My sister backed out on our plan to visit Spain. However, I have wanted to see Spain since a dear friend told me about her trip back in 1979! I have made up my mind to go no matter what! I am planning to take a bicycle tour for one week, but have up to 2 more weeks to spend. I don't want to spend time traveling around hither and yon--but want to see as much of Andalusia as possible. My questions: How safe is it for a middle aged woman traveling alone (I really don't want to go on tour buses)? Anywhere that one would be particularly vulnerable? I am from a rather large city so know the basics of taking care of myself, but any tips would be appreciated!

Hi Toni, Well don't be too scared - it will ruin your holiday. Now as to public transport- it is as safe as safe can be and also very punctual. Deserted places at night could seem a little scary. I particularly remember feeling a little uneasy around the Alhambra at night ( there are great night tours in summer ) as the alhambra is up on a hilltop and is surrounded with a sort of forest, it is wise to keep to keep up with the other visiters when the tour is over do not at any cost remain to take pics or linger, etc. Granada is a great city. During the day its safe except that lots of gypsies handing romero and lots of beggars most of them make believe really bug everyone around. At night the area around the cathedral is OK again do not linger however they say that the busier part is full of pickpockets. I did not have any bad experiences in all Andalucia, however one is never careful enough. Sevilla was also quite safe especially the very center, el arenal and the barrio santa cruz even at 3.00 in the morning there were americans all over the place all night in groups. I was a wee bit weary around plaza de Espa�a and near parque de Maria Luisa at night but nothing happened and the few shady figures(seemed to me )kept to their own business. In Cordoba, the historical center was OK I was a bit uneasy near the Alcazar down by the ruins as we were trying to venture to the modern part of the city near avenida doctor fleming. Again maybe it was my impression, all we saw was a man with an alsation wearing a muzzle,on a leash, the man also carried a stick so suddenly I made up the worst scenario of the dog let free , pouncin on us and the man catching up and hitting us while the dog tore us apart....to rob our belongings ! this never happened...it was all my fertile imagination at work! These cities are great cities and there is too much beauty to miss I would do it again and enjoy it again If you find yourself alone in a place you do not like just stay at the edge of the curb and wave to a taxi they are very frequent , very reliable and very cheap, we were never cheated and they were all well behaved. . I say be cautious but enjoy every minute. Andalucia is a great place to be in !

Hi Toni, jer here. Chiara is so right on the money! (Thanks for the great advice Chiara). Your common sense is the best tool in this area. I would say that it is very safe to travel alone in Spain these days. Just avoid dark, solitary places late at night like the winding streets surrounded by a "bosque" (forest) that lead to the Alhambra. It is an enchanted place but not when you are alone there at 3am. The only definite NOT TO DO as a lone traveler would be to "hacer dedo" (to hitch hike), this is a DEFINITE NO NO but I am sure you already realize this (common sense again).
Have an AMAZING trip!
jer...
p.s. tell your "hermana" (sister) that she is going to miss out BIGTIME!
p.s.s. If you have not already booked your bike trip, check out www.puentespain.com, it is a friend of mine and she does a great job with the active tourism thing (has great biking routes). She also helps me with a lot of my site descriptions for multimadrid and is very knowledgable on Spain as a whole.

Thanks for the suggestions, I had the impression that it was relatively safe in Spain and that most crime is related to theft. Not such a concern for me--am not going to fight for a camera or a few pesetas.

About my bike tour, I have signed up with a group from Seattle here called Camino Tours. They have been very helpful and seem quite knowledgeable. They only do Spain (so obviously have good taste!). I will let you know in October if they are as competent as they appear.