Safety Tips For Female Solo Travellers Visiting Spain

Spain has rapidly become a popular tourist destination, especially among female solo travellers. While there are many myths about travelling abroad, Spain is known to be a safe Country. This post will cover all the things that every female solo traveller should know before visiting Spain.

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In this post, experienced solo travellers have provided safety tips for female solo travellers visiting Spain. From pickpocket prevention to accommodation scams, this post has it all. Let’s get started!

Research And Plan

Recommended by Melanie from The World Travel Girl

Visiting Spain requires planning and research, especially if you are travelling as a solo female. On my trip to Spain, 7 of my 10 days were on my own and I never felt unsafe.

The biggest tip I can give is to research and plan your trip ahead of time. Put together a list of what you want to see, and then look at a map and plot them out so you know the areas they are in. Then you can plan a route of what to see each day.

Next visit TripAdvisor, especially when looking for a place to stay. Adjust the search filters to your price range and any amenities you want included. Then start reading the reviews on the hotels. Look for references to safety, distance to landmarks and general reviews of the hotel. I recommend staying in the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona – it was my favorite place to be.

This is one of the biggest safety tips for female solo travellers visiting Spain. Planning your trip ensures you can focus on specific areas, use your time wisely and it’s easy to ensure someone knows your plan for the day.

Wear A Crossbody Purse

Recommended by Lisa from Waves and Cobblestones

When you’re travelling in Spain – especially as a solo female traveller – it’s important to be security conscious!  Wear a crossbody purse and make sure that your valuables are stored out of sight.  In extremely congested areas, I even walk with my hand covering the front of my purse for even more security.

I’ll never forget an event I saw during my first trip to Barcelona.  We were walking down the Passeig de Gracia, a shopping street which is chock-full of high-end retailers.  A man stepped out of the Cartier store, happily carrying a tiny bag with his new purchase.  Another man grabbed the bag, hopped on the back of an idling motorcycle, and zipped away with his ill-gotten treasure. Whether you’re seeing the sights in Seville, visiting the Prado in Madrid, or admiring La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, be aware that there are plenty of people looking to take advantage of the unwary.  Don’t let them ruin your trip!

Beware Of Pickpocket Signs

Recommended by Jenn from Sick Girl Travels

When visiting Spain you may see signs that read “Beware of Pickpockets.” If you see one of these signs, your gut instinct may be to check your pockets to make sure you still have your valuables. But this simple act may put you more at risk of theft. Here’s why you do not want to check your pockets in front of these signs, it signals to thieves exactly where your valuables are. 

Most pickpocketing crimes actually occur in these areas because pickpockets can see exactly where you’re stashing your most valuable items as soon as you touch them. To keep your items safe, keep them in zipped pockets and resist the urge to check those pockets until you’re past the signage and away from the crowds.  For more Barcelona tips, check out the Best Hotels in Barcelona for First Time Visitors.

Phone Strap

Recommended by Joanna from The World In My Pocket

As a woman who lived in Spain for two years, I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way. Whilst the area I lived in was very safe, I wouldn’t venture in places like Barcelona without having a phone strap tied to my smartphone and wore around my neck.

It is well known that the big cities in Spain are heaven for pickpockets and more recently, phone snatchers who come on their motorbikes and just take your phone straight from your hand. Even when you are enjoying the great tapas in Malaga, in a restaurant, you are not safe from phone thieves.

The phone strap is a simple little accessory that lets me wear my phone around my neck like a necklace. The strap is long enough to allow me to put the phone in my jeans pocket, which is very handy for when I don’t want to hold the phone in my hand. It is also long enough for my phone to get in my crossbody bag. The phone strap attaches to the phone underneath the case, so it can’t break nor slip if pulled from my hand. It’s also very cheap. I bought mine for less than £5 on ebay.

Wear An Earbud For Navigation

Recommended by Carmen from Basic Economy B

One of the most common things I do when travelling in a new city is navigate on foot using my Apple Maps app. When I’m travelling with another person, I typically end up navigating while the other person makes sure I don’t run into lamp posts or oncoming traffic (since I’m looking down so much). When travelling solo, I always turn on the sound of the navigation app and use one earbud so that I am not looking down at my phone constantly to get where I want to go.

