The Best Solo Travel Destinations in Europe: A City-By-City Guide
This site contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Associates Program. At no additional cost to you, I may receive a commission from these links. I only make recommendations based on my experience. See my Disclosure Policy for more info.
Planning a solo trip to Europe and feeling overwhelmed about which city is safe and enjoyable?
I see people constantly searching on social media for the best places to solo travel in Europe, especially female travelers, and I’ve asked this exact question myself.
It’s a serious concern, as there are a couple of places I’ve wanted to leave due to feeling unwelcome and high costs, but there are ten times as many places I’ve loved and would happily return to.
I’ve visited 29 European countries in the last 10+ years, with about two-thirds of those trips solo, so I can honestly tell you which cities I’d recommend.
Whether this is your first trip alone or you’re finally just crossing the pond, I’ll share my experiences in these European cities, including how safe I felt, walkability, ease of public transportation, the social scene, and costs, so you can determine which destination truly fits you.
I’ll even tell you which places I would reconsider visiting again.
How I Chose These Cities: My Criteria for Solo Travel Through Europe
Safety
Safety in general is obviously very important, but even more so if you’re looking to do solo female travel in Europe.
Europe, in general, is very safe, but you will need to go in prepared, especially if you’re visiting some of the more popular cities, such as Paris and Barcelona, where pickpocketing is highly prevalent.
I highly recommend getting yourself an anti-theft purse for Europe before you go so that you have protection for your valuables.
You should also apply all general safety rules you’d even use at home, such as not walking down dark alleys.
I know some women have mentioned unwanted attention in certain cities. I have never experienced that, except for in Istanbul, which I discuss in my solo female travel tips post.
Walkability & Public Transportation
You don’t want to waste your trip on spending loads of time getting to and from places, so walkability and public transportation options are key to maximizing your time.
Luckily, most European cities are well-connected and easy to reach by train or bus.
The only time I actually haven’t moved from one to another by one of those means is when I’m traveling quite a distance, e.g., from Prague to Copenhagen, or if the train or bus route would be too complicated, like when I went from Luxembourg to Montreux.
My favorite app for booking transport in Europe is Omio. I used it extensively during my 4.5-month trek across Europe last year and highly recommend it to those planning a solo trip.
📲 Check out my list of 30 useful solo travel apps (with offline options)!
Social Scene
A social scene where you can easily meet others is essential while solo traveling through Europe, as it gives you a chance to meet people from around the world.
It’s actually one of my favorite things about solo travel, the opportunity to meet others from different walks of life.
However, you do have to put in a bit of work to meet others and shouldn’t expect people to just spontaneously find you.
Some of my favorite ways to meet others are at hostels, social apps such as TimeLeft, and the friend app Bumble BFF (which is where I met my travel buddy in Barcelona).
Cost
Europe definitely isn’t as cheap as some destinations, but there are affordable options.
And honestly, sometimes the cost is worth it, even if being solo is a con for financial reasons.
London was my first love and remains one of my favorite cities, but it’s also costly. However, to me, with all its things to do, it’s worth it!
This is something you’ll have to weigh for yourself.
I rate all the best places for solo travel in Europe below, on a scale of four $$$$—$ is cheap, $$$$ is expensive.
The Best Solo Travel Destinations in Europe
I have visited each of these cities personally, solo, and would recommend them to first-time solo travelers.
There are a bunch of other cities I also love, such as Salzburg and Ljubljana, but as I wasn’t alone on those excursions, I haven’t mentioned them here.
So please don’t assume that if you don’t see your city in question, it’s bad for solo travel. It just means I haven’t been there or haven’t been there alone, so thus cannot personally recommend it as one of the best places to solo travel in Europe.
1. Belfast
Best for those who love pub culture
I adore Belfast SO MUCH, which is why it’s #1 on this list of the best places to solo travel in Europe.
I went in with little expectations beyond knowing it was home to the Titanic Museum and the Game of Thrones studio tour, but I was blown away by how friendly the people were.
I found loads of things to do for fairly affordable prices (for the UK), tons of people to hang out with, and lots of great places to eat that didn’t feel awkward when asking for a table for one.
