Spain Solo Female Travel: Everything you Need to Know

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Everything you need to know to be prepared for solo female travel in Spain – including safety tips and travel advice.

Not counting the UK, Spain is probably the country I know best in Europe. I’ve visited more times than I can count, and I’ve travelled all over the country – from the popular south coast and iconic cities like Barcelona, to lesser-known areas like the Basque Country and Galicia.

It was also one of the first destinations I visited solo. In fact, I’ve probably visited Spain on my own more times than I have with friends or family! It’s such an easy country to visit solo. The public transport system is safe and reliable, there’s so much to see and do, and the abundance of hostels, tour companies and excursions makes it easy to meet other travellers.

Below, you’ll find all my travel tips for solo female travellers visiting Spain for the first time. Use the contents menu below to skip to the sections you need – and feel free to ask questions in the comments.

Best Destinations in Spain for Solo Female Travellers

Barcelona – A vibrant city with world-famous architecture (like the Sagrada Familia), beaches, and a lively social scene. It’s pedestrian-friendly & has excellent public transport. Read my two-day guide here.



Madrid – The Spanish capital offers museums, nightlife, and friendly locals. It’s considered safe and easy to navigate.



Seville – Known for flamenco, tapas, and stunning Moorish architecture, Seville’s warm atmosphere and walkable historic centre make it ideal for solo exploration.



Granada – Smaller and more relaxed than Madrid or Barcelona, it’s a great choice for lovers of culture and history – especially the famous Alhambra.



Valencia – Safe, affordanle, and welcoming, Valencia combines beaches, futuristic architecture, and a laid-back vibe.



Mallorca – This iconic island offers Mediterranean beaches, scenic hikes, and a good mix of relaxation and nightlife. A perfect option if you want both culture and coast!

Is Spain Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

The short answer is YES. Overall, Spain is safe for solo female travellers. This is considered one of the safest countries in Europe: Spain’s overall crime rate is low compared to global averages, and on the Global Peace Index 2025, Spain is ranked 25th worldwide. It’s Global Peace Score is 1.58, placing it behind countries like Austria, Portugal, and Denmark, but still firmly within the “safe” category.

However, there are a few things to be aware of, which I’ll outline below. No matter which country you’re visiting, my advice to all solo female travellers is to remain vigilant, practice common sense, and avoid dangerous situations. I’ve included some more specific Spain solo travel tips later in this article to help out.

Tips for Solo Female Travellers in Spain

General safety tips for female travellers

• Carry your valuables out of sight in a zipped bag (preferably cross-body).
• Never carry all your valuables in the same place, and keep a backup credit card in your hotel room. Click here for more tips.
• Avoid sharing your live location on social media: post your Instagram stories at the end of the day.
• Don’t meet up with anyone you don’t know.
• Never travel in an unlicensed taxi (aka pirate taxis). Use a ride-hailing app like Uber/Cabify, or get the staff at your hotel/restaurant/etc to call a taxi for you. Turn on location sharing with a trusted friend or family member via WhatsApp if you’re ever concerned.
• Use reputable providers for tours and excursions.

Get a Local SIM or eSIM

Internet access makes travelling in Spain much easier. It’s handy for using maps to plan your journeys, calling Ubers, and using translation apps when speaking with locals or trying to decipher signs.

You can buy a local SIM card from all major airports, as well as at phone shops and convenience stores throughout towns and cities. The best networks are Movistar, Vodafone, and Yoigo.

Personally, I prefer eSIMs: you can download them to your phone, so there’s no need to change SIM cards. They can be a bit more expensive, but they’re much easier and more convenient – and you can activate as soon as you land to get online straight away.

Learn the local emergency numbers

Memorise or save this number in your phone, in case of an emergency.

For non-emergencies, you can report a crime at the nearest police station (Policia). You can also file a police report online for minor crimes (such as stolen bags) while you’re in Spain.

Have good travel insurance

I cannot stress the importance of travel insurance enough! If you encounter an issue – whether it’s a cancelled flight or a medical emergency – you want that covered.

I recommend Safety Wing Travel Insurance – they have policies specifically for long-term travellers, digital nomads, and backpackers, and offer good cover for more adventurous types of travel.

Important: If you plan on doing any adventure activities, make sure these are covered by your insurance policy. You may need to pay for an add-on or upgrade.

Is it safe to travel at night?

