Ever since I started to travel solo in 2022, European destinations were my top pick. Why? Because they are beginner-friendly for solo travelers. The countries are developed, which makes it easier to navigate. They are pretty safe. And most people speak English. I’ll share with you the best solo travel destinations in Europe based on places I traveled to. I will continue to update this list as I travel more, so you can have a more comprehensive list of the best places to solo travel to in Europe. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.
When it comes to picking a solo travel destination there are three things I typically look at: safety, cost, and things to do. I want the destination to be safe, have plenty of activities and tourist attractions, and not be super expensive. In this table below you can see the summary of how I scored the best European cities I traveled to solo.
| City in Europe | Safety | Cost | Things to do |
| Amsterdam | ⭐⭐⭐ | $$$ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Paris | ⭐⭐ | $$$ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Madrid | ⭐⭐⭐ | $ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Dublin | ⭐⭐⭐ | $$ | ⭐⭐ |
| London | ⭐⭐ | $$$ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Milan | ⭐⭐ | $$ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Florence | ⭐⭐⭐ | $$ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Venice | ⭐⭐⭐ | $$ | ⭐⭐ |
| Athens | ⭐⭐ | $ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Oradea | ⭐⭐⭐ | $ | ⭐ |
In the next sections I’ll provide more details about these destinations and explain why I gave these rankings.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I visited Amsterdam for the first time in February 2024 and it became one of my favorite cities in Europe. It’s such a great place! The Dutch people were so friendly, and they made me feel so welcome there. Everyone speaks English and they don’t expect you to speak any Dutch. This is so great for tourists!
The city is gorgeous! It has so many canals, and those traditional canal houses are so beautiful. I could have spent a month just strolling by the canals and I would have been happy. The city also has so many attractions, museums, and activities, you will never get bored in Amsterdam.
The public transportation is top notch. Amsterdam is a walkable city (like all cities in Europe), but it also has great metro, tram, and bus systems. They are very easy to use even for tourists.
The food is very good and there are a lot of local delicacies to try like fries, poffertjes, stroopwaffels, and bitterballen.
Safety
I always felt safe in Amsterdam. Of course, as always when you travel solo, do your research ahead of your visit and be on high alert, especially if you visit during peak season. But based on my experience, Amsterdam is one of the safest cities I’ve ever been to in Europe.
Cost
Amsterdam is an expensive city, up there with London and Paris. A meal at a restaurant costs about 20 euros on average, and it can get way more expensive if you pick fancier places. However, you can find mid-budget hotels around $150-200 per night, so the price for accommodation is not as high as for other European capitals.
Things to do
There are so many things to do in Amsterdam! If you like traditional museums, you should visit the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. If you’re like me and prefer modern and immersive art, then you’ll have a blast at Moco Museum. And if you like history, you should definitely visit the Anne Frank House.
A canal cruise is a must when you’re in Amsterdam. You’ll be able to see all the cute canal houses, some more modern buildings, many bridges. The boat ride lasts about one hour. The boat has a closed top, but it has windows that open all the way so you can take pictures of everything you see.
A’DAM Lookout is perfect for everyone who loves panoramic views of a city. Plus, if you like adrenaline, you can book a ride on the highest swings in Europe here. You’ll feel like you’re flying above Amsterdam.
Of course, no visit to Amsterdam is complete without a visit to the Dam (their famous central square that houses the Royal Palace and the New Church), and to the Red Lights District.
If you’re a beer fan you can learn everything about how they make Heineken at the Heineken Experience.
Since the Netherlands is a pretty small country, you can also take a day trip from Amsterdam while you’re there. Rotterdam, the Hague, and Delft are all great options.
You’ll have a great time in Amsterdam. I do think it is one of the best cities for solo female travelers.
Paris, France
Paris is always a good idea. It was my first solo trip destination, so it will always be a special place for me. I had the best time here and as soon as I got home, I started booking more solo trips. It’s where this solo travel journey started for me.
Paris is a beautiful city. The architecture is so aesthetically pleasing, the Seine cutting through the city is so breathtaking, and the famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower are even more impressive in real life.
