My First Solo Trip in Europe: Why I Chose Barcelona 🇪🇸

There’s a special kind of excitement that comes with planning your first European getaway and for me, that excitement led straight to Barcelona.

With its coastal beauty, lively neighborhoods, and world-class food, Barcelona was already high on my list. But what truly drew me in was the art. The city is a living, breathing gallery from Gaudi’s surreal architecture to the hidden murals tucked into alleyways, every corner tells a creative story.

One of the highlights of my trip was booking my very first guided tour through GetYourGuide, and let me tell you, I don’t regret it for a second. I joined a small, welcoming group of travelers from all walks of life, and our guide was not only incredibly knowledgable but also genuinely interested in getting to know each of us. His energy and storytelling made the whole experience feel less like a lecture and more like a conversation between friends.

The focus of our tour? Picasso. I’d always admired his work, but walking through the streets he once knew and learning about his early life in Barcelona gave me a whole new perspective. I left that tour not just with photos and facts, but with a deeper understanding of how the city shaped him and how he, in turn, shaped the world of art.

From the colorful tiles of Park Güell to the walls of the Picasso Museum, Barcelona turned out to be more than just a weekend escape, it was the beginning of a journey, both artistic and personal.

What Traveling Solo in Europe Taught Me

Barcelona wasn’t just my first trip in Europe, it was also my first time traveling solo in Europe, and that experience came with lessons I didn’t expect.

I found confidence in the small wins: asking for directions from the hotel staff, asking for my picture to be taken from strangers, and even sitting alone for breakfast at a restaurant sipping on matcha while listening to my favorite podcast with zero shame. Traveling solo reminded me that being alone doesn’t mean being lonely and it means being open. Open to new conversations, new ideas, and most importantly, new versions of yourself.

If you’re heading to Europe for the first time and wondering where to begin, Barcelona is the perfect mix of history, culture, beauty, and inspiration. And if you’re on the fence about booking a tour trust me, do it. You’ll gain so much more than you expect.

Love, Dee