Lorraine Williamson
Solo camping in Spain is climbing sharply, with bookings for one-person camping stays up 55% in the first weeks of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to data shared by Pitchup. That follows a 35% rise during 2025, suggesting this is no post-pandemic blip but a habit forming in real time.
The surprise isn’t that people want nature. It’s that more of them want it alone — deliberately, and often with comfort in mind.
A different kind of solo traveller
Pitchup’s founder, Dan Yates, describes a shift towards trips that feel more “intentional”, with travellers choosing flexible, personalised breaks that support curiosity and wellbeing.
That maps onto what many campers recognise: the modern solo pitch isn’t necessarily a lonely tent at the edge of a field. It’s a base for walking, reading, swimming, stargazing, or simply switching off, without having to negotiate the schedule with anyone else.
The gender shift is real
One of the most striking details in the data is the rise in women travelling alone. In 2025, women accounted for around 3% of solo bookings on Pitchup in Spain — roughly double the share recorded in 2019.
That’s still a small slice overall. But it signals a cultural change: solo camping is increasingly framed as independence rather than risk.
Spain is attracting solo campers — mostly its own
International travellers currently account for about 6% of solo camping bookings in Spain, indicating the surge is driven overwhelmingly by Spaniards.
That domestic tilt matters. It suggests solo camping is becoming a normal weekend choice, not just a niche holiday style for foreign visitors.
Comfort is part of the appeal, not an add-on
Camping in Spain isn’t limited to a basic plot and a roll mat anymore. The growing mix of glamping tents, cabins and upgraded facilities has made the outdoors feel more accessible to people who like nature but don’t love discomfort.
A parallel trend helps explain it. Searches for “adults-only” camping stays rose 30% in Spain, Pitchup data suggests, with travellers looking for quiet, wellbeing-focused spaces rather than family-heavy sites.
Why the timing makes sense in 2026
Spain’s camping boom fits a wider drift towards rural breaks and nature-led trips. Last summer, one analysis suggested demand for camping and mountain tourism in Spain surged strongly, reflecting a broader move away from city breaks as the default.
Add Spain’s range — coast, mountains, inland villages, national parks — and it’s easy to see why solo campers are choosing it as a low-friction reset.
How to choose a campsite when you’re travelling alone
Most campsites aren’t “built for solo travellers”, but some are more solo-friendly than others. Look for places that feel calm, well-lit, and clearly managed, with a reception presence and straightforward rules.
If you’re travelling alone for the first time, adults-only or smaller rural sites can be a gentler entry point. That’s especially true if you want light social contact without the pressure of group travel.
Why this is more than a travel fad
Solo camping is often explained as freedom. That’s part of it. But the data suggests something deeper: a growing appetite for breaks that aren’t performative, aren’t scheduled, and don’t require anyone’s approval.
Spain benefits because it already has the ingredients. Reliable infrastructure, plenty of established sites, and the kind of landscapes that reward slow travel.
Exploring the beauty of Spain: Unforgettable camping holidays
What this could change for Spain’s campsites
If solo camping continues to rise, expect campsites to respond quietly rather than loudly. More single-occupancy offers. More wellbeing programming. More “quiet zones”, adults-only options, and experiences designed for people who want both safety and autonomy.
For travellers, the message is simple: the solo pitch is no longer an outlier. In Spain, it’s becoming part of the mainstream.
Source: Europa Press