I'm a female in my early thirties thinking about embarking on my first solo trip. I've travelled a bit in the last few years - visited Greece twice and also travelled to Scotland and Rome, but never on my own.

I've found a good deal on a flight to Spain. The flight to Malaga is a bit cheaper than Madrid, but not a huge difference.

I'm interested in photography and love wandering around and just clicking away. One reason I'm interested in solo travel is that I tend to feel like I'm holding my companions back by stopping to take so many photos. I like to people-watch and would be happy whiling away an hour here and there on a bench or sitting in an outdoor cafe just taking everything in. I tend to visit at least one museum or art gallery on a trip, but that's not a focus for me. Though I am intrigued by the Picasso museum in Malaga.

I enjoy shopping, both in retail stores and especially in markets. I'm not a huge beach bum, but a day at a beach would be nice, weather permitting. I'll be there from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5.

I doubt I'll be able to brave the nightlife on my own, so that's not really a factor.

I had been leaning toward Malaga since it seems a little less overwhelming than Madrid to do on my own, but if anyone has any thoughts that might help out with my decision I'd appreciate it.

As for accommodations, I'd like to spend 50-60 euros per night for something clean and conveniently located. I'd prefer a hotel, but with my budget I'm more likely to go with a B&B. Anyone have any recommendations?

Thank you in advance for any help you can give me!

Oh and local culture is important to me too. Everything from food to music, street performers etc.

Well, Madrid is the capital, while Malaga, although it has some nice old parts & the castle, is mainly a beach resort.

P.S. I should perhaps be more specific, before I got shot down, and say people mainly *visit* Malaga as a beach resort.

Malaga is a British tourist trap now, so I wouldnt go there for culture. However, there is a quite of bit of natural beauty there. Madrid has some culture to share, but enough crime to make the stay a tad anxious for a single woman. Maybe try Cordoba? Culture, beauty, comfortable and lots of good accessible sidetrips too

A poster named Magellan did a solo trip. Here is the report.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/postrep...hText=magellan

Are you referencing Malaga the province or Malaga the city?

I spent 4 nights in the city of Malaga in April 2008 and it is not a beach resort. The province of Malaga unfortunately is predominantly overbuilt beach resorts with alot of Northern European visitors.

I very much enjoyed the city of Malaga. The old town is wonderful (but there was a great deal of building going on when I was there), food is terrific and the people are very friendly. With the new AVE from Madrid to Malaga and the Picasso museum I think Malaga will become more popular as people see what the city has to offer.

I could see spending 3 nights in Malaga and then 1-2 in other city (Ronda, Antequera, Granada, ,etc...) or spend the entire time in Malaga with a couple of daytrips.

Madrid and Malaga (city) are very different. I'm not a big fan of Madrid (this is just my opinion, others love Madrid). However, you could fly into Madrid and visit Toledo, Segovia, Avila or Salamanca - all very beautiful cities. This is a very different area than Malaga.

If I were you I would research both areas along with the nearby cities to determine which best lies with your interests.

Whichever you decide, please don't be afraid to jump into the tapas culture. It can be a little intimidating at first to walk into a tapas bar by yourself but you will be rewarded greatly and missing out on a big part of Spanish culture if you don't

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I'm still a little up in the air between Malaga (city) and Madrid, but after readng the posted trip report, Madrid is sounding pretty great. Does anyone have any experience with Abracadabra B&B in Madrid? The tripadvisor reviews are good (though most of them are not in English).

And CathyM - you are right about jumping into tapas culture. I would be disappointed in myself if I didn't, as intimidating as it might be. Same with experiencing flamenco.

Hi, lifeofmytime -

I haven't been to Malaga, so I can't compare the two, but thought I'd mention that I found it very easy to visit Madrid on my own.

Enjoy!

No, Malaga is not a beach resort; and neither a british tourist trap. Most people keep mistaking the city of Malaga with Torremolinos, Fuengirola or the rest of the western coast, which is hugely overdeveloped. Malaga is completely different, as well as many towns in the province, north of Malaga (not beach locations).
There are many places in Malaga for your idle-and-photo plans, other Museums than Picasso's, and good Hotels in the city center for your budget. And there is beach too. If you decide for Malaga, come back for more detailed recomendations. I live here.

The confusion arises because Malaga airport serves a lot of tacky resorts along the coast to the west. Malaga itself is the regional capital and is seldom visited by those heading for these places.
I like Malaga.

Oh pleeze, Malaga is as bad as the tourist spots but worse...and its not nearly as pretty

Lifeofmytime you said you are feeling intimidated by flamenco?

Let me know I will help you understand it. Is it that or something else?

Amsdon - I don't know a whole lot about flamenco yet, but I'll definitey be reading up on it before I go. Any info you can pass along would be greatly appreciated.

I was mainly referring to being intimidated by going out alone at night as I've never travelled solo before. But I'm hoping I can overcome it so as not to miss out on some fantastic experiences.

lomt - what is your good deal to Spain? I'm hoping to go in March and going to be happy with under $900 airfare. Finding some awful looking flights, though. We're out of Portland, OR.
I'm also interested in Malaga. Mainly, we'd like a couple days of ocean air and seafood to unwind before we head inland. Madrid we're saving for next year.

As for going solo, I've never done it and have always envied those who do. I have the same reservations as you, going out at night, eating alone. Days would be no problem, but I'm sure I would hole up in my room in the evenings.
But, on the other hand, we've met several solo travelers through the years and have often invited them to join us. You have probably done the same on your trips. Be open to that because you'll probably have a lot of cool encounters.

FrankS - what turned you off from Malaga?

I'm flying from Halifax, Nova Scotia to London Gatwick on AirTransat, and then EasyJet to Spain. It works out to about $800 (Cdn) all in.

Hm, well I visited Malaga *itself*, as a beach resort, 35 years ago - and I don't imagine it has become any less popular as a resort since then. It is one of the two or three biggest destinations for the biggest Scotland cheapo package & flight operator, Globespan.

I can recommend the Hotel Mario as a resonably-priced and very central option in Madrid.

lifeofmytime

I'd visit Malaga over Madrid.

FrankS, has to be confusing the city with the district. We found very, very few tourists there and I don't even recall hearing a British accent.

It's a great city to walk around, a lot of it is traffic free and some of the stores are superb. Some nice old parts of town, all overlooked by the fortress and a beach that had about two folks on it when we were there (despite the warm sunshine).

Also, don't forget the great rail and bus connections to other cities. Rail to Cordoba and Seville, bus to Granada. If you leave early enough you may be able to do day tours to each.

joe

pdx,

Years ago Malaga was great, and its still very good...but its not Spain any longer. The whole area has now become a Cancun for older Brits. There is nothing wrong with that, its just not the same Spain as in the 70s and 80's. Its now full of immigrants, tourists and all the ills/vices that accompany them.

Wow - you've all been very helpful. For awhile there I was leaning back toward Madrid, but now I'm strongly considering Malaga again. The last few trips I've been on have been very "go, go, go!", and I think Malaga would be a bit more relaxed than Madrid, but would still have plenty of "things to do", and culture to be experienced.

I did hear back from Abracadabra B&B in Madrid and can stay in a single room with a shared bathroom for 240 euros total for 5 nights. Not a huge fan of the shared bathroom situation, but the rooms look lovely, the reviews are great and the price is right. In my online travels, I haven't had a whole lot of luck with finding accommodations in my price range in Malaga, so josele I'd appreciate any info you can provide to help me in my search.

Thanks!