The 20 Best Places in Europe for Solo Travelers

I lived in Europe for over four years and during that time had the pleasure of exploring lots of it myself. I also hosted several of my solo traveling friends that passed through my home city, Berlin.

When considering our favorites and remembering which places we disliked or wanted to avoid in the future, it usually came down to how safe we felt, how social it was, and how welcoming the locals were.

With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of some of the best places to consider if you’re traveling alone to Europe, and I asked a few of my fellow solo female travel bloggers to share their favorites as well. Some suggestions are big cities and some are natural areas, from the coast to the mountains and everything in between.

These are the best spots for solo travelers in Europe:

1. Reykjavík, Iceland

Iceland is the ideal place to travel alone for three big reasons: it’s popular, so there are other solo travelers around; there are so many amazing things to do in Iceland; and it’s the safest country in the world.

When I was in Iceland, I noticed that the locals would leave their cars running when they went into the grocery store — that’s how much they trust each other!

I was also astounded by how often I had full cell phone coverage. I had initially planned on being disconnected the whole time while camping in Iceland, but in the end I felt like if anything happened while I was out driving on the Ring Road, it wouldn’t be too hard to find some help.

The only downside is that the cost of traveling in Iceland can be expensive. However if you stay in a hostel and do day trips from Reykjavík, you’re bound to find someone to split things like car rental costs with.

Check out my solo female traveler’s guide to Iceland for more info.

2. Berlin, Germany

As soon as I landed in this quirky and artistic city, I instantly felt like part of the energy and intrigue. So much so that I actually moved to Berlin and called it home for five years!

Because of its promise of fantastic night life and counterculture, lots of young people come here with the intention of socializing. Whether out at a bar or nightclub or while taking a free walking tour, I find that meeting people in Berlin is easy. No matter what kind of person you are and what you’re looking for, you can find your tribe here.

On top of that, Berlin is an especially great destination for women due to its strong feminist culture and inclusive atmosphere. The city is also home to a thriving LGBTQ+ community, with many bars, clubs, and events dedicated to celebrating diversity and acceptance. This progressive attitude also extends to women’s rights, making Germany a safe and empowering environment for female travelers.

Check out my guide on the best things to do in Berlin.

3. Granada, Spain

Sonja of Migrating Miss says: “I loved wandering around the city center in Granada, and felt safe even at night. It’s easy to make friends in hostels or even in bars, because everyone goes out for tapas, and you don’t feel out of place standing or sitting alone at a bar having a drink and some food, as opposed to needing to have a whole sit-down meal alone somewhere else.

“You can also visit the Alhambra and spend as much time there as you like without having to worry about anyone else! Since it’s a more touristy area of Spain, you don’t really need to worry about a language barrier either.”

4. Barcelona, Spain

Paula of Curly Hair Adventures says: “The cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia, Barcelona is the perfect place to visit if you’re a solo female traveler. Spain in general is an inexpensive country, and Barcelona is no exception — for food, shopping, and even using public transportation, it is a relatively cheap city to visit if you’re on a budget!

“Although Barcelona is big, it’s very safe — I traveled there solo last November and felt completely safe when I was out at night. I also believe it’s a great place to visit because of the rich history, art, food, culture, etc. There’s something for everyone to enjoy in Barcelona!”

5. Florence, Italy

Florence is not only one of the most beautiful cities in all of Italy, it’s also one of the best places for solo female travel! Smaller than Rome and Milan, it is very walkable and easy to navigate, making it just right for solo travelers. It’s also a hub of art, history, and culture, with world-renowned museums like the Leonardo da Vinci Museum and Uffizi Gallery.

Florence is generally considered a safe city for solo female travelers. I felt comfortable walking around alone, even at night, and never encountered any major issues.

Check out my Italy guide for more info.

6. Stockholm, Sweden

Jill of Reading the Book says: “Stockholm combines a pretty, walkable city center with a very safe, egalitarian environment. The streets are clean and tidy, and in this country where women have long been treated as equal to men, a solo woman is nothing to be remarked upon. 

“There is plenty to see and do: a historic center with lovely, winding streets, royal palaces to lose yourself exploring, and gorgeous islands a ferry ride away, where you can hike to your heart’s content or just sit on a rocky shoreline for hours with a good book, undisturbed.

