The Solo Female Traveler’s Guide To Barcelona: Everything You Need To Know
This is the ultimate Barcelona guide for solo female travelers who want to explore the city at a slow pace. For my second visit to Barcelona, I went alone. I ended up enjoying this trip better than the first time when I went with two travel buddies. As a solo traveler, I took my sweet time to tour La Sagrada Familia, try the seafood at La Boqueria, and stroll through the Gothic Quarter. If you’re a solo female traveler heading to Barcelona, here’s how to experience the best that the city has to offer.
This post contains affiliate links as explained in my disclosure policy
Is Barcelona safe for solo female travelers?
Barcelona is generally a safe city – it’s no more dangerous than, let’s say, Boston. The main issue you need to be cautious of is pickpocketing. Barcelona has regular incidents of theft in crowded public spaces, like the metro or the touristy city center. Just practice the same common sense precautions you would elsewhere. Don’t flash your expensive watch, jewel-encrusted iPhone case, or wads of cash. Stay as low key as possible and keep your belongings close to you (preferably in front of you so you can see them at all times.) I’ve personally never experienced any sort of robbery or concern for my safety in Barcelona. I think you’ll be just fine, too, if you don’t wander around dark alleys at 3 am in the morning.
The ugly truth about prostitution in Barcelona
This issue is difficult for me to talk about since it hits close to home, but I have to give you a heads up. A significant number of women from my native Nigeria work as prostitutes in Barcelona. They normally wear plain clothes and hang around street corners at night. Because of this, men may incorrectly assume that any black woman strolling around Las Ramblas (the main pedestrian street in Barcelona) is a prostitute.
A considerable number of Black American women visiting Barcelona have reported being mistaken for prostitutes. Fellow Nigerian-American blogger Gloria of The Blog Abroad was also mistaken for a prostitute while walking down Las Ramblas with a white, male friend. Although this has never happened to me, it has happened often enough to other Black women to raise concerns.
If you’re a black female traveling alone in Barcelona, I would avoid staying out late at night if possible. If you do go out, try to join a group of people. You can meet people through Couchsurfing meetups, language exchanges, expat groups, among others. The other option would be to take a cab back to your accommodation to avoid having to walk alone at night.
Public transportation in Barcelona
Barcelona has an extensive public transportation system: buses, metro, trains, and trams. That said, the city is very walkable so you can actually see a lot of the attractions on foot. For longer distances, you can take one of the public transportation options. I used the metro and the local trains, called Renfe Rodalies, to travel around the city.
To save money on your Barcelona trip, consider getting the Barcelona Card. It gives you access to all public transportation in the city and discounts on museums, Gaudi sites, and other attractions. You also get to skip the line at super touristy attractions, which will make your visit much smoother.
You may also like: How To Get From Barcelona Airport To the City Center Cheaply and Fast
Where to stay
There are tons of different accommodations you can choose from. For those who are really social, a hostel may be a good option. If you’re looking for some alone time, try a boutique hotel. You might also consider an Airbnb; I’ve found that Airbnb hosts give the best recommendations for restaurants and non-touristy things to do. If you’d like to stay at an Airbnb in Barcelona, use my link to get 30% off your booking.
These days, I prefer the privacy and convenience of a spacious room in a boutique hotel at the heart of the city. Here are a few great boutique hotels at the center of Barcelona for less than $100 a night. I always use booking.com to get reduced rates on hotels. Just follow this link and enter the hotel’s name. When you make a booking, you get a $25 reward.
Hotel Brummel
This is a boutique hotel located a stone’s throw away from some of the top museums in the city. It has a handful of luxurious amenities like an outdoor pool, sauna, restaurant, and garden.
H10 Montcada Boutique Hotel
Located in the El Born district, the H10 Montcada is a small boutique hotel with tasteful decor and stunning rooftop views. It is in close proximity to the Picasso Museum and the Gothic Quarter.
Hotel Catalunya Avinyo
This hotel is in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, just a few steps away from the Barcelona Cathedral. There’s a rooftop pool and a bar, and lounge area. You’ll also find a supermarket and metro station down the street.
Now, let’s move onto the best things to do in Barcelona as a solo female traveler.
Gaudi Architecture
Antoni Gaudi was a Catalan architect who created some quirky, modern buildings all around Barcelona and Catalunya. His works are a far departure from the traditional Gothic, Romanesque, and Moorish architecture you’ll find around Spain. I think visiting Gaudi’s buildings is #1 thing to do in Barcelona. Let’s go over the top sites to see.
La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family) is probably the most famous and impressive of all of Gaudi’s works. You just have to see the inside! The intricacy of the designs left me thinking ‘How did this man come up with this stuff?” Interestingly enough, the church was never actually finished. It is still under construction and is slated for completion in 2028. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want to experience La Sagrada Familia, you need to go on a guided tour and also avoid these 5 mistakes! Check out this Get Your Guide La Sagrada Familia guided tour with access to both the inside and the Nativity towers above. I’ve been doing Get Your Guide tours for years across Europe. Love the convenience of skipping lines and the top-notch guides!
