Category: Europe

When I visited Málaga in February 2025, I expected a few days of exploring another Spanish city (after previous trips to Granada and Madrid), eating good food, and hopefully spending a little time near the Mediterranean.

The Mediterranean part didn’t exactly cooperate. February brought enough rain to ruin my beach plans, but the rest of Málaga more than made up for it.

I stayed in one of the nicest hostels I’ve experienced, ate an unreasonable amount of delicious tapas, made new friends I still talk to today, explored one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, and took an unforgettable day trip to Caminito del Rey.

Oh, and I got left behind by my tour bus! We’ll get to that…LOL

If you’re considering Málaga solo travel, especially during the quieter winter months, my trip was a pretty good reminder that the experiences you remember most aren’t always the ones you planned.

Staying at TOC Málaga

One of the best decisions I made in Málaga was staying at TOC Málaga.

I’ve stayed in plenty of hostels over the years, and this was easily one of the nicest. It had the kind of atmosphere that made staying in a hostel feel less like choosing the budget option and more like somewhere I genuinely enjoyed coming back to at the end of the day.

But the best part of staying in a hostel wasn’t the building itself. It was the people.

I met several other travelers while there, and what started as those temporary travel friendships—the people you meet over breakfast, while hanging around the hostel, or when somebody asks what you’re doing later—turned into actual friendships. I still talk to some of them today!

That’s one of the things I wish more people understood about traveling solo: solo doesn’t necessarily mean alone. Some of my favorite travel memories have happened because I arrived somewhere by myself and ended up meeting people I never would have encountered otherwise.

Eating My Way Through Casa Lola

If you ask me where to eat in Málaga based on my trip, I already have an answer. Casa Lola. Hands down.

There were so many tapas to try that choosing what to order was half the fun. Add a delicious glass of wine, good company, and that lively Spanish dining atmosphere, and I was very happy.

One thing I love about tapas is that you don’t have to commit to one enormous meal. You can order a few things, share, try something you’ve never had before, realize you need another plate of whatever you just ate, and somehow convince yourself that ordering more food is actually cultural research…because it is. HEHE

Casa Lola became one of those restaurants I associate with the destination itself. When I think about eating in Málaga, that’s the place that immediately comes back to me.

Visiting Málaga Cathedral

Food wasn’t the only thing that impressed me in Málaga.

Málaga Cathedral was another standout.

The cathedral is commonly known as La Manquita, which roughly translates to “the one-armed lady,” a nickname connected to its famously unfinished second tower. Construction began in the 16th century, and the building’s long, complicated history has left it with the distinctive asymmetrical appearance visitors see today.

There’s something fascinating about standing in front of a building that’s been part of a city’s landscape for centuries and is still, technically, unfinished.

Rather than making it less impressive, I think the missing tower makes the cathedral even more memorable.

Travel Britten Tip: Historic buildings are exactly where I like checking the official website before visiting. Restoration work, access areas, opening times, and ticketing can change, especially when you’re dealing with a building that’s hundreds of years old.

When Málaga Beach Weather Says, “Not Today”

Of course, Málaga sits on Spain’s Costa del Sol, so naturally I had visions of spending some time near the beach. But nope! The weather had other plans.

I visited in February, and my trip ended up being rainier than I’d hoped. It wasn’t exactly the weather for stretching out on the sand and enjoying a Mediterranean beach day.

Was I disappointed? A little. But this is also one of those travel expectations I’ve learned to let go of. You can choose the destination, book the flight, plan the itinerary, and pack the clothes. You cannot negotiate with the weather.

Fortunately, Málaga gave me plenty to do without the beach and one particular excursion was about to make the trip much more interesting.

My Caminito del Rey Adventure

One of the things I was most excited about was visiting Caminito del Rey.

I booked a guided excursion from Málaga, and before reaching Caminito del Rey, our group made a short stop in the small town of Ardales along the way.

It was a nice little break in the journey. We could get off the bus, walk around for a bit, grab a snack, use the restroom, and stretch our legs before continuing.

Simple enough. Or so I thought.

That Time My Tour Bus Left Without Me

At some point, there was apparently a miscommunication about what time everyone needed to be back at the bus.

I returned to the meeting spot only to discover one tiny problem: My bus was gone! Not running late. Not parked somewhere else.

Gone.

The rest of my tour group was already continuing toward Caminito del Rey while I was still standing in Ardales. This was not part of the itinerary. LOL I had to figure out how to catch up with them, which ultimately meant getting a taxi and taking it the rest of the way to meet my group.

Was this how I planned to arrive at Caminito del Rey? Absolutely not.

Did I make it? I sure did.

And that’s one of those moments when traveling alone really tests you. There’s nobody automatically there to solve the problem for you. You can panic—which, totally fair—or you can figure out what your options are and keep moving.

I found a solution. And, most importantly, I found my tour group!

Travel Britten Tip: On organized excursions, especially ones with intermediate stops, confirm the exact meeting time and meeting point before wandering off. If there’s any confusion, ask twice. I learned that one personally.

Walking the Caminito del Rey

Once I finally reunited with everyone, I could concentrate on the reason I’d booked the excursion in the first place and whoa baby! Caminito del Rey was worth the drama.

The route takes you through an incredible landscape of steep rock walls, gorges, elevated walkways, and views that photographs don’t completely prepare you for.

After the taxi situation, getting onto the trail and finally being able to enjoy where I was felt especially satisfying. There were moments when I just stopped and looked around.

This was exactly the kind of experience I travel for—being somewhere completely different from my everyday surroundings and wondering how a place can possibly look like this.

And Then There Were Mountain Goats

As if the scenery wasn’t enough, we also encountered mountain goats. Adorable mountain goats.

