Spain is a high vacation spot amongst solo vacationers, which isn’t stunning. Its cities are secure and walkable and have a variety of issues to do – from visiting spectacular architectural and historic buildings to tasting the native delicacies, which, by the way in which, varies from area to area.
If that is your first time heading to Spain, this information will provide help to select the vacation spot for you and all of the important issues you must know earlier than beginning your journey on this various nation.
The perfect locations to journey solo in Spain
Seville
The capital of Andalusia is filled with tradition – from unbelievable Moorish-style buildings and fairly squares to scrumptious native meals and conventional occasions.
Seville is mostly secure for solo vacationers, nevertheless it’s value maintaining a tally of your belongings when visiting its sights.
Alcazar of Seville is, undoubtedly, the prettiest palace within the metropolis. Discover its rooms embellished with Nasrid architectural particulars, wander its gardens, house to peacocks and beautiful flowers, and study the historical past behind the constructing.
Different must-see locations in Seville are the well-known Plaza de España, Seville Cathedral and Giralda Tower, and Casa Pilatos.
In case you are a foodie like me, you don’t wish to miss out on attempting native dishes. Garbanzos con espinacas (chickpeas with spinach) is my favourite and an excellent choice for vegetarians too. Different widespread dishes are oxtail stew and huevos a la flamenca Gypsy eggs).
And let’s not overlook about flamenco! Seville is the birthplace of flamenco, so there isn’t a higher place to get pleasure from a dwell flamenco efficiency.
The place to remain in Seville: Lodge One Shot Palacio Conde de Torrejón 09
Barcelona
Barcelona is the most well-liked metropolis break in Spain. What’s to not love about Gaudi’s structure and vigorous environment? Whereas it’s a incredible vacation spot to go to by yourself, you have to be cautious about pickpocketing in predominant areas like Las Ramblas.
Throughout your time in Barcelona, head to La Sagrada Familia, which is probably the most emblematic constructing within the Catalonian metropolis, and Park Güell. Be certain that to guide your tickets upfront as these are very busy sights.
Don’t miss Barcelona’s predominant sights, however you may also wish to go to lesser-known locations like Casa Vincens (one other incredible creation by Gaudi) and the Horta labyrinth.
The place to remain in Barcelona: H10 Metropolitan
Madrid
Madrid is the proper metropolis break for solo vacationers who love immersing themselves in historical past, artwork, and tradition. The town is house to a few of the greatest museums and artwork galleries in Spain, like Museo del Prado and Museo Reina Sofia.
A must-see historic constructing in Madrid is the Royal Palace. Every room is embellished to perfection. You can be amazed by the grand chandeliers and different parts, together with the ceilings. You possibly can spend fairly just a few hours there.
One other unbelievable place to go to is El Retiro Park. It’s an oasis in the midst of a cosmopolitan metropolis. The park is house to monuments, fountains, and necessary buildings whereas providing a tranquil escape from the town middle.
A go to to Madrid isn’t full with out attempting a few of the delicacies. For me, churros is the primary factor to strive in Madrid. Sure, yow will discover them anyplace else in Spain, however churros in Madrid are excellent. The perfect place to have them is Churrería San Ginés, a couple of minutes from Plaza de España.
In the event you love savory, then a great dish to strive is huevos rotos, usually translated as damaged eggs. It consists of fried potatoes, fried eggs, and Serrano ham. The mix is pleasant.
Relating to security, Madrid is secure throughout the day; nevertheless, you may wish to skip wandering Madrid alone at evening, particularly in quiet streets.
The place to remain in Madrid: Lodge Soho Boutique Opera
Malaga
Malaga is likely one of the greatest locations for solo feminine vacationers. This stunning metropolis in Southern Spain has loads of issues to do.
What I really like probably the most about Malaga is the mix of excellent climate, seashores, and tradition. Many vacationers suppose Malaga and the remainder of the Costa del Sol are all concerning the coast and solar, however let me inform you that Malaga affords many different issues.
As a solo traveler, you’ll really feel secure strolling across the metropolis middle, and you’ll go to all of Malaga’s predominant sights on foot.
A number of the unmissable sights in Malaga you shouldn’t miss are the Alcazaba, the Cathedral and, for those who’re into artwork, the Picasso Museum; by the way in which, Picasso was born in Malaga!
In the event you spend greater than one or two days in Malaga, I extremely suggest visiting the whitewashed cities. Most of them are lower than an hour’s drive, and so they present a unique expertise from the town.
Frigiliana and Mijas Pueblo are my favorites. Their white painted and cobblestone streets embellished with flowerpots are very picturesque.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to go to the whitewashed outdated city of Marbella or Estepona.
The place to remain in Malaga: Room Mate Valeria
Tenerife
Tenerife has all the time been a preferred hotspot for households. Nevertheless, its status is altering, and lots of solo vacationers and digital nomads head to Tenerife.
It’s the largest island within the Canary Islands, and yow will discover all types of actions – from spending your time absorbing the solar at its golden or black sand seashores to seeing El Teide and exploring its pure parks.
Tenerife is a really secure island, and though it’s simpler to discover it by automobile, it has good transportation.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital, however Puerto de la Cruz and smaller cities like Garachico are filled with historic buildings and tradition.
Additionally, for those who love climbing, Tenerife is a paradise. Among the finest hikes is the one which leads you to Masca, a village situated within the mountains. It’s the most original place on the island.
The place to remain in Tenerife: Occidental Santa Cruz Contemporáneo
Santander
Santander is likely one of the most underrated locations in Spain. This Northern Spain metropolis is ideal for solo vacationers preferring a quieter environment.
The town has fewer historic buildings than different Spanish locations but in addition has stunning golden seashores and is subsequent to scenic inexperienced landscapes.
