Is Barcelona Safe for Solo Female Travelers in 2025? Top Things to Know & Safety Tips
Is Barcelona safe for solo female travelers?
Barcelona is the capital city of Catalonia, located in northeast Spain. It boasts a rich history and is famous for its architecture, not least the breathtaking Gaudi buildings including the Sagrada Familia basilica.
The city is also renowned for its excellent restaurants, quirky bars, and vibrant nightlife. It is an ideal destination for solo female travelers as I discovered myself on many solo trips there.
In this article, you’ll discover the reasons why I rate Barcelona as a top safe destination for solo female travelers, from its welcoming atmosphere to the friendly locals and the array of things to see and do.
Planning a trip? Use my favorite resources:
- Accommodations: booking.com
- Travel Insurance: SafetyWing
- Tours & Excursions: Viator
- Flights: Skyscanner
- City Pass: Go City
Is Barcelona Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
One of the primary concerns for solo female travelers to any destination is safety. Barcelona is one of Spain’s most visited cities and ranks as relatively safe.
Like any big city throughout the world, it has its share of pickpocketing and petty theft incidents in major tourist areas, but with basic precautions and common sense solo female travelers are unlikely to have any trouble during their visit.
I would recommend sticking to well-lit places when walking around the city at night and keeping your bag or belongings close to you at all times. Cross-body bags are an ideal option to keep all your necessities such as your phone, wallet and hotel room key.
The city has an efficient and well-connected public transport system, making it easy to get around. Whether it’s taking the metro, hopping on a bus, or even using a taxi service, Barcelona is a stress-free city to navigate.
The locals are generally friendly and helpful, and you’ll find that many people speak English in addition to Spanish and the local dialect, Catalan. Not only is Barcelona great for solo female travelers, it is one of the best places to visit for first timers in Spain.
How safe is Barcelona as a solo female travel destination?
Violent crime in Barcelona is pretty low and What is the crime rate in Barcelona?
While Barcelona has seen a rise in crime in recent years, a report released by the city council at the end of 2022 showed a 22.4% drop in theft incidents and a 12.5% decrease in violent street robberies. My first choice of places to stay as a solo female traveler in Barcelona may seem an odd one to some. Although La Rambla (or Las Ramblas as it’s also known) is one of the most touristy locations in Barcelona, it is well-located for easily visiting many of the best places. It’s also overflowing with bars and eateries, eliminating the need to use much public transportation. And, Las Ramblas offers a variety of accommodations to suit all budgets. La Rambla has an excellent vibe and is centered around a long, tree-lined boulevard which has a lively buzz both day and night. Located just off of La Rambla is Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, where you can discover narrow streets leading to grand plazas. You’ll find many historical Catalonian buildings converted into bars and restaurants, where solo female travelers can feel safe enjoying a drink or a bite to eat on a terrace watching the life of the city go by. The Eixample district is located north of the Gothic Quarter and is home to Gaudi’s famous Sagrada Familia basilica. The area boasts an excellent shopping district and a good selection of accommodations. Although it isn’t the ideal tourist location, the area is an upscale neighborhood where solo female travelers will feel safe. El Born is one of Barcelona’s most iconic neighborhoods and boasts one of the city’s largest green spaces, Ciutadella Park. Here solo female travelers can enjoy the beautiful gardens, cool fountains and wide open space. One of the cool things about Barcelona is that it is right by the Mediterranean Sea. Barceloneta is the beach area just minutes from the old part of the city. This area has a cool, youthful vibe and is busy at weekends with locals enjoying walks on the promenade and soaking up the Spanish sunshine. Here you’ll find plenty of beach bars, known as chiringuitos where you won’t feel out of place enjoying an al fresco lunch before watching the talented athletes working out at one of the open-air gyms on the beach. While I rate La Rambla as a safe place to stay as a solo female traveler, I would avoid the areas off the main drag in the south of the district. There is not much to see in this area and not much by way of accommodation, so there is no real need to venture into this part of the city anyway. The Raval district, east of the Gothic Quarter, close to the main port is also a place I would avoid. While not particularly dangerous. The area has a considerable homeless population and it is not unusual to be offered drugs when walking around this district. Barcelona has some great hotel and hostel options to suit all budgets. For travelers on a tight budget, you can stay in a hostel with a shared dormitory for as little as 18 USD. Many have excellent ratings on Booking.com with good reviews from solo female travelers. Below you will find some of my top hotel choices with a range of budgets. NH Eixample, part of the popular NH chain, is a modern hotel in the Eixample district. It is walking distance to Plaza Catalunya and three metro stops away from Sagrada Familia. All rooms have private bathrooms, flat-screen TV and bright fresh décor. 