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Your Next Trip: Barcelona in January (Tips & Must-Sees for Female Solo Travelers)

Author: Jamie Milam

Date: March 22, 2025

Barcelona is a world-renowned city and, as such, is pretty great any time of the year. (Really, any place is great any time of the year, now that I'm in my solo travel era with recent trips to Italy, Nicaragua, New York, and more!!). But Barcelona in January offers something unique—affordable traveling with fewer crowds, perfect for female solo travelers wanting to make the most of their trip!

Having just returned from a fabulous solo trip to Barcelona in January, I wanted to pass on everything I learned to help you book a trip, too.

Here I'll offer a break down of how to travel in Barcelona for cheap, if Barcelona is safe for women, top sights and must-sees as a female solo traveler—and everything in between.

Why January? Affordable Barcelona Tips

If you want an affordable Barcelona vacation, it's important to think outside the box. Like many places in Europe, you'll find options for everything from budget to luxury travel. If you're like me, you want to find ways to save money while still having an enjoyable experience. After all, that helps me to travel more without the burden of having to work harder to do so!

Luckily, there are a few great ways to plan an affordable Barcelona trip:

Woman standing in front of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona during a solo trip

Barcelona in January—fewer crowds to see La Sagrada Familia!

1. Travel to Barcelona in January

Okay, you don't have to specifically travel to Barcelona in January, but taking advantage of off-season travel (i.e., winter months for Barcelona) can offer huge savings. Hotels and accommodations are cheaper, as are some entrance fees and tickets.

But besides the cost savings, traveling to Barcelona in January has a lot of upsides:

Less tourists: There are just fewer people here in January. That means avoiding crowds, long wait times, and hot temperatures. With less people around, you also have a better chance to grab last-minute tickets which allows you to be more flexible in your schedule.
Mild winter weather: This is, of course, subjective based on where you live, but I found the weather to be more mild then back home. When I left Charlotte, NC, temperatures were about 45°F during the day and 30°F at night. In comparison, Barcelona in mid-January was about 55°F in the day and dropping to about 45°F in the evenings. This made for great walking weather, as the sun was often shining!

Traveling to Barcelona during the off-season offers cost-savings, fewer tourists, and a comfortable temperature—win, win, win.

2. Be Strategic With Your Activities

Another key element for an affordable Barcelona trip is planning your activities wisely. I'll go into details about the top things to see in Barcelona below, but for now consider these tips:

Look for deals: Options like the hop-on-hop-off bus can be a great way to see the city and save money. You may be lucky like me and receive a little coupon booklet from them for deals on activities and attractions around the city. There are also other activity passes for cities and options to save money. You can often find out about these at your hotel or the tourist center.
Choose according to your values: If you want to save money, choose your activities wisely. Think about the things you value most (i.e., day tours, organized excursions, food experiences) and stick to those.
Don't overpack your schedule: Sometimes a wander through the neighborhood or a plaza square and stopping at a cafe to people watch is the best activity. You don't need to do expensive sightseeing adventures every moment of the trip—leave some breathing room in your schedule (and your wallet).

3. Use Credit Card Points to Your Advantage

The real way to travel for free? Use points. I won't spend time talking about this strategy here—check out my comprehensive full detailed guide on how to use credit card points and HomeExchange to get free and low-cost flights and accommodations.

You can also read key takeaways on the blog: Solo Travel for Women: How I Travel for Free.

Must-Sees and Things To Do in Barcelona: 5 Highlights

I have to preface this section by saying there is so much to do in Barcelona in January that there's no way I can provide an exhaustive list! But, I did cram a lot into my schedule and have come up with the following must-see spots and best things to do in Barcelona.

1. Explore Your Neighborhood

The first thing to do in Barcelona is explore the area you're staying in. I was close to the Parc de la Ciutadella and found it to be a great central location to easily get to landmarks within 20-25 minute walk, allowing me to see a ton on the way.

I had read mixed reviews on TripAdvisor about the park and its safety at night, so I played it safe and stayed close for dinner. However, I walked along the west edge of that park every night after and felt perfectly fine. In fact, a lot of people will be out walking their dogs and you'll see plenty of joggers. Exploring the neighborhood I was staying in helped me get a strong sense of the area.