One among my favourite locations in Santander is Palacio de la Magdalena, a former Palace and royal summer season residence. It’s within the Magdalena Peninsula, overlooking the crystal-clear sea.
The town additionally affords incredible day journeys to different Northern Spain locations.
For instance, you’ll be able to go to Bilbao, discover quaint cities like Santillana Del Mar, or go on a hike to Saya-Besaya Pure Park.
The place to remain in Santander: Lodge NH Ciudad de Santander
Associated learn: Street-tripping Northern Spain in a classic motorhome
Granada
One other Andalusian metropolis that should make it to the checklist is Granada. Strolling round Granada is stepping again in time as its Moorish structure is current throughout the town.
The Alhambra Palace is probably the most symbolic historic advanced in Granada and a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. You possibly can spend just a few good hours exploring its palaces and gardens.
Nevertheless, there are different sights you don’t wish to miss both—for instance, Granada Cathedral and San Jerónimo Monastery.
However that isn’t all; Granada is likely one of the greatest locations to eat tapas. They’re reasonably priced and scrumptious, too.
The place to remain in Granada: Palacete 1620, Premium Suites
The right way to get round Spain
Transportation on Spain’s mainland is mostly good. Not like international locations just like the USA, cities and cities are comparatively shut to one another, so that you don’t have to spend many hours driving to get to locations. Plus, you don’t even have to hire a automobile.
After all, renting a automobile in Spain provides you with extra freedom. You don’t want to fret about timetables, and regardless of being good, some locations aren’t well-connected by bus or practice.
Nevertheless, touring by practice in Spain is simple and comfy. In the event you head to Madrid or Barcelona, you’ll be able to just about get the practice to different incredible locations.
Buses are additionally secure, and most of them embrace the fundamentals you may want: WIFI and comfy seats and bogs. The one draw back is that touring from one vacation spot to a different will take you extra time.
In the event you resolve to hire a automobile, motorways are in good situation, and Spaniards drive on the right-hand facet of the street like in lots of different international locations, besides the UK and Malta.
The perfect factor about driving on this nation is the liberty and alternative to go to extra Spanish distant locations. Who doesn’t love visiting hidden gems?
If you wish to go to the Spanish islands (whether or not it’s the Balearic islands or the Canary islands), you have to a automobile as a result of it isn’t all the time simple to maneuver round with public transport.
The perfect time to go to Spain
There may be by no means a mistaken time to go to Spain; nevertheless, you may wish to select totally different months or seasons relying in your journey preferences.
For instance, for those who don’t like crowds and are all the time searching for methods to economize, go to Spain throughout the low season. Early spring and late autumn are incredible occasions to sightsee and journey on a price range.
If you’d like a vibrant environment, don’t thoughts the warmth, and love the seashores, visiting coastal cities in the summertime is for you.
Additionally, Spain isn’t the most well-liked vacation spot for the Christmas vacation. Nonetheless, it’s excellent for immersing your self within the Spanish tradition, from celebrating Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) to consuming 12 grapes for luck on New 12 months’s Eve and seeing the Three Kings Parade.
Associated learn: What’s Spain well-known for?
What to pack to your vacation to Spain
There may be this false impression that Spain is a heat vacation spot. The reality is Spain has totally different climates, so you actually need to examine the temperatures earlier than you begin packing.
Southern Spain, the Canary Islands, and the Balearic Islands are typically heat. Nevertheless, the temperature distinction between day and evening is critical within the winter, so you’ll nonetheless have to pack a jacket.
Northern Spain is wetter and cooler, so don’t make the error of leaving your umbrella at house.
Suggestions for visiting Spain alone
Spain is mostly a really secure nation for vacationers, however that doesn’t imply nothing occurs. Equally, there are some things you wish to know earlier than your journey to Spain. These are a few of my high suggestions for visiting my nation:
- Deliver money with you. Most eating places, outlets, and sights settle for card funds, nevertheless it’s nonetheless doable to seek out small companies and even buses that don’t have a card machine. Due to this fact, deliver some money with you to keep away from searching for an ATM.
- Faucet water is secure to drink. I need to admit I’m not an enormous fan of faucet water, however you’ll be able to truly lower your expenses and keep away from pointless plastic waste by filling a reusable bottle from the potable fountains discovered in lots of parks.
- Use an anti-theft bag. Pickpocketing is the primary petty crime you’ll find throughout Spain and the one which vacationers should concentrate on. Be certain that to regulate your belongings in busy areas.
- Keep away from vacationer traps. It’s incredible to know all the pieces on a restaurant menu, however the eating places that sometimes have their dishes translated into a number of languages are vacationer traps. You will see that your self paying more cash for a not-so-authentic meal. Consuming paella overlooking Sagrada Familia may sound like an excellent concept, however in all probability not to your pocket.
- Tipping isn’t obligatory. In reality, many Spaniards don’t tip or tip little or no (a few cents or euros). You tip based mostly on the service you acquired and the way you’re feeling on the day.
The right way to meet others in Spain
We Spaniards are outgoing, pleasant, and direct, which is a cultural shock for different cultures. We don’t have a tendency to know a lot of “private area”; we kiss strangers somewhat than shake arms and invite anybody over.
If you wish to join with the locals, you need to go the place the locals go.
Alternatively, in case you are extra concerned about assembly different vacationers, some good concepts are staying in hostels (sure, hostels have modified quite a bit and for the higher), searching for occasions on web sites like Meet Up, and reserving a tour or lesson.
–
Cristina Reina is the founding father of My Little World of Travelling, a weblog that helps vacationers uncover Spain and its hidden gems. She is keen about sharing native recommendations on her hometown, Malaga, and past.
