Spain brings together everything that a solo traveler can yearn for in Europe, in unbeatable conditions, since Spanish is spoken and its transport infrastructure, accommodation, restaurants and other tourist services are of the highest order.
The 15 places to travel alone in Spain that you cannot miss:
Madrid
The Spanish capital offers everything a solo traveler could want, including magnificent monuments and museums, excellent restaurants for all budgets, parks and nightlife spots.
The Madrid metro allows you to comfortably reach any point day and night and if you want to go to football, the city is home to two of the most popular teams in the world (Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid).
Madrid vibrates in Puerta del Sol, the main tourist concentration point, with cafes, restaurants and wide spaces for walking.
The Prado Museum is the most important national art gallery, with works by great national masters (El Greco, Velázquez, Goya, Ribera, Zurbarán) and other figures of national and universal art.
The typical dish of the city is cocido madrileño, a powerful stew of meats, sausages, bacon and vegetables, accompanied by chickpeas, which will satisfy you for several hours.
Barcelona
The so-called Ciudad Condal is the second most important town in Spain and the capital of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia.
It is one of the main tourist destinations in the country due to its architectural beauty and intense cultural life, housing prestigious museums, theaters and the bulk of the national publishing industry.
In its architectural landscape, the works of the most illustrious Catalan, the architect Antoni Gaudí, stand out, such as the Temple of the Sagrada Familia, Casa Milá, Park Guell and Casa Batlló.
In the Gothic Quarter of the city there are architectural jewels such as the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, the Plaza de San Jaime, the Palace of the Generalitat and the Barcelona History Museum.
The busy Ramblas, emblematic of the city, have already recovered after the terrorist attack in August 2017.
The main Catalan city is home to one of the most popular football teams in the world, FC Barcelona, which plays at the renowned Camp Nou, where there is a museum.
Bilbao
It is one of the best places to travel alone in Spain and it will surprise you with its harmonious urban development in which architectural gems from the past coexist with splendid contemporary buildings.
Among the first, the bridge and the church of San Antón and the City Hall building stand out, while among the modern constructions the Iberdrola Tower, the Isozaki Towers and the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum stand out.
The Guggenheim Museum, an imposing and avant-garde building, designed by Canadian architect Frank O. Gehry, is one of the main locations of the famous novel Inception , by Dan Brown.
Like good Biscayans and Basques, the people of Bilbao are culinary artists and nowhere will you be able to enjoy a better Biscayan-style cod, Bilbao-style ratatouille or Ondarresa-style hake.
Malaga
In the historic center of the city where Pablo Picasso was born, you can see various places related to the life of the great artist, such as his birthplace and the Museo Picasso Málaga.
The Alameda Principal de Málaga is a tree-lined avenue with ficus, which houses beautiful buildings and works, such as the monument to the Marquis of Larios, the fountain of Génova, the La Equitativa building, the Cajamar building and the government headquarters of the Junta de Andalucía.
In the religious architecture of Malaga, the cathedral, the churches of El Sagrario, San Julián and Santo Cristo de la Salud stand out, as well as the Convent of La Trinidad, the Hermitage of Zamarrilla and the Capilla del Agua.
On the Malaga Mediterranean coast there are several beaches that fill up in summer, such as La Caleta and La Malagueta.
Solo travellers, archeology lovers, can visit the Prehistoric Park and the Cerro del Villar site in Malaga, where a Phoenician city of important proportions was discovered.
Seville
The Andalusian capital can delight a unique traveler due to its extensive historic center, the largest in Spain; its religious and cultural traditions, particularly Holy Week, bullfighting and flamenco, and its rich gastronomy.
In Seville’s old town, the Giralda stands out, an architectural symbol of the city, which measures 104 meters and combines Islamic and Renaissance architectural styles.
There are also the cathedral, the Reales Alcázares, the Archivo de Indias, the Torre del Oro, the Plaza de España, the Real Audiencia and the Palacio de Dueñas.
Sevillan Holy Week is the most famous in Spain for its fervent and picturesque parades, its brotherhoods and its saetas songs.
In these festivities you can also see the love of bullfighting, one of the oldest activities at the national level, with a Bullring, the Real Maestranza, which is one of the most visited monuments in the city.
The Sevillian night vibrates with beauty and tradition with the flamenco dances in the popular tablaos, where locals and visitors enjoy the dance, the music, the chamomiles, the “aliñás” potatoes and the flamenca-style eggs.
