A solo female traveler's guide to Barcelona

Solo female travel in Barcelona

Secret passageways tell tales of an ancient city and the Mediterranean sparkles as the sun dips behind La Sagrada Família at the end of another beautiful day in Barcelona. Solo female travelers, listen up because we’re uncovering the hidden gems of Catalunya and its capital, giving you safety tips, insider info, and everything you need to know to make your experience of Barcelona solo female travel completely unforgettable. 

Best time to visit Barcelona

Depending on what you’re going for, autumn is one of the best times of year to visit Barcelona. The city breathes a deep sigh of relief as the mad rush of tourists is over, but you can still be in a T-shirt on a good day in November. It’s often bright and sunny but not hot and humid, and the sea is just warm enough to swim for those who are brave! Winter is the quietest time of year, and you might get lucky with sunny days and mild temperatures but don’t expect to be sunbathing at the beach. Occasionally, you may see a sprinkling of snow on the mountains surrounding the city (and did you know, you can even take a day trip from Barcelona to go skiing?!). Temperatures begin to rise again in springtime, and before you know it, it’s summer in the city. This is the busiest time of year to be in Barcelona, and while most of the locals get out of the city in August, the beach is filled to the brim with visitors jostling for a spot as close to the sea as possible. 

Must-see places in Barcelona

La Sagrada Família

While construction of the iconic cathedral began in 1882, Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece is still in the making, meaning it’s worth a visit even if you’ve been before. Barcelona’s most famous landmark is not one to be missed - marvel at the intricate details of the exterior or book your ticket in advance to explore the inside of the cathedral, where you’ll be able to appreciate the grandeur of the building, stained glass windows and all.  

Montjuïc 

Hop on the cable car or climb the stairs up the hillside of Montjuïc to find botanical gardens with impressive miradors (viewpoints), the Anella Olímpica, where the Summer Olympic Games were hosted in 1992, and the Castell de Montjuïc, which has a bloody history as a center for torture and imprisonment. Over on the other side of the hill, the grand Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) stands at the top of a set of steps that lead down to Plaça d'Espanya, where the Magic Fountain show can be seen a few days a week. 

Park Güell 

Originally designed for the use of wealthy residents in the area, Park Güell is now open to the public and is popular with both tourists and locals alike. Yet another of Gaudí’s visions, the park is famous for the colorful balcony area covered in mosaics, tree-shaped columns, and pathways that wind through lively green shrubbery. 

The Gaudí houses

Antoni Gaudí left his mark on the city of Barcelona in a number of iconic ways, and Casa Batlló and La Pedrera (Casa Milà) are no exception. Designed to be residential buildings, now millions of visitors come to Passeig de Gràcia every year to marvel at the quirky facades and enjoy the cultural centers housed inside. 

Arc de Triomf

The Arc de Triomf served as the entranceway to the Universal Exhibition in 1888, and this impressive feat of neo-Mudéjar architecture makes for the perfect photo opportunity! Once you’ve snapped your selfie, head to the Parc de la Ciutadella for a picnic and a spot of people-watching. 

Barcelona Cathedral

Officially known as the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, the Catedral de Barcelona is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, with its construction spanning across several centuries. Book your tickets to go inside and enjoy views of the city from the rooftop terrace, and don’t miss the cloister area, which is home to 13 white geese! 

Things to do in Barcelona as a solo traveler 

Wander through the Gothic Quarter

Take a guided tour through the Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) or explore it at your own pace as you stroll through the labyrinth of cobblestone streets. The gothic spires of Barcelona Cathedral dominate the skyline, and down on the ground, you’ll find narrow passageways that open up into paved squares like Plaça Reial and Plaça Sant Jaume.

