
I’ve lived in Europe for over four years now and during that time have had the pleasure of exploring lots of it myself, and have hosted several of my solo traveling friends who pass through my home city, Berlin.
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 traveling bloggers to share their favorites as well. Some 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:
Reykjavík, Iceland
Iceland is the perfect place to travel alone for three big reasons: it’s popular so there are other solo travelers around, it is the safest country in the world, and it is probably the most beautiful country in the world too.
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 out 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 Iceland is pretty darn expensive. However if you do day trips from Reykjavík, plus stay in a hostel, you’re bound to find someone to split things like car rental costs with.
Check out my Iceland guide for more info.
Berlin, Germany
I love Berlin so much that I moved here, feeling instantly like part of the energy and intrigue upon landing in this quirky and artistic city.
Because of its promise of fantastic night life and counter culture, lots of young people come here with the intention of socializing. Whether out at a bar or nightclub or while taking one of the free walking tours, 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.
Check out my Germany guide for more info.
Granada, Spain
“I loved wandering around the city centre 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 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.” – Sonja of Migrating Miss
Barcelona, Spain
“The cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia, Barcelona is the perfect place to visit if you’re a solo female travel. Spain in general is an inexpensive country, and Barcelona is no exception – from food, shopping and even using public transportation, Barcelona is a relatively cheap city to visit if you’re on a budget!
Although Barcelona is a big city, it’s very safe to visit – I traveled solo in Barcelona last November and felt completely safe when I was out at night.. I also believe Barcelona is a great place to visit because of the rich: history, art, food, culture, etc. – there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Barcelona!” – Paula of Curly Hair Adventures.
Bologna, Italy
Bologna is fantastic for two reasons: the food and the locals. I found some of Italy’s bigger cities to be stressful with all of the cat calling and the constant vigilance I had to keep over my backpack, but Bologna is different. Probably thanks to it being a university town, it feels safer and has a nice community of couchsurfers (which is how I met some wonderful people), au pairs, and students.
The locals in and around Bologna have been incredibly welcoming and friendly to me, and I will probably never get over how delicious the food is there.
Check out my Italy guide for more info.
Stockholm, Sweden
“Stockholm combines a pretty, walkable city centre 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 centre with pretty winding streets, royal palaces to lose yourself exploring, and gorgeous islands a ferry ride away from the city centre 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.” – Jil of Reading The Book
Lisbon and Porto, Portugal
“I’ve done a long solo trip across Europe where, 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 traveller, 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 cafes have character in both Porto and Lisbon. And the sunset in Lisbon is memorable – and it’s free!” – Namrata of Ecophiles.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Upon landing in Edinburgh I just couldn’t help but like the welcoming and easy to navigate city. I found the locals to be approachable and easy to talk to, and happy to help if I was lost or needed some guidance. Even in the evening, it feels safe to walk around.
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.
Montenegro, All Over
“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 perfect, I had my own apartment with a sea view in Ulcinj for $23 USD a night (during shoulder season) and I had a two course meal with wine for 11 USD. Montenegro is a great place for solo females wanting some adventure or just a beach to chill out at.” – Nina of Where In The World Is Nina.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is a fantastic choice as a solo traveler simply because almost everyone who visits Europe goes there. Communication is easy because the Dutch are generally fantastic at English, and it’s pretty small and compact and therefore easy to get around.
I spent hours, literally hours, exploring the various art museums there as well – a perfectly delightful solo activity. Basically, there is a lot to do and a lot of potential to meet others in a place as popular as Amsterdam. If you go in the spring, be sure to enjoy the tulips as well.
Oh, and you can get stroopwaffles there – delicious caramel waffle cookie things. Need I say more?
Budapest, Hungary
“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.” – Lola of Miss Filatelista.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
You can’t hope to meet a friendlier bunch than the people in Northern Ireland. Even if you don’t feel like drinking alcohol, it’s as easy as walking into a pub and just becoming part of the conversation. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made a group of new friends just by walking into a pub for lunch or dinner.
Northern Ireland is beautiful as well. Belfast is a great spot to start your explorations from, especially if you are a Game of Thrones fan!
Geneva, Switzerland
“I was drawn to the French Alps nearby, but thought the city itself was actually the perfect 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 in the city 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.” – Victoria of Vic Advisor
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, Switzerland, can offer a nice combination of solitude in the mountains and people to meet.
On the popular trails, don’t worry, you won’t be the only one. They are also hostels in town where you can meet other travelers to hike with.
Check out my Switzerland guide for more info.
Avignon, France
“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 cafes and squares or hanging out on trendy (and cobblestoned) Rue des Teinturiers.
Must-visit spots include the vibrant indoor market, a local 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 cause the papacy to leave Rome. Thanks to great train connections, Avignon is also an ideal location from which to explore nearby towns in Provence.” – Laura of Travel Addicts.