Benidorm
This Alicante city, which is located in front of the Mediterranean, is famous for its beaches and has become one of the Spanish towns that grows the most upwards, due to its skyscrapers.
In summer, Benidorm is a microcosm of people from all over Spain and the world, who in their tens of thousands pack its beaches, hotels and nightclubs.
Among the beaches Levante, Poniente and Mal Pas stand out, distinguished by the European Foundation for Environmental Education with the “Blue Flag” for the excellence of their environmental conditions and services.
Among its natural sites, the Sierra Helada National Park offers points of geological interest and a fauna consisting mainly of birds such as cormorants, seagulls, storm-petrels, gannets and shearwaters.
In the city there are architectural monuments such as the Torre Punta del Cavall, a defensive structure built in the 16th century, and the Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana.
Granada
This beautiful Andalusian city is full of history for having been the capital of the Muslim sultanate that came to an end with the Reconquest culminated by the Catholic Monarchs, Fernando de Aragón and Isabel de Castilla, in 1491.
From the time of the Islamic kingdoms stands out the Alhambra, the citadel in which the sultans and their courts lived, a complex of walls, palaces, gates, towers, squares, parapets, bastions and gardens that is a World Heritage Site.
The Alhambra is visited annually by more than two and a half million people, and it is the Spanish monument with the greatest influx of public after the Temple of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
Other places of interest in Granada are the Generalife, the beautiful resting place of the sultans that is attached to the Alhambra; the cathedral, which was built on top of the Great Mosque; and the Royal Chapel, a beautiful Gothic building.
Valencia
If you go to this Spanish city in mid-March, you can enjoy the fallas, festivals that are of international tourist interest and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The celebration is in honor of San José, and more than a religious festival, it is a carnival of floats, hundreds of music bands, colorful typical costumes, an exhibition of dolls, parades and fireworks shows.
The cathedral, the Basilica of the Virgin, the temple of Santa Catalina Mártir, the church of San Juan del Hospital, the monastery of San Miguel de los Reyes and the parish of Santos Juanes are religious attractions that must be visited.
The Puerta de Serranos is an imposing fortified entrance to the old medieval wall, while the dazzling and daring L’Hemisfèric building is one of the city’s contemporary symbols.
The Valencian paella is known all over the world and in Valencia there are restaurants that prepare it exquisitely with the traditional recipe based on rabbit, poultry, snails and vegetables.
San Sebastian
This city is located in the Bay of Biscay and is the capital of the Autonomous Community of Biscay, bordering France.
It is characterized by its intense tourist activity, underpinned by its architecture, gastronomy and festivals, particularly the International Film Festival and the San Sebastian Jazz Festival.
The French and European Belle Époque was reflected in San Sebastián in its splendid buildings, such as the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd of San Sebastián, the Miramar Palace, the Peñaflorida Institute (currently the headquarters of the Koldo Mitxelena Cultural Center), the Victoria Eugenia Theater, the villas on the Paseo de Francia and the Hotel María Cristina.
Basque culinary art is known throughout the world, especially in Latin America, and San Sebastián is the city that symbolizes San Sebastian gastronomy, with several famous chefs and restaurants awarded with 3 Michelin stars.
Among the main places of entertainment in the city are the Bahía de la Concha, with a beach, nightclubs, cafes and restaurants, and La Zurriola beach.
Zaragoza
The Aragonese capital has a privileged location, being 300 km from Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, the three main Spanish cities.
It is one of the best Spanish towns for tapas, the leisure institution that identifies Spain with its drinks and snacks. El Tubo is a network of narrow streets in Zaragoza where locals and tourists go who want tapas with more tradition.
In the old town of Zaragoza, La Magdalena stands out, a neighborhood where the temple of María Magdalena is located, one of the peaks of Mudejar architecture in Spain.
These historical sites coexist with modern shopping centers, such as Puerto Venecia and Plaza Imperial.
Goya was a native of the province of Zaragoza and his eponymous museum in the city exhibits drawings and paintings by the artist.
Other places in Zaragoza, with works by the great Baroque painter, are the Zaragoza Museum, the Diocesan Museum, the Camón Aznar Museum, the Aula Dei Charterhouse and the Pilar Basilica.
Murcia
The fertile lands of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia have earned it the name of Huerta de Europa.
While the city of Murcia, its capital, brings together a large number of Baroque buildings, among which the Cathedral of Santa María stands out, with a 93-meter tower that is the third tallest in Spain.
In the cathedral of Murcia part of the remains of Alfonso X (the Wise) are preserved, the 13th century Castilian king who stood out for his love of letters and science.