I don’t care how impressive the landscape is. If an animal appears, there’s a very good chance it’s getting some of my attention. Seeing them out there among the mountains was one of those small, unexpected moments that made the excursion even better.

Between the cliffs, walkways, enormous views, and surprise wildlife, Caminito del Rey easily became my favorite excursion from Málaga. The fact that I had to chase my tour group across Andalusia in a taxi first just makes the story better now.

What I’d Know Before Visiting Málaga Solo

Looking back, Málaga was a great example of why I don’t want every solo trip planned down to the minute.

Yes, there are things worth arranging ahead of time, especially an excursion like Caminito del Rey. But some of the best parts of Málaga weren’t items I could have scheduled. I couldn’t have planned the friendships I made at my hostel. I didn’t know Casa Lola would become my favorite place to eat. I definitely didn’t plan on being stranded in Ardales while my tour bus drove away. And I couldn’t control the rain.

For a Málaga trip, I’d give yourself a combination of structure and flexibility. Book the experiences that really matter to you, but leave room for meals that turn into long conversations, people you meet along the way, and weather that forces you to change your plans.

I’d also pack for the actual season rather than the version of southern Spain you have pictured in your head. Costa del Sol does not mean guaranteed beach weather every day of the year. February made sure I understood that.

Is Málaga Good for Solo Travel?

Based on my experience, absolutely!

Málaga gave me something I particularly value as a solo traveler: opportunities to be independent without feeling isolated.

I could explore on my own when I wanted to, socialize at the hostel, go out to eat with people I’d met, and book a group excursion when I wanted a bigger adventure outside the city. And sometimes the friendships you make while traveling last longer than the trip itself.

I think that’s what stands out most when I look back at Málaga. Caminito del Rey was incredible. Casa Lola was delicious. The cathedral was beautiful. But I also left Málaga with people in my life who weren’t there when I arrived.

That’s pretty special.

Málaga Didn’t Go According to Plan but That’s Okay

If I could go back and change one thing about Málaga, I’d obviously tell myself exactly what time that bus was leaving Ardales. Other than that? I’d let the trip unfold pretty much the way it did.

The beach didn’t happen because of the rain. My day trip included an unexpected taxi ride. And some of my favorite memories came from people I hadn’t even met when I landed in Spain.

Málaga wasn’t a perfectly executed itinerary. It was better than that!

It was tapas and wine at Casa Lola. It was making friends in a hostel. It was standing beneath a cathedral that’s been part of Málaga for centuries. It was looking across the enormous landscape at Caminito del Rey and spotting mountain goats along the way. And yes, it was getting left behind by a tour bus and figuring out how to catch it.

Because apparently even when I travel solo, I still have to remind the group not to leave without me. LOL

Some destinations become special because of what you see there. Others become special because of what they represent.

For me, Granada was both.

In 2017, I traveled to Granada on my first solo trip to Spain. I was heading somewhere completely new on my own, and I had no idea that this trip would become the beginning of a much longer relationship with Spain.

Granada gave me history, mountains, incredible architecture, good food, nightlife, a Mediterranean beach day, and one sangria that I’ve been comparing every other sangria to ever since. If you’re considering Granada solo travel, these are the places and experiences that made my first visit so memorable.

It also gave me a few experiences I couldn’t possibly have planned.

Start With the Alhambra

If there’s one place I wouldn’t skip in Granada, it’s the Alhambra.

I had seen pictures before my trip, but they didn’t prepare me for how much detail there is once you’re actually inside. Walking through the complex and the Nasrid Palaces, I kept finding myself stopping to look more closely at the walls, arches, ceilings, and courtyards.

The Arabic inscriptions and intricate decorative patterns were especially fascinating to me.

I’d learned about the centuries of Muslim rule in Spain, but standing somewhere where that history was physically surrounding me made it feel completely different from reading about it. From there, you step outside and remember that you’re in Granada.

The views across the city are gorgeous, and depending on where you’re standing, the Sierra Nevada seems to be waiting in the background.

Travel Britten Tip: The Nasrid Palaces use timed admission, so this is one Granada attraction I wouldn’t leave until the last minute. Check the official Alhambra website for current ticket availability and visitor information before your trip.

Exploring Granada Beyond the Alhambra

The Alhambra may be Granada’s superstar, but I wouldn’t treat the city as somewhere you visit just to see one attraction. Part of what I loved was simply being there.

Granada has the kind of scenery that makes walking around feel like part of the sightseeing. Historic buildings, narrow streets, viewpoints, and glimpses of the Alhambra appear throughout the city.

And then there are those mountains.

Look Up at the Sierra Nevada

One of the things that surprised me most about Granada was just how beautiful the Sierra Nevada looked behind the city. When people imagine southern Spain, snow-covered mountains probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind but there they were.

That contrast is part of what made Granada so memorable to me. I could spend one part of the trip surrounded by historic architecture with snowy mountains in the distance and another beside the Mediterranean.

Granada gave me a much different introduction to Spain than I had expected and I loved that!

Visit Federico García Lorca’s Granada

Another stop that meant something to me personally was Huerta de San Vicente, the former summer home of Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca and his family. I’d learned about Lorca in school, so visiting somewhere connected to his life gave the experience a different meaning.

I already enjoy museums, but travel makes history and literature feel more tangible to me. Someone you’ve previously encountered through a book or classroom suddenly becomes connected to an actual house, neighborhood and city.

For anyone interested in literature, history, or Spanish culture, Lorca’s connection to Granada adds another layer to exploring the city.

Have the Sangria—But Maybe Don’t Start With the Best One LOL

One of the first things I did in Granada was go to La Bella y la Bestia and order a sangria. This turned out to be a mistake. Not because it was bad but because it was too good.

It was the best sangria I had during the entire trip, which meant every sangria afterward was competing with the first one. None of them won. LOL I honestly wish I’d saved it for the end.

