Best European Cities For Solo Travel
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12 Best European Cities For Solo Travel
Solo travel, particularly for the first time, can be a little daunting, but there are numerous European cities that are very welcoming to all visitors. The best European cities for solo travel allow you to set your own schedule and pace, so you can take 100% responsibility for your trip and simply roam around, immersing yourself in the things that interest you. So, whether you’re interested in history, culture, or cuisine, below are the best cities in Europe for the solo traveler along with some travel tips.
Are you one of the many people heading to Europe for a summer vacation? Make sure you check out the perfect packing list for Europe in summer.
1. Valencia, Spain
Valencia is one of the most popular cities for all visitors, but it is particularly welcoming for those traveling alone. If you’re wondering “is Valencia worth visiting?”, you need to appreciate that this is the third largest city in Spain, yet the old part of the city is very pedestrian friendly.
The city has an abundance of history, urban art, museums, stunning architecture, and some cultural wonders. In fact, you’ll find most of the must-see attractions in Valencia in the Historic Center, including the Valencia Cathedral, the Plaza de la Virgen, the Central Market, and the Silk Exchange (la Loncha.) If you’re staying near the Historic Center, you should find it simple to walk to almost all of the attractions.
However, Valencia also has a fantastic public transport system. So, if you’re not keen on lots of walking, you can buy a pass that will allow you to use the metro and bus network.
Want to get a taste of what Valencia has to offer? Check out this 3 day Valencia itinerary.
As with most cities found in the best Spain tourism guides, you’ll also find Valencia a superb destination for foodies. There are some delicious regional specialties, but dining out is quite inexpensive compared to many other European cities. You can find a seat at the bar or join a group to enjoy a mouthwatering dining experience.
2. Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is actually built on 14 interconnecting islands with 57 bridges spanning the city. This creates a beautiful city for architecture lovers, but Stockholm is also packed with history and culture, with walkable neighborhoods, friendly locals and delicious cuisine.
Stockholm is considered to be one of the safest cities in the world, so it is great for those traveling alone. You can wander through the neighborhoods at your own pace and absorb yourself in the scenic waterways and stunning architecture. You could also take a walking tour, which allows you to get an introduction to the city and meet some fellow travelers.
There are a number of free tours, but make sure you choose one that includes the Old Town, Gamla Stan. This is a lovely neighborhood filled with cobblestone streets, charming cafes, and some colorful buildings that will look great on your social media feed.
However, if you want to get a true feel of Stockholm’s history and culture, make sure you visit the Kungliga Slottet or Royal Palace. This is the official Swedish royal family’s residence and has an impressive exterior. You can also take a guided tour to explore the sumptuous interior.
3. Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Edinburgh is one of the best cities for traveling alone. Edinburgh solo travel is safe and easy and there are plenty of fun things to do in Edinburgh. For Harry Potter fans, you’re sure to appreciate that this medieval city inspired JK Rowling to create the book series. You can even visit the cafe where JK wrote much of the story and the hotel where she finished the final book. If you wander the Greyfriars Kirkyard, you can spot graves with some familiar names, including Thomas Riddle, Margaret Louisa Scrymgeour Wedderburn, and William McGonagall.
Don’t worry if you’re not a Harry Potter fan, as Edinburgh has far more to offer. The city has an imposing castle, cute coffee shops, luscious parks, and narrow alleyways nestled between two hills.
While Edinburgh is not the cheapest city to visit on this list, there is a large university in the city, with plenty of bars, restaurants, and cafes offering great food and drinks to suit a student’s budget.
You can also use Edinburgh as a base to explore the city, including Outlander-themed tours, a visit to St Andrew's or even discovering the Highlands.
4. Florence, Italy
Florence is an incredible destination for art, food, and wine lovers, without the tourist trap venues you often find in Rome and Venice. You can enjoy some delicious food without breaking the bank, especially if you enjoy street food or walking the city with a gelato in hand.
