Traveling solo for the first time can be a daunting experience, but there is no better continent to do so than Europe. With so much history and culture to discover, European cities provide endless opportunities to learn, grow and explore on your own journey. These 14 cities to travel solo in Europe have been chosen for providing plenty to discover, are all safe to explore on your own and most importantly provide an opportunity to connect with locals and their culture.
Where to travel solo in Europe
14. Copenhagen, Denmark
Consistently ranking in the top 10 happiest cities in the world to live, Copenhagen is a great city to explore solo thanks to its old world charm, pleasant locals and extremely low crime rate. There is plenty to see and do in Copenhagen, however a few top picks not to be missed are to visit Freetown Christiania (self governed commune), explore the public parks and their effortless gardens, wander along the waterfront at Nyhaven and spend some time being a kid again at Tivoli Gardens.
13. Stockholm, Sweden
Connected by no fewer than 57 bridges, Stockholm is built on 14 islands that interconnect to create one of the most beautiful cities you will discover in all of Europe. With a well-earned reputation for being the most stylish city in Europe, Stockholm is full of beautiful people, palaces, and is a city I would happily return to at the drop of a hat. Exploring this city solo will always feel safe, even at night through the dark (but still so charming) little alleyways.
12. Bruges, Belgium
A longtime fan of Bruges, I’ve even gone so far as to name it the most beautiful city in all of Europe. Located by the sea in northwest Belgium, Bruges has an old-worldly appeal that is nothing short of a fairytale. The winding alleyways that almost always lead to a canal or yet another bridge, the smell of freshly baked pastries wafting through the town square, and the minute details in the intricacies of the architecture are all reasons to fall in love with Bruges.
If you’re more of a slow traveller and want to immerse yourself in the city you are in, I’d recommend visiting Bruges for a 3-4 night stay to really get to know the place. Besides, the best of Bruges is when it glitters in the evening! If you’re more of a city-hopper, you can indeed visit Bruges on a day trip from Brussels, Ghent or event Antwerp (connecting trains in Brussels).
One of my favourite and most memorable solo adventures was spending 10 days exploring Flanders. I started my journey in Brussels (2 nights) and travelled by train through to Bruges (3 nights), followed by Ghent (2 nights) and finally ended in Antwerp (2 nights).
I’d highly recommend centring yourself in one country and exploring various cities with a few days in each, as it cuts out a lot of cross-country travel time and gives you more time to immerse yourself in a culture and really get to know more about that country.
11. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam’s hipster scene is alive and thriving, making it a mecca for young digital nomads. This is a great city to travel solo in Europe and my personal favourite. While it may have a notorious reputation for being one of the most expensive cities to visit in Europe, the truth is you can experience Amsterdam on a budget as it is home to some of the best cheap eats, a hostel mecca and if you’re more of an introverted traveller, there are some great AirBnBs throughout the city. There’s so much to see and do in Amsterdam that you’ll need at least a few nights to discover it all!
One of my favourite things to do in Amsterdam is to rent a bike for my stay and explore the city like a local. Learn from my mistake: just remember where you parked your bike! There are quite literally tens of thousands of bikes in this city.
10. Edinburgh, Scotland
It was too long ago that I visited Scotland for the first time and boy did I fall in love big time. As a keen winter enthusiast, I packed my suitcase with layers upon layers for a solo adventure to the Scottish Highlands with my first stop being in Edinburgh, the Scottish capital. Although the Highlands were my destination, my three days exploring Edinburgh almost stole the show!
This city is packed with history at every turn and the locals are so friendly that I never felt weird about arriving at a bar or restaurant by myself and almost always left with new friends. Bonus: if you’re a Harry Potter fan this city is full of Harry Potter locations throughout!
9. Paris, France
If you’ve been following my adventures on Instagram for the past 7 years, you’ll know very well just how much I love (and by love I mean adore) Paris. This city is so full of love and light for me that a few years ago I made the decision to spend every April in Paris.
With so many neighbourhoods to explore each offering their own charm, Paris is a city you could spend at least a week exploring solo, getting to know a different ‘hood each day. My current favourites are Le Marais, St Germain and Montmartre.
8. Vienna, Austria
I first fell in love with Vienna when I was 20 years of age, on my first solo journey through Europe and eager to experience the timeless traditions of this beautiful city that even for me rivals the beauty of Paris! This is also the city that sparked my interest in impressionist art and artists, where I spent days meandering my way through the cities’ many museums.