And don’t even get me started on the food! Everything I ate in Paris was so delicious. Croissants, crepes, pate, cheese, and all local dishes are to die for. French cuisine is one of my favorites.
Paris is probably one of the most popular cities in the world. There are so many things to explore in the French capital city. You will need a few days to barely scratch the surface. If you like cities and all they have to offer, then Paris is one of the best destinations out there.
Safety
On an absolute basis, Paris is pretty safe. Compared to all other cities I visited in Europe, I felt the least safe in Paris. There are a lot of pickpockets and scammers in the popular touristic spots. They usually work in pairs or in groups. They either ask you to sign up to donate something, take a picture of them, or try to show you something. You need to know what the common scams are so you can avoid them. Don’t engage, continue walking and you’ll be fine.
Cost
Paris is one of the most expensive European cities, along with London. A meal costs about 20 euros. Croissants and any other boulangerie item tend to be more affordable (a few euros) and they make for a great breakfast. A mid budget hotel room in Paris can cost upwards of $250 per night. Based on my experience, Paris and London have the most expensive accommodation options.
Things to do
I was in Paris for 3 days and I didn’t have time to see all the attractions I wanted to see. I guess it’s an excuse to go back soon. There is something for everyone in Paris.
The Parisian landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Sacre Coeur Basilica are all a must. A cruise on the Seine is such a great way to see most of the landmarks and beautiful buildings along the river.
If you like museums you will be very happy in Paris with The Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Palais de Tokyo and so many other options.
Montmartre is a neighborhood that needs to be explored as well. This is where you can find the Sacre Coeur Basilica, the Wall of Love, and Moulin Rouge. Plus, it has a unique charm, so just walking through its cobblestone streets is worth it.
There are so many other things to do in Paris! Walking on Champs Elysée, crossing Pont Alexandre III, seeing a panoramic view of Paris from the Galeries Lafayette rooftop, visiting The Garnier Opera. And the list could go on.
I would avoid going during the summer months since it gets very crowded. But otherwise, Paris is the perfect place for a solo trip.
Madrid, Spain
Madrid is one of my favorite cities in the world. I fell in love with it from day one. It was the first time I visited a place that I really connected with and I even started to think if I should move there.
I have so many reasons why I love Madrid! First, it’s such a beautiful city. The architecture is stunning. I am huge on urban aesthetics. If a city is not pretty I will probably not like it. I don’t know about you, but I need beauty in my life to thrive.
The friendly locals were so warm and welcoming and I loved how they live their lives to the max. I spoke to so many locals who told me that their focus is living their life: “no ganamos mucho, pero vivimos de p*ta madre en España”. I love that outlook on life.
Maybe another factor that contributed to falling in love with Madrid was that I was speaking Spanish. I learned Spanish when I was a kid living in Romania by watching Latin American soap operas, called telenovelas. I always dreamed of visiting Spain and the Spanish-speaking countries in LatAm. So being finally in Spain and talking to natives in Spanish made my inner child so happy.
Plus, everything else – the food, drinks, weather – was 10/10 in Madrid. I could go on and on about why I love Madrid so much, but I’ll stop here so you don’t fall asleep reading this.
Safety
Madrid is pretty safe, but you do have to be aware of your surroundings. There were 2 instances when I didn’t feel safe, both of them due to pickpockets:
- A hotel concierge alerted a group of tourists walking across the street from the Prado museum that there were pickpockets trying to steal from them.
- On my day trip to Segovia and Toledo the tour guide asked us to let two people pass by. It turns out that those two people were pickpockets who were trying to target our group.
As long as you’re on high alert, as you should be anytime you travel solo, you’ll be fine.
Cost
Madrid is one of the more affordable cities in Europe. I was so happy to see that a cafe con leche (coffee with milk, so basically a latte) cost under 2 euros. You can get tapas for 3-4 euros per dish. And there are plenty of good hotel options around $100-150 per night.
Things to do
Madrid is a popular destination and for good reason. It’s so beautiful and there are so many things to explore. You should visit Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and the Royal Palace.
Eat your bodyweight in churros con chocolate and tapas. Then walk off those calories in El Retiro Park. You can also do some shopping on Gran Vía. And you must catch a flamenco show when you’re in town.
