Female solo traveler .. Spain for a week during Christmas

Posted by dasdeboshri97 on 11/14/16 09:26 AM

Hi,
I have planned for a week in Spain (Barca and Madrid) from 23rd to 30th Dec and will be traveling solo. My first solo hence too many things on my mind. Will be glad if you guys can recommend about few things.
1. Is La Ramblas/placa Catalunya a safe neighbourhood to put up as I'm looking for a central location.
2. Similarly for Madrid, I have chosen Puerto del Sol square neighbourhood which is pretty good in connecting to all major attractions but hope that's safe too
3. Should I do Toledo or Seville for a day trip from Madrid ?? Since I'll have only three days so have to choose one out of two
4. Please recommend some good hotel or hostels if you aware of any for female travelers
5. Since it's Christmas any specific dos and don't to take note of while traveling or sightseeing

Thanks
Deboshri

Posted by Enric

Barcelona (Catalonia)

11/14/16 10:40 AM

2942 posts

Hi!

Firstly, it's BARCELONA, no short names, pronounced "bar-sah-lo-nah", in Catalan, the local language. Barça is just the nickname of the football team, not the city. The only short name you might hear from time to time is Barna -but unless you want to sound like a stiff upper lip posh dummy I would advise against using that too :)

The whole city is 'safe', yet some areas as a bit seedier. This is the map of the neighbourhoods of the city, and this is the advice, IMHO, I tend to provide to visitors asking the same question: http://bit.ly/BCNwhicharea.

Les Rambles, especially the lower part -towards Columbus Statue- can be one of those seedier areas in the evening, same then the lower part of El Raval neighbourhood -incidentally, where the Red Light District happens to be.

Note that, regardless where you are, the 25th is a difficult day for tourists as most everything is closed. Yet if you happen to be in Barcelona city, you'll find some tourist attractions open in the morning -until 2-3pm, and a few even have regular opening hours. Also, 26th (Sant Esteve Day) is a bank holiday in Catalonia (where Barcelona is capital of), much like any Sunday, thus shops will be closed too.

Posted by acraven

Washington DC

11/14/16 01:52 PM

27196 posts

Seville is 2-1/2 hours from Madrid by fast train. Toledo is just a bit over 1/2 hour away. I'd definitely choose Toledo because you'll have more time to see the city. You'll need to spend some time tracking down the websites of the indoor sights you want to visit to determine which will be open on the day(s) you might visit. Otherwise, you may waste a lot of time on your trip going to places that are not open.

Posted by Kim

San Francisco

11/14/16 02:37 PM

993 posts

I would choose Toledo for day trip.

We weren't out super late in Madrid, but my 13 year old son and I felt safe around Puerto del Sol - maybe someone has a later night experience.

In Barcelona, we stayed on the upper part of Las Ramblas at Hotel Montecarlo and liked it a lot.

Kim

Posted by acraven

Washington DC

11/14/16 03:23 PM

27196 posts

I stayed on Carrer Santa Anna, just one block from Pl. Catalunya (in the direction of the port), and found it a very comfortable and convenient area. It's a very short walk into the Barri Gotic, and a number of key modernista sites are not far in the opposite direction. The Aerobus from the airport goes to Pl. Catalunya. There are lots of people out on the street.

I saw no crime whatsoever in Barcelona over the course of 10 days, but pickpockets are reportedly pretty active there, especially along the Ramblas. Just stay alert and don't carry valuables in easily accessible locations.