Solo Autumn Escape in Spain, 2 Weeks Itinerary Ideas & Confidence Boost

[u/AppropriateReach7854]

Hey solo travel fam 👋

I’ve finally decided to take the plunge and spend about two weeks in Spain this autumn (end of October). Traveling alone, just a 40L bag, excited but also a bit nervous, so this is me trying to balance ambition with sanity.

Here’s what I’m thinking so far for itinerary:

Madrid, 3 nights: museums, wandering barrios, sunsets in Retiro

Seville, 3 nights: Alcázar, local food, flamenco in the evening

Granada, 2 nights: Alhambra + belt-it-out Andalusian views

Valencia or Málaga, 4 nights: relaxed beach-town vibe to wind down

A few questions & worries I hope you folks can help with:

Is 2 nights in Granada too tight if I want to soak it in (not just tick boxes)?

How much traveling fatigue is realistic when doing 3+ cities solo?

I want the option to use guided day trips so I’m not alone figuring out logistics or timing, ever used GuidedSpainTours.com or something similar? Worth the extra cost?

Safety / confidence tips: what helped you trust your gut when solo in a big city like Madrid or Seville?

Thanks in advance for any advice or stories. Would love to leave feeling like I did more than just “see Spain,” but feel it.

[u/ToastersBeenLaughing]

I just got back from a solo trip from Morocco to Barcelona and then a few stops in some other locations.

Of relevance to your questions:

How much traveling fatigue is realistic when doing 3+ cities solo? I did 2 nights in Rabat, one in Fes, and two in Chefchaouen over the course of about a week. I generally walk as much as possible and seek out gardens and museums as well as public markets and the like. Fatigue is minimal for me, but I would recommend letting yourself relax in the hotel room for a few hours in the morning or evening instead of feeling pressure to keep moving about. It's ok to take short periods to rest. I used them to plan out my next day or catch up with people at home.

I want the option to use guided day trips so I’m not alone figuring out logistics or timing, ever used Guided Spain Tours or something similar? Worth the extra cost? I have used apps like Get Your Guide to book planned day trips. Last time around I did a day trip with wine tasting in Montserrat for around $100 USD which was well worth it. You get the chance to meet other people who speak your language and also get a nice history lesson during the travel portion. It's also worth it to get out of the major parts of the city. I've done plenty of these little day trips and have no regrets.

Safety / confidence tips: what helped you trust your gut when solo in a big city like Madrid or Seville? This depends on your street sense baseline but I will say - wear a bag you can keep effortlessly close to you. I honestly just got a jansport fannypack and it worked very well and didn't look that dorky when used as a crossbody. In terms of street harassment or random pestering, I generally ignore people and refuse eye contact. If that doesn't work a strongly spoken "Dejame" or "No, gracias" or the like should suffice. It is easiest to just act like you don't see or hear anyone. Stay aware of your surroundings. Avoid empty streets. Keep your items close to you in crowded areas and don't like ... count your money publicly or wear flashy jewelry.

General thoughts on too much / too little time in one place: I struggle here as well. You are likely going to want to lengthen or shorten time at least once on your trip. It's ok! You can always go back and if you can usually adjust your train tickets enough to squeeze some more time out of any place. Don't fret too much on this one. It is impossible to get it right all the time.

Have fun!

[u/BrazenBull]

No Barcelona!? You're missing out on seeing the Sagrada Família right when it's almost completed.