This was back in 2017, so I’m definitely not telling you to build your current Granada itinerary around a restaurant I visited years ago. But that sangria has somehow survived in my memory alongside palaces, mountains and beaches, which I think says everything that needs to be said about it.

Leave Room for an Unexpected Night Out

One of my favorite Granada stories had nothing to do with my itinerary. I simply randomly ran into a friend from college.

In Spain.

While traveling solo. What are the chances?

We ended up going to a dance club together, which obviously wasn’t something I’d planned when I started organizing my trip.

Experiences like that are one of the reasons I’ve learned not to schedule every minute when I travel. Planning is important, especially when you’re traveling alone, but some of the best stories happen in the spaces you didn’t plan.

Granada gave me one of those.

Take a Day Trip to Almuñécar

If you want to trade Granada’s historic streets and mountain scenery for the Mediterranean for a day, Almuñécar makes a great change of pace.

I went there with my college friend for a beach day, and suddenly my first trip to Spain looked completely different.

There was rocky coastline, blue Mediterranean water and seafood. I tried swordfish for the first time, and it was pretty good!

But apparently the beach also came with entertainment. At one point, a random dog walked over to us carrying a tennis ball. He dropped it. That was it. No introduction. No discussion. We had apparently been selected for fetch duty. LOL Naturally, we accepted our assignment.

It’s such a tiny memory compared with visiting somewhere like the Alhambra, but it’s also one of the stories I still remember from the trip. That’s travel for ya!

What I’d Know Before Visiting Granada

My trip happened in 2017, so I wouldn’t want someone planning Granada today to rely solely on what things were like when I visited.

The biggest thing I’d plan ahead now is the Alhambra. Entry to the Nasrid Palaces is timed, and availability can be limited. Buy through the official Alhambra ticketing system and check current visitor information before you go rather than relying on an old blog post—including this one—for changing ticket details.

I’d also bring comfortable shoes. Granada is a city you’ll want to explore on foot, and between sightseeing and wandering around historic areas, this isn’t the trip for discovering that your cute shoes become instruments of torture after three hours. I’ve learned that particular travel lesson the hard way.

Give yourself enough time for Granada beyond the Alhambra, too. The palace complex deserves its place at the top of the list, but I would have missed a lot of what I enjoyed about Granada if I’d treated the city as nothing more than a stop for its most famous attraction.

And if you have enough time, consider getting out of the city for a day. My Almuñécar trip gave me a completely different view of southern Spain without taking away from my time exploring Granada.

Is Granada Worth Visiting?

For me, easily.

Granada managed to fit an incredible amount into one trip: the Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces, Islamic architecture, Federico García Lorca, the Sierra Nevada, food and sangria, nightlife, and a Mediterranean beach day.

But that’s not the only reason I remember it.

I remember randomly finding a college friend thousands of miles from home. I remember the dog who decided I was going to play fetch whether I’d planned to or not. I remember that first sangria and I remember standing in Granada realizing that traveling somewhere alone didn’t mean the experience had to feel lonely.

The Trip That Started Something Bigger

I didn’t know it in 2017, but Granada wasn’t going to be my only experience in Spain.

Years later, I would return and experience a completely different side of the country in Madrid. More trips would take me to other parts of Spain, each one giving me another reason to come back.

But Granada was first.

It was my first solo trip to Spain, my first introduction to Andalucía, and the place where so many of my earliest memories of the country began. Maybe that’s why Granada still stands out.

Somewhere between the Alhambra, snowy mountains, Mediterranean coast, dancing, sangria, and one very demanding dog with a tennis ball, I fell for it.

And my Spain adventures were only getting started.

After three visits, my Barcelona solo travel experiences have started to blend into one big collection of Gothic streets, Gaudí architecture, harbor views, cheap tacos, hostel stays, unexpected reunions, and even a couple of nights sleeping at the airport.

Barcelona wasn’t my first experience in Spain—that honor belongs to Granada—and it wasn’t my last. But there’s clearly something about this city that keeps pulling me back.

Sleeping at Barcelona Airport to Save Money

We might as well start with one of the less glamorous realities of budget travel.

On two separate trips, I had overnight flights that arrived in Barcelona with only a few hours before my next flight. Paying for a hotel or hostel, traveling into the city, sleeping for a couple of hours, and then turning around and heading straight back to the airport just didn’t make financial sense.

So I slept at the airport. Or at least I attempted to sleep. LOL

The airport was absolutely freezing, and those bright terminal lights aren’t exactly designed to create a relaxing bedtime atmosphere. Eventually, I managed to find a snug little corner that was somewhat darker than everywhere else and settled in for the night.

Was it luxurious? Absolutely not. Did it save me the cost of a room for a few hours of sleep? Sure did.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend planning your Barcelona vacation around airport sleepovers, but budget travel sometimes involves deciding which comforts you’re willing to give up so you can spend your money somewhere else.

And apparently, I’ve made that particular decision twice!

Where I’ve Stayed in Barcelona

Fortunately, I haven’t spent every night in Barcelona sleeping in an airport terminal.

Across my visits, I’ve stayed at several different properties, including TOC Barcelona, Catalonia Hotels & Resorts, and Safestay Hostel. Staying in both hostels and hotels has given me some flexibility depending on my budget and the type of trip I was taking.

For solo travelers especially, I think it’s worth looking beyond the nightly price when choosing where to stay. Location, access to public transportation, reviews, and how easily you can get around the city can make a cheaper accommodation a much better—or much worse—deal.

Getting Lost in the Gothic Quarter

One of my favorite things to do in Barcelona doesn’t require an admission ticket at all: walk.

I loved exploring the Gothic Quarter, with its narrow streets, old buildings, little squares, and the feeling that you never quite know what you’ll find around the next corner. Barcelona’s official tourism site describes the neighborhood as the historic Roman and medieval core of the city, and Barcelona Cathedral sits right in the middle of it.