This makes me much more aware of my surroundings, so I can be alert and avoid making myself look like an easy target. I never put in the second earbud though, as I always want to be able to hear what’s going on around me and not be totally checked out to the world. Spain has a lot of amazing cities to explore, but if you’re navigating on foot as a solo female traveller, I recommend taking this precaution.

Accommodation Scams

Recommended by Becki from The Seville Guide

I’ve done a lot of travel around Spain, especially the southern part of the country.

One of the things I am always extra careful about is accommodation scams – they are especially rife in cities like Malaga and Seville which is where I’ve had the most problems.

It can be a little complex because regional regulations differ, but in Andalucia, they have introduced a rule for holiday rentals. In Spanish it’s known as the Viviendas de Uso Turístico.

This means that tourist rental properties are obliged to have the correct licence. However, not every rental out there follows this rule. If you book an unlicensed place, you could lose your money if it gets shut down before you even arrive. To avoid this, it’s important to ask the owner to prove their licence number. If they can’t or won’t provide it, that’s a sign to look elsewhere.

Another scam I found especially in the City of Seville is when owners ask you to take the conversation off an official booking platform and request payment upfront. This is a major red flag! Keeping everything on the platform is crucial because it gives you more protection. If someone insists on handling things outside the platform, I always move on to another option.

Watch Out For Rosemary From Strangers

Recommended by Cristina from My Little World of Travelling

One of the things every traveller should know before coming to Spain is to avoid accepting gifts from strangers. Although this happens in many major cities, I have mainly seen it in Andalusia but not much in the historic centre of Malaga, my hometown.

Typically, Romani women walk near main attractions such as Seville Cathedral or The Mosque-Cathedral in Cordoba to target mainly tourists as locals know the trick.

This is how it works. They will usually give you rosemary, which is a sign of “luck” or “blessing.” However, they will end up asking you for money.

The best thing to do is ignore them; if you engage with them, they can be pretty persuasive, and you might feel “trapped” or uncomfortable. They sometimes won’t hesitate to swear at you when you don’t give them money.

Another common scam is to read your hand to determine your future, but this is more well-known by travellers.

Keep The Table Clear

One Safety Tip That Can’t Be Missed When Visiting Spain

Recommended by Rachel from Barcelona Uncovered

Enjoying a meal on one of Barcelona’s many outdoor terraces? Never ever leave your belongings on the table or your bag hanging on your chair. This is one of those scams that still tends to get me. One, sometimes two, people will come up to your table and ask for something, or just just strike up a casual conversation. You do not want to engage with them!

The conversation is a distraction – they will lean over the table and snatch any phones, wallets, or valuables that may be sitting there. They’ll also be looking for purses and bags hanging on the back of your chair. It’s such a smooth partnership that you likely won’t notice your stuff is missing until they are long gone.

This was a rookie mistake I made in my first few months of living in Barcelona I see it happen quite frequently. Now, any time I’m sitting outside, my friends and I make it a priority to make sure all of our stuff is off our table and bags are sitting in our laps or secured around something.

Stay Safe At The Beach When Visiting Spain

Recommended by Claire from Why Visit Barcelona

As lovely as taking a dip in the sea in Spain is, popular tourist beaches can be a haven for pickpockets and opportunistic thieves who will quickly grab anything you’ve left behind on the sand.  Barcelona is well known for being a pickpocket hotspot but it could happen on any beach so keep a close eye on your belongings wherever you are.

Leave valuables at your hotel whenever possible, and keep your phone in a waterproof pouch that you can take in the sea with you.  See-through pouches that go round your neck will still let you take photos, or a dry bag or waterproof waist pouch will keep phones and other items like keys safe and dry in the sea with you.

The same applies even when you’re sunbathing with your belongings next to you.  A bag or phone can easily be snatched when you’re snoozing in the sun, so if you have a parasol, wrap your bag strap around it, loop it around your arm or leg, or use it as a pillow so there is no chance anyone can take it. 

I’ve had a close call on the beach in Barcelona when someone crawled along the sand behind me to try and snatch my bag, and I’ve sadly seen several people have things stolen while they’ve been in the sea.  It only takes a moment to ruin your holiday, so take good care of your stuff on the beach!

 

Your Pocket Is Not Your Friend

Recommended by Sydney from Alone and Abroad

One of the quickest ways to lose your phone in Spain is by sticking it in your pocket – especially the back pocket.