“The light summer evenings mean it’s not dark until well after 10pm, making it a safe place to wander after dinner too. It’s somewhere I keep going back to.”

Check out my Sweden guide for more info.

7. Lisbon and Porto, Portugal

Namrata of Ecophiles says: “I’ve done a long solo trip across Europe during which, most of the time, I felt pretty safe. But Lisbon and Porto were special, because they’re extremely laid-back, and the people are very friendly.

As a solo traveler, I felt extremely safe — and there were so many random acts of kindness. I even spent a night couch-surfing with the loveliest family in the mountains surrounding Porto, who not only made me feel safe but very welcome.

“Lisbon and Porto are very budget friendly, the architecture is stunning, and the food is delicious. The bars and cafés in both have character. And the sunset in Lisbon is memorable — and free!”

When in Portugal, don’t miss out on visiting the Azores!

8. Glasgow, Scotland

Scotland is one of my favorite places to travel solo because of the approachable and friendly locals. No matter where you go, everyone is happy to help and offer guidance, making it easy and comfortable to navigate on your own.

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and has also been named one of the friendliest in the UK. It’s known for its street art, stunning Victorian architecture, and awesome nightlife. As a solo traveler, I loved exploring the city on foot and discovering hidden gems among the popular tourist spots.

Plus it’s the perfect jumping-off point to explore the rest of Scotland, a country that I’ve heard and seen from photos is breathtakingly beautiful. I can’t wait to go back and explore more of it someday.

9. Montenegro

Nina of Where in the World Is Nina? says: “As my plane was landing at the Podgorica airport, I was already gobsmacked. Montenegro looked gorgeous! I booked tickets here on a whim, without much of a plan, and within moments, I was patting myself on the back. Montenegro is full of friendly people, and I never at any point felt unsafe during my stay.

“I traveled up north in the Tara region to adventure down the canyon’s rapids, down to Ulcinj to chill on the beach, and hung out in the old city of Kotor. Prices were affordable, I had my own apartment with a sea view in Ulcinj for $23 USD a night (during shoulder season), and I ate a two-course meal with wine for $11 USD. Montenegro is a great place for solo women wanting some adventure or just a beach to chill out on.”

While in Montenegro, hike the Via Dinarica Trail!

10. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is a fantastic choice as a solo traveler. Communication with the locals is a breeze, because the Dutch are generally fantastic at English. It’s also pretty small and compact and therefore easy to get around.

It might seem scary at first, but I highly recommend renting a bike and exploring the city. Literally everyone gets around on two wheels here, and it’s such a fun and liberating experience. This is a great bike tour for an introduction to the city and its sights, as well as for getting a feel for navigating through the bustling streets.

In addition to biking, you can spend hours on end visiting the various art museums in Amsterdam — a perfectly delightful solo activity. If you go in the spring, be sure to enjoy the tulips as well.

Overall, there is a lot to do and a ton of potential to meet others in a place as popular as Amsterdam.

Oh, and you can get stroopwafels there — delicious caramel waffle cookie things. Need I say more?

11. Budapest, Hungary

Lola of Miss Filatelista says: “Budapest is a fantastic European city for solo female travelers. It’s incredibly budget friendly, with low-cost boutique accommodation, delicious local food and wine that is a fraction of the cost of other European capital cities, and wonderful experiences that are also affordable, such as thermal bath spa days, exploring ancient castles, walking in historic districts to admire architecture, and frolicking in beautifully maintained parks.

“I’ve been to Budapest alone twice and never felt threatened during my trips. I met many other solo female travelers on wine cruises on the Danube River and at the many ruin pubs.”

12. Belfast, Northern Ireland

The warmth and friendliness of the people in Northern Ireland are unmatched. Whether you’re up for a pint or not, simply stepping into a pub will almost always lead to making new friends.

Not only are the Irish friendly, but the city of Belfast is a fantastic launchpad for solo adventures, especially if you are a Game of Thrones fan! Other places worth checking out are the Belfast Castle and the Titanic Museum — yes, the Titanic itself was built right here!

There’s so much to this city that I never expected when planning my trip, and now I can’t wait to go back.

Check out my Ireland guide for more info.

13. Geneva, Switzerland

Victoria of Vic Advisor says: “I was drawn to the French Alps nearby, but thought that Geneva itself was actually just the right place for an independent trip (especially the first one), because it is a very international city, meaning you won’t feel out of place, no matter where you’re from. Most people speak English, so communication is not a problem.

