Alhambra, in southern Spain, in Granada.
Barcelona, Spain is set right along the coast, & is famous for its many Gaudi structures.
Park Guell is one of Gaudi’s most famous landmarks in Barcelona, & a can’t-miss 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.
Seventy Barcelona is a great hotel choice for female travelers…
Don’t miss the STUNNING Tibidabo, which is a mountain overlooking Barcelona. Pictured is the Sagrat Cor church, which sits atop the mountain.
Ultimate Girl’s Guide to Spain Travel
This second set of 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). From there, we’ll head to the mountainous region of Espot Esqui, then to charming Granada, & finally, to epic party island: Ibiza.
One of the most iconic solo treks to take in Spain, is the world-famous pilgrimage: The Camino de Santiago, which is meant to be walked alone.
The mountainous region of Espot Esqui, near the French border & Andorra, Spain.
Granada, Spain.
A peaceful spot on world-famous party island: Ibiza, Spain.
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 nothing but a sea of red & white….& men running for their lives (women aren’t allowed to run with the bulls).
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 seen in my life: I fell in love at first sight with her soaring cathedrals. Seville is another city that charms just about everybody, & 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 the twilight against the city’s gorgeous cathedrals. It’s also a university town, so it’s streets are quite lively at night…
Sevilla (Seville), Spain.
Watch the horses & Spanish culture in Seville, Spain.
Colorful streets in Tarragona, Spain ~ on the coast, south of Barcelona.
Ultimate Girl’s Guide to Spain Travel!
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