¿Solo en España? Not with Intrepid!

If you still need time to brush up on your Spanish, let us translate: solo travel in Spain doesn't mean you're travelling alone, especially when you join one of our small group tours! With an expert local leader to help you find the most authentic tapas and a new group of like-minded friends to give flamenco dancing a whirl with (literally), you'll never have to worry about feeling lonely as a solo traveller. With such diverse regions and incredible art, you'll be thankful to have a new crew to rehash the highlights of Spain with over a pitcher of sangria at the end of the day.

Our Spain solo tours

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Kick off a colourful Best of Spain tour in Madrid and visit some of Spain's highlights....

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Over seven days, join a local leader and small group of likeminded travellers to walk...

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Be challenged and be fulfilled on this coastal Camino, starting in Porto and walking...

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Travel to Spain and Portugal, experiencing their stories and beauty, on a locally...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

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Travel from Madrid to Marrakech on a sangria, sun and spice infused tour across Spain,...

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Embrace the diversity of Spain on this Premium small group adventure, travelling from...

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Travel south along the coast of Spain, leaving Barcelona, travelling through Valencia...

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Take a trip through Portugal, starting in Spain’s capital, Madrid and heading through...

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Trek from Ribadeo to Santiago Cathedral along the Camino de Santiago’s Northern Way,...

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Jump on a 24-day cultural adventure full of colourful characters and cuisine, through...

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Visit Spain, France and Italy on this European adventure. Discover gothic architecture...

The perks of solo travel in Spain with Intrepid

A local leader chats with his group in a piazza in Madrid, Spain

A local leader

Spaniards are very passionate people (our expert guides are certainly no exception), and we can't think of a better way to experience Spain's vibrant, fiery culture than through the eyes of someone who lives here. Whether you're searching for the most authentic paella, have a question about elaborate architecture, want to know the ideal time to visit Park Güell, or just have a spirited conversation about fútbol, insights from a local will make your trip unforgettable.

A couple of travellers enjoying a cold beer during a tour in Madrid

Ready-made friendships

Do you dream of seeing a live flamenco show, tasting local wines, and marvelling at the magnificent Alhambra, but your friends and fam have different plans? Go solo and join one of our small group tours to link up with travellers interested in the same experiences. Plus, if you need a little convincing to eat dinner at 10 pm OR hit a club at 1 am, your new group of friends will surely be there to give you a push...and maybe a café con leche.

A group traveling through a bustling market in Barcelona, Spain

Safety

While Spain is considered a very safe country for visitors, it's not immune to occasional petty theft or tourist scams. Having a local leader on hand to give you pointers about keeping your belongings (and yourself!) safe is super valuable, especially when gathering in the busier areas. The types of tourist scams in Spain are ever-changing, so if you have a funny feeling about something, don't hesitate to check in with your guide!

Two travelers exploring the gardens at the Alhambra in Spain

Logistics and convenience

With so many must-see cities, deciding where to go in Spain can be overwhelming! This is where we step in. We'll handle all of the accommodation (no more stressing over booking sites), organize local transport (foreign train stations, yikes!) and take care of all the little details that make your trip memorable. All you have to do is show up with an appetite for adventure (and tapas) and we'll take it from there.

Spain tour reviews

FAQs

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 policy

Intrepid travellers are connected more by attitude than age. They’re a friendly, open-minded and curious bunch, and a lot of them elect to travel alone (so no third-wheeling, we promise). Our trips attract a mix of genders and ages, generally ranging from 25 to 65. It’s hard to know exactly who you’ll meet, but you can be assured you'll be a part of the fun.

While our trips do have set itineraries, the amount of free time you'll have depends on the travel style. If you're joining a group trip to Spain, chances are you'll have designated time set aside for you to do your own exploring if you'd like, and your guide will be able to provide tips and recommendations before you head out on your own. 

You sure do. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their tour. Your leader will record your travel insurance details on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

Learn more about travel Insurance

Mobile phone coverage is generally very good in Spain. If you want to use your mobile phone, purchase a local sim or ensure global roaming is activated before you arrive (but be aware of the fees this may incur). Travellers from countries not part of a Global Mobile Systems network, like Japan, will not be able to use their cell phones in Spain.

You don’t need to spend hours trying to learn Spanish before your trip... unless you want to, that is! The following phrases should help you get by:

  • Hi – Hola
  • Good morning – Buenos días
  • Good afternoon – Buenas tardes 
  • Good evening – Buenas noches
  • How are you? – ¿Cómo está usted? (formal) 
  • How are you? – ¿Cómo estás? (informal)
  • What are you doing? – ¿Qué haces? 
  • Thank you – ¡Gracias! 
  • Nice to meet you – Mucho gusto
  • Please – Por favor

Discover more useful Spanish phrases

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about accessible travel with Intrepid

Our solo travel safety guide

Good advice for us all, but particularly for people travelling solo. Make copies of your itinerary, contact details, passport and travel insurance, then email them to yourself and to one or two friends/family at home. Check-in on social media when you can so people can keep track of where you are. 

If you’re arriving late in a city by yourself, book a hotel with a front desk or concierge service (many hotels also offer private transfers that don’t cost the earth from the airport or train station). If you're travelling with us, we can help you organise an arrival transfer. Read your maps before you head out for a walk (you can use a map app on your smartphone – or take screenshots of where you’re going if you don’t want to use up your precious data). If you need to check your map when you’re out and about, duck into a shop or café to do it. Leave the blingy jewellery, wedding rings and designer clothes at home, and aim to dress like the locals do – hit up the local markets if you haven’t packed the right outfits. Aim to keep track of travel times, so you’re not caught out after dark.

Most mobile/cell providers now offer travel passes to help manage your international roaming costs (which, let’s face it, are expensive!). For a few dollars a day, you’ll have access to data, which means you can log into your apps (like Skype, email and WhatsApp) when you’re out of WiFi zones and quickly get in touch with someone – a friend at home, someone in your group, or the police – if you need to. It might also be worth checking out the local cell/mobile providers as these can be quite cost effective. 

Solo travellers are way more likely to be ‘taken for a ride’ at the airport by unscrupulous taxi drivers, so do your research before you arrive. Make sure you get a cab from the airport/station taxi rank – if you’re not sure where to go, just head to the information desk for help. Touts tend to hang out in the arrivals area and promise cheaper rates, but can often be dodgy. When you get to the cab rank, ask the driver to use the meter or request a cost estimate before you hop in the car – if it’s way higher than it should be, pick another vehicle. A lot of airports have train stations attached as well, so consider public transport if you want to save a dollar or two.

It’s one of the advantages of travelling solo on a group tour: safety in numbers. The big, 50-person bus groups stand out on the road, but a small Intrepid group of eight or nine people, with a local leader showing the way – including areas to avoid and getting around safely – won’t draw much attention. Plus, it’s a great way to see parts of the world you may feel uncomfortable exploring on your own. If you want to do things on your own, consider a day tour to familiarise yourself with a city and get to know the local way of life. 

Solo travel is all about confidence. If you’re relaxed and self-assured on the street, you’re more likely to blend in. When you meet new people, don’t assume they’re all out to get you, but be sensible too and trust your gut. If it feels wrong, it probably is. Remember: the popular tourist areas are often the most well-lit and secure, but they’re often a juicier target for pickpockets and scammers. Just use your common sense; half of travel safety is simply being aware of your surroundings.

Read more about travel in Spain