I embarked on a five-day solo trip down Spain’s eastern coast. The plan: Barcelona on Wednesday and Thursday, stop by Alicante on Friday morning, then head to Marbella later that day. After a fun-filled week, I would return to Sevilla on Sunday. Here’s how it went!
Barcelona
First stop…Barcelona! I bought a one-way flight from Sevilla and rented an Airbnb. Barcelona had the most to do out of the cities, so my days were packed with activities. Usually, check-in for hotels in Spain is around 3 p.m., which is something to plan for, especially if you have an early flight. Some let you drop your stuff off, and others do not. Luckily, I was able to store my things and walk around the city until my check-in time came.
My first visit was the Sagrada Familia, which is a must-see. You may not spot it until you turn the street corner, and then BOOM! There it is in all its beauty. The same day, I also bought tickets to view some of Gaudí’s other works: Park Güell and La Casa Vicens. Park Güell is a huge area where you can explore and take pictures for hours. It was my favorite thing to visit in Barcelona.
On the second day, I traveled to Casa Batlló, Catedral de Barcelona, and Barceloneta Beach. After the long day of touring, I ate a meal at Boa-Bao, an Asian restaurant with coconut curry and drinks to die for! The city of Barcelona seems to never sleep; just walking around and seeing all its beauty was such a fascinating way to finish off the night.
Alicante
My second destination was Alicante, a beach city with tons of history. Arriving there Friday morning by plane, I was able to get a fantastic breakfast at Goodita. After breakfast, I headed to the Castillo de Santa Barbara for a huge hike. It was well worth the exercise! For free, you can roam around the ancient castle with historical artifacts and views of the whole city, including its mountains and beaches.
Relaxing on the beach was my plan for the rest of the day. Since I didn’t have a hostel in Alicante, a piña colada and a nap on the beach were much needed until it was time to catch my overnight bus.
Marbella
Spending time in Marbella, another quaint beach city, was the most relaxing part of the trip. I arrived around 6 a.m. on the bus and went to the beach to watch the sunrise. Marbella has many cheap food options and activities; you’ll get a very authentic version of Spain here.
The neighborhood of Puerto Banús is beautiful, with small shops and restaurants everywhere. The water is so clear that you can see straight to the sea floor. This tranquil environment was the perfect place to finish the trip.
Traveling alone was a whole new experience for me, but it ended up being super rewarding and helped me learn a lot about myself. I realized how much I love traveling and that I can figure out all the transportation and planning independently. If you have the chance, I highly recommend these cities and making a solo trip while abroad!
Jason Hines is a student at the University of Tampa and an ISA Featured Photo Blogger. He is studying with ISA in Seville, Spain.