🦺 Safety: I felt safe even at night in Belfast, however, I stayed in the Cathedral District which is a popular area and near a university so those certainly upped my feeling of security.
🚶♀️ Walkability/Public Transport: The city is small enough that you likely won’t use the transit system often. I only used it to get to the airport and up to Belfast Castle.
👋 Social Scene: Belfast Brunch is a great place for women to connect with others, especially millennials, as they’ll play all the tunes you know. Or head to a local pub for some music and company; some teach Gaelic (Grace O’Malley’s) while others play pop tunes on ukuleles (Deer’s Head), and some do trivia (I won even while solo at Revolución De Cuba Belfast)! Either way, it’s a jolly good time.
💰 Cost: $$
2. Budapest
Best for budget-travelers
Budapest hadn’t been much of a priority for me until about three different people I’d met along my 4.5-month trek through Europe were shocked when I told them I hadn’t yet visited.
Honestly, they were 1000% right, I loved Budapest as it’s steeped in history, has a thriving social scene, glorious food options (get goulash and Turkish eggs), and is really walkable.
I spent only a few days there, but I would go back in a heartbeat because I adored it so much.
🦺 Safety: I felt safe throughout my time in Budapest. I walked the Danube by myself and even attended night events, such as a Danube cruise and a Sparty (spa-party) at the famous Széchenyi Bath, alone.
🚶♀️ Walkability/Public Transport: The city isn’t super small, but since most of the main attractions are centrally located, you’ll have no trouble getting around on foot. Many of my hostel mates used the metro, while I used the bus.
👋 Social Scene: Find one of the social hostels, such as the Loft Hostel, for the best experience. It’s my favorite hostel I’ve stayed in by far, and that’ll 100% due to the vibe they set, which is welcoming, so you don’t feel awkward staying out until 2 am with your fellow travelers. I also met people at bars, like Hoff House, and during activities.
💰 Cost: $
Plan Your Trip to Budapest
3. London
Best for newbie solo travelers
As I mentioned, London was my first love, only recently unseated by Belfast and Budapest, but as an Anglophile, I’ll always adore it.
It’s a great place if you’re just starting to solo travel through Europe, as they speak English, several easy day trips depart from London, the Tube is one of the best metro systems in the world, and the sheer volume of free museums means you can fill an entire week without spending much at all.
It’s impossible to be bored here, especially at night, as you have options from £5 Shakespeare plays to incredible West End performances to Jack the Ripper walking tours.
🦺 Safety: I’ve wandered London’s streets plenty of times at night with no issues at all. The only time I’d recommend being super vigilant is on public transport in case of pickpockets.
🚶♀️ Walkability/Public Transport: The city is expansive, but the tube and bus system make it super manageable as there isn’t an inch of London you can’t reach by one of the two means.
👋 Social Scene: Find a social hostel, such as Prime Backpackers Angel, if you’re looking for the party scene. If not, YHA London Central is the best good-vibes, but not crazy-party hostel I’ve stayed in. Otherwise, sign up for apps such as TimeLeft or head out to pubs in places like Soho.
💰 Cost: $$$$
Plan Your Trip to London
4. Dublin
Best for those who crave comfort
Dublin was the first city I visited solo, and honestly? It’s one of the easiest places to begin doing solo travel through Europe.
Everyone speaks English, the pub culture makes it nearly impossible to feel lonely, and the city is small enough that you won’t spend half your day figuring out the transit system.
It’s not the cheapest European capital, but it punches above its weight for sheer ease and the fun atmosphere you’ll find on every corner, from Trinity College to Kilmainham Goal.
🦺 Safety: I felt perfectly safe in Dublin, no matter the hour, as this city is always thriving, especially in the city center. However, on my 2nd solo trip, I was warned that crime has risen a bit, so just be a bit more aware of your surroundings.
🚶♀️ Walkability/Public Transport: Almost all the popular attractions are very walkable. From what I’ve listed on my 2-day Dublin itinerary, the furthest distance is only 2.2 miles on level ground! I only used public transport to get to the airport.
