Solo travel to a Spanish coastal city

[Goatblu]

I usually go to one of the Canary Islands in May for a solo break but I'm currently thinking that mainland Spain might fit my requirements and the flight is a lot shorter.

I'm able to fly to Reus, Alicante or Málaga and would prefer a transfer of less than an hour (the shorter the better).

I'd like a hotel with a half board option in case I don't want to go out in search of food, a beach within walking distance would be great and I'd also like to be able to wander around some shops (a decent sized cc would be ok if it has bigger brand shops) but I don't mind getting a taxi to this.

I'm finding Alicante city to be too expensive but I've just found Salou. It's near to Tarragona which looks nice but I suppose anything looks nice in photos.

Has anyone stayed in the Salou area and did it feel safe for a solo traveller?Benidorm is also coming up as quite reasonable but I've only ever heard people mentioning Brits abroad and partying type holidays there which isn't for me. However, certain areas or hotels may be totally different.

Any recommendations please of areas I can look at or hotels to try? (I don't fancy Barcelona this time and unfortunately Seville is a pain to get to from here).

If you don’t like ‘Brits Abroad’ type holidays then you won’t like Salou.

Have a look at the Sol Guadalmar in Malaga. A short taxi ride into the city and right on the beach. I wasn’t travelling solo but it was friendly and I’d have felt comfortable there if I had been.

Salou is grotty, LaPineda down the coast a bit is better, quieter but still pleasant with restaurants and cafes and a lovely beach. Bus to Tarragona takes about 20Mins, I live Tarragona the Ruins are next level! Reus to LaPineda is 30Euros

Malaga would be my choice. Nice places outside of it as well. Is Madrid worth considering? Lots to do & very walkable. No beach but some lovely parks & lakes.

I’d fly to Malaga and stay there. Lovely city.

Malaga itself is fantastic

Out of your choices I would also opt for Malaga.

Another vote for Malaga. It has everything you are looking for and more. The beach area is not perfect, but it serves the purpose and has nice beach bars with food to sit in and watch the goings on. Tons of tapas restaurants and a great buzz around the Cathedral, the Picasso museum, the marina area, the Alcazaba on the hill, and so on. Perfect for a solo and safe too. I've done it myself.

DH and I have returned to Malaga 3x as really loved it. The 'city' itself, not the Brits abroad resorts down the coast. There is a 4euro bus from the airport with many stops in town and its only about a 25min transfer. Also a train, but we never caught it to the city. I found it was a mix of locals, Spanish tourist and European tourists. DH had a friend living there, but I'd often walk back to the hotel alone at night and never felt unsafe. Great food, a beach, prommenade, castle, museums and lots to see/do.

One memorable day was getting the train to see the famous bridge in Ronda. The 1st time we stayed in NH Malaga which is hotel with a small pool. I can't recall if they had half board options. https://www.minorhotels.com/en/destinations/spain/malaga/nh-malaga?campid=8435708&utm_campaign=nh_hotel&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=16575947922&utm_source_platform=sa360&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=16575947922&gbraid=0AAAAAD5GqPBGHr9ltj0onJVzIhE78-HGz&gclid=Cj0KCQjwv-LOBhCdARIsAM5hdKfiksEtpx41LzkStr5PMg5W_pz2Z1HK6-JhTnPzlcgWjWepEr9Ae_UaAt77EALw_wcB

The next trips we stayed in these apartments. It meant we could eat out, but also reheat/cook food if wanted. www.santacruz-apartments.com/index.php?lng=en

Malaga is lovely, very compact and lovely atmosphere. There’s also Nerja which is beautiful and not too far along the coast to Malaga

Looks like my area of interest has changed then 😂. I forgot that I have been to mainland Spain before and went to see the Rhonda bridge which was lovely. It's been ages ago so I can't remember where I stayed.

Thank you for the recommendations, I'll start looking at Málaga. I'd still like to visit Tarragona in the future but maybe not this time.

Another vote for Malaga. Train into city from airport takes less than 15 minutes and costs just over £1.50. Simple tap at the barrier so no need to queue for tickets.

lots to do and see, or a beach to just laze and do nothing.

Equally easy to get from Malaga to Seville via train and stay there.

I'm just browsing Málaga hotels but they're coming in rather expensive. I like the idea of being able to get to Seville from Málaga quite easily. It sounds like the transport services are great.

@Goatblu can you fly to Seville from your airport? Could fly in to Seville and out of Málaga or vice versa. We've been to both - both nice, but Seville wins hands down (unless you must have the coast).
From Málaga we took the coastal train then a bus to Mijas which was really pretty. Very easy day out.

Nerja is lovely, OP.

Fly to Reus but don’t stay in Salou as that is quite ‘Brits abroad’. Cambrils is a better option, a lovely Spanish seaside town and maintains its harbour and fishing fleet. Options to visit Barcelona, by train, from here too.

Malaga would be my choice in Spain. Have you considered Tavira in Portugal? It’s close to Faro airport and is lovely.

I like Malaga, as there's loads of different stuff to do - art, history, gardens, beach, mountains, shopping...

Have travelled from there to Seville, Granada, Cordoba, Cadiz, and elsewhere.

What about Valencia? Amazing city. I would return in a heartbeat.

I’ve done Seville, Valencia, Madrid, Barcelona alone. Had a day in Girona and enjoyed that too. Barcelona was my least favourite but I still loved it.

Lots to investigate tomorrow, thanks for the suggestions. I hadn't thought of Tavira but I know there are flights to Faro. Is Faro a nice city to wander around? Valencia is on my list too.

Malaga definitely, the local train is really good. From the airport there are stops in central Málaga, Plaza Major (I think that's the name, it's a shopping mall/centre), Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola. You may need an Uber for a beach hotel from the trains in Benalmadena etc but they are widely available and reasonable as are taxis. The beaches aren't amazing but they're good and getting around is pretty easy. Benalmadena Pueblo has some lovely little restaurants and is a really nice and more traditional break from the beach resorts. Lots of locals there eating and drinking so not totally touristy and Fuengirola also has some lovely spots.

I can't recommend any specific hotels but hopefully there's something suitable and reasonably priced if you do decide to look into it.

Sorry OP - late night posting and didnt
read your post properly. Ignore my saying Nerja - I agree with Malaga!

Just returned from Malaga and we really liked it. Easy train from the airport to city and very walkable and beach area. We stayed in an Airbnb which was perfect for us and cheaper than a hotel. Tavira is also lovely and close to Faro which is a good base and close to the airport.

Spain is very safe for solo women travellers OP.