I also spent time walking along La Rambla. It’s touristy, yes, but it’s one of those Barcelona places I still think is worth experiencing at least once. The pedestrian boulevard stretches about 1.2 kilometers through the city and connects with sights like the Boqueria Market, Liceu, and the Columbus Monument near the waterfront.

Sometimes my favorite travel memories aren’t elaborate tours. They’re simply wandering around with nowhere particularly urgent to be.

Seeing Barcelona Cathedral

While wandering through the Gothic Quarter, I also stopped to see Barcelona Cathedral.

Barcelona has no shortage of impressive churches, and this one can sometimes get overshadowed by a certain very famous basilica elsewhere in the city. But seeing the cathedral surrounded by the old streets of the Gothic Quarter was still worth the stop.

And speaking of that other church…

Finally Seeing the Sagrada Família

Of course, there was one Barcelona attraction I absolutely had to see. The Sagrada Família.

I’d seen pictures of it plenty of times, but pictures don’t really prepare you for just how massive it feels when you’re standing there looking up at it.

One of the things I loved was how easy it was to reach by Metro. You can take either the L2 or L5 to the Sagrada Família station, and suddenly you’re basically standing in front of one of the most recognizable buildings in the world.

Even surrounded by construction cranes during my visits, I thought it was beautiful.

I was traveling on a budget, so I didn’t pay to go inside. That means I can’t tell you whether the interior is worth the admission price from personal experience. What I can tell you is that I spent plenty of time staring at the exterior. Gaudí definitely wasn’t into boring buildings.

If you want to visit the interior now, tickets are sold online through the official Sagrada Família website.

Experiencing Gaudí’s Barcelona on a Budget

Sagrada Família is only the beginning when it comes to Antoni Gaudí’s influence on Barcelona.

His architecture and artwork appear throughout the city, and I came across several of his famous creations while exploring. Unfortunately, my budget and my sightseeing wish list weren’t always on speaking terms.

So I admired quite a bit from the outside. Would I like to return someday with a dedicated Gaudí budget? Absolutely!

One place in particular taught me an important lesson.

My Park Güell Mistake

Park Güell was high on my list of places I wanted to see (Thank you, Cheetah Girls!).

What I didn’t realize beforehand was that the part containing many of Gaudí’s famous works required admission. I also wasn’t prepared for the journey uphill. My fault for not doing more research!

So imagine me making my way toward Park Güell thinking I was simply going to stroll into this beautiful Barcelona park, only to discover that 1) I should have researched the ticket situation and 2) there were much smarter ways of getting there than what I was doing.

Lesson learned.

And this is one Barcelona mistake you don’t have to repeat. As of September 2026, general admission is €18, with timed tourist entry. The official transportation information also says that from the Lesseps and Vallcarca Metro stations, the walk is around 20 minutes and recommends routes with escalators; buses H6 and D40 can leave you about a 10-minute walk away.

In other words: research before you start climbing. Your legs will thank you.

Seeing Barcelona From the Water

One experience I really enjoyed was taking a boat trip around Barcelona’s harbor.

After spending so much time exploring the city on foot, it was nice to see Barcelona from a completely different perspective—and, admittedly, to sit down for a while.

There’s something about seeing a coastal city from the water that changes how you look at it. The buildings, skyline, harbor, and Mediterranean setting all make a little more sense when you’re looking back toward the city instead of standing in the middle of it.

Visiting Tibidabo

Another place that caught my attention was Tibidabo.

After seeing it perched above Barcelona from different parts of the city, I knew I had to make my way up there. And honestly, the views alone were worth it. Between the church, the amusement park, and Barcelona stretching out below, it felt like seeing the city from a completely different angle.

Finding €1 Tacos at Los Güeros

Now for something equally important: food. One of my favorite finds was Los Güeros Taquería and its famous €1 tacos.

Barcelona isn’t necessarily the cheapest city I’ve visited, so finding inexpensive food that I actually wanted to go back for was a win. And honestly, when you’re traveling on a budget and someone tells you there are delicious €1 tacos nearby, that’s not simply a restaurant recommendation.

That’s important financial information.

Drinks and Neon at Moon Café

My favorite bar find in Barcelona was Moon Café, a cute gay bar with neon décor and really good drinks.

It was colorful, fun, and exactly the kind of place I enjoy discovering when I travel. Major attractions are great, but places like this often end up giving a city some personality in my memories.

Sagrada Família might be the picture everyone recognizes. But neon lights and a yummy cocktail can make the vacation album too.

Running Into the Same Friend…Again

And then there’s one of my favorite recurring travel stories. During one of my Barcelona visits, I ran into a friend I’d originally met in Copenhagen. This wouldn’t be quite as funny if this were the only time we’d unexpectedly crossed paths in another city.

It isn’t.

Somehow, I’ve managed to run into this same friend multiple times in different places. At this point, I’m starting to think Europe is significantly smaller than the maps suggest.

One of my favorite things about traveling has been meeting people I never would have encountered otherwise. Even better is realizing that sometimes those friendships don’t stay confined to the place where they started.

What Three Trips to Barcelona Taught Me

After three visits, I still don’t feel like I’ve “finished” Barcelona.

There are things I haven’t done. I haven’t explored the inside of Sagrada Família. I still want the full Cheetah Girls Park Güell experience (IYKYK!). There are also more Gaudí buildings I’d love to see properly.

But I don’t think you have to check off every famous attraction to have experienced a city.

My Barcelona memories are a mixture of the big things and the small ones: staring up at Sagrada Família, wandering through the Gothic Quarter, seeing the city from the harbor, discovering murals, drinking cocktails under neon lights, eating cheap tacos, running into an old travel friend and curling up in an airport corner because I refused to pay for a hotel room I was only going to use for a few hours.