The pickpockets in Spain are very talented, and unfortunately, anything in your pants pockets is easy target. In the midst of all the “I’m in Spain!” excitement, it’s extremely easy to let your guard down.

On one of my first weeks in Madrid, I was riding on the train when I felt something brush against me. I looked down and the man standing next to me has his hand fully in my pocket! I had nothing for him to steal, thankfully, but that still didn’t stop me from slapping his hand away!

I was lucky to be targeted by an amateur pickpocketer. Many of my friends were less fortunate and lost their cell phones, wallets, and even passports. Long story short – if you care about your belongings, keep them in a secure, over-the-shoulder bag (preferably with a zipped pouch!)

Avoid Visiting Spain In High Season

Recommended by Daria from The Discovery Nut

If you want to enjoy a safe and nice vacation in Spain, try to visit the country outside of the high summer season, which is from June through mid-September. 

This rule particularly applies to the most popular destinations in Spain like Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Malaga or Baleáric Islands.

During this time of the year, you can expect to pay more for hotels, tours and experience higher crowds at popular landmarks, which often attract thieves and pickpockets that snatch purses and steal anything that’s been left unattended. 

Visiting Spain in the high season can also make it tough to enjoy your vacation because of the higher temperatures and long lines at the country’s most visited places like Alhambra, the most visited historic monument in Spain where tickets are usually sold out for weeks in summer. 

If you visit Spain from late September through November, you will still be able to enjoy mild enough temperatures and have a much better experience as you will pay less and won’t have to deal with staggering crowds. 

Make Friends And Join A Tour

Recommended by Vanessa from Traveling Cats

I recently returned from a solo trip to Málaga. While most parts of the city are super safe, there are some abandoned alleys in less secure neighborhoods where I wasn’t comfortable walking around all by myself.

Even though I wanted to spend plenty of time alone to photograph the Cats of the Alcazaba and the Roman Theater in Malaga, there were moments when I appreciated having company for safety reasons.

That’s why it’s a great idea to make friends while travelling solo. This is especially easy if you stay in a hostel, as I did, where many people are eager to socialize and are likely to want to visit the same places as you. Also, joining an excursion is always better than venturing out alone. Though a bit more expensive, it ensures you visit only safe areas and stay surrounded by other people.

Avoid Wandering Alone After Dark

Recommended by Siera from Your Guide to Wandering

Travelling solo as a woman in Spain can be an incredibly enriching experience, offering vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality.

While Spain is generally very safe for female travelers, it’s important to stay mindful of your surroundings, especially when it comes to the drunk party groups roaming the streets at night and other potentially risky situations that come with walking alone at night.

One tip I always follow is to avoid situations where darkness could be involved. Once the sun sets, I prefer to return to my hotel as avoiding a dangerous situation is key to my safety. If you want to experience the city at night, consider joining group activities like ghost tours or evening food tours. These options allow you to explore safely while still soaking in the ambiance of Spain’s charming streets.

In Granada, I chose to visit a flamenco show close to my hotel so I could enjoy the nightlife in a safe group setting. Additionally, always make sure to have a reliable mode of transportation back to your accommodation and keep your valuables secure.

Learn A Few Phrases In Spanish

Recommended by Kelly from Just One Passport

Lastly, it’s important to remember that not everyone in Spain speaks English. This is especially true in the remoter areas away from the larger cities.

If by chance you do find yourself in a perilous situation, knowing some key Spanish phrases will make it much easier for you to communicate with authorities. Not only will learning to speak basic Spanish help you when in danger, it will also show the locals that you respect their culture.

Safety Tips When Visiting Spain: In Conclusion

In conclusion, while Spain is a beautiful and generally safe for female solo travellers, it is important to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions outlined in this post. By staying aware of your surroundings, securing your belongings, being cautious when interacting with strangers, and following the outlined safety tips for solo female travellers visiting Spain, you can significantly enhance your safety.

Additionally, utilizing trusted transportation options, informing someone about your travel plans, and respecting local customs can further ensure a pleasant and secure journey. With these safety tips in mind, you can confidently know that you have taken all necessary precautions to stay safe when visiting solo in Spain.

STAY SAFE & ENJOY 🙂

SAVE FOR YOUR VISIT TO SPAIN

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