When facing a solo trip, a mixture of nerves and excitement can arise in the face of the unknown, especially if it is the first time. Any destination is valid for traveling alone but if you have never done an activity like this before, it is best to go little by little and start in a place where the culture shock is not very great, where there are high security conditions, good accommodation options , transportation and medical care and above all, a site where there are many plans to make.
A good idea may be to plan a trip to a European country. According to the latest Global Safety Index, some of the safest European countries are Portugal, Austria, Denmark or Spain. The combination of good weather, social life, gastronomy and culture make Spain the perfect place to travel alone for the first time. What places are popular in this country to go solo?
Oviedo
Oviedo is a city located in the northwest of Spain known for its medieval old town. It is located between the Cantabrian mountain range and the Bay of Biscay and is a welcoming city with a simple lifestyle.
As a royal city that was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Asturias, it still preserves vestiges of that period that have reached our days and have become a World Heritage Site. For example the Asturian Pre-Romanesque. Oviedo has numerous examples both in the city center and in its surroundings.
Oviedo could be called the Pre-Romanesque city, because of all Asturias it is the one with the most monuments of this time, both in the city center and in the surroundings. If we are in the urban heart, magnificent examples are some details of the old Church of San Tirso El Real, the church of San Julián de los Prados - also known as Santullano - or the Foncalada Fountain, whose stones impregnated with mosses and water ooze antiquity. A very special mention requires the Holy Chamber, created by the great Asturian monarch Alfonso II.
One of the best ways to learn about the history of the city is to visit its museums. El Arqueológico is an interesting tour to learn about the history of Asturias, both prehistoric and medieval. On the other hand, the Museum of Fine Arts presents us with an itinerary through the history of art from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXst century with works by El Greco, Goya, Murillo, Sorolla, Picasso or Dalí, among others.
Those who are enthusiastic about sweets should know that Oviedo is a city well known for its excellent confectioneries, with unique creations such as carbayones or muscovitas. In addition, here you never lack a place to get to know the local gastronomy and drink the delicious Asturian cider, in the company of nice people with whom to have a good time.
Castellón
Castellón is a province belonging to the Valencian Community located in eastern Spain. Many travelers choose the Costa del Azahar to spend a few days off for its varied cultural and recreational offer.
Thanks to its more than 130 km of coastline, which hide long beaches and beautiful hidden coves of fine sand and clean waters, the beauty of its towns and its natural parks has become a first-rate tourist destination in Spain, very interesting for travel alone.
It has several coastal towns of great historical wealth and beauty that extend from the Ebro Delta to the Vall d'Uxó, such as Benicarló, Peñíscola, Benicassim or Alcossebre.
On the Costa de Azahar the visitor can enjoy countless monuments such as the Papa Luna Castle in Peñíscola, the Templar Castle of Xivert, the medieval walls of Morella or the church of San Bartolomé in Benicarló, among others.
The province of Castellón has eight natural parks, being also the second most mountainous province in Spain and with the most areas with this level of protection. Good communication and proximity to the main centers makes these natural spaces perfect places for excursions. Some of the most prominent are the Serra d'Irta Natural Park, the La Tinença de Benifassà Natural Park, the Columbretes Islands Natural Park or the Serra d'Espadà Natural Park, among others.
Madrid
Madrid is a city full of life, full of activities to do and places to get lost throughout the year. The capital of Spain is the largest city in the country and the second in the European Union with a population of more than 3 million inhabitants (more than 6 million in the metropolitan area).
During a solo trip to Spain, everyone should mark a visit to the country's capital on their route. Madrid is a welcoming city, full of life, history and culture. Here are the great museums of the country such as the Prado Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, the Museum of America or the Naval Museum, among others. It is also home to the Royal Palace and important monuments such as the Puerta de Alcalá, the Fuentes de Cibeles and Neptuno, the Temple of Debod or the Plaza de España, among others.
However, the charm of Madrid as a Community goes beyond the big city and extends to all corners of the province. In the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama the main tourist destination of the Community of Madrid outside the capital is located: the Monastery of El Escorial. On the other hand, it is said that Patones de Arriba is the most beautiful town in the Community of Madrid that holds the title of the only “black town” in the province because of its peculiar architecture, which uses slate as its main constructive element. Without forgetting, the beautiful town located south of Madrid: Aranjuez. Among its main tourist attractions are the Royal Palace, built by the Austrian dynasty and the Parterre, La Isla or El Príncipe gardens.
Madrid is one of the best cities in Europe to party even if you travel alone. In the capital there are some of the most important nightclubs in Spain such as Kapital, Joy Eslava or New Garamond but there are also many areas to go out for drinks such as Huertas (international atmosphere), Chueca (gay neighborhood) or Malasaña (hipster neighborhood).
Formentera
Image | Pixabay
Located south of Ibiza, the island of Formentera is the smallest of the Balearic Islands and the best preserved of the archipelago. It is a quiet and familiar destination with a mild and sunny climate that allows you to enjoy a wonderful natural environment and beautiful beaches practically all year round. It is therefore a very interesting destination to travel to alone in Spain.
The smallest island in the Balearic Islands has 69 kilometers of coastline along which we find cliffs and beaches with crystal clear waters of great beauty that are very reminiscent of those of the Caribbean. Among the beaches of Formentera we highlight: Cala Saona, Els Arenals and Ses Illetes.
Many travelers visit Formentera attracted by its dreamy beaches and coves, but the island has other tourist attractions. Some of the most outstanding places in Formentera are: the Watchtowers, the Molí de la Mola, the Ses Salineso Natural Park and the Faro de la Mola.
Barcelona
The Ciudad Condal has an impressive cultural offer, a suggestive gastronomy and spectacular beaches that attract thousands of tourists each year. Visiting the center of Barcelona is important to know the history of the city and the routine of its inhabitants.
The heart of Barcelona is full of people and for some people it can be a bit overwhelming but it is well worth knowing. After all, this is where the most popular monuments and spaces in the city are located, such as Plaza de Catalunya, Las Ramblas or the Gothic Quarter.
Barcelona is known worldwide for the work of the brilliant architect Antonio Gaudí. An artist who challenged the architecture of his time and redefined the essence of the city with his own style. During a solo trip through Barcelona, it is recommended to take a route to see the work of the great artist. An especially attractive plan for architecture fans. In Barcelona there are many spaces that have the stamp of Antonio Gaudí: Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, La Sagrada Familia or Park Güell.
Speaking of green spaces, another of the places from where you have excellent views of Barcelona is the Montjüic Mountain, a viewpoint full of places of tourist interest such as the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, the Fountain and the Castle of Montjüic, the Joan Foundation Miró or the Botanical Garden.
Any of these places is a good start for a solo trip around Spain. Whether for leisure or work, Spain is a country that has the necessary characteristics to make traveling alone a pleasant experience.