I uprooted my life at 33 to move to Barcelona. As a single woman, dating abroad has been a totally different experience.

• In January, I moved from Scotland to Spain to start the new year in a new place.
• Barcelona is a fun-loving, vibrant city, and I've had a fun time dating here.
• I feel like I can actually meet people organically instead of just swiping on apps.

At the beginning of 2025, I uprooted my life and moved to Barcelona.

I didn't specifically move for the Spanish dating scene, but as a single 33-year-old, it was definitely part of the draw of the fun-loving city.

I'm from Scotland, and dating in the UK was getting pretty monotonous. I'd swiped past the same random Glaswegian guys so many times that I'd have to reset Tinder.

After going on several dates over the last month and a half, here are some of the biggest differences I've noticed about dating abroad, so far.

I don't need an app to get a date

In the UK, it seemed like the only way I could get a date was by downloading a dating app like Hinge, Bumble, or Tinder. Even with the endless swiping, though, there was no guarantee.

Men in Scotland rarely approached me unless there was a lot of alcohol involved. It's not exactly fun when a guy is slurring into your ear that he wants to take you out.

In Barcelona, however, my experience being asked out has felt a little more civilized, for lack of a better word.

When I go out for tapas at one of the jam-packed vermuterias (like a wine bar but for vermouth) in the Gràcia area, I almost always end up chatting with the guys standing next to me at the bar.

Next thing I know, one of them is asking the server for his pad and pen, and I'm writing down my number so we can meet up next weekend.

When I am on the apps, Bumble is king

Meeting people organically in Barcelona has been significantly easier for me. However, that doesn't mean people here don't use (and find success) with dating apps.

According to some local friends I've made, the preferred dating app here is Bumble. I promptly downloaded it, and since doing so, it's also the place I've had the most success.

I've found that people I match with on Bumble are very quick to ask what I want. Am I looking for some fun? Do I want to hang out? Am I looking for a relationship?

This upfront, no-nonsense approach was refreshing. Things are just so much easier when everyone communicates and is on the same page.

I'm not trying to imply that I'll somehow be on the same page as everyone in Barcelona, but I don't need to be. Since these conversations have happened early and often, I know when to let people go on their merry way instead of being strung along.

The prospect of a dancing date was intimidating at first

In Glasgow, dancing was not a typical date option in my social circle. Typically, grabbing a pint or dinner was the go-to.

So, when a date in Barcelona asked me to go dancing at a salsa and bachata club, I was speechless.

Luckily, just knowing some basic steps was more than enough where we went. Everyone seemed like they were just there to have a good time.

After going, I can see why it's a more popular (and romantic) date option here.

I haven't paid for a single date in Barcelona

In the UK, most of my friends agree that you should split the bill on a date. They call me old-fashioned, but I prefer it when the man I'm with pays on our first date

Sometimes, it happened naturally without too much nudging on my end, but that wasn't the norm.

In Barcelona, though, when I try to put my money down, my purse is batted away. This may not be everyone's experience, but I'm not mad that it's been the trend for me so far.

After chatting to one of my dates about the phenomenon, he said that he thinks Latin men feel more inclined to spoil a woman while pursuing her.

I seem to be the only one going on 'solo dates'

Dating can be tiring, and sometimes, all I want to do is fly solo.

Taking myself to dinner is one of my favorite things to do — there's nothing better than treating yourself to some expensive wine and a delicious meal. I did it all the time in the UK, no questions asked, and often saw other people dining alone, too.

However, Barcelona seems to have a more sociable culture. Going out for a meal, in particular, is typically a shared event that lasts for hours — not something you do by yourself.

When I first started taking myself out for tapas and wine in Barcelona, the wait staff would often ask when my boyfriend was going to turn up.