Park Guell
This quirky park looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. It is probably the most whimsical and colorful of Gaudi’s works in Barcelona. You’ll find a couple of gingerbread-looking houses and modern designs with giant pillars. Like La Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best way to see this park is through a guided tour. The Get Your Guide Park Guell Guided Tour.
Casa Batllo
When Gaudi first built this house for the wealthy Batllo family, people were revolted by it. They thought the structure was too unusual and downright ugly. Yes, this house is odd-looking at first glance. But it’s actually quite beautiful if you spend the time to look at the details.
You may also like: 101 Super Fun Things To Do in Barcelona
Beautiful Parks and Views
These are the best places to relax and/or take in the panoramic views of the city. I haven’t included any beaches because I don’t think the beaches in Barcelona are worthwhile. If you’re looking for beautiful white sand beaches, you won’t find them here. You’ll have to take a day trip to other Catalunya destinations on Costa Brava, such as Sitges.
Park de La Ciutadella
This beautiful park was partly designed by Gaudi. He built the Gaudi waterfall pictured above, known as the Cascada Monumental. Park de Ciutadella is actually the only natural environment in the entire city. It’s the perfect place to go for a stroll and sit back for a moment. This park actually has a somewhat grim history. Back in the 18th century, it was a prison!
Bunkers del Carmel
This is one of the best places to get a good view of the entire city. There is a bit of a climb to get to the top of the bunker, but the views are so worth it! If you like, you can take snacks and a blanket with you so you can it and relax while admiring the view. Also, this is a great place to watch the sunset.
Tibidabo Hill
Tibidabo Hill is the highest point in Barcelona and possibly the best place to get a 360 view of the city. It’s also home to Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, a gorgeous church that gives La Sagrada Familia a run for its money. To get up to the church, you’ll need to walk up a mile of stairs or take an elevator. I’d choose the latter. Either way, the panoramic views are well worth the effort.
Cafes and Restaurants
Granja Dulcinea
Churros con chocolate are a staple breakfast item in Spain. This stuff is really good, and I definitely think you should try it at least once. Granja Dulcinea is one of the churros shops on Calle Petrixol that serve churros with a hot chocolate dip. You can also try Porras, which are bigger and fluffier than churros.
La Boqueria Market
At first glance, La Boqueria seems like a tourist trap. It’s located on Las Ramblas, the most touristy street in the whole city. Then you have plates costing up to 50 euros. Red flag! Surprisingly, I enjoyed browsing this market and eating seafood. Yes, it was expensive, but it was good and convenient. I think La Boqueria is worth a visit, especially if you’re a seafood lover.
Bar Marsella
Bar Marsella has a lot of history to its name. In fact, it’s the oldest bar in Barcelona and used to be a hotspot for the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and even Antoni Gaudi. The bar’s signature drink is absinthe, and all the items on the menu are affordable. The bar has just one dollar sign on Yelp.
Travel Products I Recommend
Tep Wireless Pocket WIFI Device
With portable WiFi, you can say goodbye to ridiculous roaming charges and SIM cards for good. I’ve been using the Tep Wireless Pocket WIFI device, called a Teppy, for a while and love the peace of mind it gives me. The Teppy provides 3G-4G WiFi for at least 6 hours and works in 100+ countries. In my experience, it lasts 9 hours. It also works in a variety of landscapes and terrains. I even filmed a Facebook Live from a boat in the Atlantic Ocean using my Teppy. I can also use Google Maps, request an Uber, call my mom, and do tons of other things I couldn’t do before. Quick tip: turn off the device when you’re not using it so that the battery can last longer. Check out my complete review of Tep Wireless. Then use code SOMTOSEEKS to get 10% off your order.
Cabin Zero 36L Backpack
The Cabin Zero 36 L Carry-On backpack is my go-to travel bag. I almost never check in luggage so I need a carry-on bag that is spacious, sturdy, and comfortable. The Cabin Zero 36 L fits the bill, and I’ve been using the same one for almost two years. It’s great for long trips and also comes with a tracker in case it gets lost. Check out my complete review of the Cabin Zero 36L backpack.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner.com is my go-to website to search for flights. It’s hard to beat the prices! I’ve snagged a $24 direct flight to Milan, a $30 flight to Berlin, a $400 roundtrip ticket to Colombia, and a $500 roundtrip ticket to Japan. I’ve been using Skyscanner since I studied abroad in Spain back in 2012. I check the website along with the Hopper app to determine the best time to buy tickets.
For more travel product recommendations, check out my Travel Essentials Page
One more thing: if you liked this post, please share!
Somto Ugwueze
Hi! I'm Somto. Two years ago, I stopped making excuses, ditched my indecisive friends, and started booking flights. Today, I'm a full-time solo traveler on a mission to inspire young women to seek new adventures.
![Let’s talk about money in Croatia 🇭🇷 (and the Balkans)
📌[Save and Share]
⚠️ Quick tip: Don’t exchange money or take out money from any place that has a big, yellow sign
On my most recent trip to Croatia with @girlslovetravel, I learned that from the locals and other seasoned travelers.