Eat your heart out

It should come as no surprise that in a city this full of visitors, lots of the foodie places are considered tourist traps. You’re better off avoiding the strip of restaurants on Las Ramblas and along the beach, instead, choose your restaurant based on the number of locals you can see eating there. Being a Catalan city, Barcelona is not known for tapas bars and Spanish paella, so if you want to order like a local, opt for pa amb tomàquet (crusty bread topped with tomato and olive oil), escalivada (roasted vegetables), calçots amb romesco (green onions with romesco sauce), and crema catalana (creamy custard topped with burnt sugar).  

Take a hike

As the weather is often mild and sunny, Barcelona is an excellent place to go walking. Whether it’s a sunset walk along the beach from the W Hotel to El Poblenou or a hike through the Parc Natural de Collserola to reach Tibidabo (where you’ll find both a catholic church and an amusement park!), there are plenty of gorgeous hikes in Barcelona and the surrounding area. 

Spend the day at the beach

Taking a leisurely stroll along the seafront is sure to whet your appetite for a day at the beach - most tourists head to Barceloneta for convenience, but, travel a little further out of the city center and you’ll find beaches that are far less crowded and much cleaner. 

Visit the museums

Don’t worry if you get unlucky with the weather, there’s more to Barcelona than just the beach! MACBA (Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona) houses an interesting collection of modern art and is also a popular place to watch skateboarders do their thing. MNAC and the Joan Miró Foundation on Montjuïc are both well worth a visit, and Picasso enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the museum dedicated to his work in El Born. 

Day trips

If you want to explore more of Catalunya, it’s easy to get to places like Girona (a beautiful medieval town), Montserrat (where you’ll find the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey), or Sitges (one of the most popular LGBTQ+ places in Europe) from Barcelona. You can even go to La Molina for a day of skiing! 

Getting around Barcelona

Barcelona is a relatively small city, meaning many of the landmarks are within walking distance of one another. If you don’t want to rely on your own two feet, the Metro is cheap and easy to use - opt for a T-casual ticket if you’re going to be using it a few times, as this gives you 10 journeys for the price of €11.35. This ticket can also be used on the extensive bus route, which will take you anywhere the Metro line doesn’t. When coming from the airport, the Aerobús is the quickest way to get to Plaça Catalunya (with stops also at Plaça d'Espanya and near Universitat) and costs €6.75 for a single. 

Weather in Barcelona

With mild winters and hot, dry summers, Barcelona has a typical Mediterranean climate. June and August are the hottest months, with temperatures usually somewhere between 25 and 31°C (77 and 88°F), although it’s not unusual for it to be hotter. It can also be extremely humid during the summer in Barcelona, although wind coming off the Mediterranean Sea can make the beach feel cooler. Between September and November, daytime temperatures usually range from around 17 to 25°C (63 to 77°F), and this is the time when the average rainfall is at its highest. Although it rarely drops below freezing in Barcelona, temperatures range from 5 to 15°C (41 to 59°F) in the winter months then rise again to 10 to 25°C (50 to 77°F) between March and May. 

Accommodation for solo female travelers in Barcelona

There is a wide range of accommodations in Barcelona, and while the neighborhoods of El Born, Gòtic, and El Raval are probably the best placed for tourists in terms of attractions, Poble-sec, Eixample, and Poblenou are also excellent areas to stay in. Further out of the city, Gràcia offers a slightly different perspective of the city away from the touristic center. That being said, with so much to see and do in Barcelona and excellent transport links, it truly is the perfect city for house and pet sitting. Whether you find a house sit right in the heart of Barri Gòtic or up near the hills of Vallvidrera, you’ll be able to enjoy everything this city has to offer all the same. 

