There is much to experience in Catalonia, making it a great destination not only for general travel, but for solo travel as well. Below I'll share a full guide on how best to experience Barcelona as a solo female traveler, based on my itinerary while in the city. I'll cover restaurants to enjoy, fun activities (alone and with others), and even a few safety tips!
*Several links below are of affiliate nature, meaning that a small commission may be received by myself when you purchase through them. This is in support of Black Girl Wanderer, to create more travel blogs for you to enjoy!
Contents
1. Flight
3. What To Pack
4. Safety Tips
7. Things To Do
Flight
For my flight into Barcelona (BCN), I flew with United Airlines and the ticket cost was $544.77. This is typically a bit more expensive than I usually pay for my flights to Europe, but was still a good enough deal in comparison to how costly flights to Spain can be. If you'd like to read up on how I search for cheap flights and the best apps/websites to utilize, check out my How to Find Cheap Flights post!
Accommodation
Pol & Grace - 8.5/10
This hotel served as my accommodation for the first half of my stay in Barcelona, and what I loved most about it was the artsy, clean, minimalist vibe. There's even a small exhibition in the lobby of artists' collections that include clothing and art pieces available for purchase. Pol & Grace is also very close to a metro station, making public transport that much easier to navigate. The room itself was cozy, comfy, and just enough for someone traveling alone. My only qualm was that the walls at this hotel are thin, so you can hear when others are moving about the hallway. Despite this, it didn't greatly affect the enjoyment of my stay. Their breakfast was also a highlight, as it was both tasty and had more variety available than expected.
Seventy Barcelona - 9/10
For the second half of my stay in Barcelona, I decided to try a more luxurious hotel, and I definitely was not disappointed. The staff here were very accommodating and friendly, making sure to call a taxi for me whenever I needed to head out into the city, and making sure that anything else I needed was handled without issue. The aesthetics of this hotel were everything! The space is absolutely stunning; from the seating area in the lobby near the double-exposed bookcases, to the spa grounds, the breakfast area, and even the bar, I felt an air of luxury that even some of the nicer hotels I've stayed in failed to emulate.
What To Pack (Besides the Basics)
Passport
Vaccination Card
Comfortable walking shoes
Compression socks (these are great to put on to keep good circulation in your legs during long flights)
Portable charger
Adaptor (for your electrical devices if you are not someone who lives in the UK/EU)
Cash/Credit/Debit (be mindful that there are some establishments that only accept cash)
For the time of year I visited, early April, be sure to bring some cold weather clothing items as it may be cold on some days.
Umbrella/Rain Jacket/Rain Boots, as there is a higher chance of rain in early April
Sunscreen
Door Lock (for added security in Airbnbs and hotel rooms!)
Safety Tips for Solo Travelers
1. Don't let people know you're traveling alone - at least, not at first. Always have a story to let them know someone is waiting for you, either back at the hotel or after an activity.
2. Follow your Intuition - If something or someone doesn't feel right, disengage.
3. Invest in door locks/stops - This is linked above in the 'What to Pack' section, and is a great piece of extra security to have wherever you stay.
4. Share your location and trip itinerary with family/friends - Also be sure to contact them throughout your trip with what you're doing and where you're headed next.
5. Send a copy of your ID/Passport to someone you trust - In case they are lost during your trip and you need to get an emergency passport made.
6. Use the 'Share Trip Status' option in Lyft/Uber and/or set the 'Passcode' option - The trip status option is great for alerting trusted phone contacts of your location and when you've reached your destination safely, while the passcode option in the Uber app is great for extra verification that you're in the correct Uber.
7. Stay vigilant - I'm never one to fear monger, because solo travel is generally very safe and many women do it without issue, but bad things can and do happen. Always be aware of your surroundings and make smart decisions!
Currency & Language
The currency used in Barcelona, Spain is the Euro. For the most up to date exchange rates, check out XE Currency Converter. Barcelona is also known for the Catalan language, which happens to be one of the 4 official languages in Spain, including Spanish. Both Spanish and Catalan are Western Romance languages derived from Latin, with Catalan being especially apparent throughout the majority of Barcelona; noted in museums, parks, and even road signs.
