Tips for traveling alone?

I'm considering going on a trip by myself this Christmas. I haven't exactly chosen where I'm going or if I'll even go at Christmas. I was considering maybe Paris or Barcelona or Lisbon and Porto.

But anyway, I was wondering if anyone here had gone on a trip by themselves and could offer any tips or ideas? Were you able to enjoy it? Did you run into any problems that would have been avoided if you had gone in a group?

Apparently I have the guts to sort out moving to a whole new country by myself but am a lot more nervous and cautious over a four day trip

I have a girlfriend who traveled to Cairo on her own. She got hassled quite a bit by the local men, even though she wore a ring that she thought looked like an engagement ring. 

I think you'd be fine in Paris or Barcelona on your own, but I'm not sure about the other two since I've never been!

I traveled alone when I was younger (I don't know how old you are, but I was in my mid-late 20s at the time). Granted, I did go to Ireland and Northern Ireland - so at least language wasn't an issue. I would have had no problem going to Paris or Barcelona back then - or now for that matter.

At the time, I was pretty poor, so stayed in nice hostels. By doing that, I met cool people and one of them is still a friend!

I think now, given I'm a little more aware of the dangers in the world, I'd probably stick with less off the beaten path places. But that said, when I was in Paris as a teenager and we had free time (I was with a group of girls), the lot of us got thoroughly groped by a bunch of pervs at the Pompideau Centre.

I've travelled on my own when I was in my mid-30s thru early 40s.  Like balmerhon I stayed in hostels.  Some were nice, some weren't.  I always made friends.  Sometimes I planned ahead, sometimes I totally winged it.  Things were easier when I planned ahead a bit more.  But for a four day trip I imagine it'll be easy enough to plan ahead.  Oh, and my traveling was to Ireland, N. Ireland, and England so language wasn't an issue.

Go for it!  I could kick myself for not doing it more when I was younger.  But I'm, I hope, making up for it now - although with DH, of course.  Lucky for me/us, we both <3 travelling more than just about anything else. 

Go for it. I love travelling alone.  No one to fight over where we should eat. No one to tell me I'm a loser if I feel like just heading back to the hotel with a bottle of wine instead of hanging out at the clubs all night.  Seeing what I want and when I want. 
Just keep your wits about you, make sure you have enough cash/credit cards/whatever as backup, and go with the flow.   

I travel frequently by myself and have done for the last 15 years.  Can't say that I've encountered any problems, but then I don't put myself in too many potentially dangerous situations.  The only time I've felt unsafe was when I was camping at in the mountains of North Carolina.  I felt exposed and vulnerable.

For evenings and nights, I stay in heavily trafficked areas.  Honestly, I spend most of my late evenings in my hotel room - usually because I'm tuckered by the end of the tourist day and because I just don't want to bother with night life.  If I go out, it's to a specific event.

I always carry a book for the moments when I feel a bit awkward - like waiting for food at a restaurant.  If you just act like you blend, then you blend.  I'm not worried if people are questioning why I'm there or making judgments about me, it's just how I battle my own boredom.

Avoiding eye contact is a good way to send off the signal that you are not easy prey (sorry, we're CLOSED   ), but by the same token if anyone makes me feel uncomfortable I'll just tell them to f*ck off and walk on.  Also, walking with purpose and regularly turning to look behind.  I'm not stupid enough to think that I can't be overpowered by someone intent on attacking me, but I always try to give off the body language that I'm a tough chick.    At night I only carry the cash I need, and I separate it into different pockets.

At all times I'm obsessive about checking on my wallet or other important stuff - if I carry a back pack my wallet is buried at the bottom of the main pocket.  

I am starting to consider group travel, not because I HAVE to have company but because it would be nice to have the option.  Particularly if I was going for an extended stay in an unfamiliar culture.  I like being able to do what I want when I want, but there are times that I'd trade that for some company.

If you are game, give it a go.  If you don't care for it, you can always go the group route next time.    