If you’re looking for a multi-country itinerary that will fulfil you culturally, historically and aesthetically, then I don’t think you can beat the central European trifecta of visiting Prague, Vienna and Budapest. These are three of the best cities to explore solo and each are so unique that you’ll pinch yourself to believe they’re only hours apart by train.
7. Reykjavik, Iceland
With some of the friendliest locals I have met the world over, visiting the capital city of Iceland was on my travel list for a long time and certainly did not disappoint. I was surprised to learn how thriving the vegan scene is here (something I was quite nervous about), but my fears were soon squashed by some of the best raw meals I’ve experienced the world over. The city is much smaller geographically to others named on this list, making it a great choice for those of us who lack direction and would prefer to walk everywhere.
Be sure to plan your stay in Iceland to allow for at least a week in the country and adventure beyond Reykjavik after a couple of days. This country is incredibly safe and easy to navigate, making it one of the best choices for a solo road trip.
6. London, United Kingdom
London is another of my “first” solo travel adventures and it has been a city that I’ve never stopped returning to – there’s just so much to discover. With endless free museums to wander around and the ease of the famed double-decker bus, this city is a great city to explore solo and will never leave you short of activities. One of my favourite aspects of this city is the ever-changing food scene, with countless bakeries, vegan options now having a huge boost in popularity and a strong student population hitting the bar and club scene.
When you’re tired of the city be sure to venture out and explore some of London’s best day trips or extend these in to a longer itinerary throughout the United Kingdom. Some of my most memorable solo trips have been through England, Scotland and Wales.
5. Prague, Czech Republic
With its gothic intrigue, Prague has become one of Europe’s most sought-after cities to visit. It is also one of the best cities in Europe to discover on your own, especially for those who prefer to walk around a city and discover hidden gems off the main tourist streets. My favourite vegan restaurants in the world were discovered this way (Lehka Hlava and Maitrea) and I’ve spent countless hours getting lost in the streets of the Old Town.
4. Mykonos, Greece
I embarked on my first trip through Greece on board a ship, eager to explore the islands by waking up somewhere new each day. Cruising through Greece also happens to be one of the best ways to see the country solo as it takes out the hassle of lugging your baggage all over cities and towns, many of which are characterised by their cobble stone (and extremely uneven) streets! Mykonos was hands down my favourite stop on the cruise and the first place I’d go back on my next trip to Greece, along with Santorini which I am yet to visit. Lesser known islands like Naxos and Paros were also incredibly beautiful, each of them explorable within a day out of the ship.
3. Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is my favourite city in Europe and after three visits I can still say I would return. This city is the perfect size to explore on your own over a few days, stopping in to cafes for a hot chocolate as you brave the fresh air outside. Winter escapes are often my favourite – there’s something so magical about having a city almost all to yourself and it also increases your chance to meet and mingle with the locals.
2. Delft, Netherlands
I visited Delft as a day trip from The Hague but quickly realised this wouldn’t be the only time I visit this charming Dutch town. With all the charm Amsterdam has to offer (canals, bikes, beautiful boutiques and a farmer’s market) but without the crowds, this small city has a lot to offer solo travellers who prefer less hustle and bustle.
1. Budapest, Hungary
About five years ago I named Budapest the most underrated city in Europe. While I still believe this is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Budapest has certainly made a name for itself over the last five years and is now a “must visit” city on any European itinerary. The city is sprawling and takes some time to explore, so be sure to allow at least four days to enjoy all it has to offer. Apartments and hotels are much cheaper here thanks to an oversupply of vacancies, so this is a great choice to spend a week or two if you’d prefer to slow down and take it at a slower pace.
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Brooke Saward founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share inspiration from her travels and to inspire others to see our world. She now divides her time between adventures abroad and adventures in the kitchen, with a particular weakness for French pastries.
Thanks for this information! I really like the color of your photos~! they look beautiful:)
In the cities which are introduced in this article, Reykyavik is one of my favorites! Even I didn’t go to Iceland before, and I still amaze by its scenes and cultures. ( By the way, I see those by the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, it makes Iceland looks spectacular.)
Thanks for sharing traveling information. Really helpful.
I also went to France in April! I love the vibe there. The city is full of love and scenery/historic relics. Thank you for sharing! I would love to travel to these places solo when I have enough time!
Wow Europe is so delightful and I love your realistic shots. This is in a real sense giving me Game of Throne flows