Twice.

*A Note About Overtourism in Barcelona*

I love Barcelona. I’ve visited three times, and the fact that I’ve returned says plenty about how I feel about the city. But loving a destination also means being honest about the impact tourism can have on the people who actually live there.

In recent years, Barcelona has become one of the most visible examples of Europe’s struggle with overtourism. Residents have raised concerns about crowded neighborhoods, rising housing costs, and the number of homes being used as short-term tourist rentals. Those frustrations have also led to highly publicized anti-tourism demonstrations.

That doesn’t mean every Barcelona resident is against tourism. The reality is more complicated. Tourism is an important part of the city’s economy, while many residents also believe the volume and type of tourism need to be managed differently. Barcelona itself has been taking steps to address those concerns, including plans to phase out licenses for thousands of tourist apartments by 2028.

As a visitor, I don’t think the answer is to stop traveling to Barcelona. I think it’s to remember that Barcelona isn’t an amusement park—it is somebody’s home.

That can mean staying in legal accommodations, supporting locally owned businesses, respecting residential neighborhoods, using public spaces responsibly, and remembering that the goal isn’t just to get everything you can out of a destination. It’s also to leave it as a place where the people who live there can continue to enjoy their own city.

Is Barcelona Good for Solo Travel?

Based on my own experiences, Barcelona is a city I’d return to as a solo traveler. There’s plenty to explore independently, public transportation makes major sights accessible, and you don’t need to fill every day with expensive attractions to enjoy being there.

If you’re planning your own solo trip, I’d budget for the paid attractions that matter most to you instead of feeling like you need to buy admission to everything. Leave some time for simply walking, too. Barcelona is one of those cities where wandering around can become part of the itinerary.

Staying Safe From Pickpockets in Barcelona

Barcelona has always felt comfortable for me to explore on my own, but pickpocketing is something travelers should take seriously. Like in many heavily visited cities, crowded streets, tourist attractions and public transportation are places where you want to pay extra attention to your belongings.

I usually keep my bag zipped and close to my body, and I don’t leave my phone sitting on a table or somewhere that’s easy to grab. A crossbody bag worn toward the front is a good option in crowded areas, and avoid keeping your phone or wallet in an easy-to-reach back pocket. On the Metro, around major attractions, and anywhere you’re surrounded by people, simply being aware of what’s happening around you can go a long way.

I wouldn’t let the possibility of pickpocketing scare me away from Barcelona, but I also wouldn’t ignore it. Enjoy the city, just don’t make your belongings easy to walk away with. For more safety tips, click here.

Barcelona, I’ll Probably See You Again

Granada was where my relationship with Spain began. Madrid gave me rooftop views, flamenco, and unexpected adventures. Málaga gave me tapas, new friends, Caminito del Rey and a tour bus that left without me. LOL

Barcelona apparently decided one visit wasn’t enough.

Three trips later, I still have things I want to see and experiences I’ve missed. Maybe that’s exactly why I keep coming back.

There aren’t enough words in the English—or Irish—language to describe just how fantastic the city of Galway is.

I visited in March 2023, and spending St. Patrick’s Day in Galway turned into one of the highlights of my Ireland trip. Between the festivities, ridiculously good food, pub nights and day trips through western Ireland, Galway gave me plenty of reasons to fall in love with the city.

If colorful streets, traditional Irish music, cozy pubs, dramatic landscapes and friendly locals sound like your kind of vacation, Galway deserves a spot on your Ireland itinerary.

And if you happen to visit during St. Patrick’s Day? Even better.

Why Galway?

When most people plan their first trip to Ireland, Dublin naturally gets most of the attention. But Galway offers a completely different experience.

Located on Ireland’s west coast, Galway has that lively energy you’d expect from an Irish city while still feeling intimate enough to wander around without a strict itinerary. Spend some time walking through the city center, listen to street musicians, pop into a pub, grab something to eat and simply enjoy being there.

Sometimes the best travel memories come from the moments you didn’t schedule.

I stayed at Galway City Hostel in Eyre Square, and to this day, it’s the best hostel I’ve stayed in. The location also made it incredibly convenient for exploring the city.

St. Patrick’s Day in Galway

If you’re considering spending St. Patrick’s Day in Galway, I absolutely recommend it.

One of the things that surprised me most about the parade was how diverse it was. Before visiting, it would have been easy to picture an Irish St. Patrick’s Day celebration as a mostly white Irish crowd. Instead, I saw people of different races, ethnicities and nationalities participating in the festivities.

I loved seeing that! It made the celebration feel less like something being put on solely for tourists and more like an entire community coming together.

And don’t make the mistake of thinking St. Patrick’s Day is only about drinking. Being in Ireland for the holiday gave me a chance to experience Irish culture, music and community in a way I couldn’t have gotten from simply going out for green beer back home.

Of course, there was still plenty of pub time. I joined a pub crawl while I was there, with stops that included Darcy’s Bar and The King’s Head. Galway is exactly the kind of place where you can spend the day exploring and somehow find yourself in a pub listening to music later that evening.

Come to Galway Hungry

Now we need to discuss something equally important: the food.

My favorite restaurant in Galway, by far, was The Dough Bros on Middle Street. I ordered the Hey Pesto pizza, and magnificent is genuinely the word I would use to describe it.

I’m not saying you should plan your entire Galway itinerary around pizza. But I’m also not saying you shouldn’t.

And then there was Murphy’s Ice Cream, where I tried the Baileys Irish Cream ice cream. Ireland was apparently determined to make sure I consumed Irish cream in as many forms as possible, and I had no complaints.

What is Galway weather like in March?

March in Ireland can be chilly, wet and windy, so pack accordingly.

