annnnnnap

I'm 21 years old, single, going to Barcelona on my own for 6 weeks. My friends were going to come but last minute they all bailed and I'm not about to cancel the trip of a lifetime.

I studied abroad in Barcelona so I'm very familiar with the city, I know it like the back of my hand--my one and only question is, how would I go about meeting locals? When I studied abroad I stuck with my friends from the program and we met a lot of people from all over but that was after a while of going out.

I'd really love to meet people to go out and enjoy my time with, and also to party at night with. I don't want to have to sit at home alone at nights because I'm alone. I'm also aware of how dangerous Barcelona can be at nights if you're by yourself, so going to a random pub or bar wouldn't be something I want because I'd like to walk in with someone/sit with someone.

I'm going to be staying in a shared apartment but I don't know who/what age my roommates will be.

Any advice on a young female solo traveler and how to meet young locals or fellow travelers?

annnnnnap

I'm going in May-June-July by the way.

scrb11

Not sure about meeting locals.

But if you have the budget, what about a lot of trips all over Europe?

Barcelona is great but there's so much within an hour or two flight. Even train trips to other parts of Spain or into France.

Of course, that doesn't necessarily enhance the opportunities to socialize, if that's your main goal.

maccabee

Are you going for Primavera? In case you haven't heard of it, it's a huge music festival that takes place in late May or early June, and there are tons of people there your age. It's so easy to make friends with the people beside you watching the same band, or at one of the common drinking/eating areas.

http://www.primaverasound.com/?lang=en

I'm not too sure about youth hostels in Barcelona, but at the youth hostels I've previously stayed at, the hostels sometimes offered cheap walking tours to beaches and local sights. Try and see if any of the major hostels offer these tours, and if you can join them? That would mean you'd get to hang out with people your age.

For what it's worth, I fully sympathise on your friends bailing on you! It's why I mostly travel alone too, because I'd never leave the country if I kept waiting on my friends to make up their minds. Good luck on your solo adventure!

annnnnnap

Unfortunately I arrive in Barcelona the day after Primavera ends--what luck! I appreciate your sympathy. I enjoy being on my own but it would've been nice to have some people to go out with at nights! I'm hoping I'll get lucky and meet people in my first few days/nights and then just take it from there.

Actually, the hostel tours aren't a bad idea, I've heard of one that is very famous but I'm unsure if they'd allow me to join if I'm not staying at the hostel. Worth looking into though.

Thanks for the luck and advice maccabee!

scrb11

What about seeing if there's an expat community, which may have some events?

Ackislander

Is there a Spanish equivalent of the Alliance Francaise? It is an organization that promotes cross cultural contact. If there is, I am sure your professors will know about it, and they will be delighted to know you are going back. Study abroad is the single most important thing a person can do at university. It is better, though, if you don't hang out with other Americans. My son learned far more French hanging out with French rock climbers than he did in classes. If you have a hobby or sport, see if you can pursue it with Barcelonans.

You don't have time to qualify as a teacher of English as a foreign language, but you could put up a notice somewhere offering English conversation and meet people who have an interest in that.

Just curious, but do you have Catalan as well as Spanish?

Christina

To be honest, if you've actually studied in Barcelona for a while, you should know better than anyone one here how to meet locals in the city. I don't think it is that easy to do for any tourist, so wouldn't expect a lot (making friends with locals). I don't make friends with tourists in the city where I live, people are busy with their own lives and people they already know. Of course you can meet people casually in the places young people usually meet, but don't expect locals to be open to being your new BFF or invite you into their circle.

You'd be more likely to meet people to do things with if you were staying in some group housing situation with other people. I don't know what there is like that in Barcelona, probably something, but I've lived in such things in Paris where students live or work interns, etc., a natural way to meet people who also want to find somebody who wants something to do. YOu don't always have to be a student to live in these places, some are open to anyone (I'm not referring to university-affiliated housing, but just what might be called a rooming house in English or a foyer in French).

If you go to church, many of them have youth groups or groups for young adults, that might be a possibility and they ought to be welcoming. You can also see if there is something in www.meetup.com, anyone can go to them and they could be international (I've used them in the US). I don't know if you are American, but something like this http://american.meetup.com/cities/es/barcelona/

If you are there 6 weeks, you might try to find some kind of class to take, language or anything, as you are more likely to meet some people in some kind of activity. They must have some kind of classes there where you can sign up by the week or month.

Also do the kind of things you'd do to meet people even if not in a foreign country, read the newspaper and look for various events, such as those in museums or other venues, that are special activities or meetings, lectures, etc.

claudiasofia

Hi! I'm in the exact same situation, I am a girl, 25 doing my internship here in Barcelona.I just arrived in Barcelona for a week, and I'm on my own as well. I love to go out, and would love to meet people, but I just dont know how. I wa wondering if you were still in Barcelona?

lincasanova

Look up the many language exchanges there are in pubs and you will met a lot of people trying to practice their English and you can practice your desired language. All different nationalities go. Some nights it's "English night".. others" French night". Google for your town.

Good luck. You could also go to the Red Cross to volunteer.. might meet some people there.

juanpaul_lopes

Hey there...i know im a few months off here...but ive found myself to be in the same situation...add me on fb if u still looking to meetup in barcelona...will be there 1st week july.

suze

How about online? Try the Trip Advisor Barcelona forum (just one idea)? Or as above using Facebook or other social media? Seems like it would more likely work out than hoping to meet random strangers in a bar.

Kay31290

Hi! I am also going to Barcelona alone. I am 23 years old. I started googling how to meet people because I am worried I wont meet anyone. I will be there June and the first half of July! Lets be friends. We can meet people together! I am not creepy or weird lol.

cxo123

Hi Kay31290, I will be in Barcelona on 6/6 for a few days too. I'm a female and the same age as you. Do you want to meet up?? x

cxo123

@annnnnnap Just realised you're in Barcelona in June too!! Would you wanna meet up? xx

adrienne

<< @annnnnnap Just realised you're in Barcelona in June too!! Would you wanna meet up? >>

You, and the poster above you, are a year late to meet the OP. She went last year.

ClaraBcn

I would check Couchsurfing! It is not only about couches, the community gets together and organises lots of activities and meetings, language exchanges, etc.

Lots of universities have language exchanges as well, such as UB and UAB.

Tours are also a good idea, but there won't be any locals...