👉 Check Prices & Availability at NH Eixample Petit Palace Boqueria Garden is one of my personal favorite hotels in Barcelona. Located just off La Rambla in the Gothic Quarter, the hotel is friendly and welcoming with bright modern rooms. The cute bar patio is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a pre-dinner drink or cool off after a day exploring the city. 👉 Check Prices & Availability at Petit Palace Boqueria Sofitel Barcelona Skipper is located in Barceloneta, 100 meters from the beach. This 5-star hotel has a rooftop pool, numerous bars and spacious, modern rooms. 👉 Check Prices & Availability at Sofitel Barcelona Snapping selfies and sharing your fabulous photos on social media is all part of traveling but save the uploading until you are back in your room or sat in a bar or restaurant. Flashing your fancy cell phone around could lead to it getting snatched, all your photos and means of communication gone in a flash. Barcelona attracts thousands of tourists every day of the year, often on day trips from one of the many cruise liners that port in the city. For this reason, Daisy Dukes and bikini tops or strapless sundresses and flip flops scream ‘tourist’ extremely loudly! Aside from possibly making you a target for pickpocketing, wearing these items could also have you turned away from some religious sites you may want to visit as they require more conservative attire. Save the beachwear for the beach and instead choose a comfortable dress or pants and a top in muted colors. It never ceases to amaze me the number of people who keep their cell phones tucked in the back pocket of their jeans. When exploring, take the minimum amount of valuables with you, a little cash, a credit card and your cell phone, safely tucked away in an inconspicuous cross-body bag worn at the front. Every major city has its scams and one in Barcelona is a stranger asking for directions. Inevitably, they will get a little too close for comfort. Note that they often work in pairs. If approached, simply shake your head and walk away without engaging. Another scam to watch out for is the flower lady. Usually hanging around tourist spots, these well-practiced scam artists will force a flower (usually lavender) onto you and call it a gift. Then, 30 seconds later, they will follow you demanding money for it. Again, turn and walk away and definitely don’t accept the flowers. As soon as you arrive at your hotel, study a map and plan where you want to visit, how to get there, and how to get back to your hotel. Try to avoid using the map app on your phone to direct you en-route. Like in any big city, solo female travelers in Barcelona need to have good situational awareness. If you venture out for drinks at night, keep an eye on your drink at all times and avoid taking illegal drugs of any kind. Drug laws in Spain are quite harsh and you don’t want to spend your vacation in a jail cell. Also, bear in mind that drink measures in Spain are huge, often three times the size of spirits measures in the US or UK, so take it easy and don’t let the low prices lead you astray. Spain has several different law enforcement bodies. One is the Guardia Civil, which has military status and is generally responsible for main highways, borders and ports. The Policia Nacional deals with public order, riots and other similar situations. Municipales (known as Urban Guard in Barcelona) concentrate on crime prevention, minor incidents and traffic. Barcelona also has the Mossos d’Esquadra, the police force for the autonomous region of Catalonia, which is responsible for general law enforcement. If you find yourself in an emergency or dangerous situation the number you should call is 112. On this line, someone should be able to speak to you in your own language and offer assistance. Barcelona is an easy city to get around. The Metro underground train system is easy to navigate. Trains run from 5 am to midnight and passes for unlimited journeys are available to purchase from any station. The station walls have clear maps and these are also maps available to download or pick up in paper form. Most of the main sights in Barcelona fall into Zone 1 which makes it even easier. Uber works differently in Barcelona, the app