If you like museums, Madrid has the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum where you can see Picasso’s Guernica, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
This is just a teaser in terms of what you can do Madrid. Visiting Madrid was one of my best experiences ever! I highly recommend it as a solo trip destination.
Dublin, Ireland
Dublin is a very charming city that has a cool, old vibe. Most buildings in the city center are centuries old, made of brick, and only a few stories tall. If people were dressed in those clothes from 1700’s and there were carriages drawn by horses on the streets, I would feel like I traveled back in time.
The city also feels smaller than other European capital cities, which adds to Dublin’s cute factor. The little cobblestone streets are adorable. I loved getting lost in them.
The Irish people are very nice, but not overly smiley. The type of people that will help you out, but don’t feel the need to show this cheery facade. I personally love that.
Safety
Overall, I felt safe in Dublin as a solo female traveler. There was a riot on the first night I visited, which was a bit scary. It was violent as they set on fire a bus, a tram, and a police car as a form of protest. 34 people were arrested. Thankfully I wasn’t in the area when it happened, and I was very careful the following days. Things like this happen everywhere in the world, so it doesn’t mean that Dublin is unsafe. Locals told me this was the first time something like this happened.
Cost
The hotels in Dublin are pretty affordable. You can find a lot of options in central locations around $100 per night or less. The food was pretty expensive though. A coffee was around 4 euros and a meal was around 15-20 euros. I don’t know why, but I was expecting it to be a cheaper city than it actually was.
Things to do
Dublin is a smaller European capital city, but it still offers plenty of things to do.
Dublin’s pub culture is elite. Getting drinks and food in a pub is a must. Learning about how they make Guinness and Jameson whiskey are also great activities in the Irish capital.
Trinity College Library is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Dublin Castle, St Patrick’s Cathedral, and Christ Church Cathedral are all very old building that have a rich history.
The talking statues of Dublin are also worth checking out. As well as Kilmainham Gaol, a former prison where a lot of Irish revolutionaries were imprisoned and executed.
The most unique experience I’ve had in Dublin was a silver ring forging workshop. The ring I made is one of my favorite souvenirs from my trips.
London, United Kingdom
London was my second solo trip after Paris. It’s a city I learned about in my English classes at school in Romania and I’ve always wanted to visit. It’s a large city and its hustle and bustle reminded me of my beloved New York City.
I think it’s a great destination for a first solo trip since everyone speaks English and you have so many things to explore.
Safety
Even though it’s such a large city I felt very safe in London. I visited late November, so there were fewer tourists, and in turn, fewer pickpockets and scammers. I found the locals to be friendly and welcoming towards tourists.
Cost
London is probably the most expensive city in Europe. A mid-budget hotel in a central neighborhood is upwards of $250 per night. Food is also pricy, as well as tickets for attractions. But it’s definitely a city worth visiting since it offers so much.
Things to do
You will probably need multiple trips to London to see everything. Big Ben, London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus are all London classics that you need to see on your first trip.
The change of the guards at Buckingham Palace is an awesome experience, but I highly recommend you join a tour so you can actually see the guards marching instead of just sitting in front of the Buckingham gates and missing all the action.
Walking on Tower Bridge and exploring the Tower of London are some other great activities. Plus, there are so many parks, museums, and churches to explore. London is a vibe for sure!
Milan, Italy
Milan is a special city for me because it was the first place I’ve visited in Italy.
It’s a very vibrant city that combines a lot of history with modern architecture. The city has a lot of energy as it’s one of Italy’s business centers and there’s lots of people running around during the day and lots of people partying at night. It’s also a paradise for everyone who loves fashion as so many designer brands are headquartered there: Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Prada, Valentino, just to name a few. There are so many great things to do in Milan!
I feel like Milan is a bit less popular compared to other Italian cities like Florence, Venice or Cinque Terre. But I had a great time in Milan as a solo traveler.
Safety
Overall I felt safe in Milan as a solo female traveler. As always, be on high alert when visiting attractions with lots of crowds to avoid getting scammed or pickpockets stealing from you. I ran into some people trying to convince you to let them take pictures of you in front of the Duomo, so then they could charge you 10 euros or more for the pictures. But I refused them, and they went away.