Is Barcelona safe for solo female travelers

Generally, Barcelona is safe to travel for solo female travelers, but as with any major city, it’s important to take a few extra safety precautions. Although the Barcelona crime rate has significantly reduced in recent years, the city still has a reputation for pickpockets, which means it’s best to leave valuables like jewelry, cash, and your passport at your accommodation. Watch out for your stuff, not only on the Metro and in crowded areas, but also when you’re sitting down in restaurants, bars, and cafes - whether inside or on the terrace. Keep your bags either on your person or secure the handle around your legs, and beware of common scams like someone asking for money and putting their sign on the table over a phone or purse. If you decide to take a swim in the sea, avoid leaving your bags unattended and ask someone nearby to keep an eye on your belongings while you’re in the water. Barcelona solo female travel safety is also about using your common sense and avoiding walking down dark alleyways at night - you may feel most comfortable in neighborhoods with busy, open streets, like Eixample, Gràcia, and Poblenou.

Meeting people and connecting with locals

Meeting people in Barcelona can add a rich dimension to your travel experience and it’s a relatively easy city to make connections in. Walking tours are a good way to meet fellow travelers and engage with the locals who may be leading the tours, and language exchange events and meetups can offer opportunities to practice your language skills and make new friends at the same time. There is also a sociable sporting scene, so if you’re a skateboarder or a BMXer you should find it easy enough to meet people, plus there’s often a lot of activity going on near the W hotel, so why not ask if you can join in with one of the dance classes or rollerblading sessions? 

Tips from a local

Having lived in the city for over four years, here are a few things I would recommend for solo female travel to Barcelona:

• Don’t confuse Catalan culture with Spanish, some locals would prefer to speak to you in English rather than Spanish.
• Barcelona has no end of tourist traps to avoid, from expensive seafood restaurants to bars serving drinks that should never be that color. If you’re eating out, opt for spots where locals are eating rather than other tourists.
• If you’re looking to save money, many of the museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month. 
• Avoid going out for dinner too early - many kitchens don’t open before 8 pm. 
• Don’t underestimate the pickpockets and keep hold of your belongings at all times. 
• If you’re looking for food at lunchtime on a weekday, opt for a menú del dia (menu of the day), which generally consists of a starter, main, and a dessert, all for around €10 to €25. 

Barcelona for solo female pet sitters

Want to get to know the city of Barcelona like the people who live there do? Wandering past La Sagrada Família on your morning dog walk, going for a lunchtime swim at the beach, and popping to a dog-friendly restaurant for a delicious bite to eat in the evening sounds pretty perfect, right? Let’s take a look at what you can do with a pup in Barcelona…

Things to do with dogs in Barcelona

• Barcelona is full of designated dog parks (known as Pipi Cans), and by December 2023 they plan to have a total of 220 spaces for dogs to run around off the leash. Note that fines for dogs off the leash outside of designated dog areas will also be introduced in December 2023. 
• Get out of the city to the surrounding green spaces, like the Parc Natural de Collserola. If traveling on the Metro or the bus with your pup, they must be wearing a muzzle and be kept on the leash. 
• Go to a dog-friendly beach like Platja de Llevant.
• Explore the many interesting neighborhoods of Barcelona - from the central El Born, Gòtic, and El Raval to those that are a bit further out, like Poble-sec, Eixample, and Poblenou. 
• Find a mirador (viewpoint) and enjoy views of the city and the sea from places like Montjuïc, Bunkers del Carmel, and Tibidabo. 

Dog-friendly bars and restaurants in Barcelona

Most bars and restaurants in Barcelona allow dogs on their terraces, but here are some of our favorites:

• Federal Cafè Gòtic

Address: Ptge. de la Pau, 11, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

• Tantarantana 

Address: Carrer d'en Tantarantana, 24, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

• La Monroe

Address: Plaça de Salvador Seguí, 1-9, 08001 Barcelona, Spain

• Antic Teatre

Address: C. de Verdaguer i Callís, 12, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

• Bar Mendizàbal

Address: C/ de la Junta de Comerç, 2, 08001 Barcelona, Spain

House and pet sits

Not just a city break but more than a beach holiday, this vibrant Catalan city is the ultimate place for solo female travel. But that’s not the only reason why we love Barcelona! It’s also filled with house and pet sits, so you could be trotting along Passeig de Gràcia with a pooch pal on a leash before you know it!