👋 Social Scene: Pop into nearly any pub (O’Donoghues Bar is very popular), and you’ll find someone willing to chat. I’ve struck up so many conversations with Irish folks I can’t even begin to count. I highly recommend heading to a place with live music, as those in attendance are looking for a good time. I found my hostel mates at Generator Dublin, happy to hang out, as well as a few people I met on the Paddywagon tour to the Cliffs of Moher.
💰 Cost: $$$
Plan Your Trip to Dublin
5. Amsterdam
Best for art lovers
Amsterdam is compact enough to navigate on foot or by bike (I’m awful on a bike, so I exclusively walked), the locals speak impeccable English, and the whole city has an easy, unhurried energy that makes wandering alone feel almost romantic.
That is, until you accidentally wander into De Wallen, Amsterdam’s oldest and largest red-light district, like I did in the morning, and are shocked to see what I came to call “day ladies.”
I had no idea ladies of the night also worked in the day!
Aside from that, the canal neighborhoods are genuinely beautiful to walk through, and the museum scene is excellent (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh), and there is tons of history.
🦺 Safety: I felt perfectly safe in Amsterdam; however, I didn’t wander around too much at night aside from the Red Light tour I took, simply because it is known as a bit of a party town due to De Wallen and its stance on marijuana, which means a lot of stag parties wandering about.
🚶♀️ Walkability/Public Transport: Almost all the popular attractions are very walkable, and even those that aren’t, the tram is super easy and affordable to use!
👋 Social Scene: I found friendly people on tours, lots of girl groups in bachelorette or hen parties, willing to chat. I also enjoyed a bar called Dutch Courage so much that I went twice in only a few days, as the bartenders and patrons were friendly. I stayed in a hostel here since Amsterdam is so expensive, but I didn’t really connect with anyone there surprisingly.
💰 Cost: $$$$
6. Liverpool
Best for music fans
I hadn’t originally intended to visit Liverpool, but on a recommendation from a woman I met in Poland who lives in Bristol, England, I ventured there.
And the city wound up surprising me. Like she’d told me, it’s very lively and a great place to meet others. I spent one night hopping from bar to bar with people I met along the way!
Aside from my Beatles pilgrimage, Scousers are famously chatty, which helps if you’re eating alone or sitting at a bar, as you will not be alone for long.
It’s also incredibly affordable by UK standards, the waterfront area is stunning, and the music history runs deeper than just John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
🦺 Safety: I was perfectly safe wandering the streets of Liverpool! I did, at first, feel a little guarded as the area I was staying in had a lot of young men standing on street corners, but they never bothered me.
🚶♀️ Walkability/Public Transport: I walked everywhere in Liverpool as it’s fairly centrally located. The only time I took public transport was to get to Chester nearby for a day trip, and that was simple enough.
👋 Social Scene: I never found myself lonely for long, no matter where I went, whether that was the Cavern Club (made famous by the Beatles) or the Carpathia Bar & Restaurant, which is in the building where the Titanic’s sinking was announced.
💰 Cost: $$
7. Berlin
Best for history lovers and club-goers
The history in Berlin alone could fill a week: the remnants of the Wall, the Topography of Terror, Checkpoint Charlie, and Museum Island.
But Berlin also has this restless creative energy that makes it feel timeless—making it one of the best solo travel destinations in Europe.
While I didn’t get brave enough to go out partying at night in one of the famous clubs, I did enjoy wandering around the city, exploring the museums, and trying the wide array of food options, as you can find nearly anything here—from Lebanese to Vietnamese.
🦺 Safety: I felt safe in Berlin and found people to be extremely welcoming. I only didn’t go out to the clubs at night because 1) I’m not a club person, 2) I was recovering from shin splint pain after a week ascending castles, 3) I was a bit chicken, but I do think I’d give it a go when I return.
🚶♀️ Walkability/Public Transport: From the adorable caravan hotel I was staying at, there wasn’t a ton super close, but the Berlin U-Bahn is so easy to use that I got around the city effortlessly.
👋 Social Scene: From the fact that everyone greeted me as if they knew me, from the guy on the U-Bahn to the man making my breakfast at the hotel, I never for one second felt lonely in Berlin.
