Spain is a prime 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 assist you to select the vacation spot for you and all of the important issues you must know earlier than beginning your journey on this numerous nation.
One of the best locations to journey solo in Spain
Seville
The capital of Andalusia is full of tradition – from unbelievable Moorish-style buildings and fairly squares to scrumptious native meals and conventional occasions.
Seville is usually secure for solo vacationers, however it’s value keeping track of your belongings when visiting its sights.
Alcazar of Seville is, unquestionably, the prettiest palace within the metropolis. Discover its rooms embellished with Nasrid architectural particulars, wander its gardens, dwelling to peacocks and beautiful flowers, and be taught 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.
If you’re a foodie like me, you don’t need to miss out on making an attempt native dishes. Garbanzos con espinacas (chickpeas with spinach) is my favourite and a terrific choice for vegetarians too. Different standard 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 is no such thing as a higher place to get pleasure from a stay flamenco efficiency.
The place to remain in Seville: Resort One Shot Palacio Conde de Torrejón 09
Barcelona
Barcelona is the preferred metropolis break in Spain. What’s to not love about Gaudi’s structure and full of life ambiance? Whereas it’s a incredible vacation spot to go to by yourself, you have to be cautious about pickpocketing in principal areas like Las Ramblas.
Throughout your time in Barcelona, head to La Sagrada Familia, which is essentially the most emblematic constructing within the Catalonian metropolis, and Park Güell. Be sure to ebook your tickets prematurely as these are very busy sights.
Don’t miss Barcelona’s principal sights, however you may also need 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 right metropolis break for solo vacationers who love immersing themselves in historical past, artwork, and tradition. Town is dwelling to among the finest 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 may be amazed by the grand chandeliers and different components, together with the ceilings. You’ll be able to spend fairly a number of hours there.
One other unbelievable place to go to is El Retiro Park. It’s an oasis in the course of a cosmopolitan metropolis. The park is dwelling to monuments, fountains, and vital buildings whereas providing a tranquil escape from the town heart.
A go to to Madrid isn’t full with out making an attempt among the delicacies. For me, churros is the primary factor to attempt in Madrid. Sure, yow will discover them wherever else in Spain, however churros in Madrid are excellent. One of the best place to have them is Churrería San Ginés, a couple of minutes from Plaza de España.
When you love savory, then a superb dish to attempt is huevos rotos, typically translated as damaged eggs. It consists of fried potatoes, fried eggs, and Serrano ham. The mixture is pleasant.
Concerning security, Madrid is secure in the course of the day; nevertheless, you may need to skip wandering Madrid alone at night time, particularly in quiet streets.
The place to remain in Madrid: Resort Soho Boutique Opera
Malaga
Malaga is among the finest locations for solo feminine vacationers. This stunning metropolis in Southern Spain has loads of issues to do.
What I like essentially the most about Malaga is the mix of fine climate, seashores, and tradition. Many vacationers suppose Malaga and the remainder of the Costa del Sol are all in regards to the coast and solar, however let me let you know that Malaga provides many different issues.
As a solo traveler, you’ll really feel secure strolling across the metropolis heart, and you may go to all of Malaga’s principal sights on foot.
Among the unmissable sights in Malaga you shouldn’t miss are the Alcazaba, the Cathedral and, should you’re into artwork, the Picasso Museum; by the way in which, Picasso was born in Malaga!
When 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 distinct 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 may go to the whitewashed previous city of Marbella or Estepona.
The place to remain in Malaga: Room Mate Valeria
Tenerife
Tenerife has at all times been a well-liked hotspot for households. Nevertheless, its repute is altering, and plenty 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 full of historic buildings and tradition.
Additionally, should you love mountain climbing, Tenerife is a paradise. The most effective hikes is the one which leads you to Masca, a village positioned 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 among the most underrated locations in Spain. This Northern Spain metropolis is ideal for solo vacationers preferring a quieter ambiance.
Town has fewer historic buildings than different Spanish locations but in addition has stunning golden seashores and is subsequent to scenic inexperienced landscapes.
Certainly one of 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.
Town additionally provides incredible day journeys to different Northern Spain locations.
For instance, you may 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: Resort 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 essentially the most symbolic historic complicated in Granada and a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. You’ll be able to spend a number of good hours exploring its palaces and gardens.
Nevertheless, there are different sights you don’t need to miss both—for instance, Granada Cathedral and San Jerónimo Monastery.
However that isn’t all; Granada is among the finest locations to eat tapas. They’re inexpensive and scrumptious, too.
The place to remain in Granada: Palacete 1620, Premium Suites
Methods to get round Spain
Transportation on Spain’s mainland is usually good. Not like international locations just like the USA, cities and cities are comparatively shut to one another, so that you don’t must spend many hours driving to get to locations. Plus, you don’t even must hire a automobile.
In fact, renting a automobile in Spain offers you 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 straightforward and cozy. When you head to Madrid or Barcelona, you may 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 cozy seats and bogs. The one draw back is that touring from one vacation spot to a different will take you extra time.
When you resolve to hire a automobile, motorways are in good situation, and Spaniards drive on the right-hand aspect of the street like in lots of different international locations, besides the UK and Malta.
One of the best 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 will have a automobile as a result of it isn’t at all times straightforward to maneuver round with public transport.
One of the best time to go to Spain
There’s by no means a incorrect time to go to Spain; nevertheless, you may need to select totally different months or seasons relying in your journey preferences.
For instance, should you don’t like crowds and are at all times in search of methods to save cash, go to Spain in the course of the low season. Early spring and late autumn are incredible instances to sightsee and journey on a funds.
If you’d like a vibrant ambiance, don’t thoughts the warmth, and love the seashores, visiting coastal cities in the summertime is for you.
Additionally, Spain isn’t the preferred 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 in your vacation to Spain
There’s 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 night time is important within the winter, so you’ll nonetheless must pack a jacket.
Northern Spain is wetter and cooler, so don’t make the error of leaving your umbrella at dwelling.
Suggestions for visiting Spain alone
Spain is usually a really secure nation for vacationers, however that doesn’t imply nothing occurs. Equally, there are some things you need to know earlier than your journey to Spain. These are a few of my prime ideas for visiting my nation:
- Deliver money with you. Most eating places, retailers, and sights settle for card funds, however it’s nonetheless potential to search out small companies and even buses that don’t have a card machine. Due to this fact, carry some money with you to keep away from in search of an ATM.
- Faucet water is secure to drink. I have to admit I’m not a giant fan of faucet water, however you may really get monetary savings 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 pay attention to. Be sure to keep watch over your belongings in busy areas.
- Keep away from vacationer traps. It’s incredible to grasp all the things on a restaurant menu, however the eating places that usually have their dishes translated into a number of languages are vacationer traps. You can find your self paying extra money for a not-so-authentic meal. Consuming paella overlooking Sagrada Familia may sound like a terrific thought, however most likely not in your pocket.
- Tipping isn’t obligatory. Actually, 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 are feeling on the day.
Methods 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 grasp a lot of “private house”; we kiss strangers slightly than shake fingers and invite anybody over.
If you wish to join with the locals, you will need to go the place the locals go.
Alternatively, in case you are extra curious about assembly different vacationers, some good concepts are staying in hostels (sure, hostels have modified rather a lot and for the higher), in search of occasions on web sites like Meet Up, and reserving a tour or lesson.
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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 captivated with sharing native tips on her hometown, Malaga, and past.
