Everything I Wish I’d Known Before My Solo Trip to Spain
I’ve already written about why I went to Spain alone and what the trip felt like. This post is the other practical one. The things nobody fully explained before I left that I had to figure out in real time, plus the things I did right that I’d do again without hesitation.
If you’re planning a solo trip to Spain, or honestly any solo international trip, bookmark this one. I’m going to tell you exactly what I brought, what went wrong, and what I’d do differently without the part where I make it sound easier than it was.
Pack light… Even lighter than you’re thinking
I traveled with one Jansport backpack and a carry-on roller for ten days across three cities. This was the right call, and I’d make the same decision again.
Here’s the thing about packing for hostels specifically: your storage is a locker. That’s it. No drawers, no closet, no space to spread anything out. At least this was the case for all that I stayed in on this trip. Every morning you’re digging through a bag in a shared room trying not to wake anyone up. The more you packed, the worse this experience is. The less you packed, the more functional your entire day becomes before you’ve even left the building.
My system: I planned every outfit before I left, photographed each one on my phone, and packed them in order. Sounds excessive. Saved me real time and genuine stress every single morning. I used a 16-piece travel bottle set for all my skincare and shower products. Leak-proof, includes labels, and comes with a clear toiletry bag to fit it all nicely.
16-Piece Travel Bottles Set on Amazon, $8
Tell your bank you’re leaving the country before you leave the country
I learned this the hard way. Two out of three cards I brought were frozen for suspicious activity within the first 48 hours because I hadn’t notified my bank I was traveling internationally.
Call your bank before you leave. Also, it’s a good idea to pull cash from an ATM when you arrive. Smaller local spots in Spain frequently prefer or only accept cash, and you don’t want to be caught without it in a neighborhood where your card isn’t going to work anyway.
Barcelona pickpockets are genuinely skilled and you will not see them coming
I want to be direct about this, because the warnings I read before leaving didn’t fully prepare me for how good these people actually are. You won’t feel someone near you. You won’t notice anything unusual. And then your phone or wallet is gone.
My setup: a crossbody zipper bag that stayed zipped at all times, with my hand resting over the zipper on the metro and in crowds. When I went out at night I clipped my wallet to the interior zipper of my bag and kept a hand on the clasp while I was dancing. I was still almost pickpocketed outside a club, but luckily a local resident spotted the guy behind me and intervened before I even knew what was happening.
The bags and accessories I would recommend (or similar)
Suede Hobo Crossbody Tote on Amazon, $28
Clippable Card Pouch on Amazon, $10
The belt phone holder is specifically useful for nights out when you want your hands free and your phone secured somewhere that isn’t a bag someone can reach into. This was a game changer in my running days, and I wear it on longer walks now. So worth it.
Elastic Belt Phone Holder on Amazon, $8
The clubs don’t start until midnight and close at dawn
This is not an exaggeration. Ibiza and Barcelona clubs genuinely don’t get going until 11:30pm or later and they close anywhere from 4 to 6am. If you’re going in on a tourist schedule, adjusted for jet lag, you run the risk of draining all of your energy before the night actually starts.
I brought CELSIUS energy powder packets and they were singlehandedly the reason I got to experience so much of each city in such a short period. Light to pack, easy to mix into a water bottle, and super convenient.
CELSIUS On-the-Go Powder Sticks on Amazon, $12
Download WhatsApp before you board
This is the primary communication method internationally if you don’t have an upgraded phone plan. Without it you’ll be charged international texting and data fees that will appear on your next bill in a way that feels personal. Download it before you leave, get the people you’re traveling with or meeting on it, and communicate for free from anywhere. It made communicating with friends and family so much easier.
The thing I’d add that nobody told me
Journal. Even just a few lines at the end of each day. Not for anyone else but for you, in the moment, while the details are still specific. The smells, the conversations, the small things that happened that you think you’ll remember and won’t. I journaled every day in Spain and I still go back to those pages. The trip lives there in a way it doesn’t in my camera roll.
Travel gets overwhelming. It’s loud and disorienting and you’re navigating logistics in a foreign language while also trying to be present for the actual experience of being somewhere extraordinary. Journaling was the thing that helped me stay in my body on the trip rather than just moving through it. Highly recommend.
You’re going to figure out the rest as it happens. That’s part of it. Go with a clear itinerary and a flexible attitude and those two things together will get you through almost anything that comes up. I promise the version of the trip that actually exists is better than the one you’re anxious about.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Read part one → My Solo Trip to Spain: Best Decision I’ve Ever Made
Come find me on TikTok and Instagram @taravmarty for more travel content.
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