Cost
Milan is mid-budget expensive: not too cheap, not too expensive. A pizza margherita costs 8-9 euros. A meal at a restaurant costs 15-30 euros. You can find a lot of good hotel options around $150-250 per night.
Things to do
There are plenty of things to do in Milan. Visiting the Duomo di Milano (and its rooftop) and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, right next to it is a must. Catching a show at La Scala Opera House or even just visiting will make you feel like royalty.
You also need to experience the modern side of Milan by exploring Piazza Gae Aulenti and Bosco Verticale.
And of course, seeing Da Vinci’s Last Supper in person will be an unforgettable experience.
Florence, Italy
Florence is the city of art. There’s so much beauty and history clustered in that town! Florence houses many masterpieces of Renaissance art such as Michelangelo’s David sculpture or Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus. Plus, the architecture is stunning, and the Duomo is a masterpiece in itself. Thus, Florence is a very popular destination for people across the world.
I saw so many posts about it on Instagram and it looked so dreamy, so I needed to visit. While the city is indeed very beautiful, there were so many tourists that it took away from the experience for me. I visited in late September, and I thought crowds would be smaller then, but I was wrong. So my biggest piece of advice is to go during the off season months if you want the city to yourself.
Safety
I found Florence safe as a solo female traveler despite the large crowds. As with any other popular destination, always be aware of your surroundings, especially when you’re visiting popular attractions.
Cost
I didn’t find Florence very expensive, but it’s not cheap either. Somewhere in the middle. You can get an amazing Tuscan panino for about 8 euros. A coffee is about 3 euros. You can find mid-budget hotels around $100-200 per night.
Things to do
For any art afficionado seeing David’s Statue at the Accademia Gallery and seeing the many Renaissance works of art at Uffizi Gallery at Pitti Palace is a must. You’ll also have to check out the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and Piazza della Signoria.
You’ll find the best views of Florence at Piazzale Michelangelo. And a stroll by the river will also give you incredible views of Ponte Vecchio.
Try the famous Tuscan schiacciata sandwiches at All’antico Vinaio or Pino’s Sandwiches. And make sure to order a glass of wine from a wine window.
Venice, Italy
The feeling I got when I stepped out of the train station and I saw Venice for the first time was that this place is not real. It looks like it’s a city from a fairytale. I had to pinch myself a few times to make sure I’m not dreaming. The entirety of Venice is so beautiful. Seriously, you won’t find a single ugly street here.
Safety
I felt very safe in Venice even when I was walking by places with a lot of crowds like Rialto Bridge or Libreria Acqua Alta. I know the Venice lady became famous by yelling at pickpockets, but when I visited in September I didn’t see any. And I also didn’t see this lady.
Cost
Venice, like Florence, was somewhere in the middle in terms of cost. Not too expensive, but not cheap either. Gelato is only about 4 euros, so that’s a win. Hotels are pricier than Florence and it can cost you a few hundred per night, depending on location.
Things to do
Venice is smaller, but it is such a gorgeous destination. You can go to Piazza San Marco and have a coffee at Caffè Florian, the oldest coffeehouse in Italy. Get lost on its little streets and cross as many of its 400 bridges as possible. Go buy a book and take an Instagram worthy picture at Libreria Acqua Alta. Go on a gondola ride. And eat as much gelato as you can. Venice is a dream!
Athens, Greece
Athens is a great city. It is such a wonderful mix of history, street art, little streets, and modern neighborhoods. It’s a great choice for a solo adventure, especially if you want to learn more about the Greek ancient history. And eat all the souvlaki! If you have more time than just a few days you can also visit some of the Greek Islands.
Safety
In my opinion it is a safe city, as I can’t recall a single situation that made me feel uneasy. I visited in December, which is shoulder season, so there are less tourists visiting. Which means that there were less pick pockets running around (I didn’t see any when I was there). My advice for all solo trips is to always be on high alert, try to not walk alone on the street at night, and do as much research as you can ahead of your trip.