2. Try a Food Tour

Another great way to get out and explore the area is with a food tour! Some friends recommended this activity, so I booked one with Secret Food Tours (shout out to my guide Jordi!). I loved that the group is no bigger than 12 people, so it's a fun way to hang out with other travelers, but not too many —just my vibe.

We started in the Gothic Quarter, worked our way through El Born and over to Barceloneta. The tour lasted about three hours and started off with Xuixo de crema, a cream-filled pastry, at La Colmena. Here you'll find a plaque on the ground in front of the door of this shop, which Jordi informed us was presented only to businesses, back in 1993, that have been around for at least 100 years. Such a great identifier for the authentic, OG, shops in the historical area!

We had an array of tapas at Bar Jai-Ca—just trust the guide in whatever they order and go with it, it's a part of the experience! It's a wonderful way for a solo traveler to get some social time in and to combine a bit of a history tour with the local food and culture! Hopefully your guide will send you an extended list of recommendations at the end of the tour like Jordi did for us! He even suggested to visit Girona when I asked about day trips I could take by train, which I took him up on!

Plate of food from the Secret Food Tour in Barcelona

Yummy eats from my food tour!

3. Embrace the Cliche (Try the Hop-On-Hop-Off)

I know the big hop-on-hop-off buses sometimes get a bad reputation for being kind of cliche or "touristy" but hey, you're a tourist! And, they can be an awesome thing to do! In fact, I've started to do it in almost every city that offers one. They are such a great way to see a wider view of the city in a short period of time.

Another bonus? Save your feet. I walked just under 75 miles in only a week's time, so a few bus trips here and there is a great way to give your feet a rest. If there is a site you're wanting to see nearby, then it's easy to hop off and walk the shorter distance to visit it.

In Barcelona, I had written off going to Mont Jüic, but as the bus got closer I knew I needed to hop off to tour the area. And I'm so glad I did. I love Romanesque architecture and even though Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya was set to close in an hour, I figured I'd buy the $13.00 ticket just so I could get in and see the interior of the building and its architecture. Spoiler alert—if that's your plan like it was mine, you won't see much since the building was actually built with the intention to be an art museum. However, you can get access to the rooftop which gives you a fantastic full view of Barcelona facing toward Tibidabo.

The other thing I stumbled upon in my "hop off" stop was Poble Espanyol. I had read some mixed reviews on open-air museum, but damn, am I glad I went in! Again, the benefit of traveling in January is you avoid the crowds. The negative, though, is that sometimes things are closed in the off-season. Many of the businesses in here were closed, but I didn't care about shopping—I loved just walking through the dreamy narrow streets, taking in scenery that was designed to "reflect the most emblematic architectural elements of Spanish popular architecture."

I would have loved for more restaurants to be open and to have taken advantage of just sitting with tapas and wine to soak it all in more, but that was the sacrifice I make to get the streets to myself! A sacrifice I'll happily take!

Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau

Palau Guell

4. Hit the Highlights (Yes, the Sagrada Familia—and more!)

Like everyone, I went to see La Sagrada Familia—the iconic piece of architecture by Antoni Gaudí. It's an absolute must when you visit Barcelona, given it's sheer size alone.

You need tickets to visit, which I purchased a week in advance for 10am on a Tuesday. I felt that there would be time to tour, and it wouldn't be packed with people. I heard that visiting in the late afternoon, closer to sunset, you can experience the sun rays coming in beautifully through the red and orange stained glass windows. I didn't get this memo until I'd already purchased my ticket, but maybe you'll see this in time to plan accordingly!

I booked a ticket that also allowed me to go up the Passion Tower, which is the taller tower that gives you views of the city to the beach. This facade was not designed by Antoni Gaudí, so if you want that authenticity, you'll need to go up the Nativity Tower. An elevator takes you up, but you do have to walk the tightly wound stairs on your way back down. As someone who climbed nearly every bell tower I could in Florence and Rome, I'd say this one was a breeze!

While you're in the area, I recommend walking fifteen minutes north and visiting Sant Pau Recinte Modernista, which is the old hospital. Completed in 1450, it was shockingly still in operation up until 2009! Over the years, several more buildings were added to the campus, many of which were designated for a different medical specialty. Several buildings are still undergoing restoration, but the original elements in the majority are absolutely fascinating. I loved that in one of the buildings they have an oversized print at the end of the building showing you what the same room looked like with hospital beds in place, while still an active hospital.