💰 Cost: $$
8. Barcelona
Best for foodies and architecture nerds
Barcelona is a gorgeous destination, and while yes, I consider it one of the best places to solo travel, I say that with a big caveat that pickpocketing is highly common here, so you need to be on your guard.
Before I departed for Barcelona, everyone I knew who’d been before said they had something stolen, and even while I was there, the table next to me had a bag stolen (though they left it behind and then came back to find it gone).
But aside from that, it has a walkable city center, excellent tapas, world-class architecture (I’m in love with Gaudí’s Casa Batlló), and enough events that you’ll never be short of company if you want it.
🦺 Safety: Aside from bringing an anti-theft purse with me, the Thafael bag is adorable if you’re looking for a stylish one, I was comfortable walking around Barcelona even at night.
🚶♀️ Walkability/Public Transport: Almost all the popular attractions are very walkable, except Park Güell, which I did walk to, but it was a hell of a hike. Because of the pickpockets, I stayed off public transport and took Uber instead, which was pretty affordable.
👋 Social Scene: I met my travel buddy here on Bumble BFF, but also found a couple of dates through apps, one of which took me to a board game meetup. So even if you’re not looking for a date, I’d highly recommend Meetup.com to find people to help you not feel lonely in Barcelona.
💰 Cost: $$$
Plan Your Trip to Barcelona
9. Edinburgh
Best for history and book lovers
Edinburgh has become synonymous with Harry Potter due to the novels being written here, and you will run into some sort of Potterhead shop or walking tour at some point.
However, it offers much more than that: it’s compact, the architecture is dramatic, every street is soaked in history, and for those who like the macabre, like myself, you won’t be disappointed by sites such as Greyfriars and Surgeon’s Hall Museum.
The Old Town boasts cobblestones, closes, a castle on a volcanic rock, and I found so much to do here that even the two weeks I visited weren’t enough time to see it all.
🦺 Safety: I felt safe in Edinburgh, no matter the hour, as the city center always has some people wandering around, even in the rain, and the narrow closes are well-lit.
🚶♀️ Walkability/Public Transport: I took the tram a few times to get around, but mostly walked, even though I wasn’t staying right in the center, but instead a bit outside of Old Town. The tram is easy enough to use and affordable. It’s also more reliable than Uber, as I got a bit stuck at Rosslyn Chapel while trying to get a ride to Craigmillar Castle. I was trying to make it to the latter before closing time, but since the ride share kept being evasive, I missed out.
👋 Social Scene: I did TimeLeft while I was here and met some nice people. However, I think staying at a hostel instead of the student housing I stayed in would have allotted me more quality time with other travelers.
💰 Cost: $$$
10. Seville
Best for those wanting romantic views
Seville is the kind of city that makes solo travel feel romantic rather than solitary.
It’s warm, beautiful, and as a Game of Thrones fan, I was dying to see Dorne in real life.
Aside from the stunning Real Alcazar, there’s the Seville Cathedral, and its Giralda, which is well worth the climb to see out over the city.
There’s also flamenco shows you can attend, delicious tapas restaurants, and loads of sangria to sip while looking out at the sunset.
It’s not as busy as Barcelona, so if you want a more low-key Spanish city, Sevilla is the ticket!
🦺 Safety: I felt so safe in Seville, even with the narrow streets in Barrio Santa Cruz, where my hotel was, because the pathways were so well-lit.
🚶♀️ Walkability/Public Transport: Almost all the popular attractions are walkable. I only took an Uber to the airport and hopped on a bus tour to Granada for the day; otherwise, I was on foot.
👋 Social Scene: I really loved the rooftop bars in Seville, especially Pura Vida Terraza, as I would just get a glass of sangria and sip it as I watched the city light up. People were very kind, and even going to the flamenco shows alone wasn’t weird.
💰 Cost: $$
Plan Your Trip to Seville
11. Lisbon
Best for history buffs and foodies
Lisbon has become one of Europe’s biggest solo travel magnets, and for good reason. It’s affordable by Western European standards, the hostel scene is excellent, and the city is beautiful, making it one of the best places to solo travel in Europe.