was initially banned following protests from city taxi drivers but an agreement was reached whereby visitors can still use their Uber app but the ride will be in an official city taxi. It is just as easy to hail a taxi from the sidewalk in most areas of the city. Be sure to check and check again before you leave the vehicle that you haven’t left anything behind. Barcelona has so many attractions to see, pretty much all suitable for a solo female traveler. Here are some of my favorite things to do alone in Barcelona to help you plan your solo trip. The number one attraction in Barcelona, located in the Eixample district. Work on this still uncompleted Gothic Gaudi masterpiece began in 1882 and continues to this day. The towers of the intricately designed basilica rise high above the city skyline and a climb to the top of either of the two towers culminates in the most magnificent vistas of the city. Tickets should be booked in advance if you want to climb either of the towers and I would recommend buying skip-the-line tickets to avoid the inevitable long lines. The building has no fewer than 13 spires and dozens of colorful stained-glass windows. The Sagrada Familia must be visited in person to be appreciated, words can simply not do justice to this incredible Barcelona landmark. Antonio Gaudi left his mark on Barcelona in many ways, beyond the Sagrada Familia. Park Guell (Gaudi Park), is a 15-hectare space inspired by nature, a passion of the famous architect. Known for its stone pergolas, colorful walls and mosaic statues (look out for the salamander), Park Guell is located on the Carrer d’Olot. Note that the park is no longer free to visit and can get very busy. Tickets can be bought online with guided or audio tours. Want to see both Park Guell and Sagrada Familia? Book this complete tour which includes skip-the-line entrance to both, coffee in Picaso’s favorite restaurant and a tapas lunch. Barcelona’s oldest theater, the Gran Teatre del Liceu is a perfect place to visit in the evening. Located on La Rambla, the theater is a stunning building with a rich history and is one of the city’s most important cultural centers. Immerse yourself in the romance of the opera before enjoying tapas and a nightcap in one of the nearby bars. Another one from that Gaudi fellow! Casa Batlló, on the Passeig de Gracia, was renovated by the architect in the early 1900s. The design is that of Catalan modernism and features Saint George and the dragon, along with mosaics representing fish scales and stone pillars that look like the limbs of dinosaurs. Recently valued at more than 70 million euros this incredible, if somewhat trippy, building should definitely be on any Barcelona itinerary. Although not strictly a tourist spot, the Boqueria Market on La Rambla is a treat for the senses with stall upon stall selling colorful fresh produce. In the early morning you can see locals and restaurateurs choosing fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and spices. Outside is a small area where you can enjoy a drink and a choice of tapas to sample the tasty delights sold in the market. Get a deeper dive of the market by joining a guided food tour, or signing up for a paella cooking class that begins by buying ingredients at the market. As an avid football (soccer) fan, the Camp Nou stadium, home to Barcelona FC is always on my list of things to see on a solo trip to Barcelona. This impressive stadium seats almost 100,000 people and for many locals it is not simply a sports stadium but a sacred building! The huge rivalry between Barcelona FC and Real Madrid is legendary, and has even been the cause of divorce and family splits. While tickets for a match are incredibly hard to come by, visitors can still take a tour of the stadium including the dressing room – where superstars such as Neymar, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi would fasten their boots and prepare to score goals which would lead to Barcelona’s victory in La Liga. Tickets for the Camp Nou stadium tour are available online but bear in mind that on match days the tour will be limited to certain areas of the stadium. One of the most popular day trips from Barcelona is to Montserrat Monastery. Located a 50-minute bus ride from the city, the monastery has significant importance in the Spanish church. Perched high on a hill, a funicular cog train will take you to the summit where you can enjoy the magnificent views before touring the buildings. A highlight of a visit to Montserrat is hearing the famous Montserrat boys’ choir sing. The gardens and surrounding grounds of the buildings are stunning and well worth exploring as part of your visit. A half-day bus tour can be booked online and this is the best way to see this remarkable attraction as a solo female traveler. Getting pictures of yourself as a solo traveler can be challenging. A great way to capture memories of your solo travel adventures