The city itself is completely walkable. Although some of the popular sights can get crowded, even if you’re walking near Ponte Vecchio or the Duomo, you can find some quiet streets. Florence also feels safe for solo travelers with some wonderful coffee shops and restaurants where you won’t feel self-conscious sitting alone. The city is also home to some stunning must-see sights, including museums, cathedrals, and plazas. If you’re interested in art, make sure the Uffizi is on your itinerary. This world-famous gallery is home to Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and other stunning Renaissance art, housed in a fantastic building designed by Giorgio Vasari. So, you can spend your days absorbed in art and culture, enjoying pizza, pasta, and other Italian delicacies.
5. Vienna, Austria
Vienna is one of the best cities to travel alone. With its elegant cafe culture, magnificent museums, imperial architecture, and classic music scene, Vienna is a superb destination at any time of the year. Their public transportation system is also one of the best in Europe.
Vienna is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Belvedere Palace, which is where you’ll find Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss on display. There is also the Schloss Schönbrunn Imperial Palace and the Kunsthistorisches Museum containing a vast collection that spans from Ancient Rome to the Renaissance.
You’re sure to fall in love with this beautiful city that can fulfill visitors aesthetically, culturally, and historically. You can easily spend one week in Vienna wandering the city, visiting museums, and refreshing yourself in quaint cafes.
If you’re traveling in Winter, try to time your visit to Vienna for late December. You can see one of the city’s charming Christmas markets and enjoy glühwein or mulled wine along with a plate of the local specialty Bratkartoffeln to warm up.
6. Copenhagen, Denmark
One of the most interesting facts about Copenhagen is that Copenhagen is consistently ranked in the top 10 happiest cities in the world. It’s a great city to explore alone. It has an extremely low crime rate, welcoming locals and old-world charm. The historic city center has cobbled streets and colored gabled houses with a variety of bars, restaurants and shops.
There are a number of things that you can do in Copenhagen as a solo traveler. Any visit to the city must include seeing The Little Mermaid, the four-foot-tall statue is a tribute to the fairy tale and ballet, and attracts over a million tourists a year. You could also take a canal cruise between Nyhavn and Ved Stranden to get a different perspective of the city. However, the city itself is quite compact, making it easy to wander around on foot throughout your stay.
7. Lisbon, Portugal
There are few cities in the world that are as nice for solo travelers as Lisbon. Lisbon is one of Europe’s oldest cities dating back to 1300 BCE and this walking-friendly city has something to offer visitors of all ages.
You can simply stroll around the city and soak in the sights or take a walking tour to get a better understanding of the city. This includes paintings, pictures, and statues of Fernando Pessoa or learning about the Carnation Revolution where peaceful protestors carrying red carnations overthrew a dictator.
Lisbon is a fairly large city, but it has a full and rich history. The historic center is walkable, but you do need to be prepared for some steep hills. If you get tired, there is ample public transport including trains, trams, and buses to help you navigate the city.
8. Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik has some of the friendliest locals in the world and the Icelandic capital has lots more to offer solo travelers. Although this is the smallest city geographically on this list, there is a varied choice of cuisine, including a thriving vegan scene and plenty to see and do. The small size makes it very easy to explore this city on foot and you can even take a walking tour. Reykjavik has unique architecture, street art, world-class cuisine, and easy access to spectacular Icelandic wildlife experiences and day trips. Almost everything in the city is accessible in English and you’ll find many locals also speak English.
Nature lovers are sure to appreciate the city lake Reykjavikurtjorn, or Tjornin for short. This lake has a wide variety of bird species and in winter, when the lake freezes, you can skate or cross on foot.
North of the lake is Austurvollur Square, where people gather, especially in summer, to drink and sunbathe in the midnight sun. The square is also a venue for public gatherings, concerts, and celebrations.
9. Munich, Germany
Munich has a friendly, small-town feel, yet the metropolitan city has a thriving tourist scene. There are plenty of things to do in Munich. In the city, you can visit an authentic Munich beer hall, where the community tables make it easy to meet other people and enjoy a great night with some new friends.
