Over 50 and Traveling Alone? Try Spain!

Source: rocket50

By: Janet Peischel Contributing rocket50 Writer

Date:   February 18, 2023

Over 50 and Traveling Alone? Try Spain!

I subscribe to a blast called The Ethel—it’s for older women—those of us who are 50+. A recent subscription had an article about Spain and Portugal being good travel destinations for older women travelers—full of interesting cities, delicious food and wine and friendly people. I’ve spent a lot of time in both of these countries, and they are wonderful travel destinations.

Older women as an important demographic—it’s about time!

What really got my attention: Singling out older women as a standalone demographic. Maybe they’re finally getting that we’re an important demographic with spending power and influence. It’s about time to recognize that older Americans are thriving, living rich, full lives that include travel.

How to get the most out of a trip to Spain?

What’s the best way to plan a trip to Spain? Choosing to travel with a tour group can be easy in some ways—there’s someone to schlep your luggage, arrange ground transportation, take you to and from the airports and train stations, etc. But I’ve been a solo traveler for 40 years, and the thought of being part of these groups is enough to make me stay home. Planning my trip has always been part of the fun of travel. I love deciding where I’m going to go, what I want to see and figuring out how to get there. Getting around on your own is empowering.

If you’ve never traveled alone, Spain is the perfect place to start

The Spanish people are warm and friendly, and they love showing off their country. I will share some insights about what to see and how to get around so you have the best possible travel experience. If you’re a morning person, this will make you crazy.

Spain is for night owls. The city closes for lunch at 1:30 or so, then opens again at 4:30 to 8:30. People don’t go out to dinner until after 8pm. If you’re tired after a long day of travel, and you want an early dinner, you’ll have the whole restaurant to yourself.

Getting around Spain

I’ve identified a few cities here that are my favorites. It’s easy to travel among them on trains or by air. Inner-country flights are surprisingly inexpensive. I just checked the price on a roundtrip flight from Madrid to Malaga in April, and it was $70 and takes one hour. However, you’re going to have to get there early, go through security, check your bags, etc. If you haven’t taken trains in Europe, you’re in for a treat. The trains are fast, efficient, and you’ll arrive in the heart of the city. That same trip from Madrid to Malaga on a train takes two and a half hours and costs $35. Sit back, enjoy a glass of vino rojo and enjoy the scenery.

Start doing some research

Now for the fun part. Decide where you want to go. Read up on the culture, customs and what you want to buy in Spain! Shopping is part of the fun. Spain is a fairly big country, so depending on the amount of time you have, you’ll have to make some decision on where you go. The time of year you’re planning to go will also figure in.

If you’re planning to visit Spain in the winter, the Costa del Sol is lovely, with temperatures in the 60s. Break out your linens, t-shirts and espadrilles. if you’re a beach bunny, it won’t be warm enough to swim, so plan that for another season. While there are miles of highrises and apartments down the coastline, Malaga is a real city with an old town that’s very charming. It’s more than just a resort, which is what the rest of the coast has become, but if that’s what you love, go for it.

If you’ve never been to Spain, think Barcelona

Nobody doesn’t love Barcelona. The Ramblas is simply amazing, a mile-long pedestrian boulevard that extends from the Plaça de Catalunya to the Christopher Columbus Monument at the foot. This is where Columbus embarked on his journey to discover the new world. There’s a market that is alive with frantic activity. There are fresh produce vendors, seafood, meat and cheese purveyors. Everyone is shouting and the energy is infectious. 

Plan to have a glass of wine and some tapas. The Spanish pastime seems to be eating tapas and always talking, drinking wine. Smoking cigarettes. You’ll see men in the morning standing up having a coffee and a shot of brandy to jumpstart their day. Barcelona is also the home of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, whose fascinating main work, the church of the Sagrada Família is in the city.

There is a culture that is unique to Spain’s Andalucia region

Sevilla is the heart of Flamenco. You will be caught up in the mystique of this dance, which is a culture. This part of the country is completely different from the northern regions. It’s hot. There are horse-drawn carriages. You’ll see little girls dressed up in Flamenco dresses, dancing in the squares. Because of its close proximity to Africa, you’ll recognize the strong Moorish influence. Notice the tile and intricate grillwork everywhere, along with the magnificent gardens. Do visit the magnificent Alcazar, the oldest royal palace in use in Europe. It originally was devised as a fortress to protect the Muslim authorities. Its status as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO confirms its importance as milestones in Hispano-Muslim architecture.