During my trip, though, the weather wasn’t nearly as bad as I had expected. It rained off and on and temperatures were definitely on the chilly side, but as long as I dressed warmly, it was completely manageable.

My advice? Keep a rain poncho orjacket handy.

I wouldn’t put too much faith in an umbrella. Galway can get windy enough that your umbrella may end up fighting for its own life instead of keeping you dry.

Layers and a poncho were much more practical for me.

Take a day trip through Connemara

One of my favorite experiences outside Galway was an organized day trip through Connemara, Cong and Kylemore Abbey.

Connemara is exactly the kind of scenery you imagine when you picture Ireland: mountains, lakes, winding roads and seemingly endless stretches of green countryside.

And somehow, we got lucky with the weather. For a March trip to western Ireland, I’ll take that win.

Visit Kylemore Abbey

Kylemore Abbey was absolutely stunning.

Surrounded by the Connemara landscape, the abbey looks like something straight out of a fairytale. It was every bit as picturesque as I had hoped, and this is definitely somewhere you want enough time to explore rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.

The combination of the architecture and scenery makes it very easy to take far more pictures than you planned.

Explore Cong

Our day trip also stopped in Cong, a small village that was a nice contrast to Galway.

Film fans may recognize Cong as one of the filming locations associated with The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Even if the movie isn’t on your watchlist, the village is still a charming place to walk around and take in the surroundings.

Sometimes you don’t need a massive list of attractions. You just need somewhere interesting to wander.

Don’t miss the Cliffs of Moher

And then there were the Cliffs of Moher.

They’re one of Ireland’s most famous attractions for a reason. On the way there, we had some drizzle. On the way back, we had some drizzle. But while I was actually at the cliffs? The rain stopped and the sun came out.

It was perfect!

Standing along Ireland’s Atlantic coast looking out over the water is one of those travel experiences photographs simply can’t reproduce. After worrying that Irish weather might obscure the whole experience, getting that little window of sunshine felt like hitting the travel jackpot.

That said, still bring your layers and rain gear.

This is Ireland, after all.

Give Galway more than one day

One mistake I’d avoid is treating Galway as nothing more than a quick stop between Dublin and the Cliffs of Moher. Stay awhile.

Use Galway as your base. Explore the city. Take a day trip into Connemara. Visit Kylemore Abbey and Cong. Head down toward the Cliffs of Moher.

And leave yourself some unscheduled time.

Walk around.

Listen to the music.

Have a drink.

Talk to people.

Order the pizza. 👀

That’s part of the fun.

Should you spend St. Patrick’s Day in Galway?

Absolutely.

If celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland has been sitting on your bucket list, don’t automatically assume you have to spend it in Dublin.

Galway gave me the celebration I was hoping for, but it also gave me great food, new friends, pub nights, beautiful scenery and easy access to some of western Ireland‘s most memorable places.

I went expecting to enjoy Galway. I didn’t expect to love it quite as much as I did. In fact, I loved it so much that I skipped my flight home and stayed an extra week!

Come for St. Patrick’s Day. Stay for Galway. And don’t be surprised if you leave already thinking about when you can come back.

My first trip to Spain took me to Granada, but a few years later, I found myself back in the country—this time in Madrid. And Madrid gave me a completely different version of Spain.

Granada had felt intimate, historic, and almost magical. Madrid was bigger, busier, louder, and full of energy. There were rooftop views, a professional photoshoot, flamenco, late nights, and one very confusing encounter with Madrid’s public transportation system.

Basically, Madrid kept me on my toes.

If you’re planning a Madrid solo travel adventure, here’s what stood out from my trip and why Spain’s capital is a city I’d happily explore again.

Accidentally Staying Near the Santiago Bernabéu

Sometimes you carefully research the neighborhood you’re staying in…and sometimes you book an Airbnb and discover later that you’re staying near one of the most famous football stadiums in the world. Oops!

My Airbnb was close to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid. I hadn’t intentionally chosen the area because of the stadium, and at first it didn’t really affect my plans.

Until game day.

I was trying to get around the city and couldn’t understand why the bus I was waiting for wasn’t showing up like I expected. I watched my phone as the arrival times kept changing, and still no bus. Eventually, an older gentleman explained what was going on. There was a Real Madrid match. Suddenly, everything made a lot more sense. LOL

It became one of those little travel moments that reminds you that a city isn’t operating around your itinerary. Madrid had plans of its own that day.

Today, Santiago Bernabéu is served by Metro Line 10 as well as numerous bus routes, and Madrid’s tourism office notes that stadium operations change on match days.

Travel Britten Tip: If you’re staying near a major stadium or event venue, check the local event calendar before heading out. Even if you’re not attending, a big event can affect how you get around.

Turning Madrid Into My Own Photoshoot

One of my favorite things I did in Madrid was something I hadn’t really done on my previous trips: I booked a professional photoshoot through Airbnb Experiences.

As a solo traveler, getting good pictures of yourself can be a struggle. You either become very comfortable with a tripod, master the timer on your phone, or hand your camera to a stranger and hope for the best.

So having someone else take the pictures for once? Absolutely worth it.

We shot around central Madrid, including Plaza Mayor and Plaza del Callao. Instead of rushing between landmarks trying to check things off a list, I got to slow down, walk around the city, and actually pay attention to my surroundings.

Plaza Mayor was especially beautiful. It’s right in Madrid’s historic center and is one of those places where just walking through the square feels like part of the experience and because I was traveling alone, the photos became something else too: proof that you don’t need to wait for someone else to take the trip or to actually be in the pictures from it.

Finding Money Heist in Plaza del Callao

One of the stops during my photoshoot was Plaza del Callao. If you’re a Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) fan, this one is fun.

