Spain ranked best place in the world for solo travel

Travellers hoping to see the world on their own can find no better place for solo travel than Spain.

Getting away from it all to find one’s inner self is becoming ever more popular as people have greater disposable incomes, travel becomes cheaper and the world opens up.

But solo travellers thinking of heading to the traditional “inner journey” locations of Thailand, Cambodia or South America need not look so far from home because a new report has found that Spain is actually the best country in the world in which to travel alone…

The report by US News & World praised Spain’s security, variety, history and culture for making it a great place to explore without anybody else in tow.

“When it comes to being a solo tourist,” the report said, “many people think Spain is as good as it gets. There’s no need for a partner during a late night stroll by the Alhambra. Flamenco can be watched at a table of one. And tapas taste just the same alone as in a crowd.”

The report asked 16,000 people from across the globe to associate countries they have visited with certain strengths and attributes. This data was then categorised into various themes, including quality of life, power and adventure.

And while Germany won the “Best Country Overall” award – ahead of Canada, the UK, the USA and Sweden – Spain came second for cultural and historical attractions (Italy won that one), and the second best country for overseas study.

Spain was also third for being a “highly fun” place full of “adventure”, and scored a perfect 10 for having the best climate. Oddly, Spain scored lowly on “sexiness” – with Brazil winning that particular category – but Spain did rank as the fourth-best country for cultural influence, which included fashion and entertainment output gifted to the world.

However, as a country for those seeking to lose themselves and find themselves – free from the stresses of work and, well, other people – there really is nowhere better than Spain.