The pastéis de nata, the numerous museums (from the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda to the Convento do Carmo Archaeology Museum), and the super-easy day trip to Sintra to see its magnificent castles, all make Lisbon an epic destination.
Those looking for a laid-back trip can’t go wrong solo traveling through Lisbon. Just factor in that you’ll need to be at least a little fit, as those hills are genuinely steep.
🦺 Safety: I visited Lisbon in September 2021 so it was still recovering from COVID and a little empty. However, I felt super safe and know plenty of people who’ve chosen to be digital nomads here that feel the same.
🚶♀️ Walkability/Public Transport: Most things are walkable, but to save yourself the exertion, I Ubered to the attractions furthest uphill, then worked my way down by foot. I didn’t go on one of the famous trams because they were packed!
👋 Social Scene: Honestly, I didn’t try too hard to meet people here because I’d just come from a family trip island-hopping through Greece, so the quiet was nice. However, the people I interacted with were kind, especially at the Time Out Market, which I visited a few times.
💰 Cost: $
Plan Your Trip to Lisbon
12. Luxembourg
Best for convenience
Luxembourg City is one of Europe’s most underrated solo stops, mostly because people treat it as a day trip from Brussels or Paris rather than a destination in its own right.
That’s a shame, because it’s genuinely stunning! A fortified old town perched above deep river gorges, surprisingly walkable, and it boasts interesting attractions such as the Casemates du Bock, cliff fortifications you can walk through.
It’s expensive, there’s no getting around that, but the city is small enough, and the public transport is 100% free, so that helps offset some of the costs.
🦺 Safety: Luxembourg is so chill because it’s not a hot spot, so I think I would have been safe just about anywhere.
🚶♀️ Walkability/Public Transport: Most popular attractions are within walking distance. Otherwise, public transport is completely free and super easy to use!
👋 Social Scene: By the time I got to Luxembourg on my 4.5-month trek through Europe, I felt a bit under the weather, so I didn’t go out and try to make friends here. Instead, I rested any second I had, so it’s hard for me to judge on social dynamics. But the few people I did chat with on public transport were kind.
💰 Cost: $$$
13. Stockholm
Best for history lovers
Stockholm is wonderful, but also expensive; however, I feel it is worth the money.
The city is beautiful, boasts an attraction I loved so much I went twice (the Vasa ship), and is home to ABBA, but also some epic history that makes even just a walk through it worthwhile.
Even though it’s spread across fourteen islands, it wasn’t complicated to traverse at all, except for the bus that was supposed to come with my GoCity card, which never showed up (it was January, though).
Again, the city is expensive, but learning about the Vikings in the Viking Museum and touring the Nobel Prize Museum, all while eating delightful dishes such as Swedish meatballs and fika, are well worth it.
🦺 Safety: I felt so safe in Stockholm and even went on a ghost tour of Gamla Stan at night, which was thoroughly entertaining.
🚶♀️ Walkability/Public Transport: As the hop on hop off bus never materialized and it was 30 degrees out and frequently snowing I relied on Uber while there, but could have easily opted for public transport. I was just being lazy!
👋 Social Scene: After spending nearly two weeks with my travel buddy in London and Rovaniemi, I was embracing the alone time a bit, but I did enjoy talking to people at my hostel, Generator Stockholm, which hosted events and had areas for mingling.
💰 Cost: $$$
14. Bratislava
Best for budget-travelers
Bratislava often gets dismissed as the “easy day trip from Vienna” city, and that’s genuinely unfair.
Yes, it’s small, and you can walk the old town in an afternoon, but it’s also charming, affordable, and has a scrappy, unpolished energy that feels refreshing as it’s not overhyped.
I adored the museums and castles here, namely Devin Castle, but actually found myself much more intrigued with the culinary and bar scene here as I went to one of the top bars in the world, Mirror Bar, and had a blast!
For solo travelers, the low cost is a real draw, and the compact size means you’re never far from anything. It works well as a two-night stop on a longer solo trip through Eastern Europe, rather than as a destination on its own.
🦺 Safety: I was so safe in Bratislava, even while walking along the Danube at night! There are always people around, and it’s well lit, especially in the Old Town.