In fact, Munich is known for the largest beer festival in the world. Visiting Munich’s Oktoberfest is a must for every beer lover.
Don’t fear going alone. It is common in Munich for parties to welcome guests at almost every venue. If you visit a busy restaurant with no empty tables, simply ask if a seat is taken and you’re likely to find the locals nod in agreement to you joining them.
Munich also has a lot of history and there are plenty of walking tours that provide a fun and inexpensive way to discover the must-see sights. This can also be a great way to have a social experience even though you’re traveling alone. You can meet other travelers in a group and you may continue to hang out at the Isar Beaches or other popular venues in the city.
10. Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Mallorca in the Balearic Islands is a popular destination for tourists seeking stunning architecture, fantastic restaurants, and beautiful sandy beaches. Palma de Mallorca is the largest city and it is a great choice for solo travelers. The locals are helpful and friendly to tourists and public transport is reliable and safe.
You can wander the city streets visiting quaint cafes and stores or take a guided walking tour to learn more about this beautiful city. However, if you’re looking for a more active break, there are plenty of things to do in Palma de Mallorca. You can snorkel in the turquoise waters to explore underwater caves, grottos, and colorful coral. There is also a wide variety of sea life to spot, including purple starfish, octopus, moray eels, cardinalfish, and more.
Another option is to take a late morning or early evening catamaran cruise around the island. This can be a great way to get involved in a group activity as lunch and drinks are usually provided, so you can make some new friends.
11. Antwerp, Belgium
Although often overlooked in preference to Brussels and Bruge, Antwerp is actually a very solo travel-friendly city. A quick guide to Antwerp reveals this small metropolis can be easily navigated on foot, with the historical center being a fully pedestrianized zone. The city has a rich history and draws those who are interested in Flemish culture.
However, Antwerp also has some amazing buildings. The Cathedral of Our Lady is in the heart of the city and this gothic building houses some stunning paintings by artist Sir Peter Paul Rubens. The Centraal Station dates back to 1895 and is considered the finest example of Belgium’s railway architecture, with the interior and exterior are designed in traditional Baroque style. There is also the Stadhuis gothic-style town hall and Het Steen medieval fortress to explore. Don’t miss a visit to the diamond museum during your visit, which showcases the history of diamonds in the city, where 70% of the entire global diamond trade takes place.
The city also has plenty of interesting walks, so you can stroll through the city to immerse yourself in the lively Flemish culture. Even if you only spend one day in Antwerp before visiting Brussels and Bruge, the city should not be missed.
12. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Finally, Amsterdam has to be included in the list of the best European cities for solo travel. This has a thriving hipster scene that will appeal to digital nomads and plenty of history to attract older visitors.
While Amsterdam is one of the most expensive cities to visit, there are some budget-friendly options. The city may have some top-class restaurants, but there are also some venues offering delicious, cheap eats. If you’re staying in a hostel, you’re sure to meet people hanging out, so you can socialize with your fellow solo travelers.
The city has an impressive collection of museums steeped in art and history. Dam Square is surrounded by imposing buildings and is a venue for events, gatherings or even enjoying a great cup of coffee at one of the popular cafes. If you tire of the crowds, you can wander the waterways for hours, checking out the varied building styles on each block and watching the cruise boats pass you by.
However, one of the best things to do in Amsterdam is rent a bike and you can explore the city like the locals. The city has a fantastic cycling infrastructure, just remember that there are thousands of bikes in the city, so you’ll need to remember where you park your bike.
Travel Europe Solo
There are many European countries that are welcoming to solo travelers, but the above destinations make solo travel, especially for solo female travelers easy. Whether you’re taking your first trip or your fiftieth, these places are sure to be welcoming and easy to navigate.
Looking for more of the best European cities for solo travel? Honorable mention goes to Prague, Czech Republic, and London, England. It’s easy to get around both cities as a native English speaker, and both offer a stunning array of attractions.
Know of another city that didn’t make the list? Drop it in the comments below. Happy travels!
