Barcelona Solo Trip 15 BEST Things to Do Alone in Barcelona

Barcelona Spain is a magical city with extravagant art and architecture, extraordinary cuisine, and beautiful beaches.

If you’re wondering what to do in Barcelona when traveling alone I’ve got you covered. Check out the highlights of my 9 day Barcelona solo trip. Find out what makes Barcelona such an extraordinary city with this guide for exploring the city on your own.

Plus you will discover Barcelona solo travel is no problem at all. People are friendly, tapas bars make it easy to dine alone without feeling awkward, and it’s so easy to get around the city. Barcelona is a walkable city but it’s also easy to get around on the metro and buses.

It can be so confusing trying to find your way in a new city. So I put together a guide for getting around Barcelona including getting to/from the airport on the cheap.

Now let’s have a look at the best things to do in Barcelona alone!

 

Is it safe to travel to Barcelona alone?

If you are considering solo travel to Spain I highly recommend at least a few days in beautiful  Barcelona. In case you are wondering if it’s safe for solo female travelers, I felt at ease traveling around alone, even while walking or taking the metro at night.

Las Ramblas is an area that I mostly avoided, visiting the area only once during daytime. Las Ramblas is highly touristic and therefore it is a magnet for pickpockets. Always be aware of your surroundings and if your gut tells you to leave then listen to your gut instinct.

Where should I stay in Barcelona?

There is no single best area to stay in Barcelona, there are several neighborhoods that are great for tourists. I prefer to be near many of the top attractions while also staying in an area where locals live.

For this reason I chose to stay in La Ribera in the quarter of Sant Pere, adjacent to Gothic quarter,  El Born, and walking distance to Eixample, where you will find Casa Mila and Casa Battlo.

I prefer to walk a lot when I travel and Barcelona is definitely a city to enjoy on foot. Visiting the first time around I stayed with a family and it was the perfect option for me as solo female traveler.

The best neighborhoods to stay

• La Ribera
• El Born
• Gracia
• Poble Sec
• Barceloneta – if you love the beach

An abundance of cafes and tapas bars make Barcelona a welcoming place for anyone dining alone.

Even if you only have a few days to explore the city you can accomplish a lot. Review these highlights from my trips and pick out some favorites for your own solo travel itinerary to Barcelona.

Do yourself a favor and buy some comfortable walking shoes before your trip. Go on several walks prior to your trip in order to break in your new shoes so you don’t suffer while on vacation!

While I’m not sure what took me so long to set foot in Spain, I can tell you my future travel plans include exploring more of Spain.

Barcelona language and culture

The combination of outstanding architecture, rich history, delicious food, amazing art and culture, and the people are so welcoming and kind, create an unforgettable Barcelona travel experience.

Everyone was so patient whilst I attempted to converse in the Spanish language and find my way around the city. You should not be afraid to travel alone to Barcelona even if you do not speak fluent Spanish!

A handy Spanish language phrasebook is a good idea. Catalan and Spanish are the two official languages. And remember to buy your Barcelona travel guide or at least a map of Barcelona to help you find your way around.

Barcelona is the capital and the largest city in the Catalonia region of Spain.

15 Things to Do Alone in Barcelona

You’ll find there are lots of attractions in Barcelona that are easy to visit on your own. Select the ones you want to do and put together your own Barcelona itinerary.

I recommend staying at least 3 days in Barcelona but a week is better if you want to really see a lot of Barcelona…and eat more tapas :)

Gaudi’s Casa Battlo – One of the Best Things to Do Alone in Barcelona

Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 43, 08007

Read all about my visit to Gaudi’s Casa Batllo, it’s my favorite of Gaudi’s work in Barcelona. I loved the design features inspired by nature – Casa Batllo is full of curves and color!

I found Casa Batllo quite by accident while walking around by myself. It is fun exploring on your own so don’t be hesitant about traveling by yourself.

With many tourist attractions in the central neighborhoods of Gracia, El Born, and Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) you will have plenty to keep you occupied.

 

A Tour of Palau de la Musica Catalana Concert Hall is a Great Thing to Do Alone in Barcelona

Address: C/ Palau de la Música, 4-6, 08003

Another beautiful work of architecture is the Palau de la Musica concert hall. Built between 1905 and 1908 this Art Nouveau style building was created by modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner.