Callao was actually used as a filming location for the series. Madrid Film Office lists Plaza del Callao among the show’s official Madrid locations, and the square is where the famous scene involving thousands of €50 notes raining down was filmed.

It was actually the photographer’s idea to check out this location! Even if you didn’t visit specifically because of a movie or television show, suddenly realizing, Wait…I’ve seen this before, gives the place another layer.

Callao also sits right off Gran Vía, one of Madrid’s most recognizable streets, surrounded by shops, theaters, cinemas, restaurants, and some seriously impressive architecture.

Seeing Madrid From the Rooftops

Madrid looks good from street level. But Madrid from a rooftop? Even better.

I joined a rooftop bar crawl (also courtesy of Airbnb Experiences), which turned out to be such a fun way to experience the city. Instead of spending the entire evening in one place, we moved around, had drinks, met people, and got to see Madrid from above.

For a solo traveler, activities like this can also solve one of the trickier parts of traveling alone: figuring out what to do at night.

You can absolutely go to a bar alone, but sometimes it’s nice to have a built-in group. A walking tour, food tour, bar crawl, or other small-group experience gives you the chance to meet people without having to awkwardly walk up to strangers and announce, “Hello, I need vacation friends.”

Although, to be fair, that might work too!

Experiencing Flamenco in Madrid

One experience I knew I wanted in Spain was flamenco.

In Madrid, I went to an Essential Flamenco performance at Tablao Torero, an intimate cave-live venue, and the setting made the whole experience even better. The acoustics, the music, the movement—it felt completely different from watching a performance on a large stage.

Madrid has a long flamenco tradition, with performances ranging from larger theaters to smaller tablaos and intimate venues throughout the city.

What I remember most wasn’t one particular song or dance. It was how powerful everything felt when you’re sitting close enough to hear the dancers’ feet hitting the floor. Some travel experiences are difficult to appreciate until you’re actually there.

For me, flamenco was one of them.

Madrid at Night Was Half the Fun

One thing Madrid made very clear: this is not a city that shuts down early.

Between the rooftop crawl, flamenco, busy streets, and simply wandering around central Madrid, some of my favorite memories happened after the sightseeing portion of the day was technically over. That’s something I’ve learned to appreciate more about traveling. Not every memorable experience needs to have a ticket, monument, or famous landmark attached to it.

Sometimes it’s just being out in a city you don’t live in, realizing it’s late, looking around and thinking: I’m really here. Madrid gave me quite a few of those moments.

What I’d Know Before Visiting Madrid Solo

If I were planning another solo trip to Madrid, I’d leave plenty of room between the things I had to do and the things I could discover once I got there.

Central Madrid is particularly good for exploring on foot. Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Callao, and Gran Vía are all within the broader central area, making it easy to combine several sights without spending the entire day moving between opposite sides of the city. Madrid also has an extensive Metro system for longer distances.

I’d also check whether any major football matches, festivals, demonstrations, or other large events are happening during the trip. My Bernabéu experience taught me that lesson. LOL

For evenings, I wouldn’t automatically stay in simply because I was traveling alone. A group experience can be a great middle ground when you want to enjoy Madrid’s nightlife but don’t necessarily want to navigate it completely by yourself.

And finally, I’d schedule less. Madrid has enough going on that you don’t need to manufacture every minute of your itinerary.

Is Madrid Good for Solo Travel?

Based on my experience, yes.

What I particularly liked was having options. I could spend part of the day wandering around on my own, book an experience when I wanted company, sit somewhere and people-watch, take photos, go sightseeing, or join a group at night.

That flexibility matters when you’re traveling solo.

You don’t have to choose between spending the entire trip alone or attaching yourself to a tour group for five days. You can do both! Independence when you want it and company when you don’t.

That’s one of the things I love most about solo travel in general.

Granada Started It. Madrid Kept It Going.

My first solo trip to Spain began in Granada, and that city will always have a special place in my travel memories.

Madrid was different.

There was no Alhambra overlooking the city or Sierra Nevada framing the background. Instead, Madrid gave me crowded plazas, rooftop views, flamenco, football-day confusion, professional photos, late nights, and another reminder that I genuinely enjoy figuring out a new city on my own.

Granada was where I first fell for Spain. Madrid made me want to keep coming back.

And as it turned out, I wasn’t finished with Spain yet…

Spain—a land of vibrant colors, captivating traditions, incredible food, and a rhythm of life that can make you wonder why you were ever in such a hurry in the first place.

My introduction to Europe started in 2017 with my first solo trip to Spain: Granada. Years later, I returned to explore Madrid, and since then, Spain has become one of those destinations I seem to keep finding my way back to.

There are still so many places I want to experience, but looking back at those first trips, I can see exactly why Spain made such an impression on me. There were palaces and mountains, beaches and flamenco, spontaneous nights out, incredible food, and a sangria that set the bar way too high.

Granada: Where My Spain Story Began

Granada will always be special to me because it was where I took my first solo trip to Spain.

Located in Andalucía in southern Spain, Granada gave me a little bit of everything I hoped to experience: history, beautiful architecture, great food, nightlife, mountain views, and enough unexpected moments to make the trip memorable years later.

And naturally, one of the first things I did was get a sangria.

I went to La Bella y la Bestia, ordered one, and unknowingly made a terrible strategic decision: it was the best sangria I had during the entire trip. I should have saved it for the end!!! Everything afterward had to compete with that first glass, and nothing quite measured up. LOL

The Alhambra Was Even Better in Person

The Alhambra was one of the experiences I was most excited about in Granada, and seeing it in person did not disappoint.

Walking through the Alhambra and the Nasrid Palaces, I was fascinated by the amount of detail in the architecture. Some of my favorite features were the intricate Arabic inscriptions and decorative patterns covering the walls.