Cost
Athens is one of the most affordable destinations in Europe. You can find a lot of food options under $5 / 5 euros. Depending on what type of accommodation you’re looking for, you can find very cheap options (like $50 per night) or you can splurge and get an amazing room for about $200 per night, which is much cheaper than other cities in Europe.
Things to do
Athens is a very popular destination, visited annually by over 6 million people. It has such a rich cultural heritage and it offers so many historic sites, as well as hidden gems, for you to explore.
Going to the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, and Panathenaic Stadium is a must. Exploring multiple neighborhoods like Plaka, Monastiraki, Psiri, and Pangrati is a great way to become familiar with the different vibes of Athens. And seeing the view of Athens from Lycabettus Hill is spectacular.
If you like cafes with out-of-this-world decorations, then stop by Little Kook. If you want to see the modern side of Athens you should check out the Stavros Niarchos cultural center.
Seeing the change of guards in Syntagma Square is such a great activity. It’s a combination of military tradition and art. Plus, it’s free.
There are so many things to do in Athens! It’s a fantastic and very beautiful city. If you’re not pressed for time you should also visit the Greek Islands.
Oradea, Romania
Oradea is a small city in Romania and it’s an Eastern Europe hidden gem. It also happens to be my hometown. Romania has been part of the European Union since 2007 and it has been developing pretty fast in recent years, we’re now the second Eastern European economy after Poland.
It is a very beautiful country that offers so much for tourism: the Carpathian Mountains, medieval castles, the Danube Delta, the Black Sea, and so much more. It is an underrated destination and most people choose to not visit because of the stereotypes they hear about Romania. While these stereotypes were true right after the 1989 revolution that ended Romania’s communist era, most of them are no longer true. I think it’s only a matter of time until people realize this and tourism will boom.
Oradea is the Art Nouveau capital of Romania and it is a gorgeous small town. Definitely worth visiting!
Safety
Unpopular opinion, but Eastern Europe is safer than Western Europe. People are very friendly and welcoming towards foreigners. You have to experience the Romanian hospitality at least once in your lifetime! And if you visit Romania, please venture outside of Bucharest. Bucharest is my least favorite place in Romania and people tend to be ruder over there. But if you visit other places I guarantee you will fall in love with Romania.
You can walk by yourself at night in Oradea and you will be safe. There aren’t any large crowds of tourists, so there won’t be any scams or pickpockets like the ones you find in Western European cities like Paris or Madrid.
Most people speak English, especially the younger generations. And everyone speaks a little Spanish because literally everyone in Romania used to watch Latin American soap operas or telenovelas 15-20 years ago. Since Romanian and Spanish are both romance languages, it was very easy for Romanians to pick up some Spanish.
Cost
Oradea is a budget friendly destination. You can stay in a hotel or apart-hotel in the city center for $50-100 per night. A coffee is around $2, a pizza is around $8, a croissant or pretzel is about $1. It’s a very affordable destination. You can pay with cards almost everywhere, but I still encourage you to have some cash on you. The Romanian currency is Leu (RON). We’re part of the EU, but not in the Eurozone.
Things to do
The best way so start your visit to Oradea is with a stroll on Republicii Avenue or Calea Republicii, Oradea’s main avenue. It’s a long street with lots of colorful Art Nouveau buildings, shops, and cafes. It’s a popular hangout spot for locals and tourists alike.
At the end of Republicii Avenue you’ll find Union Square, or Piața Unirii. Is the largest central square we have, and our city hall is also located here. Also in Unirii Square you’ll find The Black Eagle Palace, one of the most spectacular secession style buildings in Romania, and the Moon Church, a church with a unique mechanism in Europe, located on the church tower, that shows the phases of the moon.
You can climb the city hall tower or the Ciuperca Hill to get a panoramic view of the city. And you can also take a walk by the Crișul Repede River for some incredible views.
If you like beautiful architecture then you should stop by the Baroque Palace, the sister palace to Belvedere in Vienna.
If you want to learn more about our history stop by the Oradea Fortress and Țării Crișurilor Museum.
Near Oradea you can find Băile Felix, a thermal water resort that also has a waterlily lake.
Oradea is a cute, beautiful, small town and I’m sure you’ll be charmed by it if you visit.