“While Geneva is known for being an expensive place, public transportation is free (if you stay in a hostel or hotel), and the city is also filled with water pumps you can use.

“Finally, there’s plenty to do in Geneva, even for a short break, and you get a city, lake, and mountain break all at once.”

14. Zermatt, Switzerland

For those who love the mountains and hiking but don’t want to be on a trail all alone, heading to a popular area like Zermatt, located at the base of the famous Matterhorn peak, is a great option.

This small mountain village, an adventurer’s dream, offers a nice combination of solitude in the mountains and opportunities to meet like-minded travelers.

If your heart races at the thought of chasing waterfalls, adding Oeschinen Lake to your itinerary is a must! Just a stone’s throw from the well-trodden paths of Zermatt, this breathtaking lake surrounded by dramatic mountains is absolute paradise.

Check out my Switzerland guide for more info.

15. Avignon, France

Laura of Travel Addicts says: “I went there for my first solo trip after quitting my job to focus on the blog and my photography business. Avignon is a convenient and culture-filled destination in France’s Provence region. Its compact, walled center is easily walkable and bustling at most hours of the day with locals enjoying wine in the sidewalk cafés and squares or hanging out on trendy (and cobblestoned) Rue des Teinturiers.

“Must-visit spots include the vibrant indoor market, a distillery producing pear brandy (with the pears grown in the bottles), and the Palace of the Popes — now a UNESCO World Heritage that housed seven popes in the 1300s, when controversy caused the papacy to leave Rome. 

“Thanks to great train connections, Avignon is also an ideal location from which to explore nearby towns in Provence.”

16. Vienna, Austria

Situated in Central Europe, Vienna, the Austrian capital, is my favorite city in the country. The historic center is so packed with beautiful architecture, fascinating museums, old coffee houses, and baroque castles that it would literally take you weeks to see it all.

The MuseumsQuartier, in particular, is a great place not only to visit the city’s incredible museums but to meet other international travelers and locals as well.

Check out my Austria guide for more info.

17. Prague, Czech Republic

Veronika of Travel Geekery says: “Prague is a perfect destination for solo women, even for those just starting out. Of course, you still have to be cautious of your surroundings and not walk around drunk at night (even though I did that at a certain age), but overall, it’s very safe here.

“The public transport works great, and Uber does too, so you don’t have to rely on taxis. Plus, you can easily communicate in English in most places. Prague also offers plenty of cool hostels where you can meet like-minded travelers. It’s great to visit in any season, be it summer or winter.”

Prague is also one of the cheapest destinations!

18. Zagreb, Croatia

Croatia is one of those destinations that has skyrocketed in popularity over the years, with most travelers heading to places like Dubrovnik and Split. And while I love both of those cities, I actually think Zagreb is the ultimate solo travel destination in the country.

Not only are there activities and events going on all year long, but there is a great digital-nomad and expat community as well. Plus, with affordable accommodations, safety, and a laid-back lifestyle, it’s no wonder that many people consider it one of the best places to live in Europe.

19. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana is a wonderful destination for solo travel, as it is very safe and small enough to be explored on foot. One of the main reasons I love Ljubljana is because it feels like a hidden gem: it’s not as well known or touristy as other European cities, which adds to its charm.

You really only need a day or two to see all of the highlights of the city, but its location makes it a great jumping-off point to places like Lake Bled, Vintgar Gorge, and the Logar Valley. Oh, and Slovenia is one of the most affordable European countries, so you’ll definitely be getting more bang for your buck.

20. Finland

Finland stands out as an ideal spot for those venturing into solo travel for the first time, not just because of its beautiful scenery but also for being one of the safest corners of the globe for solo adventurers. The country has impressively low crime rates, the locals are super friendly, and most people speak great English, so there’s no need to worry about language barriers.

Whether you’re drawn to the historic streets of Helsinki, the charming coastal villages, or the Nordic wilderness, Finland is a match for travelers who love the outdoors and don’t mind chilly temps.

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While my search is far from over, those are a few of my and others’ favorites for traveling alone in Europe. These are places where I or they felt safer, had an easier time meeting people, and enjoyed the scenery or the city vibe the most.

What are some of your favorite spots?