San Sebastian, in the northern Basque country, the foodie capital

Sophisticated and elegant. There’s a casino and a beautiful golden expanse of beach. People get dressed up to sit down at cafes to eat pintxos (Basque tapas) and wine. San Sebastian is the foodie capital of Spain. It's renowned for its Basque cuisine and boasts the second most Michelin stars per capita in the world. I had been in France, where it was cold and windy, so I hopped on a train going south, in pursuit of warmer temperatures. I landed in San Sebastian, and it was warm and sunny and beautiful. A note: Expect to pay a little more here; San Sebastian is expensive.

Madrid, la grande dame

Think elegant boulevards, the Prado Museum and the magnificent Plaza Mayor, lined with cafes and shops. Madrid is the country’s capital and home of the royal family. In the center of the country, it is connected to all major Spanish cities by train, road or air. Use Madrid as the base for day trips to Toledo, home of artist El Greco, and other cities in the area.

A few travel and safety tips for older women travelers in Spain

Safety is always a priority. For the most part, these are common-sense precautions—things you do to stay safe at home. Just be smart.

• Be aware of your surroundings, including at airports and train or bus stations. Even when you’re waiting for your connecting flight and you haven’t slept for 18 hours. Just pay attention.
• Avoid walking alone at night in isolated areas. You wouldn’t do this at home. Why would you do this in a foreign country? Use common sense.
• Don't carry large amounts of cash or valuable items with you. If you’re lucky enough to have good jewelry, leave it at home.
• Keep your passport and other important documents in a safe place. In a safe in your hotel, for instance. These days, everyone’s doing Airbnb or VRBO. They likely do not have a safe. I’ve always stayed in neighborhoods that feel safe. Do make a copy of your passport.
• One tip: When I was in Argentina a few years ago, I had to show my passport every time I used my debit card. A total pain, which meant I had to carry my passport around with me. Otherwise, leave it at your hotel or wherever you’re staying.
• Travel light. I’m a carry-on girl. You do not want to be schlepping a lot of bags. One carryon and a handbag. Stick with black clothing. Staying in one climate zone makes this easier. Traveling in warmer seasons also helps. I’m in Toulouse in February, and it’s cold! I’ve packed warm sweaters and wool scarves so I can layer them. In summer? Linen is lightweight.
• Do your research. I met a couple on a train from Belgrade, Serbia, to Thessaloniki, Greece. They each had purchased a Eurail pass to use on their trip in Greece. Bad decision. Greece doesn’t have a rail network. You’ll take buses to get around. Or ferries to the islands. Once these kids arrived, they’d reached the end of the train line.
• It’s good to have an itinerary so that friends and family know at least approximately where you are in the event of an emergency. Stuff does happen.
• Everyone has wifi, so it’s easy to stay in touch. Get a travel pass with your cellphone provider. When you’re not using your phone, switch it to airplane mode. It gets expensive.
• GoogleMaps is a godsend, but it doesn’t always like foreign countries. Don’t be afraid to ask for directions. Something I’ve found helpful is to identify a landmark that I can use as a guidepost. I’m in Toulouse, France, right now, and my elegant little Airbnb is near the river. I’ve gotten lost a few times, and I’ve been able to get reoriented by getting pointed to the river.  
• Make sure you have enough money. Have a few different methods of payment available in case of an emergency. Before you leave home, do go to your banking account, go to the Travel tab and select travel destination and the dates. Otherwise, you will not be able to access your money. And yes, this happened to me. A very bitter experience. We learn with every trip.
• Trust your instincts; if something doesn't feel right, get out of there.

Conclusion

Spain is an ideal destination for older women travelers. It’s easy to get around on trains and public transportation. People are warm and friendly; they’re proud of their country and they love to show it off. Start reading to decide what you want to see and what cities you will visit. Highlights include Barcelona, Madrid, San Sebastian and Andalucia in the southern part of the country. Plan your trip around your own interests. Go for the food and wine. The history is rich and varied and you’ll want to go back.Metadescription