Two Week Itinerary For Your Solo Holidays in Spain

To me, no other country has summer holidays written all over than Spain. Having grown up in Germany, summer trips to Spain were annually mandatory. Spain and summer belong together such as the refreshing ice in ice tea and sand on the beach. I was in desperate need of sun and some solo holidays in Spain last year. I just couldn’t agree on one location!

I wanted beach and sun, but also learn more about its culture. After a bit of research, I decided to split up my solo travels to Spain and do a round trip instead. Within 2 weeks of my holidays in Spain, I visited three locations: Mallorca, Barcelona, and Gran Canaria.

Solo Holidays In Spain Stop 1: Mallorca

Island of Diversity. 3-4 Days

Away from the partying and retiring Germans in Palma, Mallorca positively surprised me with its diversity. Wherever you go, you can tell the island is affluent and invests in tourism. The streets are neat and modern. The villages are still sleepy and untouched though very well connected with the infrastructure. There are hiking paths for you to get lost along the coast. Wherever you go in Mallorca, may it be the lush vegetation in the mountains or the crystal clear coves at the coast, you’ll always find an excellent restaurant serving local cuisine and a fine dining experience.

Lunch In The Sóller Mountains

I can highly recommend the beautiful Boutique Hotel & Restaurant Cas Xorc which sits atop the mountain region of Sóller. The Mallorquin stone Finca sits in between overgrown greenery and lush gardens. The hotel is also a popular wedding venue and excellent for lunch. It is completely hidden away and there isn’t even a sign on the road.

Only a dusty little sideway on the main road suggests, there might be something up the hill. The hill is very narrow and difficult to manoeuvre by car. After a 20minute fine-tuning and inch-by-inch work up the winding path with the car, I made it. The cool shades of olive trees and a relaxed lunch awaited. Lemon trees and rose gardens filled the air with a heavenly scent, I enjoyed lovely views over the area and a light summer lunch. This is definitely an insider tip and was the highlight of my trip.

Experience Mallorca’s Culture & Discover Palma

Sunny afternoons of your holidays in Spain can also be spent in cute cafes. Mallorca has many picturesque villages and German bakeries. Tim’s in Port d’Andratx comes to mind. They serve German cakes and have an outside terrace where people watching gets a whole new definition! The view over the harbour is peaceful. White boats rock softly in turquoise water and time seems to stand still.

Mallorca’s coves are said to be as warm as a bathtub. They offer excellent snorkel conditions or you could simply enjoy the flora & fauna high up in the mountains. There’s literally so much to do and to see.

If sightseeing and shopping are more your thing, go to Palma. The capital is officially my new city crush as it boasts the usual High Street sellers in a modern, clean, and very historic environment. Many favourite brands such as Zara or Massimo Dutti are Spanish, so you’ll pay a fraction of the usual costs in comparison to buying in the UK. Roaming Palma’s streets to find little boutiques and admire its traditional colonial architecture is pure joy.

Don’t forget to visit the cathedral which will impress you with its medieval charm and remarkable construction. The outskirts of Palma are home to many internationals who have gathered here in settlements: if you need your German hairdressers or doctors – well, there is. If you need a local German to help you buy a house – you can. There’s even a garage for your car repairs or scooter rentals. Especially in the summer, renting a scooter and exploring the island by yourself is a lot of fun.

The island stretches some 100km in all directions but you’ll never get lost as the transport network is so well built and established. From the Soller Mountains in the North to the coves in Cala d’Or in the South East or the Mediterranean terracotta trail in the West, I found Mallorca has a lot to offer and to discover. Or if you want a day trip to Ibiza, Formentera or even to the mainland, you can do so as the airport is very accessible and flights e.g. to Barcelona are only 40 minutes away.

The only downside with Mallorca is its temperamental weather. The island lies in the Mediterranean Sea, sandwiched in-between the continents. It makes its climate uncomfortably humid and sticky. 26 degrees can easily turn the air as hot as hell which also supports the growth of bugs and vermin.

Unfortunately, you can tell and see a lot of it flying and crawling around which is unpleasant. It shouldn’t put you off from visiting as otherwise, you’ll miss out on a fantastic island that is so versatile and has a huge range of activities to offer. I can’t wait to return this year and explore more remote parts of the island and indulge in its exquisite fine-dining scene.

Solo Holidays in Spain Stop 2: Barcelona

The Perfect City Break for the Summer. 3-4 Days

Barcelona has to be one of the most inspiring city trips I’ve ever been to.  It’s an incredible city with artsy and laidback vibes. The mixture of culture and architecture was right up my street. Barcelona has a warm and sunny climate which means exploring may happen mostly towards the end of the day. The city offers a diverse mix of sightseeing, shopping, and beach holiday.

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During my visit, I stayed at Hotel Regina. The hotel sits in the heart of the city right at the beginning of Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s main pedestrian and tourist zone. From here, it was easy to get to the sights and explore. Barcelona’s face has been shaped by no other than Surrealist Antoni Gaudi. His iconic landmarks are simply breath-taking. Please do not skip Casa de Batllo, Casa Mila, the Sagrada Familia or Park Güell on your holiday in Spain.

