Travelling solo in Barcelona
Travelling solo can be one of the most liberating experiences of your life. Visiting a new city by yourself opens up a whole realm of possibilities. It allows you to have a truly personal, and sometimes random, experience. Barcelona is a city of travellers, with people coming from all corners of the globe to explore its narrow streets and soak up its authentic Spanish culture. As a solo traveller, you will never be alone in Barcelona as it presents countless opportunities to meet people in the same situation, making it a truly international city. However, as exhilarating as solo travel can be, you are entering the realm of the “unknown” and this can be daunting for even the most seasoned of travellers. For this reason, we have compiled an itinerary specifically designed to help you see the city and its surrounding areas.
#1 Explore the city
The best way to experience the city as a solo traveller is to do a free walking/cycling tour. Here you can meet others who may be in a similar situation as yourself. They generally meet every day at Plaça de Catalunya and can be identified by their various coloured t-shirts and umbrellas. You can find different routes based on favourable themes. Some popular ones include; contemporary street art, Gaudí and modernism and the forbidden tour of Barcelona. These tours are suited towards solo travellers as they allow you to interact with your fellow tour-goers and generally conclude with participants going to a bar for a drink. The guide usually offers up their contact information if participants are looking for a future recommendation for places to eat, things to see etc, making them the perfect first activity for your solo Barcelona trip. Booking your space online is recommended.
#2 Check out some Gaudí architecture
Gaudí! The name is almost synonymous with Catalan architecture and his mesmerising designs can be seen throughout the city and beyond. For those travelling solo, spending a day exploring the works of Gaudí allows you to travel to various locations to share your awe with other like-minded people. While there are so many Gaudí attractions, we have chosen our top three which promise to amaze everyone.
- Parc Güell– a public park consisting of gardens and buildings on Carmal Hill which was designed from Mosaic and irregularly shaped buildings.
- La Sagrada Familia– This is the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church in the world and its design is similar to that of a fairy tale.
- Casa Batlló– located in the centre of Barcelona, this is one of Gaudí’s masterpieces. this is an unmissable building with its oval windows, flowing sculpted stonework, facades decorated with a colourful mosaic of broken ceramic tiles and dragon inspired roof.
#Escape to the great outdoors
After discovering the marvels of the city and its people, take a break from the hustle and bustle and hop on a bus/metro out to Montjuic. Montjuic is an iconic hill overlooking the harbour which, from various viewpoints, offers exceptional views of the city. Just like Ed Sheeran says, there is a castle on the hill and it now functions as a museum which houses temporary exhibitions which can be visited for €5, or for free on Sunday afternoons. For solo travellers, this attraction is perfect for those who wish to take in panoramic views of the city and walk many of the trails within the park while mixing with other walkers. In terms of reaching the castle, there are a few options which include taking the Funicular railway which is connected to the metro, by cable car or by walking up the hill.
#4 Catch a soccer match
There is no better form of solidarity than a gathering of FC Barcelona fans at Camp Nou for a soccer match. For those travelling solo, attending a soccer match will put you right in the middle of thousands of pumped-up fans who are always looking for an excuse to befriend a fellow supporter. Prior to the match, fans celebrate with music, dance and chanting, which makes for a spectacular show in itself as it represents the strong sporting culture of Barcelona. You will never be alone at the Barcelona FC match and, who knows, you may even end up sharing a few drinks with fellow fans as if they were your best friends.
#5 Visit a bar
Language exchange
Take a break from all the action and attend a language meet up generally in a bar. Language meet ups are exactly what they sound like, they are an event where people from all over the world meet and help improve their language skills while enjoying a few drinks. A simple google search will tell you your nearest meet up and they promise to be a good night with a great variety of like-minded people.
The Wild Rover
There is no better welcome and feel that you belong than taking a trip to an Irish bar! Proclaimed as “the best from Irish Bars in Barcelona” The Wild Rover is quite a popular Irish bar in Barcelona, both by locals and other international visitors. Providing a wide variety of alcoholic drinks as well as Live sports TV showing some of the greatest matches in Europe. The Pub is situated in the heart of Barcelona, nearby La Rambla.
#6 Nightclubs
There are so many famous nightclubs in Barcelona. Our favourites include Sutton, Opium and Jamboree. If you want to go to big dance clubs in Barcelona, it’s easiest to get in if you’re on their GUEST LIST. We highly recommend this, as the clubs in Barcelona are extremely popular and therefore always super busy. Let us know in the comments below which is your favourite nightclub in the city!
#1 Bacoa
BACOA has several locations in Barcelona, but perhaps the most popular one is near Plaça de Universitat. At Bacoa you will find some of the tastiest burgers in the city, freshly grilled and served with crunchy and delicious french fries on the side. The meat in the burgers is organic and can be traced back to certified Spanish farms. They offer a wide variety of options, including the traditional beef burger, along with vegan and vegetarian burgers, even chicken burgers. For those on a gluten-free diet, they also offer burgers as salads, without the bread. As you arrive, simply tick off the type of signature burger you want or custom-select your toppings.
#2 Can Paixano
Can Paixano is a very authentic Spanish bar situated in the old fisherman’s neighbourhood of Barceloneta. Since 1969, Can Paixano specialised in its famous Cavas (sparkling vine) and Spanish style snacks. The place is really small, it has no seats and usually, there are a lot of people, talking loud, so be ready for this typical Spanish experience! You can get here hot sandwiches and hamburgers for a maximum of 3 € and some local meats, cheeses, and tapas for around 3 – 4 €. Moreover, for a glass of their great home cava, you will pay just 1.10 €.
#3 Flax&Kale
FLAX&KALE is a healthy flexitarian restaurant and a perfect spot for those who seek vegetarian options. All the dishes are designed to maximise the organoleptic pleasure while considering their nutritional value. 80% of their food is plant-based and elaborated using only veggie-based ingredients. Plants, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, in their natural state, have the largest amount of vitamins, nutrients and enzymes in nature.
Take a look at our accommodation for solo travellers in Barcelona:
Cozy and beautiful loft apartment of 50 m2 for rent in Barcelona located in the residential neighbourhood of Eixample, with space for up to 4 people. It’s located in a very central area that is well connected to the city centre and the other neighbourhoods, less than 10 minutes by metro from Las Ramblas and Plaça Catalunya. The perfect place to return to after a long day of shopping or a day at the beach.
From €75 per night / 45m2/ Reference: BH-1339 /Licence: HUTB-001648
HOLIDAY APARTMENT NEAR PLAZA ESPAÑYA, BARCELONA
It has a spacious and sunny living area that comes furnished with a comfortable couch facing a TV and a white table, two elegant mirrors and an abstract image of a red circle hanging on the wall. This lovely space also has access to a small balcony through tall white doors that allow in the fresh breeze and sunshine. This holiday apartment is located in the peaceful residential Sants-Montjuic area, just a short walk from the bustling Plaza Españya and the namesake metro station with direct access to Passeig de Gràcia, Port Vell and the Gótico neighbourhood.
From €95 per night/ 45m2 / Reference: BHM1-012 / Licence: HUTB-000105
A bright and beautiful Barcelona attic with a terrace near Plaza de España is available for rent. The attic is located in the Sants-Montjuïc district, near the Hostafrancs metro station (L3), with direct access to the Gothic Quarter, Passeig de Gràcia and Sants train station. There are also two beautiful parks nearby, the Españya Industrial Park and the Parc de Joan Miró. For those who love to shop, the Las Arenas shopping centre is located just a short walk from the apartment.
From €122 per night/ 40m2 / Reference: BHM1-016 / Licence: HUTB-001181