My Solo Travel Week in Spain: A Realistic Itinerary + What I’d Do Again

I took this trip because the family I’m au pairing for went away for a week, so it felt like the perfect opportunity to take a longer trip of my own.

I chose Barcelona and Madrid because I’d heard such great things about both—and they’d been on my list for a while. And even though I didn’t have anyone to go with, I went anyway. At this point, I don’t even really think about the fact that I’m traveling solo. I’m just excited to get there and explore.

Barcelona

Day 1: Travel + Arrival

I took a train from Laval to Nantes, then an Uber to the airport, and flew into Barcelona. I left early in the morning and arrived late afternoon—overall, a pretty smooth travel day.

Once I landed, I took the Aerobús into the city center, which was super easy. From there, I walked to my hostel, checked in, and then headed back out to explore.

Since it was a Saturday night, I knew I wanted to do something. One of the best parts about booking through Hostelworld is that you get access to group chats with other travelers. I joined one, saw people planning a bar crawl, bought a ticket, and just showed up—knowing absolutely no one.

And honestly… best decision.

Day 2

I started my day with a timed entry to the Sagrada Familia, which is an absolute must-see in Barcelona. I booked my ticket through GetYourGuide, which made it super easy to reserve ahead of time.

After that, I wandered through the city, stopped at a café, and made my way to Plaça de Catalunya. Later in the day, I visited Casa Batlló—another one of Gaudí’s works—and definitely worth seeing from the inside.

The rest of the day I spent exploring with people I met the night before. We visited the Museu Marítim de Barcelona (free entry on Sundays), grabbed tapas, and ended the night at a local bar.

Day 3

I started the day at Park Güell, another Gaudí spot, and spent a couple of hours exploring. It’s huge, and you could easily spend half a day there.

One thing I’ll say: I personally don’t think the extra ticket to go inside Gaudí’s house is necessary. The park itself is the highlight.

After that, I had brunch at Little Fern (so good, highly recommend), then met up with friends again. We spent the afternoon at Bogatell Beach, had paella by the water, and later went up to Montjuïc for some incredible views.

That night, we somehow ended up doing karaoke at a Filipino restaurant called Brothers Best, which turned out to be such a hidden gem. Great food, great prices, and just a really fun atmosphere.

Day 4

This was my unplanned day, which honestly ended up being one of my favorites.

I started with coffee at Vera Café, then met up with friends again at Barceloneta Beach. We grabbed tapas, wandered around, and later went to Kasa Ramen (which was amazing).

We ended the day with churros and then headed back early since I had a train to Madrid the next morning.

Madrid

Day 5: Travel + Arrival

I took an early morning train to Madrid (I booked all my train tickets through Omio, which made comparing times and prices really easy).

The journey was about 3.5 hours. Once I arrived, I grabbed lunch, walked through Retiro Park, and then got settled at my friend’s apartment.

Day 6

I started the day at Pastelería Mallorca, then made my way to Palacio de Cibeles (where, unfortunately, the terrace was closed, but I heard it has amazing views of the city).

After that, I walked down the Gran Vía for some shopping and then visited Mercado de San Miguel. It’s very cool, but definitely crowded—so just be prepared for that.

Later, I went to Azotea Círculo, a rooftop bar with amazing views over the city. If you can go around sunset, I’m sure it would be even better.

That night, I spontaneously booked another bar crawl through this link—and again, one of the best decisions of the trip. I met so many fun people and had such a good night.

Day 7

I started the day at the Prado Museum, which is definitely worth visiting (especially if you enjoy art).

After that, I went to El Buo to try a traditional Spanish tortilla, then walked around Plaza Mayor and saw the Royal Palace from the outside.

It was the perfect way to wrap up my last day in Spain.

Where I Stayed

In Barcelona, I stayed at Itaca Hostel, which I booked through Hostelworld. I had a really great experience—the location was perfect, the price was reasonable, and it made it so easy to meet other travelers.

In Madrid, I stayed with a friend, so no accommodation to report there.

What I Loved Most

Without a doubt, the people.

I didn’t expect to meet so many people so quickly, especially on the first night—but saying yes to that bar crawl completely changed my experience.

We ended up exploring together for multiple days, and it made the trip so much more fun and memorable.

What I’d Do Differently

Honestly, not much.

The only thing I’d maybe adjust is scheduling ticketed activities a bit later in the day—especially if you know you’ll be out late (which is very easy to do in Spain).

But at the same time, having those earlier plans did help me get up and make the most of my days.

Solo Travel Thoughts

The confidence you gain from solo travel is unmatched.

Showing up to things alone, putting yourself out there, and being open to whatever happens—it changes you.

Even if things don’t go perfectly, there’s always something to learn. And you can always be proud of yourself for trying.

If you told me even a year ago that I’d be going to a bar crawl alone in Barcelona and having the time of my life, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.

But here we are.

Final Thoughts

Was it worth it? 100%.

Yes, I spent money—but that’s part of travel. And I don’t regret a single bit of it.

I absolutely loved this trip, and I would go back in a heartbeat.

And if you’re thinking about taking a solo trip—this is your sign to just go.

Resources I Used for This Trip

If you’re planning something similar, here are a few things that made my trip easier:

• Omio – I used this to book all my trains between cities. It makes comparing routes and prices really simple.

• GetYourGuide – Great for booking tickets in advance (especially for places like Sagrada Familia).

• Hostelworld – This is what I used to book my hostel in Barcelona, and it’s also how I connected with other travelers through their group chats.

• Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag – I used this the entire trip and felt really comfortable walking around with it, especially in busy areas.