is to sign up for a photo tour like this one. Led by a local guide and photographer, you’ll get to enjoy a picturesque photo shoot in less crowded areas most tourists don’t know about. The end result? You’ll receive 80 professional photos of yourself from the tour for sharing on social media, sending to family and friends or keeping for your own memories. If you’re looking for a fun, active and efficient way to see the city then a bike tour is your answer. This 3-hour city bike tour will have you cycling around to Barcelona’s top sights and mingling with fellow travelers along the way. It’s a great way to meet people and learn about the city at the same time. Skip the traditional souvenirs and bring home a new skill instead. Take a cocktail making class with a local mixologist and learn how to recreate 4 popular drinks yourself. Or, try your hand at making a couple different varieties of sangria in this sangria making class. Spain is a country all about enjoying the evenings and you’ll find Barcelona to be pretty lively practically at all times. This makes it feel safer and more comfortable to be out alone for a meal in the evening (of course, while taking common precautions). But if you’re in the mood to have some company for your evening explorations then this evening tapas experience is a great option. You’ll get to meet other travelers while enjoying food and drink at several tapas bars, guided by a local. I would highly recommend venturing out to eat solo in Barcelona. Tapas bars are an ideal option for solo travelers and often, you can simply sit at the bar to enjoy a casual snack. The Spanish eat their main meal at lunchtime, around 2 pm so this time can be very busy. Early evening is a better time to go out to eat alone, when restaurants and bars will be less busy. Tipping is always a hot topic and many people from the US assume it is not necessary in Europe. As a European who has lived in Spain for more than three decades, I can say if I receive good service, I will tip. While paella is classed as Spain’s national dish, the region of Catalonia also has several must-try regional dishes. Here’s my go-to menu when traveling solo in Barcelona: Start a meal with a serving of Pa amb tomàquet, thick hunks of bread, lightly toasted, rubbed with garlic and tomato, drizzled with olive oil and a dash of salt. A great choice for a main course and one for meat lovers is Fricando, slow-cooked veal in a rich sauce. To round off a typical Catalan meal I would choose Crema Catalana for dessert – similar to Crème Brulee but made with eggs and milk instead of cream. Barcelona is a safe city where solo travelers will feel comfortable exploring, especially during the day. As with any major city, you should be aware of your surroundings and employ common sense to keep yourself and your valuables safe. Spain is a safe country for women traveling alone, the locals are friendly and helpful and no strict local customs dictate how women should dress. Spain is a modern and forward-looking country where diversity is respected and tolerated. Barcelona is welcoming to tourists of all nationalities. In most places people speak English but will appreciate you trying out a little Spanish. Remember a smile goes a long way. Barcelona is a warm and welcoming place. A confident and open attitude as a solo female traveler will go a long way to making your trip to this busy and vibrant city a fantastic and safe experience. Following the tips mentioned in this article should ensure you have an incident-free visit and see the best of what the Catalan capital offers. About the Author: Adéle Heléne Land is a British travel blogger, journalist, and former flight attendant living in southern Spain. You can visit her blog at Travel Savvy Diva.
Where to Stay as a Solo Female Traveler in Barcelona
Safest Neighborhoods for Solo Travel to Barcelona
La Rambla
Gothic Quarter
Eixample
El Born
Barceloneta
Top Areas to Avoid in Barcelona as a Solo Female Traveler
Best Hotels in Barcelona for Solo Female Travelers
🏨 Budget: NH Eixample
🏨 Mid-Range: Petit Palace Boqueria Garden
🏨 Luxury: Sofitel Barcelona Skipper
Safety Tips for Solo Travel in Barcelona
Be Aware of your Surroundings
Don’t Dress Like a Tourist
Keep Your Valuables Close
Be Cautious if Approached by a Stranger
Get your Bearings
Keep your Wits About you
In Case of Emergency
Getting Around Barcelona Alone
Best Things to Do Alone in Barcelona for Solo Travelers
Sagrada Familia
Park Guell
Gran Teatre del Liceu
Casa Batlló
Boqueria Market
Camp Nou
Montserrat
Private Photo Tour in the Montjuic Mountain
City Bike Tour
Sangria or Cocktail Making Class
Evening Tapas Experience
Eating Out as a Solo Female Traveler
FAQ: Solo Travel Barcelona
Is it safe to travel to Barcelona alone?
Is it safe to travel to Spain alone as a woman?
Is Barcelona friendly to American tourists?
Final Thoughts: Is Barcelona Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
