Hola,

Thank you for the wonderful information provided. I have found this to be an extremely useful site.

I will be traveling throughout Spain for the month of October by myself. Is it safe for a woman to travel alone? Any customs I need to be aware of. (This is my first visit to Europe. I was born and raised in California and have only travelled through Canada and a bit of Baja, Mexico.)

I will be staying in hostels so I am hoping that I will meet people to travel with part of the time. In Madrid I have no worries because I have a friend who lives there and has offered to show me around and possibly a place to stay as well.

Thanks again for all the wonderful information provide by everyone.

Terri

See the ABOUT SPAIN forum for some specifics. In general it is VERY safe to travel around alone. Just be prepared for MEN to talk to you, if you are in a cafe/bar, waiting at the train station, etc. Usually it is either at a distance-- a piropo, like guapa -- or just friendly chat that you can continue or just not engage in. The main precautions for women are the same for tourists: watch for the pickpockets, keep your belongings locked up, stay out of questionable areas if you don't know where you are going, don't walk around drunk (seriously. ALL the problems my women students have had occur when they have been drinking, and then meet up with untrustworthy sorts). In hostels, make sure your room locks securely. That's about it! Have fun!

GREAT advice from rgf (as usual!). Also, see the travelling in Spain alone thread in this forum for other safety tips. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time in Spain!

Saludos, MadridMan

[This message has been edited by MadridMan (edited 08-04-2000).]

I spent a month alone in spain and I was fine, just be smart about your surroundings like you would be in any foreign place, you'll be fine, don't forget to have fun!

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Spain Page!! Check it out! http://www.geocities.com/missmadrid98/homepage.html?957296168010