🚶♀️ Walkability/Public Transport: Most popular attractions are within walking distance. I only took public transport to get to Devin Castle.
👋 Social Scene: I struck up conversations easily with people at bars here. I wish I’d done some more events or apps, as I feel like it would have been a blast just based on the interactions I had.
💰 Cost: $
Destinations I’d Hesitate to Visit Solo Again
1. Zurich
There’s nothing inherently wrong with Zurich, but it is EXPENSIVE.
I did enjoy visiting the Lindt Home of Chocolate and Kunsthaus Zürich, as well as trying fondue at Hotel Adler Zürich‘s restaurant, Swiss Chuchi Restaurant, but it just wasn’t enough to justify the cost for me.
Actually, I preferred my day trips from this city to the Abbey Library of St Gall and Liechtenstein, where staying in either place probably would have been cheaper.
I did feel safe, but transport was a bit difficult without their official app. And I was kinda afraid of going out just because of the cost it would incur.
2. Rome
I really enjoyed my time in Rome and even walked around at night by myself, but I visited in 2015, and since then, I’ve heard some horror stories from people I know. The worst of which was a mugging on the metro by knife-point.
Now, I’m not saying everyone should avoid Rome, but I wouldn’t take public transport here. Instead, do what I did and use the hop-on, hop-off bus as your transportation.
Also, bring some sort of anti-theft gear, such as bags, phones, and basically anything you’re wearing, is up for grabs by theives.
The popular attractions are mostly centrally located, but some would be a lengthy walk. As far as the social scene, I enjoyed hanging out with my hostel mates at the Comics Guesthouse.
Plan Your Trip to Rome
3. Oslo
Like Zurich, there is nothing wrong with Oslo, it’s just very expensive.
My cousin is from there, and I spent a few days solo in the city before she arrived. While there are some great museums, such as the Kon Tiki, Fram Museum, and Nobel Peace Museum, overall, it didn’t wow me.
My cousin even warned me before I came that the food isn’t great and she’s right. And for the prices I paid, that was hella disappointing.
However, I did feel safe, and people were nice and helpful, especially when I arrived after the public transport my cousin told me to take had closed, and I had to find another way to my hostel.
Oslo itself is walkable, but because of the prices, I stayed on the outskirts at a hostel to save some cash and wound up taking public transport a lot.
A lot of families were there, so not many people to connect with, and since alcohol is really costly here, I didn’t find myself out at bars chatting like I usually do.
4. Krakow
I liked Krakow, but I don’t feel it’s great for solo travel.
The aforementioned woman from Bristol and her family, whom I met on a tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Salt Mine, are wonderful people, but without them I would have been eh about Krakow.
I also got yelled at at Wawel Cathedral for taking a photo.
I didn’t know I couldn’t take photos, and a tour guide lost it on me even though I apologized, which put a strong damper on my experience, as I was fearful someone else might react similarly again.
It also just didn’t feel like a warm place. No one aside from him was mean; it just wasn’t overtly welcoming.
As for safety, I felt safe aside from that guide and walked around most of the time because my hotel was centrally located.
I hung out with the family I met and a guy I met on the plane (though he kinda got weird). I also ventured into more social activities, like vodka tastings at Wódka Cafe Bar, which was enjoyable but would have been even better with a friend.
Related Solo Travel Guides
- First Time Traveling Alone? Female Advice on How to Enjoy It
- The Best Places to Solo Travel in Europe: City-By-City Guide
- Is Solo Travel Lonely? Sometimes—Here’s How to Deal with it
- 30 Best Apps for Solo Travelers: Safety, Savings & Community
- How to Plan a Solo Trip: My Step-by-Step Guide for Women
- 13 Pros & Cons of Solo Travel You Need to Know Before Booking—Female Traveler Advice
- How to Meet People When Traveling Alone: 10 Ways I’ve Loved
- 15 Solo Female Travel Tips I’ve Learned Over 10+ Years to Help You Stay Safe
Want to remember this? Pin this The Best Places to Solo Travel in Europe: City-By-City Guide article to your favorite Pinterest board!