The historic center of Murcia is constellated by architectural beauties such as the Convent of the Agustinas del Corpus Christi, the Episcopal Palace, the Church of Santo Domingo, the Monastery of Santa Clara la Real, the Town Hall, the Casa Cerdá, the Almodóvar Palace and the famous Casino.
The Royal Casino of Murcia is a building from the mid-19th century, of great beauty and sumptuousness, with a harmonious mix of artistic styles.
Other attractions of Murcia are its gardens and the bridges that cross the Segura river.
Pamplona
The capital of the Foral Community of Navarra is a large festive asylum during the second week of July, when the San Fermín festivities are held.
The rocket that marks the start of the festivities is called the chupinazo and is launched from the balcony of the town hall on July 6 at 12 noon.
From that moment on, everything is crazy until July 14 arrives at midnight and you have to sing the Pobre de mí , a popular song that puts an end to the revelry.
The main festive event is the daily running of six fighting bulls through a street circuit of the city, ending in the bullring.
In the architectural landscape of Pamplona, the church of San Saturnino (patron saint of the city, although many people believe it is San Fermín), the cathedral of Santa María, the temples of San Lorenzo and San Nicolás, the citadel, the City Hall building stand out. and the Roman and medieval parks, gardens and bridges.
Logrono
Among the places to travel alone in Spain, Logroño is an excellent selection for lovers of good wines.
The capital of the Autonomous Community of La Rioja is a city that retains the charm of when it was a rural town on the banks of the Ebro, where wine was made in small batches using traditional methods.
Currently, Logroño is the seat of prestigious wineries that produce some of the best Spanish wines and offer guided tours for tourists to learn how Riojan wine is made and enjoy it in well-paired tastings.
Logroño is also a point of tourist-religious interest, as a station on the long Camino de Santiago.
In the city you have to know its traditional streets: the Paseo del Príncipe de Vergara, the Plaza del Mercado and its beautiful parks.
Guadalajara
This Castilian-La Mancha city was founded by the Arabs in the 8th century on the banks of the Henares River and is distinguished by its serene architectural beauty.
The Royal Alcazar of Guadalajara was built by the Muslims who reigned in al-Andalus and has successively been a royal palace, a loom factory, a barracks and a national monument.
The Palace of the Dukes of the Infantado is a 15th-century building in Elizabethan Gothic style mixed with Renaissance details, and the Palace of Antonio de Mendoza (ex-convent of La Piedad) combines Renaissance and Neoclassical lines.
The Museum of Guadalajara works in the Infantado Palace and was founded in 1838, and is the oldest provincial museum in Spain. It exhibits works of Fine Arts, archaeological and ethnographic.
Near Guadalajara there are natural places to spend lovely days outdoors, such as Finca de Castillejos, Peña Hueva and Pico del Águila.
La Coruna
This Galician city is located in the Rías Altas and has as its architectural emblem the Tower of Hercules, the oldest lighthouse in the world that is still in operation. This World Heritage Site has guided sailors since the 2nd century, when it was built by the Romans.
Another symbol of A Coruña is the castle of San Antón, a 16th century fortification in which the Archaeological and Historical Museum works.
The Old City of La Coruña is a space of streets and squares with noble houses with colorful facades in which the city’s past can be breathed, while the Paseo Marítimo is the meeting point for locals and visitors who want to walk, do jogging , biking and breathing the healthy sea air.
In La Coruña there are excellent urban beaches for swimming, sunbathing and outdoor entertainment, such as Riazor, Orzán, Las Lapas, San Amaro and Playa del Matadero.
What are the best destinations to travel alone in Spain for the first time?
If you are alone on your first trip to Spain, the following places combine natural beauty, clean air, sun for an excellent tan and adventure entertainment.
Formentera
This Balearic island in the Mediterranean is ideal for exploring it by bicycle, and on its coasts of clean and clear waters there are wonderful places for diving, windsurfing , sailing and kayaking.
Other wonderful walks through Formentera are those that take you to see its houses, lighthouses, mills and cisterns.
The main island town is San Francisco Javier, a town of 3,500 inhabitants where you must visit the church of San Francisco, an 18th-century temple; the Romanesque chapel of Tanca Vella, dating from the 14th century; and the Ethnographic Museum of Formentera.
Gran Canaria
On this island in the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands there is good weather almost all year round and its wonderful spas invite you to relax and unwind.
Much of the island is made up of Nature Reserves, Natural Parks, Rural Parks, Natural Monuments and Protected Landscapes, and it is a charming destination for people who love nature.