I’d learned about the centuries of Muslim rule in Spain, but standing inside a place where so much of that history was still physically surrounding me made it feel completely different from reading about it.

Then there were the views.

Granada itself is beautiful, but having the Sierra Nevada mountains rising behind the city makes the landscape even more dramatic. Spain may be famous for sunshine and Mediterranean beaches, but seeing snow-covered mountains from Granada was a reminder of just how varied the country really is.

A Little Literature Along the Way

My Granada trip wasn’t all palaces, sangria, and food.

I also visited Huerta de San Vicente, the former summer home of Federico García Lorca and his family that’s now a museum. I enjoy museums anyway, but this visit meant a little more because I’d learned about Lorca in school.

There’s something satisfying about encountering a person, place, or piece of history in real life after first discovering it in a classroom years earlier. It’s one of my favorite things about traveling: suddenly something you’ve read about isn’t quite so distant anymore.

A Beach Day in Almuñécar

One of my favorite breaks from exploring Granada was taking a day trip with friends to Almuñécar on Spain’s Mediterranean coast.

The change of scenery was perfect. One minute my trip was historic streets, palaces, and mountain views; the next it was blue water, sunshine, seafood, and a beach.

I even tried swordfish for the first time. Verdict? Pretty good! But one of my favorite memories from the day had absolutely nothing to do with sightseeing or food.

While my friends and I were sitting on the beach, a random dog walked over to us carrying a tennis ball. He dropped it in front of us and apparently decided that we were now responsible for entertaining him. LOL

No introductions. No discussion. Just: Here is my ball. You know what to do. Naturally, we played with him.

Sometimes the completely unplanned moments become the stories you remember most.

Granada Also Gave Me One Very Unexpected Reunion

Speaking of things I couldn’t have planned, I randomly ran into someone I knew from college while I was in Granada. Of all the places in the world.

We ended up going to a dance club together, turning what could have been an ordinary night into another one of those travel memories that still makes me laugh at how unlikely it was.

That’s something I’ve learned to appreciate about solo travel. You can make plans, build itineraries, book tours and research everything in advance, but you can never predict who you’re going to meet or what might happen once you actually get there.

Granada taught me that pretty early.

Returning to Spain: Madrid in 2023

Six years after that first trip to Granada, I found myself back in Spain but this time in Madrid. Madrid was a completely different experience.

Granada had felt intimate, historic and relaxed. Madrid gave me big-city energy: busy streets, rooftop views, beautiful plazas, nightlife, performances and plenty to explore on foot.

It also gave me a transportation mystery almost immediately. I had booked an Airbnb without realizing that I was staying near Real Madrid’s football stadium. One day I went to catch a bus…and waited for an extremely long time. No bus.

Eventually, a sweet older gentleman came over to the bus stop and explained what was happening. It was game day. Apparently everyone knew this except me. LOL

Travel has a wonderful way of reminding you that you are, in fact, not a local.

Seeing Madrid Through a Camera

One of my favorite things I did in Madrid was book a professional photoshoot through Airbnb Experiences.

We moved around the city taking pictures at different locations, including Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Callao. As a Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) fan, I loved learning that Callao was also one of the show’s filming locations, specifically the famous scene where money rains down over Madrid.

Instead of coming home with only quick phone pictures and selfies, I ended up with photographs that captured an entire day of exploring Madrid. It also gave me an excuse to slow down and pay attention to the city around me rather than racing from one attraction to another.

And considering how many of those pictures I still love years later, I’d say that experience was money well spent.

Rooftops, Flamenco and Madrid After Dark

Madrid got even better once the sun started going down.

I joined a rooftop bar crawl that gave me some incredible views over the city. There’s something about seeing a destination from above that completely changes your perspective on it.

But the night ended with my favorite part: a flamenco performance in an intimate cave-like venue.

The acoustics were incredible.

With the singing, guitar, clapping and dancing bouncing around such a small space, you didn’t just hear the performance, you felt it.

I’d seen flamenco before in videos and performances, but experiencing it in that setting was completely different. It’s one of those travel experiences where photos are nice, but they can’t really reproduce what it felt like to be sitting there.

Spain Taught Me to Leave Room for the Unexpected

Looking back, some of my favorite memories from Spain weren’t things I could have scheduled.

I didn’t plan to meet a dog on a beach who demanded a game of fetch. I definitely didn’t plan to randomly run into a college friend in Granada. And I certainly didn’t book my Madrid Airbnb thinking, I’d love to accidentally disrupt my transportation plans with a Real Madrid match.

But those stories are part of why I remember these trips so clearly.

Of course, the major attractions matter. I’m glad I visited the Alhambra. I’m glad I explored Madrid. I’m glad I saw flamenco, visited museums, ate seafood and spent time along the Mediterranean.

But travel gets a lot more interesting when you leave enough room for something unexpected to happen. If you’re planning your own trip, these free travel apps for solo travelers are some of my favorites for navigating, organizing reservations, and making travel a little easier.

Sun, Sangria, and Siestas: My Introduction to Spain

What started with my first solo trip to Spain in 2017 became the beginning of a much longer relationship with the country.

I’ve returned to the country since then, and every trip has shown me something different. That’s probably what keeps pulling me back.

Spain isn’t one experience. It’s watching the Sierra Nevada mountains rise behind Granada. It’s staring at Arabic calligraphy inside the Nasrid Palaces and the Alhambra. It’s drinking a sangria so good that you’ve accidentally ruined the rest of the trip’s sangria.

It’s a beach day with friends and a dog you’ve never met. It’s discovering Madrid from a rooftop, hearing flamenco echo through a cave, and standing at a bus stop wondering why absolutely no buses are coming.

Somewhere between the big landmarks and those tiny, ridiculous moments, Spain became more than somewhere I’d visited. It became somewhere I wanted to keep exploring.

And I wasn’t done yet…