I have travelled quite a bit on my own...and loved it...London, Edinburgh, Paris, Corfu, and Malaga. If you are comfortable with going to a restaurant by yourself, or a pub/club...then it really is no problem. I practised going out on my own before I left the states, as I moved to England by myself as well. I found travelling on my own an amazing adventure and never felt lonely. Go, enjoy, it is such a freedom. (Oh..and I did this all in my 40's)

The first time I left the States, I travelled alone.  I went to Rome and had the best time of my life, but I do have to mirror what hollyberry mentioned.  Just be careful and stay alert.  The best way to not be bothered or feel out of place is to blend in as much as possible.  I blended in so well in Italy that I had a couple of Italians ask me for directions, but sadly, I don't speak Italian.   

I would just stay on your guard and use common sense (as you would in any big city...especially one you are unfamiliar with), but enjoy yourself.  You can meet some great people if you open yourself up to it.  I find it's easier sometimes when travelling by yourself.  I ended up meeting a guy from Norwich who's become a really good friend whilst in Rome.  Not to mention a woman from Australia and two girls from Chicago...all while I was on the same trip.   

Traveling alone is the best thing you can do for yourself.  I should know, I traveled around the world by myself for 20 months.  I went all over Europe (I've been to all but 3 countries on the continent) South East Asia, China, India, Russia and even a bit of the Middle East.

Besides the obvious things of not arguing with anyone, and doing just what you want when you want, you really get to know yourself.  I don't think that I would ever be as comfortable with who I am if I hadn't traveled. 

In Europe I mostly stayed in hostels.  I like to meet people so I usually picked places with bars, or active common areas.  In other parts of the world hotels are so cheap that I always had my own room.

All of the cities you mentioned would be nice places to be at Christmas.  I think Porto would be my first choice, but I did get 'stuck' there.  The Portuguese are really friendly and there is a lot to do.  You might also want to consider Saltzburg or Munich, the Christmas markets are amazing!

I just had a thought. Not sure if you're planning to travel over Christmas day, but be aware that countries that are strongly religious (like Spain) will close up shop for at least a couple of days. Touristy things like museums and such won't be open. In Ireland everything's closed on Christmas day and St Stephen's Day (aka Boxing Day). Public transportation is very, very limited if running at all on those days. It's not so bad when you live here, but if you're a tourist trying to find something to do you're out of luck.

I know it's been a while, but does anyone else have any experiences to share? Found the contributions very interesting so far

Hostels are wonderful but make sure to budget for a private room once every week or two if you're going on an extended trip. It means you'll get a good night's sleep and some privacy is a good break sometimes.

But staying in hostels will allow you to meet more people than staying a hotel, which is good.

You might also want to consider Saltzburg or Munich, the Christmas markets are amazing!

100% agree. I am dying to go to Salzburg when it snows. Mozart? Christmas lights? How festive!

I also concur with hostels. It's been 10 years since my solo western Europe adventure, however hostels were the way to go. Sites like hostelworld.com made it really easy. And as others have said, it's like you really aren't alone. And as a young woman, I felt really safe and almost always had dinner with new friends. Don't tell my DH, but I prefer traveling alone!

Barcelona is amazing. I stayed right by the Barri Gotic (sic?) off Las Ramblas and wanted for nothing. Great bars and restaurants. Heaving nightlife, though I never made it past 12am. And the Gaudi architecture! I did a Mike's Bikes tour that went by all the major sites, then ended the day at the beach. If you go, keep in mind the siesta. It really does leave a poor traveller stranded!

I would definitely recommend, no matter how cheesy it sounds, that when you get to a new city, do a city tour. It gets you oriented quickly. I might not be a fan of the open top bus type tour, but there are so many... get creative! You'll be an expert on wherever you go in no time.

Hostels are wonderful but make sure to budget for a private room once every week or two if you're going on an extended trip. It means you'll get a good night's sleep and some privacy is a good break sometimes.

But staying in hostels will allow you to meet more people than staying a hotel, which is good.

This!!

You will always find single travellers in a hostel and that's fun.  Though bring the ear plugs and and eye mask and a good lock and flip flops