Transportation
Taxi and Metro
For getting around the city, I suggest taking the metro or hailing a taxi. Uber is also available, but this will simply call a pre-priced taxi that will typically take a while to arrive, so I suggest you use other means of transport. In particular, you can purchase the Hola Barcelona travel card, which gives you unlimited access to most public transport in the city with 2-5 day time limits. The public transport includes the metro, bus, tram, Montjuïc Funicular and the regional railway. Taxis are also abundant in Barcelona, and a great way to get around with set pricing, and they usually accept either cash or card transactions.
Things to Do
Park Güell
Park Güell is an iconic space in Barcelona that is home to the architectural genius of famed architect Antoni Gaudí. This area is so well loved and vital to Barcelona's culture that it was even declared a UNESCO world site (and was an iconic feature to a well-known Disney movie!) Tons of people visit this beautiful, serene park on the daily. Currently, the park is open all year 'round from 9AM-7PM. General Admission tickets start at 10 euros, and you can also purchase a guided tour for the park grounds. I suggest that you buy tickets in advance, especially if you plan to visit on the weekend or during a holiday, as lines and wait times can get ridiculously long.
La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia is one of the oldest and most sought after tourist spots in Barcelona, and with good reason. This basilica is the life work of Antoni Gaudí, who oversaw its design and construction until his untimely death in 1926. For me, what makes this place such a sight to behold is Gaudí's combination of elements representing God, nature, joy, and death all in one spectacular use of unique architecture. It is actually still currently under construction, but the proposed date of completion is unknown. When I went to visit, there were some areas that were closed off from visitors, so be aware of this when purchasing tickets. You have the option of a self-tour, using the site's official app to walk you through each numbered area of the Basilica, or for a few extra Euros you can do a guided group tour. Also be sure to wear the appropriate attire and book your visit in advance!
Moco Museum
Moco Museum was one of the highlights of my solo trip to Barcelona, and is actually one that focuses on highlighting the work of modern and contemporary artists like KAWS, Banksy, David LaChapelle, Jean Michel Basquiat and many more. The exhibit isn't very large, but every piece displayed will be sure to evoke strong reactions and intrigue. If you're a student, be sure to ask about their current discount when getting your ticket.
Make Your Own Paella
Another MUST EAT while in Spain is of course Paella, but you can up the ante and learn how to make the dish all on your own (while being served an almost absurd amount of free Cava). This was such a fun experience that allowed me to not only learn the history behind the dish and the many ways it's made, but also allowed me to meet and make conversation with other travelers who were enjoying time in Barcelona as well. Solo travel is great, but you can and should make time to interact with others, so group tours are a great way to do this! I booked this experience through Airbnb Experiences (of course) and the hosts at The Paella Club were amazing. You're sure to be FULL after this experience. I highly recommend!
Take a Tapas Food Tour
This was another amazing food experience I had while in Barcelona, courtesy of Airbnb Experiences (they should sponsor me at this point!). Our host Atair took me and a small group around the working-class neighborhood known as El Clot, where we got to taste several delicious tapas from a few local restaurants and bodegas. I've spoken more specifically on a few in the Where to Eat/Drink section of this travel guide, including the names of where we went. This was a great way to try dishes I don't think I would have been brave enough to order on my own, and by the end of the night I made new friends.
Experience Barcelona's Unique Neighborhoods
A great way to get a feel for all Barcelona has to offer is to visit the different neighborhoods in the city. You should be sure to visit well known ones such as the Gothic Quarter (the Picasso and Moco Museums are located here), El Born (where you can see the Arc de Triomf and stroll through Parc Ciutadella), and Las Ramblas (quite touristy, but a nice area to walk around and eat good food) but be sure to visit ones that are less touristy, such as El Clot.
Take a Day Trip to Montserrat
There is SO much to experience in Barcelona, and I certainly did not get to do and experience all I wanted to while there, but I really wanted to squeeze this guided day trip of Montserrat onto my itinerary. I booked a half-day tour with Get Your Guide that I actually got a free upgrade on, so a winery tour with tapas was included in my experience. The mountainous view and idyllic monastery were such a sight to behold. Montserrat houses a monastery that is home to over 60 monks, and many make their way here through pilgrimage. People also frequent this area to go hiking or rock-climbing, so it serves many purposes for many different people.