Skicircus, Austria
If you’re looking for a winter ski spot that feels less uppity and more welcoming, take a look around Austria, particularly Skicircus. The nice thing about skiing in Austria is how social it is, and how cheap it is to ski and stay there. I was blown away that a lift ticket for access to over three major ski areas and over 270km of slopes in Skicircus was only €51. The same ticket would’ve probably been pushing $200 in the US.
Austria also has a pretty unique Apres-ski scene, my favorite of which was called Goaßstall in Hinterglemm – a literal goat stall blasting German Schlager songs, which everyone likes to sing and dance to together. You’re going to meet cool people there. It’s almost a guarantee.
Check out my Austria guide for more info.
Prague, Czech Republic
“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 travellers. It’s great to visit in any season, be it summer or winter.” – Veronika of Travel Geekery
While my search is far from over, those are a few of my favorites for traveling alone in Europe. These are places where I 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?
Nigel William says
Hi, Kristin! Yet another great article I really enjoyed reading! These are some very interesting trip suggestions, so I hope more women will feel motivated and encouraged to take a solo adventure to one of these beautiful places. of course, safety is probably a first thing that comes to mind when it comes to solo travelling. I was wondering, what would you advise to women who are planning to go on a trip alone?
Kristin says
Just do it. Like Nike.
Elina says
I agree so much on Berlin and Barcelona – although in Barcelona you’ll have to look after your stuff especially well! It was cool to see Montenegro included as well, I’m planning on heading there and around next year so it’s good to know I won’t be the only one, haha. I know it’s a classic but I would add Krakow to the list, it’s such an easy place to meet awesome people.
Kristin says
True there are so many pickpockets in Barcelona. Thanks for the Krakow suggestion!
Jub says
Quality stuff as usual Kristin, like how you included a few of ya fellow solo travel gals in the post.
Tends to be the bigger cities in this list, even as a lad, I find them safer to walk around. Especially at night…I find everything feels safer if I can at least see one human, regardless of how far in the distance…people = security? (not for everyone I realise, but would think it’s a common theme)..
Kristin says
Thank you! It’s weird, I do feel safe walking around Berlin because there are always people around, even when it’s dark, but I always feel safest in a tiny village. Then I know it’s pretty much all good.
Ijana Loss says
I love Europe for traveling because of the awesome hostels, there’s a really awesome hostel culture there where you can meet lots more cool travelers. Thanks for the reminder about skiing in Austria! I loved the articles you wrote about it but then had kind of forgotten about it until now lol, I need to get down there
Kristin says
I love how cheap it is! And cozy, and social.
Kate says
Great list! Europe has so many wonderful and unique cities; I can’t wait to explore them all!
sukhi says
Travelling to Athens on a solo trip.in two.weeks.
Did my first solo trip to Edinbutgh last year after getting your thoughts on where to go on my first solo adventure kirsten.
Nina Ragusa says
Thanks for including me and Montenegro, Kristin! 🙂
LOVE this list. I was a solo traveler for four years and I still do here and there!
I think Europe is also a great start if someone hasn’t done it before. It’s pretty easy. I started in SE Asia which is another great area but maybe a bit shocking for some!
Sarah says
I think Galway (and all of Ireland!) are great for a solo traveler! Especially a first time (American) solo traveler who might be nervous about the language barrier in other places.
GG says
I noticed this statement “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”. I know you all promote a positive environment on the blog which is awesome, but other than cat callers in some cities in Italy (so obnoxious, you’re not the only ones I heard this from), are there places you would avoid in Europe for the reasons you listed? Or is it just the general, “avoid touristy areas” or “depends on your experience, use your gut to find the right place”? This would be useful to know since I know several people who travel to Europe and would appreciate such advise. In some cases, they go to certain places not by choice (for work) and if it is a place to normally “try to avoid”, what could someone do to make lemonade out of lemons? I guess every city/place has its highlights/lowlights, even if overall “below average” or “above average”. You even blogged about being robbed in Berlin (an “above average” place) once and how there is a bit of poverty there, but love the place and positives far outweigh any negatives (plus helping a city thrive and citizens caring for each other can help poverty). I don’t intend to spread dirt on any place based on your info, I will be tactful about it and just provide the info to help my friends/colleagues (I can cite the blog as good PR 🙂 ). Thanks so much! I invite any other readers to comment too, please.
Kristin says
For me, it’s less that I feel the places not listed are bad or should be avoided, it’s just that the ones on this list are particularly nice when alone for various reasons. Sometimes touristy places can be really cool, like Berlin or Amsterdam.
And yeah, I got pick-pocketed here AND YET still think it’s amazing and still love it! It’s a sad truth that in most major cities in Europe pickpocketing is rampant.
