Going to Barcelona on my own - need some help planning

[Wills]

My husband (26 years) is having an affair. He’s coming home for a child’s graduation and is then hanging around for another 4 days and had offered to get an AirBnB. Totally impromtu I’ve booked flights to Barcelona for 4 nights. Now I have to find a hotel/flat something. Very scared at what I’ve done and advice/guidance would be massively appreciated.

We recently stayed at the Motel One. It's a German chain, half way between Premier Inn and Holiday Inn if that makes sense. Good soundproofing and in a very safe area, on the edge of the tourist action but with coffee and tapas at local prices.

We have stayed various times in Uma Suites Pau Claris. Absolutely beautiful and very safe. In a great area and walkable to lots of different areas.
I hope you have an amazing time and please dont be scared. Hope you're ok.

Sorry about your husband, what a shock.

I'm also going to Barcelona for a few nights on my own over the summer. I plan to try a company called Viatour (I think, will check and update in a mo) who I've used before for group things when travelling. I don't want to spend every evening alone and they do things like dinner and shows where you can meet other travellers but guided by a local, or they offer wine/food/tapas tours, bike tours, walking tours, historical tours etc. I'll happily do some things on my own, but use a company like that perhaps on day 1 to get some local tips and a feel for the place and also on maybe 1 of the nights so I'm not totally solo 24/7. I'm hoping to get from the airport to a hotel ok (not even booked a hotel yet!) on the train or metro, then figure out the rest once I'm there. I believe Barcelona is a very accessible and safe city, apart from the usual city stuff like pickpockets in tourist areas, so I think it's a great place you've picked!

This is the company I've used in other Spanish cities, can't say a bad thing about any of the experiences I've booked:

https://www.viator.com/?m=64813&supag=147107296318&supsc=kwd-38180936498&supai=648684192852&supdv=m&supnt=g&suplp=9046648&supli=&supti=kwd-38180936498&tsem=true&supci=kwd-38180936498&supap1=&supap2=&gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-gbd6PgGmpCLhqAOn0ehoIMC3y4&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIurfA8saQhwMVe4RQBh3wEALdEAAYASAAEgKi5fDD_BwE

Thank you. Will investigate further tomorrow

No idea of hotels, sorry, but I can recommend Cerveceria Catalana for dinner, Alice's Garden for coffee or lunch, they're both central.
The big shop El Corte Inglés in Placa Catalunya has a restaurant on about the 7th floor or so, with a viewing platform, you can get a coffee up there and see planes flying over Montjuic.
A stroll up Rambla Catalunya is nice, parallel to Passeig de Gracia, but pedestrianised.
Definitely book well ahead for Sagrada Familia if you want to visit, and I'd recommend it, it's amazing!

My daughter lived in Barcelona,and we visited many times. I’m sure you will have a lovely time but please be aware of pickpocketing it’s very bad just don’t want it to happen to you . Never put your bag down even in a restaurant have it on your lap, wear it cross body and keep your hand on the zip when out and about.

Sorry to hear about the circumstances. When we visited a few years ago the highlights were the gaudi house, the gsudi gardens, and the zoo was nice. When we went major eorks were still hapoening on the cathedral, but may be able to in now. Like a pp said, it is known for pickpockets. I could also add that if you are checking a map in the street (best to do on phone as less obvious), do it in a doorway if you can with your back to the door and just be vigilant. Not meaning to scare you.
If you like fish, try the razor clams in a restaurant.

I stayed at Hotel Jazz it’s near the Plaça Catalunya which is at the top of Las Ramblas.

You can walk down to the port or up the Main Street which has at least two Gaudi Buildings and expensive shops. There is the stop for the on Hop Off bus stop and good underground stations.

Take a look at air b and b experiences there may be a tapas or a food tour for the evening
I did this in Barcelona when I was on my own and it was really nice

Depending on your budget look at Hotel Colon - great hotel, great location and they will really look after you, book direct too. There were several solo travellers there when we were.

If you want something for an evening that isn’t too late then look at Casa Batllo magical nights

I second Motel One, only stayed in them in Germany though.

I’ve also stayed at Hotel Colon and agree it’s also a good location.

There's a Facebook group called Solo in Style Women over 50 Travelling Solo and Loving it.

It's a bit dominated by Americans and can be a bit over enthusiastic about the joys of solo travel for my liking BUT but has lots of nice women on there with advice, encouragement and support for anyone a bit nervous. Lots of women going through or after divorce!. You can also do a search on "Barcelona" to bring up previous posts.

Brill, have sent a request - thank you