In its largest city, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, there are urban beaches, Las Canteras being the most frequented, due to its golden sand and multiple possibilities for recreation.
Palma de Mallorca
In the capital of the island of Mallorca there are beaches, entertainment venues, architectural beauties and excellent restaurants that will make your first trip to Spain always on your mind.
The main urban beach entertainment site is Playa de Palma, a long coastal district facing the Mediterranean, with all the facilities and services to spend fantastic days on its beaches.
In the city of Palma de Mallorca, you must see the impressive cathedral of Santa María de Palma, which has the largest Gothic rose window in the world.
What are the best destinations for singles in Spain?
There are many Spanish places for a single boy or girl to spend fun and unforgettable times.
Salamanca
In the list of places to travel alone in Spain, a university city like Salamanca should not be surprising, due to the many possibilities for youthful interaction that it offers singles.
The University of Salamanca was founded in the 13th century, which makes it the oldest in Spain and the third in Europe. It currently has an enrollment of 32,000 students.
Salamanca is two hours and a fraction from Madrid, making it ideal for a weekend getaway from the Spanish capital.
In the cafes, pubs, clubs and tapas bars on Gran Vía you won’t be short of people to chat with and you may end up singing and dancing at El Submarino, Camelot or Cvm Lavde.
Cadiz
This Andalusian city is full of parties and fun, so a bachelor will be constantly active, going to bed at dawn and getting up after noon.
The Cadiz carnival is spectacular, which is why it brings together people from all over Spain and the world who only have in mind attending parties for several days in a row until dawn.
You have to make a space to get to know the Puerta de Tierra, a redoubt of the old walled city; the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the Customs Palace and the Royal Jail, a beautiful neoclassical building.
Picos de Europa
This national park located in the Cantabrian mountain range offers wonderful landscapes and is the second in Spain in number of visitors after the Teide National Park.
The national park has an area of 67,455 hectares and covers territories in the provinces of León, Asturias and Cantabria.
It has places and facilities for climbing, rappelling, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding and caving.
Among its bodies of water are the Lakes of Covadonga, of glacial origin, which have become known worldwide because they usually mark the arrival of one of the stages of the Tour of Spain.
What are the best beaches in Spain to travel alone?
Spain has spectacular beaches on its large islands (Balearic and Canary Islands), as well as on its continental coasts facing the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. These are six of the best Spanish sandbanks.
Mascarella and Macarelleta coves, Menorca
These two beautiful coves are located in the same cove on the Balearic island of Menorca. The second is the smallest.
They have beautiful turquoise blue waters and smooth white sand where you can lie down to sunbathe and rest. They are semi-surrounded by land ledges that penetrate the sea, which makes the coves natural pools of calm waters.
Cala Mascarelleta is frequented by nudists and to get there you have to walk about 10 minutes from Cala Mascarella.
Las Teresitas Beach, Tenerife
This place, located in front of the beautiful Canarian sea, lacked a good sandy area, although this was not a problem for the island entrepreneurs, who in the 1970s decided to import fine sand from the Sahara, creating a wonderful beach.
A breakwater was also built to help dam and calm the waters, so visitors can swim in calm seas. For fossil fans, there is a paleontological site nearby.
La Concha beach, San Sebastian
La Concha frequently appears in the lists made by the media about the best beaches in Spain.
It is an urban beach of fine golden sand located in front of a promenade in the Bahía de la Concha, in the center of the Basque city of San Sebastián. The sandbank is wide and 1,350 meters long.
At one of its ends is Mount Urgull, a place of tourist interest for its castle, chapels and fortifications, as well as for the panoramic views of the Cantabrian Sea
Calo des Moro, Majorca
It is a dazzling natural pool of turquoise waters secluded by the two rocky structures that flank the sandbank. It is a somewhat narrow cove, so you have to get there early to find a place.
It is located a few kilometers from Santañy, a peaceful Majorcan city with a marked cultural vocation, in fact, it is the scene of literary and Fine Arts events.
Ses Illetes, Formentera
There are people who consider that this Formentera beach should be included among the best in Spain due to its crystal clear and calm waters and its white and soft sand.
It has an extension of approximately 500 meters and is located in the northernmost point of the island of Formentera.
Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria
This Canarian beach is active almost all year round thanks to the good climate of the islands and its easy access from a promenade.
It is located in the south of Gran Canaria, enclosed between the sea and the dunes, and is one of the favorites of European tourism, for which it has an excellent service infrastructure.