Palau de la Musica Catalana is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Read about my visit to Palau de la Musica Catalana

I attended a guided tour of the concert hall one afternoon and returned in the evening for a Flamenco concert at this incredible venue – check their website for events and ticket info in advance of your travels.

 

Take a Tour of Sagrada Familia Antoni Gaudi’s Final Masterpiece

Address: Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013

Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia – his most famous work – why didn’t I love it? Sagrada Familia is the most popular tourist site in all of Barcelona. Plan ahead when visiting Sagrada Familia.

To avoid waiting in long lines to buy your tickets to Sagrada Familia it is advisable to purchase your ticket online at the official Sagrada Familia website. There is no processing fee or commission charged on the Sagrada Familia site. Ticket purchases help fund the ongoing work at the church.

Antoni Gaudi worked on Sagrada Familia for 43 years, from 1883 until his untimely death in 1926. Gaudi was buried in the chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the crypt of the Sagrada Familia.

 

Eating at Tapas Bars is the Perfect Thing to Do Alone in Barcelona to Meet New People

Tapas bars are great for solo travelers. Read about my experience eating tapas at Sagardi Euskal Taberna in El Born district.
I do love to eat my way through a city and Barcelona is a great place to try out some of the Catalonia foods as well as other foods that have made their way to the region such as the pintxos tapas from Basque country.

I loved the tapas in Barcelona!

The tapas bars make it easy for solo travelers to feel comfortable eating alone because there is usually seating at the bar or counter.

Going out to restaurants  alone I find that a places with single seating at a bar are often the best option for me. Also read my article about dining alone to get some tips about feeling okay about sitting by yourself dining out.

Take a Day trip to Montserrat for Hiking and Visit the Monastery

Address: 08199 Montserrat

You can visit the Benedictine Monastery called Santa Maria de Montserrat on the mountain of Montserrat.

I enjoyed my day trip to Montserrat so much I returned again to hike to Sant Jeroni summit and I highly recommend this hike for the spectacular views of Catalonia.

I often plan my solo travel with hiking in mind. Montserrat is an easy day trip from Barcelona. I went alone to Montserrat but it is a popular hiking location so I met lots of other travelers.

What does Montserrat mean?

In Catalan, Montserrat means “serrated mountain”

 

 

Gaudi’s Park Guell is an Amazing Place to Go Alone in Barcelona

Gaudi’s Park Guell is amazing. For anyone who loves to Instagram their travels this place is for you. I spent 5 hours wandering around this beautiful place. I loved the trencadis serpentine mosaic bench on the magnificent terrace at Park Guell.

Park Guell tickets

You may purchase tickets to Park Guell up to 3 months in advance of your visit. Your ticket will be for a specific time and you will only be allowed entry within 30 minutes of the time indicated on the ticket.

It is recommended that you purchase your tickets for Park Guell online. Prices are a little cheaper if you buy online.

If you are not sure what time you want to visit Park Guell then you may purchase at the ticket office. Do try to get to Park Guell early if you are purchasing your ticket onsite.

• There is a maximum of 400 visitors per half hour allowed into Park Guell.
• Children up to 6 years are admitted for free.
• Adults over 65 and persons accompanying a disabled person are also charged a reduced rate
• Disabled persons are admitted free of charge to Park Guell.

 

Casa Vicens – Gaudi’s First Architectural Work

Address: Carrer de les Carolines, 20-26 (Gracia district)

Casa Vicens was constructed between 1883 and 1885. It was a summer house for the Vicens family. Casa Vicens was the first major commission that architect Antoni Gaudi received.

Gaudi’s Casa Vicens to the public and allow everyone to explore this fantastic architectural work by Antoni Gaudi. Now the house is open to the general public. This means I have a great excuse for another trip to Barcelona.

Hours: open daily from 10 am to 8 pm (note: ticket office closes at 7 pm)

Closed: December 25, January 1, January 6

Casa Vicens is 100% wheelchair accessible.

Check the Casa Vicens website for ticket prices and to purchase tickets online.

