Europe is a great continent for solo travellers, it has so much to offer. From beach holidays to city breaks there are loads of beautiful destinations you will want to visit at least once in your life.
Travelling abroad on your own might not sound like fun at all. Just the thought of it can be overwhelming. Actually, there are many reasons and benefits on why you should experience travelling alone, but that’s a whole other blog post.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.
When deciding on your next trip, there are a few things to keep in mind. You will want to go somewhere with lots to do and explore. However, the most important thing to consider is safety.
Although not every single place in Europe is safe there are many cities that are. Make sure to do research on the destination and plan ahead. It’s a good idea to create an itinerary and book any tours or activities in advance. I use viator.com as they are easy to use and show me all the activities available in the city I am in.
Try to stay in the city centre or as close as possible. Booking.com is a great website to find different types of accommodation with in your price range.
Here are my top 10 destinations you should visit as a solo traveller.
Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, the capital of Sweden is one of my favourite cities to travel to on my own. There is more than enough things to do to keep you occupied. I recommend spending at least 5 days here if not longer to be able to make the most of Stockholm.
Stockholm is home to over 50 museums. Whether you like art, music, history, or photography you are guaranteed to find a museum that you would be interested in. The most popular one is the Vasa Museum, which is home to a ship that was built in the 17th century and later sank. If you enjoy history then you will love this museum.
There is an old town called Gamla Stan, where you will find colourful buildings and cobbled streets, definitely worth exploring. The Royal Palace and Stockholm Cathedral can also be found in Gamla Stan.
You can take day trips by boat to the archipelago from Stockholm. If you do get the chance to visit just one island, make it the island of Uto. On this beautiful little island, you can go walking, take a bike ride around nature, go swimming, and also kayaking.
Porto, Portugal
Porto, in Northern Portugal, is the country’s second-largest city. This scenic town is becoming more popular with the younger crowd and solo travellers from around the world. Porto is known for its great wine, amazing gastronomy and stunning sights.
You can take a river cruise along the Douro to see the most beautiful views of the city. Another way to get a view of Porto is to climb to the top of the Clerigos Tower, it costs 5 euros but it is worth every penny for the amazing views.
Porto has lots of hidden gems. Take a walk through the narrow roads and see what you can discover.
Helsinki, Finland
This Scandinavian beauty is one of the safest cities in the world. In Helsinki, you will be met with a relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals. Making it the perfect destination to meet new people. It is easy to get around the city using buses or trams, or you can walk everywhere if you prefer.
When in Helsinki, Do not just visit the tourist attractions, experience the Finnish lifestyle. Taste their amazing food. The Market Square, close to the harbour is a great place to start, they offer traditional Finnish food and also hot drinks.
Another thing not to miss is the sauna experience. This is a big thing in Finland. Locals will spend some time in a sauna before jumping into ice-cold water (sea, swimming pool or even a river). The Finnish people believe that doing this, it is helping them to get rid of stress and feel more relaxed. So, why not give it a try?
Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel – Azores Islands
Azores is composed of nine islands, Sao Miguel being the biggest. Azores might not be a known or popular destination but all nine islands are very safe for solo travellers.
I recommend starting off with the island of Sao Miguel. It is the easiest island to fly into and due to being the biggest island it will have a lot more to do.
It’s a good idea to book activities and tours, such as hiking tours, jeep tours and food tours to get the chance to explore the island and get to know it well. Anywhere you go will have breath-taking views.
This is an all year round destination due to the mild climate that does not change much throughout the year.
This is also a great destination for water activities. Here you can go whale & dolphin watching, canoeing, paddle boarding and lots more.
Seville, Spain
In Andalucía, Spain, you will find Seville. A beautiful city packed with culture, history and amazing architecture. Seville is easy to get around using public transport, there is a lot to see and most importantly it is a great option for those travelling alone.
One thing that Seville is famous for is its amazing tapas, so make sure to stop at a few restaurants to give them a try. Or if you are a foodie like me there are tapas guided tours you can join that will take you to all the best spots in the city.
Make sure to also climb up to the top of the Giralda Tower to get amazing views of Seville.
Bergen, Norway
There are many reasons why travelling to Bergen should be top of every solo travellers list. Surrounded by Fjords, it is the second biggest city in Norway after Oslo. It is the perfect destination for nature lovers. Even though it is the second biggest city, it is still quite small, so the best way to explore Bergen is on foot.
You can take a walk through the narrow streets and see the colourful wooden houses or visit some of the many attractions Bergen has to offer including museums and historic buildings.
Bergen has lots of hiking trails that will take you to see some of the most beautiful views you have ever seen. One of the best hikes is up Mount Floyen, it is 320m above sea level and the trail is quite steep but once you are at the top you will see panoramic views of the city of Bergen and the surrounding Fjords.
Krakow, Poland
Krakow, in the south of Poland, is a fascinating city. It has so much history and will keep every solo traveller busy as there is so much to explore. It is worth getting the Krakow City Pass as it gives you access to over 30 museums and you also get unlimited travel within the city.
Transport links are good in Krakow, the best way to get around is by bus or tram. You can also rent a bike, this way you can take in all the sights on your way. One of the must-see places is the Wawel Castle. This is one of the most important sites in Poland. For many years it was the residence for the kings and queens of Poland, today people can visit this castle and learn more about the country’s history.
Something you should also do in Krakow is to take a walk through The Royal Route. This will take you to all the important places so you can make sure you will see the best sights of this town.
Catania, Sicily
The whole Sicily is actually safe for solo travellers and is a wonderful destination. However, Catania is a great city to start your adventure. Catania is an ancient city, it has a Roman Theatre, a Cathedral and beautiful churches, but, one of the best things you can do is go see Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe.
You can either hike up the mountain or go on a jeep tour. If you prefer to hike you can do this independently but the furthest you will be allowed to go is 2900m. If you want to hike to a higher point, you must go with a guide.
Tallinn, Estonia
One of the best-preserved medieval cities in the world is Tallinn, in Estonia. This city is quite underrated and deserves to be spoken about the same way as other big cities.
It is rich in culture with a mixture of old fashioned and modern. You will need to spend a few days here to truly appreciate what it has to offer. Town Hall square in the Old Town is where you will want to start your trip. Climb up to the top of the Town Hall’s tower to see amazing views of the city. Purchase a Tallinn card so you can get free entry into many museums and attractions.
Reykjavík, Iceland
Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world and that includes the city of Reykjavík. A country known for its love and respect towards nature. There is also beautiful architecture, colourful buildings and great nightlife.
Locals are very friendly and you will most likely make new friends here. You can wander the streets looking at the art murals or visit the National Museum of Iceland to learn about the country’s traditions and culture.
If you love nature, take the ferry to Viðey Island. There are lots of hiking trails to choose from, with all of them offering stunning views. If you visit Reykjavík in the winter and are lucky, you can watch the Northern Lights right from the city centre.