GG says
Oh okay. So, there really isn’t a specific list of places to avoid, it is just part of the vetting process where the ones listed here are ones that are stand-outs from the rest, whether having a strong social vibe, being safe, or having friendly locals or “all or some of the above”. I guess depending on which of the three is top priority would define favorite and least favorite places which is why it is great you got some different viewpoints in this post. I will certainly, in addition to your blog suggestions, when traveling ask about these three points before visiting abroad myself (and when recommending places to others), makes common sense. And certainly in every city there are places you like better than others (seems like there are good and bad bus stations, that really mattered when I was in the Middle East). Thanks for the quick response!!!
John Burris Jr. says
I LOVE THAT WORD STROOPWAFFLE. iT CRACKS ME UP.
Aysh says
Hi there kristin! Just found your blog today & absolutely loved this post, found it very helpful so thank you for sharing!
I am planning on doing some Solo travelling for the first time next year & won’t lie I’m a little daunted! Its not the travel so much that worries me, I’m very content with my own company, its only the worry of being unable to communicate/internet connection & all of that! But thankfully my mobile provider offers free data roaming abroad so thats a huge lifesaver!
But I am excited for the adventure & reading everyone else’s experiences definitely helps! I was thinking of using air bnb for accommodation but it seems like you’ve had good experiences with hostels so may consider that option for sure!
Thanks again!
Kristin says
You can get local SIM cards when you travel so that you’re always connected! However it’s getting easier and easier to find WiFi these days as well. I like a mix of hostels and AirBnB, but hostels are definitely more social. Have fun!
Ruby Benz says
Great article! I also travel mostly solo and I love it! Visiting most of the places you mentioned here are truly awesome for me! Europe is simply beautiful!
Evan Kristine says
Hi there Kristin! I really loved your post! Congratulations! Destinations you’ve been are all awesome! Europe is indeed full of wonder. Destination that are featured like Amsterdam, Zermatt, Swizerland, Avignon, France, Montenegro, and Stockholm, Switzerland are so lovely. Regarding solo traveling, it’s nice reading this for more tips and for other travelers that are planning to go on a solo trip. Again, Congratulations!
Mel says
Hey girl! Love watching you live my soon to be dreams! Was curious what you do about data service. What’s the best budget friendly option. I’m with ATT. Next year I’m heading to Greece and Paris/Spain. Both of these cruise boats have WiFi. But then we are off the boat during the day and well, you get my point.
Kristin says
I buy local SIM cards because it’s pretty much always cheaper! In Europe I have a Vodafone plan in Germany which covers me in most of Europe so look into that!
Sandalsand says
This is a great list. I was more or less reading between the lines that you were recommending these places for solo female travellers, and was about to remark that they are just as suitable to us solo male travellers. Then I read your heading once more and realised you had dropped the “female” this time. Anyway, great places and fortunately there are so many more throughout Europe. Thank you!
Kristin says
Yep! Most solo female travel advice is good for men, too, I just can’t speak for you guys 🙂
Daniel says
Just a Canadian trying to plan a trip to Europe. I was thinking Croatia and maybe Turkey, or Swiss and Austria. Have you been to Croatia at all?? Just came across your article and you have been to some amazing places that’s for sure, and thought you would be a great start to plan this trip. I won’t have lots of time..only a couple of weeks, but I want to enjoy my time and not rush city to city without taking in as much as I can.
Kristin says
I have not but I’ve heard fantastic things.
Matt says
Kristiiiiiin,
this is awesome, you included BOLOGNA. I am so in love with this city. It was my first city I visited in Italy and once you walked around Florence and Venice you can see why Bologna is so different and more chill.
I am actually right now in Malaga, a beautiful city as well. The cities around Granada that you mentioned are also really worth it. I could easily spend here a month. With Ronda, Gibraltar, Tarifa, Sevilla, Cordoba, Malaga and Granada – this area is packed. Not recommended for the summer itself though, way too hot 😀
Thanks for sharing, love your instagram!
Matt
Kristin says
Bologna is awesome!
Kanika Bakshi says
Great post! I don’t have exact plans set yet, but possibly Ibiza & Rome in next month as I will travel alone I have much insecurity but the experience traveling to different countries now had me a professional visitor thanks for sharing this article keep up.
Kanika Bakshi says
Traveling alone is the next level of fun you can do whatever you want I always travel alone. These are some exceptional travel destinations which everyone can visit without breaking the bank.thanks for writing such a wonderful article and sharing it on the internet.
William S says
Thanks for writing such a wonderful article. Traveling is the best way to meet new people and to let your heart take a much-needed break.
GLOBALHOPPERS.CO.UK says
beautiful places to go on a holiday. Great info, thanks for sharing!
Julia says
I’m always curious about the destinations other people recommend for solo female travel, particularly as more and more of my friends start traveling. This is a great list! Thanks for sharing!
Kristin says
Glad you like it!
Thebongexplorers says
Went through some of your solo travel blogs. They are fantastic and like it.
pradeep says
Great article – with plenty of great tips for exploring the city. Another one for the wish list!