I wanted to pass along the message to help you guys avoid falling for this trap, because I saw so many people getting ripped off.
If you’re traveling through Europe, especially in the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe, you’re going to see these super-convenient money exchanges and ATMS.
With their big, yellow signs, these are hard to miss.
And they’re so seductive because they’re always conveniently located.
But don’t do it.
These places are known to have the worst exchange rates and sometimes hidden fees.
You’ll end up getting significantly less money than other comparable money exchanges.
The ATMS could charge you all sorts of ridiculous fees, which happened to one of my travel friends.
If you walk away from the touristy city centers, you can find places with better exchange rates.
Do your research.
Compare places, especially if you want to exchange a chunk of money.
Don’t go to the first place you see because it’s convenient.
Any other tips for exchanging money in Europe? Drop them below👇🏾](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/363495583_681336997355409_8269653626385180880_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=_vy0qj-WxFoAX-mjbwg&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfAPqz89qBOUgOh00AfVwwwiMtUalPvCK3LjBZqNY1ZuAQ&oe=657A6126)
![Let’s talk about money in Croatia 🇭🇷 (and the Balkans)
📌[Save and Share]
⚠️ Quick tip: Don’t exchange money or take out money from any place that has a big, yellow sign
On my most recent trip to Croatia with @girlslovetravel, I learned that from the locals and other seasoned travelers.
I wanted to pass along the message to help you guys avoid falling for this trap, because I saw so many people getting ripped off.
If you’re traveling through Europe, especially in the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe, you’re going to see these super-convenient money exchanges and ATMS.
With their big, yellow signs, these are hard to miss.
And they’re so seductive because they’re always conveniently located.
But don’t do it.
These places are known to have the worst exchange rates and sometimes hidden fees.
You’ll end up getting significantly less money than other comparable money exchanges.
The ATMS could charge you all sorts of ridiculous fees, which happened to one of my travel friends.
If you walk away from the touristy city centers, you can find places with better exchange rates.
Do your research.
Compare places, especially if you want to exchange a chunk of money.
Don’t go to the first place you see because it’s convenient.
Any other tips for exchanging money in Europe? Drop them below👇🏾](https://scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/363496891_3960588657501192_2279069811238681499_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=LtJTETr6UhgAX99KV_j&_nc_oc=AQmAmH8fEtUCrcX0JC3ab3nmi5MRB4e2Ji-S98sk2ENU8ZKpshumpTsxh4N_r9N8gx8&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfBLHqP4rlViQp28OGkZfCUrWhgAEJg_pGXIiiilHsTNeQ&oe=657922C5)
![Let’s talk about money in Croatia 🇭🇷 (and the Balkans)
📌[Save and Share]
⚠️ Quick tip: Don’t exchange money or take out money from any place that has a big, yellow sign
On my most recent trip to Croatia with @girlslovetravel, I learned that from the locals and other seasoned travelers.
I wanted to pass along the message to help you guys avoid falling for this trap, because I saw so many people getting ripped off.
If you’re traveling through Europe, especially in the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe, you’re going to see these super-convenient money exchanges and ATMS.
With their big, yellow signs, these are hard to miss.
And they’re so seductive because they’re always conveniently located.
But don’t do it.
These places are known to have the worst exchange rates and sometimes hidden fees.
You’ll end up getting significantly less money than other comparable money exchanges.
The ATMS could charge you all sorts of ridiculous fees, which happened to one of my travel friends.
If you walk away from the touristy city centers, you can find places with better exchange rates.
Do your research.
Compare places, especially if you want to exchange a chunk of money.
Don’t go to the first place you see because it’s convenient.
Any other tips for exchanging money in Europe? Drop them below👇🏾](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/364071653_816389820137326_3597345990832080157_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=MYF5J3kz_SAAX8LrCKa&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfAyBMpI95aIAIlzLZ-1w4-QTfs64lpl2_uEMGTDvZljQA&oe=6578CBC2)
![Let’s talk about money in Croatia 🇭🇷 (and the Balkans)
📌[Save and Share]
⚠️ Quick tip: Don’t exchange money or take out money from any place that has a big, yellow sign
On my most recent trip to Croatia with @girlslovetravel, I learned that from the locals and other seasoned travelers.
I wanted to pass along the message to help you guys avoid falling for this trap, because I saw so many people getting ripped off.
If you’re traveling through Europe, especially in the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe, you’re going to see these super-convenient money exchanges and ATMS.
With their big, yellow signs, these are hard to miss.
And they’re so seductive because they’re always conveniently located.
But don’t do it.
These places are known to have the worst exchange rates and sometimes hidden fees.
You’ll end up getting significantly less money than other comparable money exchanges.
The ATMS could charge you all sorts of ridiculous fees, which happened to one of my travel friends.
If you walk away from the touristy city centers, you can find places with better exchange rates.
Do your research.
Compare places, especially if you want to exchange a chunk of money.
Don’t go to the first place you see because it’s convenient.
Any other tips for exchanging money in Europe? Drop them below👇🏾](https://www.somtoseeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/363495583_681336997355409_8269653626385180880_n-256x320.jpg)
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