The grounds have several green spaces that exude peacefulness, especially when visiting in January! The rounded sunrooms, with floor to ceiling windows and domed ceiling gives insight into how this was so much more of a sanctuary for healing rather than just a sterile hospital site. This is actually one of my favorite things that I stumbled upon and if I lived in Barcelona, I would likely frequent the campus for the peace and quiet. In fact, this is the one thing that if I were to return, I'd absolutely plan a guided tour visit so I could see more of the buildings and learn more about its history, although I think they are only offered in Catalan and Spanish.

I spent just over an hour here, but could have spent more time for sure! I purchased a $19.00 ticket as a walk-up after enjoying a lunch across the street.

5. Explore the Architecture

I was not very familiar with Antoni Gaudí's work previous to the trip, but if you're like me, you'll start drooling over it after your solo trip to Barcelona. I was surprised by how much I liked it considering I usually enjoy old European, Romanesque architecture. But Gaudí's craftsmanship and fantastical designs were astounding.

I visited many sites to soak up all the Gaudí architecture I could find—here are my top three recommendations:

Casa Batlló: This spot is so unique, and gives you some insights into how Gaudí's mind must work—each room felt like an intentional fantasy. I'm sure every time I turned a corner, my jaw was dropped. Pro tip: Go ahead and get the Gold ticket, which gives you an augmented reality iPad that showcases Gaudí's inspiration room by room, which really helps you make the connections. You'll also get access to the furnished private residence that was the Battló's, tour through other rooms and visit the Dragon Rooftop. On the rooftop is a small bar and patio seating so that you can slow down and take in the details that Guadí put into the chimneys and even the backside of the front facade. I had just been wandering around when I came up on this location, so I went online and purchased a ticket while standing outside. My ticket was €39 (~$40.50 USD) for 5:00 p.m. and there was no line for the Gold and Platinum ticket. What I didn't realize was that it was actually beautiful timing to catch the sunset while up on the rooftop! Plan for about 1-1.5 hours to tour.
Palau Güell: Not originally on my list of things to see, I stumbled across it while walking back toward the Gothic Quarter. I noticed it on my phone's map and there was no line, so I snagged a quick ticket for €12 at about 2:00 p.m. on a Wednesday. It was my first taste of Gaudí after La Sagrada, and it didn't disappoint! If you like luxury woodcraft, then you won't want to miss this! The palace was designed by Gaudí for Eusebi Güell, an industrial tycoon and one of Spain's wealthiest men. The carvings throughout are so ornate and every corner seems to be a display of nothing short of pure talent and opulence. With displays of original furniture the Güell family had, thoughtfully designed rooms and windows, to the photos that showcase the life of the rich in 1888, this is one stop I'm glad I didn't miss. Plan for about an hour to tour.

Casa Battlo

Park Guell

Casa Vicens: This spot was on my itinerary draft as a backup visit, but quickly earned it's way to a must-see after visiting the first two stops I just mentioned. After all, it was Gaudí's first completed project in Barcelona. While different from the other locations, this design really highlighted Guadí's ability to envision and execute an intentional, cohesive design throughout a home. The designs feature more ceramic tile than the other, but shows how he thoughtfully carried colors from the ceilings and walls down into the mosaic tiles of the floor. While some may find this colorful home a bit too eclectic, there's no denying the craft that went into it. I'm sure there's something you can find to appreciate and maybe even want to incorporate into your own home design. For me, I'd love to make the main mosaic tile floor of the clue room into a textured wallpaper! My ticket was about $22.00 USD, entering at 1:30 p.m. (which I purchased online that same morning) and it took me about an hour to tour the whole place.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for things to see and do in Barcelona, but I encourage you to take your time to explore. Wander the streets, stop in shops, grab a bite to eat—soak it all in!

Make the Most of Barcelona Travel: Tips for Female Solo Travelers

To make the most of our solo trip to Barcelona, you'll need to consider two important things: safety and packing. Here's my advice on both.

Is Barcelona Safe for Women?

Safety when traveling as a solo woman should always be top priority. I had heard there were a lot of pickpockets in Barcelona before and had wondered, generally, is Barcelona safe for women? With some research ahead of time and precautions while there, I did feel safe as a solo female traveler in Barcelona.

