1st - Single girl traveling alone.. would you recommend? And if so, what area should I look for a hotel?

2nd -- What is the weather in October (late) like? I heard it is the rainy month.. is that true?

Stick close to the Ramblas / Passeig De Gracia (the continuation of the Ramblas to the north) and you should be OK. These areas are busy with pedestrians even at night. By day most parts of the city felt reasonably safe, though being male my perceptions may be different from yours. Don't walk anywhere at night away from the main streets; a couple of times I found myself in places where I really didn't want to stay.
We went in mid to late October and had good weather. Light rain one day, a spectacular thunderstorm the same night, and one other day when it rained for an hour or so. The rest of our two weeks were sunny, coolish in the morning (the tall buildings keep the sun away from street level for a while) but warm well into the evening - around 20C at 10pm, warm enough to sit outside. I don't know how typical our weather was for the time of year.

I traveled to Barcelona by myself in late September 2002 and it was fine. I stayed in the gothic quarter near the cathdral at the Colon Regencia. It was no problem going out in the evening for tapas/dinner. As with any city, just exercise good common sense and stay on well lit streets. I always try to follow behind a family or couple so it's not as obvious that I'm by myself. If I'm tapa hopping I try to get closer to the hotel as the night progresses. I loved the El Born area which is a very easy walk from the hotel at night.
http://www.hotelregenciacolon.com/Re...encia=Colon(AC)

I'd also check Maribel's guide for other hotel recommendations if the gothic quarter isn't appealing to you. Her guides are the best!


I also very much enjoyed the city of Girona, about an hour by train north of Barcelona. It has a beautifully old quarter and one of the best preserved jewish quarters in Spain.

Hope this helps.

My 21 yr. old daughter travelled to Barcelona (and all over Europe) by herself and had no problem whatsoever. Just be aware of your surroundings, especially late at night, and you'll be fine. Infact, I'm a worryier, but feel so much more comfortable when she travels alone in Europe than here in the U.S. She loved Barcelona and I believe she stayed in the Bari Gothic area in a youth hostal, which is another good way to go, 'cause you'll met other travelers. She also loved Girona and Dali's palace in Figueres.

For weather in late October check out weatherunderground.com and do a history to get an idea.

Have a great time and tell us all about it.

2 experiences :
Mine : I've been to Barcelona about 15 times in last 20 years, most of the times alone. I walked everywhere, Gothic quarter, small streets, often staying out till after midnight and had no problems although those narrow and deserted streets late at night seem a bit spooky. Still to the others, especially to girls, other posters' suggestion to stay around the main streets is a sensible suggestion.
I'm a male.

The following happended to a friend of mine (a male) 10 years ago. While walking on a small street one afternoon (I don't rememeber the area , maybe Gothic or El Born, but it was not even at night.), he got surrounded by 3 guys. They threatened him with knife so he had no choice but give away his bag with money, cards, and most importantly his passport in it. After hearing his story back at home, we, friends, all thought it's a bit funny because he is much more muscular type than I. That was his first time in Barcelona and as far as I know the last. Still it remains one of my favorite place to travel to.

I hope above contradictory stories will not confuse you.

I've been to Barcelona a few times and prefer to stay in the Eixample District. It's still close to the sights you want to see, but it's less touristy, less crowded (but still well-populated) - a more upscale neighbourhood. It's also home to a lot of Barcelona's exotic modernista architecture. Because I was a little bit removed from the tourist throngs, I didn't feel like I constantly had to keep my hand on my purse or look out for pickpockets. The hotel I've stayed in (twice) is the Derby Astoria (a 3*, priced at about 100 euros a night). Limited services, but at attractive hotel with friendly service at a good price. I've also stayed at the H10 Catalunya Plaza (one night) and enjoyed it; it's very conveniently located less than a block away from the airport bus stop.

Barcelona is a fantastic city, but be extra vigilant for pickpockets! According to Rick Steve's Spain guidebook, in Barcelona you're more likely to be the victim of a pickpocket than in just about any other city in Western Europe. Our tour guide in Barcelona (April 2004) frequently warned us to be on guard. Yes, a couple of people in our group experienced attempted pocket-picking (is that a word?), but realized what was happening in time to avoid being victimized. (Must have been apprentice pickpockets!) But you'll LOVE Barcelona, in spite of the petty thieves. Have fun!

Rick Steves sounds such a ****.

Unless you live in a tiny little village where you know every inhabitant, and can count them on your fingers, people who are less than desirable (from a criminal rather than aesthetic perspective) will always be around.

For me Barcelona felt no less safe than London. I wore the same clothes, same wallet as I do in London, I don't change things for holidays as some people seem to do. It's a safe city.

Just be careful, and don't walk along a dark street at night with a Chanel bag and shoes, and a gold and diamond Rolex uncovered on your wrist. Be sensible, but not paranoid - that idot Rick Steves would have everyone walking around in boiler suits with no external pockets. He sounds so naff, and what a hick.

The only place I have EVER been pickpocketed was in Barcelona, on the Metro, and that was a day when I stupidly decided not to use my moneybelt.

I was there three weeks ago with less money in my pocket, a $500 quadband phone hooked to my belt, and wearing a 22 carat gold bracelet which is worth thousands. Nothing stolen and nothing lost. I suspect a lot of other people didn't have anything stolen, either

My point: you cannot necessarily count on any conditions being present or absent but I agree with the others that you should be VERY careful on the Metro and any other crowded spots.

And please, don't listen to anyone who tells you they will be able to foil a pickpocket by simply being vigilant...some things work but generally, by the time you realize you have been robbed they are long gone.

I can tell you from having lived in Barcelona as a girl:

- I never got robbed, I never took any special money belts, but always had my purse in front of me and zipped, I always acted self-confident and thieves notice that
- from the about 100 other foreign students I kind of knew over there, about 5 got robbed during the course of 1 year. The guys got threatened, the girls were just pickpocketed, but never was there any violence used
- if you ever feel unsafe at night, just walk in the nearest hotel, bar, restaurant, whatever. if you're lost, do the same when you want to look at your map.