Solo female travel is one of the fastest growing sectors in the travel industry. And we cannot recommend it enough! As a female-owned and operated travel agency, every woman on our team has had their own experience of solo travel throughout Europe and beyond. There’s something about traveling alone that allows you to experience a place more fully; when you’re less concerned about the comfort of your travel partner, you’re more attuned to your surroundings. The sights become brighter, the smells more fragrant, the sounds more vibrant. You’re often more open to interacting with locals and getting a better sense of the place. Of course, solo female travelers (regardless of age) still have specific concerns that solo male travelers don’t have, particularly around safety. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to be overly adventurous to travel alone as a woman in Spain and Portugal. In fact, you may even feel safer here than you do in your own city! We can confidently say that Spain and Portugal are perfect for first-time and seasoned solo female travelers.

Considering a solo trip? Find out why Spain and Portugal are some of the top destinations for solo female travelers in Europe and beyond.

Something for every kind of traveler

Both Spain and Portugal offer something for every female solo traveler. Interested in exploring arts, culture, and architecture? You’ll find no shortage of museums, history, and exquisitley-designed buildings in the countries’ major cities. Head to Madrid’s Reina Sofia and spend as much or little time as you want enjoying its contemporary exhibitions and permanent collections. Or wander through the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona without hurry—that’s the beauty of solo travel! For those looking for a slower pace, small towns and villages throughout Spain and Portugal also have exceptional art galleries, rich culture, and fascinating architecture to discover.

For those looking for more natural escapes, be it beaches, mountains, or the countryside, both countries have long coastlines and varied rural landscapes. Spend the day cove hopping in Mallorca, surf world-record waves in Nazaré, or take to the trails in the Catalonian Pyrenees.

Wine and food lovers will also find their share of deliciousness in every corner of Spain and Portugal. Rich gastronomy—be it family-owned wineries, Michelin-star restaurants, or bustling tapas bars—are always within reach. With so much to see and do in both countries, there’s a reason Spain and Portugal are among the top destinations for female travelers.

Spain and Portugal are safe

When our clients ask if it’s safe for women to travel alone in Spain and Portugal, the answer is a resounding yes. For one, both countries have lower crime rates and a higher safety index rating than the United States. Spain and Portugal also have very strict gun laws, making it near impossible for everyday citizens to purchase firearms. There is statistically far less gun violence in this part of the world. Crimes against tourists do of course exist, but they usually involve theft. Which is why we always tell folks to keep a hand near their bags and purses in public places. In other words, just be aware of your surroundings, particularly in heavily touristed areas.

One major concern women have while traveling solo in Europe is dealing with unwanted attention from men. While you can never completely avoid these discomforts, men in Spain and Portugal tend to be culturally more reserved than you would expect—despite whatever connotations you may have about the suave latin lovers depicted in films. They’re often waiting for the woman to make the first move. If you’re still unsure, feel free to bring up these concerns with your female travel designer, who can help you find the right words, resources, and action in case you do feel uncomfortable. And of course, trust your instincts. If you don’t feel safe, exit the situation.

Excellent public transportation systems

Both Spain and Portugal have fantastic public transportation systems, making it safe and easy for solo travelers to get around. If you’re traveling from city to city, Spain’s train system is one of its biggest assets. In Portugal, you can also utilize the country’s high-speed trains. It’s also easy to rent a car (we recommend it!) and the roads are well kept. Spain Savvy also provide private transfers for many of our solo female travelers—its nice to sit back and let someone else take the reins for a change. Once you’re in town, metropolitan cities like Madrid and Barcelona have efficient and uncomplicated subway systems. Slightly smaller cities in like Lisbon, Bilbao, and Valencia are either very walkable or have easy bus routes to get you across town quickly. In Seville, for example, you can rent a bike and cycle around the city. Taxis and ride shares also abound throughout both countries.

Spain’s late-night culture

One of the most fascinating aspects of Spanish life is the country’s late-night culture. And it’s also what makes Spain so friendly to solo female travelers. Folks usually eat dinner around 9pm, easily lingering into the wee hours of the morning with after-dinner drinks and dancing. In fact, most clubs don’t even get started until 2am! That means if you’re walking home late at night back to your hotel, you’re unlikely to ever be alone. Not only are you strolling past bars and restaurants packed with locals, you’re bound to spot people headed home in groups, chatting outside their apartments, or walking their dogs at all hours of the night. Even kiddos are out late on the weekends, often dozing off in their strollers while their parents enjoy their last beers in a busy plaza.

Opportunities to meet locals

Solo travel often opens you up to more opportunities to meet locals. And unlike other northern areas Europe, the warmer climate in Spain and Portugal means people are always out! Locals tend to gather in public spaces like restaurants, bars, cafés, plazas, or even their front stoop—rather than inside their homes. (People also generally have less space in their homes than they do in the U.S.) This translates to an open, social culture. You’ll find Spaniards and Portuguese to be very friendly and willing to offer help, especially to solo travelers.

While you may be intimated by the language, it’s easy to find someone who speaks English in Spain’s major cities. And in Portugal, you may be surprised at how many people speak nearly perfect English. In smaller towns you’ll likely need to brush up on your high school Spanish or do a little Duolingo in Portuguese. (Check out this list of essential phrases for traveling in Spain.) But language learning is often one of the reasons we see solo travelers head this way. Ask us about short-term language courses and intercambios, where you can meet up with locals looking to learn English.

Group activities abound

You may be perfectly content exploring Spain and Portugal in the quiet of your own thoughts and away from other tourists. But we love to mix things up and take ourselves on expert-led tours. Not only will you meet a local guide, you’ll get unique insight into a place—historical backgrounds, cultural nuances, surprising facts—that truly make the country come to life. It’s one thing to look at the intricate tiles of thousand-year-old palace. It’s another thing to understand the symbolism behind each etching or listen to a fascinating story about the queen who lived there.

Small group tours are a great way to go, be it historical walking tours, culinary tours, cooking classes, flamenco dance classes, or guided museum visits. Your travel designer can even set you up with wine tours, hiking groups, or day-trips to little villages in countryside. A group tour is also a great way to meet fellow travelers, and it can provide an extra layer of safety. We also highly recommend reserving private tour guides. You’ll get to spend the day with a local and get a unique insider experience tailored to your needs. And you always can count on Spain Savvy to connect you with safe, knowledgable partners we trust.

Travel with expert guidance and on-the-ground support

Not only do women travel significantly more than men, but they’re also making a majority of the travel decisions. And while this can be a fun, creative project, it’s also exhausting. If you’ve ever planned a vacation for your family you know how time-consuming it can be. Instead, consider letting someone else handle the research, reservations, and logistics. As a solo female traveler, there’s no better way to travel to Spain and Portugal than with the help of a travel designer. When you entrust your travels to a female, locally-based travel planner, you’ll have total peace of mind knowing you have a partner who knows how to navigate safely through Spain and Portugal. And who’s always just a phone call or text away if you need help.

Are you a woman looking to travel solo to Spain or Portugal? Reach out to us to start designing your bespoke itinerary. Reserve your spot to start planning now.