You will regret it in your life if you’ve made it to Barcelona and didn’t see any of his work. Even if art is not your thing, no one can escape the fascination and magic that Gaudi’s lifework exudes. Book your tickets in advance and don’t be put off by the rather expensive entrance fees. The Sagrada Familia was totally worth it. There are two ticket options:  number one comes approximately 15EUR and includes the entrance & galleries only. Another slightly more expensive option is the chance to go up one of the side towers. I’ve not done the side towers but heard from a few people that the views aren’t worth it. The best views over Barcelona can be enjoyed from Park Güell in the South. Here, the entrance costs 8EUR for a stroll around.

Gaudi’s Architecture & Sagrada Familia Are A Must

The park is located on a high point with excellent 360-degree views over Barcelona. Gaudi’s house where he lived until his death is also nearby. The park is located in the North of the city and it would make sense to start your sightseeing here. You can then walk downhill towards the Sagrada Familia. On your way, you’ll pass through suburban neighbourhoods, leafy alleys, and neat streets that follow a regular pattern. Barcelona’s bird view often reminds me of a sushi board.

Getting lost in Barcelona is easy, but also to find your way back. I’m thinking of the labyrinth-like Gothic quarter with its narrow, mysterious alleys. The alleys invite you to explore their unique shops and eateries. The Barcelona Cathedral and parts of the city wall in this quarter will impress you, too. Wherever you go, it feels like the city is one giant shopping mall.

There are tonnes of shops everywhere which buzz with people. In general, the city is super lively at night. There’s live music and street artists everywhere. At night there’s also the strange habit of half-naked men performing in the streets. Las Ramblas, the cable car by the harbourside, Ciutadella Park or the beach with the iconic W Hotel are all famous places worthy of a visit.

I loved the vibrant energies of the city which never felt as exhausting as the chaotic hustle of London. People are literally everywhere enjoying themselves, the weather, the extraordinary food, the beach or simply Barcelona’s relaxed lifestyle. Vibrant, young, cultural and arty is how I would describe Barcelona and I can highly recommend it as a summer getaway.

Solo Holidays in Spain Stop 3: The Canary Islands

Where All Year Round Is Summer Time. 4 days

Sunshine, 35 degrees, and the guarantee that every day will be pretty much the same are the reason why I love the Canary Islands. Their location so far out in the Atlantic is another plus as it means that, unlike the Balearics, there’s a light cool breeze and you won’t feel the heat as unpleasantly humid but rather dry.

This also means there are fewer bugs and in general, a cleaner environment but enough said about cleanliness and the weather. Last year I actually managed to go twice to Gran Canaria as I found an absolute gem of a hotel and I loved spending more time there.

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The hotel is Santa Monica Suites Hotel, a four-star boutique complex located directly by Gran Canaria’s famous dunes. It was love at first sight: there are incredible views over the dunes teamed up with palm trees and a glistening blue ocean on the horizon.

At night, the vast open space allows you to watch the stars and listen to the soft sound of the waves. The hotel itself is very new and modern with its own private access to the dunes. I rarely sleep and fully wind down at hotels, but during my stay(s) last summer, I never felt more relaxed from a holiday than coming back from Santa Monica.

The hotel is medium-sized, very stylish and seems to target young couples. I’ve rarely seen any children and if there were some, they were usually really well behaved. So no screaming kids, no fights for sunbeds in the morning, nice food and comfy beds made my holidays unforgettable.

Gran Canaria Has Sun Guaranteed But It Is Outdated

Gran Canaria offers lots of water sports and whale watching from Puerto De Mogan but the island itself, especially the touristy area around Maspalomas/Meloneras/Playa del Ingles in the South, has not much to offer. In fact, unlike in Tenerife, the area is quite rundown and outdated.

The island is worth visiting if you appreciate a nice endless walk at the beach as the dunes invite you for a long stroll along the sea and in general, just crave some very quiet relaxing time – and if you love star gazing then this is the spot for you. There’s nothing more memorable than sitting on the dunes, feeling the warm sand and watching the stars come out.

I’ve been to Canaria’s Palmitos Park in the past which is not a comparison to the Loro Parque which I visited during my holidays in Tenerife. Gran Canarias capital Las Palmas is unfortunately pretty rough. If you seek some nice restaurants or shopping areas then I would definitely recommend staying in Tenerife rather than in Gran Canaria.

At the time of my visit, I was craving nothing more than a nice beach and some peace to read my book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s a wonderful coming of age tale of a young boy who grows into a man on his journey to find a treasure that is supposed to be buried at the pyramids in Egypt. The setting takes you through Andalusia and the desert in Morocco, so with the backdrop of the dunes of Maspalomas, I felt closer to the book and its spiritual message.

I hope this post has inspired you to explore more during your summer holidays in Spain. This summer I will do another Spain roundtrip and explore the North and South.

Thanks for reading. If you’d like to support my blog & research you can do so via Buy Me a Coffee.

Till next time,

Carolin

You may also enjoy reading about my other holidays in Spain:

• Make the Best Travel Memories From a Granada Visit
• Tales from My Epic Summer Baltics Tour & Finland Trip
• How To Spend One Day In Madrid
• 47 Random Facts about Santiago de Compostela That Will Interest You  
• Day 1 On The Camino Frances. Sarria To Portomarin
• Day 2 On The Camino Frances. Portomarin To Palas De Rei