It’s generally safe to travel at night in Spain. Public transport is clean, reliable, and safe – even after dark – and violent crime is rare. Petty theft is the main risk, so remain alert at all times and take care of your valuables.

You should still use common sense, however. Avoid walking in poorly lit areas after dark, be wary of strangers, and try to sit near others on public transport.

Heat-Related Issues

Spain can experience very high temperatures and severe weather during the hot summer months. Sunburn, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration are all very real threats, so be careful. Always use sun protection and cover up as much as possible, and remember to stay hydrated. Tap water is generally safe to drink in Spain, so bring a refillable bottle.

If you’re sightseeing, try to plan your schedule so you avoid the midday heat. I once gave myself pretty severe heat exhaustion after climbing a hill in Costa Brava in the midday heat. I was sick for nearly two days – lesson learned! Read more in this guide from the NHS.

Book Tours

Usually, I’m a big fan of exploring on my own. However, booking a few tours or excursions can make exploring easier. It’s also a great way to meet fellow travellers! I love taking a food tour whenever I’m in a city solo, as it means you don’t have to dine alone.

Check recent reviews and make sure you’re booking a tour company with a good reputation. I prefer to use Get Your Guide and Klook to search, as they both have a great review system, so it’s easy to find the best tour companies.

KLOOK PROMO CODE: Use code EMLUXTRAVEL when you book with Klook to get 10% discount for new customers and 3% discount for existing customers.

Don’t let this advice scare you!

Please don’t let the above warnings put you off! I honestly believe that as long as you make sensible choices, take the right precautions and use your common sense, you should be perfectly safe travelling solo in Spain.

Tips for Getting Around

Public Transport

Spain’s public transport is safe, affordable, and efficient, so it’s ideal for solo female travellers. Trains and buses connect cities and towns across the country, meaning you rarely need to rent a car, unless you’re exploring very rural areas.

Trains: Spain has one of Europe’s best rail networks. The national operator is Renfe, whose high-speed AVE trains link major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia in just a few hours. Regional and suburban trains (known as Cercanías) connect smaller towns and commuter areas. Most long-distance trains are modern, with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating. Solo travellers will find Spanish trains safe and straightforward to use, even at night.

Top Tip: Book AVE tickets in advance for cheaper fares, as prices rise closer to departure. Tickets can be purchased online, via the Renfe app, or at station machines.

Buses: Long-distance buses are often cheaper than trains and reach destinations not served by rail. ALSA is the largest operator, with extensive routes across Spain and into Portugal and France. Buses are generally clean, safe, and reliable, but they’re slower than trains.

In Towns and Cities: Major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville have excellent metro, tram, and bus networks. Day passes or multi-day transport cards are cost-effective and save time. In Madrid and Barcelona, night buses run after metro services close, so you can still get home safely.

Is there Uber in Spain?

Yes – Uber is available in Spain, particularly in major cities. Bolt is also growing in Spain and is available in several cities.

However, other apps are more popular. Cabify is more commonly used than Uber and is more widely available. There’s also Free Now, which can be used to order taxis. You can either book a fixed fare taxi (like with Uber) or a taxi with a meter. The taxi drivers available on Free Now are often more experienced than Uber drivers, so this is often the most reliable alternative. Free Now is always my go-to in European cities!

Top Tip: Whichever app you use, set up the safety features in advance. You can set up a PIN verification, switch on safety check-ins, and add a trusted contact with whom you can quickly share your location and trip status if you’re concerned.

Quick Summary: Spain Solo Female Travel

• Spain is a very safe country for solo female travellers – but you should still take the same safety precautions you would take anywhere else.
• Public transport is very safe – even after dark.
• Petty theft and pickpocketing can be a problem, especially in big cities. Always be careful with your valuables!
• Get a local prepaid SIM or eSIM (use my referral codes above for a discount).
• Have good travel insurance and make sure it covers any adventure activities you plan to do.
• Be careful of extreme heat during the summer months. Stay hydrated, use sun protection, and avoid being too active in the midday sun.

Written down all in one place, all this advice can seem a bit overwhelming! But please don’t let these warnings put you off visiting Spain! This is a beautiful country with so many incredible places to discover – not to mention delicious food, a fascinating culture, and stunning beaches!

On the whole, Spain is safe for solo female travellers – but it’s always important to use common sense, stay vigilant, take care, and avoid dangerous situations!

Is there anything else you’d like to know about visiting Spain as a solo female traveller? Let me know in the comments below, and I’ll get back to you!