Visitors have access to to all floors of Casa Vicens from the basement, where La Capell specialty bookshop is located, to the rooftop for an excellent view of the Gracia neighborhood

The Hofmann Cafe opened at Casa Vicens in March 2018.

 

 

Arc de Triomf

Arc de Triomf is a favorite piece of Barcelona architecture. It was built as the passageway to the 1888 World’s Fair – that must have been an amazing event!

A short stroll down Passeig de Lluis Companys leads to the fabulous Parc de la Ciutadella where you can take a walk, enjoy a picnic, do some people watching, take in a street performance, or just stare at the sky and daydream.

 

 

Go for a Swim at Piscines Bernat Picornell Swimming Pools in Barcelona

 Avinguda de l’Estadi, 30-38, 08038

I swam in both the indoor and outdoor swimming pools – the outdoor pool has shorter lanes and it was a little chilly when I swam – the perfect way to shake off that sangria hangover!

The indoor pool is fantastic – I think there were 19 lanes in total. The lanes are wide, so there is plenty of room to share a lane when it is busy. The price was quite expensive – around 12 Euros – but you can stay all day if you like. You can enjoy a lunch at the cafe, have a siesta on the deck, then go for a swim and you are set!

Tip: you will need to have a swim cap. You can purchase one at the shop in Piscines Bernat Picornell

 

 

Visit Basilica Santa Maria del Mar for Free

Also be sure to visit Basilica Santa Maria del Mar for FREE!

Plaça de Santa Maria, 1, 08003

This is the church I recommend visiting instead of Sagrada Familia.

Really, if you only have a couple of days in Barcelona you will see a lot more of the city if you stick with La Ribera, El Born, and Barri Gotic neighborhoods.

These three outstanding neighborhoods are all walking distance of each other and they are part of the old city. I felt safe walking around these neighborhoods all by myself.

If you are visiting for a week or so then you have time to visit both Sagrada Familia and Basilica Santa Maria del Mar. Let me know which you prefer!

 

 

Visit the Historic Santa Anna de Barcelona Church

Address: Carrer de Santa Anna, 29, 08002

Another suggestion for you – why not enjoy a concert at a centuries-old church – Guitar concert at Santa Anna church – I love attending concerts at smaller venues. The old churches were built with acoustics in mind – you will love it! Walking around and exploring the Gothic Quarter on foot is how I found out about the guitar concert.

Tip: While you are walking around, watch for posters advertising events at smaller venues – often they are only posted around the neighborhood.

 

 

Cortado or Cafe con Leche and Croissant – every day! I love a good cup of coffee and the coffee in Barcelona is excellent. Many travelers I talk with agree that Europe has much better coffee than in USA or Canada.

 

Visiting Markets is a Fun Thing to Do in Barcelona

As for the markets, I visited both La Boqueria and Santa Catarina food markets. La Boqueria is super crowded with tourists in Las Ramblas neighborhood.

For a more relaxed shopping experience, I recommend visiting the smaller markets. Santa Catarina in La Ribera neighborhood is wonderful.

 

 

La Pedrera is Another Gaudi Masterpiece and Interesting Thing to Do Alone in Barcelona

Also known as Casa Mila, the beautifully designed modernist architecture is one of the best things to see in Barcelona. Known locally as La Pedrera, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Barcelona.

 

 

El Born Centre Cultural is an Interesting and Educational Thing to Do in Barcelona

El Born Centre Cultural is where you can read about the history of the area.

 

 

Parc de Montjuic the Magic Fountain is an Amazing Thing to Do Alone in Barcelona

For the best experience my recommendation is to visit Montjuic park and museum during the day and visit at sunset to see the magnificent Font Montjuic (Magic Fountain) lit up along with a music.

 

 

Also at Montjuic visit the Museo Nacional d’art de Catalunya – open 10 – 8 Tuesday – Saturday; 10 – 3 Sunday (closed on Mondays)

 

 

I loved my neighborhood in La Ribera district – there are so many places within walking distance you can spend several days exploring La Ribera and the surrounding districts on foot.

Would you like some tips on how to prepare for solo travel? Read my post Planning and Preparing for my solo trip.

In addition, find out what your transportation options are: Getting Around in Barcelona

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