Pickpockets can be a concern, but I personally did not experience it or feel the pressure of it. I didn't spend time on metros and buses and there were fewer people in Barcelona in January than other times of the year.

Still, I took precautions to stay safe:

Used my handy anti-theft sling bag that makes it harder for pickpockets to access. I kept it on my side or front, and never put anything in my back pocket or my jacket pocket.
Paid attention to my surroundings—always. It's important to be aware of where you are, where you're going, who's around you, and all those details as a female solo traveler. You may consider avoiding using headphones in public, too, so you can hear what's going on.
Had a safe ride home. I like to save a few bucks, but if I need to get home safely, I'm going to spring for a taxi! Don't risk your safety to walk at night or take the bus (if it feels unsafe to do)—take a taxi or Uber and get home safe. You can usually schedule them in advance to pick you up from the museum or restaurant you're leaving so you don't have to wait outside alone for it either.

Solo woman traveler in Barcelona, posing in front of a building

I only had one moment during my trip when I felt uneasy. I was walking south of Las Ramblas during the daytime, working my way to the Mercat de Sant Antoni—the old market that has over 100 different stalls of food, clothing, decor and more. I really wanted to see the building, but was alone and felt a lot of eyes on me. It was uncomfortable, so I opted to trust my gut and turn around. However, I believe if you were to grab a taxi to the market you would be just fine. I'm glad I listened to my intuition though and believe that's the key for all solo female travelers to stay safe.

It was unfortunate because I kept hearing of lots of EDM venues in this area that I wanted to experience, but I just was not comfortable being down there at midnight or later by myself—safety is always more important. My host and her friend, both single gals, echoed the recommendation to avoid the Reval area at night. I did ask different bartenders too, but they agreed so I listened.

So, is Barcelona safe for women? Yes. But like any destination, you need to take precautions and be smart... we all do.

Barcelona Packing Tips

What to pack? It's the question we all wonder before heading out on a solo trip! It's important to research your destination ahead of time to know the weather and plan accordingly.

Barcelona in January did get chilly, especially at night when there was 5-10 MPH winds coming through. Barcelona is coastal, with the El Born and Gothic Quarter neighborhoods right on the coast. This means there can be plenty of wind, making it chilly. I saw locals wearing heavy coats, although I am from a colder climate and didn't need that. When the sun was out, it was great strolling weather!

These two items saved me while packing for my January Barcelona trip:

Carry on backpack: It's so much easier to bring a carry-on (save fees and time!), and this backpack is the best. It fits a ton and is easy to carry around.
Vacuum compression bags: Since carry-on has limited space, these vacuum compression bags make it so much easier to bring everything I wanted!

As you're packing for your trip, consider your itinerary and what you plan to do. Whenever possible make sure your outfits can be used for more than one activity, focusing on a mix-and-match set of clothes that help you reduce the total quantity. When it comes to footwear, think comfortable! There's a lot of walking to do in Barcelona.

So, have I sold you yet? Are you ready for an epic solo trip to Barcelona? I hope so! Remember to grab my comprehensive full detailed guide on how to travel for free so you can have the best trip to Barcelona in January, or any time of the year! Enjoy.

To your next adventure!

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About Me

I'm Jamie Milam, a determined AF woman who's embraced life after divorce by finding peace through self-awareness, intentional decision-making, and thrilling new travel adventures.

As a Realtor® in Charlotte, NC (and your connection to top agents nationwide), I’m passionate about guiding you through your homeownership and design goals—while also helping you create space for the things you love. My mission is to empower you to create a life of alignment too - at home, abroad, and within.

Whether it’s through real estate tips, home design inspiration, or solo travel experiences for divorced, independent women, I hope this space encourages you to discover deeper self-awareness and build a life that aligns with your passions and needs.

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Jamie Milam is a Realtor® in the Charlotte, NC area, licensed in both NC & SC, and has the ability to refer you to a number of agent partners across the nation, regardless of where you may live. She is an enthusiast for the power of awareness and believes it can be used in all facets of life to support aligned living.

**Disclosure** This post may contain affiliate links and they are at no additional cost to you, though I may earn a small commission. Don't worry, I only recommend products or services that I have tried or believe would be of great value to you! All opinions expressed are those of my own!