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Traveling solo can be a truly liberating experience but truth be told, there are lots of negative narratives about solo female travel. If you listen to those thoughts, you may be panic-stricken, nervously pacing around your living room, or sending way too many emergency, ALL CAPS texts to the bestie. Headlines like “Woman Attacked in Hippopotamus Land While Traveling Alone in Search of an Eat, Pray, Love Adventure” don’t help either.
Listen, people are going to discourage you from traveling alone. They’re going to think you are weird and they might try to hook up you with their neighborhood carpenter cause they think you’re lonely. These things will happen. I’ve been traveling solo for eight years now and I still get people second-guessing my desires to travel alone or bombarding me with questions about why I do it. Traveling is meant to challenge you, help you grow, and push you to your limits.
If you’re looking to solo travel, I encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and give it a try. But one of the most challenging things is deciding where to go. Europe is one of the best destinations for solo travelers because, for the most part, the people are friendly, it’s dripping with rich culture, and most places are inexpensive. If you haven’t done much traveling oversees, looking at a map of Europe can be overwhelming, especially when there’s a foreign language involved.
In my opinion, pretty much everywhere in Europe can be a great place to travel alone as a female. From big, bustling cities like London, England to smaller towns like Girona, Spain; Europe has a bit of everything for everybody. When choosing a place you’ll want to keep your personality and travel style in mind and ask yourself questions like: Am I more of an introvert or extrovert? What’s my budget? Do I prefer big cities or smaller ones? How good am I with public transportation? Whether this is your first solo trip or you just need a little kick of travel inspiration, here are 6 outstanding cities for solo female travel Europe.
Psst. Looking for more info on solo travel? These posts may tickle your fancy:
- The Best Places to Travel Alone in the USA
- How to Spend a Weekend Solo in Lisbon, Portugal
- The Disadvantages of Solo Travel and How to Combat Them
Table of Contents
Berlin, Germany
There is very little to dislike about Berlin. I must admit that it’s not one of those postcard-perfect places that will hook you in with its beauty like Paris, Amsterdam, or Florence. But regardless, Germany’s capital city is the epitome of cool and has the perfect balance of graffiti grunge grit and sophisticated European glamor. Risk-taking and adventure are as native to Berlin as startups and $1 pizza is to New York. It’s a diverse city that attracts creatives, misfits, and weirdos along with entrepreneurs, expats, and dreamers.
Berlin is an excellent city for solo traveling because the people are hella nice (despite what you may read), it’s easy to navigate, it won’t break the bank, and it’s oozing with a history that is worth exploring. Not to mention, almost everyone speaks English, and damn good English might I add. If you’re into sight-seeing and attractions the city has got you covered with the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag dome, East Side Gallery, and the Holocaust Memorial. Or if exploring local food and drink is more of your thing, there are tons of restaurants, beer gardens, and cafes that won’t make you feel odd about eating alone like Imren Grill, Sissi, and Zeit Fur Brot.
Know Before You Go Berlin:
Best Time to Visit:
May through September
Currency:
Euro
Plug Types:
Type C and F
Language:
German
Granada, Spain
If you’ve ever dreamt of hearing the sweet sweet sounds of the Spanish guitar while strolling down quaint cobblestone streets lined with crisp white buildings decorated with flower pots—all while your belly is giggling with homemade sangria and tasty tapas? Guess what? Your dreams are secretly leading you to our next solo female travel Europe destination: Granada.
Any romanticized idea you’ve ever had about Spain…Granada fits it. When people think about traveling to Spain, they immediately think of Barcelona or Madrid, but what they’re really looking for is a city like Granada. This Andalusian town is what Spanish dreams are made of and is the perfect place for solo travelers. The city is large enough to explore, yet small enough to not sweat bullets while getting completely lost. The locals are very friendly, the atmosphere is relaxed, and Spain’s free tapas culture is alive and well.
It’s easy to fill your itinerary to the brim so much so that you may even forget you’re traveling alone. For tradition and culture, catch a Flamenco show on the street or book a show. (Btw, Andalusia is where Flamenco was born so Granada is a perfect place to see an authentic show.) Engulf yourself in Spain’s well-preserved history by touring Granada’s most prized attraction, La Alhambra.
The stunning Islamic palace is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also one of the most important remains of the Moorish rule in Spain from 711 to 1492. All that just to say, it’s a big friggin’ deal. Granada is also a great place to bar hop for tapas and take advantage of the free tapas culture that you may not get in larger Spanish cities or other communities in Spain. Essentially, when you order a drink you get a free tapa. Some places let you choose your tapa while others choose it for you. Granada is a great choice for experiencing Spain in an authentic way.
Know Before You Go Granada:
Best Time to Visit:
April through June and September and October
Currency:
Euro
Plug Type:
Type C and F
Language:
Spanish
Oslo, Norway
If you’ve ever wondered why Nordic countries always top those “Happiest people on earth” articles, go to Oslo and you’ll see why. If you’re looking for a solo trip to clear your head and explore in peace, this is the city for you. Although not cheap, Oslo is a great city for solo female travel Europe. It’s very safe and walkable and their public transportation makes it easy to get around; including to and from their fancy pants, updated airport. Architect fans, you’ll have a field day once you feast your eyes on the gorgeous marble and glass Oslo Opera House or any of the cutting edge museums and buildings like the Astrup Fearnley Museum.
They’ve also got a buzzing coffee scene with places like Supreme Roastworks whose owner has made it big at the World Brewers Cup which apparently is the Olympics of the coffee world, so you know it’s good. Get a caffeine buzz and head to many of their parks and green spaces like vast Ekebergparken Park or Vigeland Sculpture Park to see all the fantastic work from the Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland. If you happen to be there during the holidays try lutefisk (jellied fish) if you dare, it’s actually quite delicious.
Know Before You Go Oslo
Best Time to Visit:
March to August
Currency:
Norwegian Krone
Plug Types:
Type C and F
Language:
Norwegian
Porto, Portugal
Have you ever been somewhere and find that friendliness is just sitting in the air? That’s how our next solo female travel Europe destination is: Porto. It’s no surprise that almost every reputable travel resource has named it one of the top European destinations. When I was there I found all the locals to be so nice that I had to shun my embarrassing pageant wave and awkward smile that was plastered on my face. If the locals and their friendly demeanor don’t swoon you, the beautiful pops of color, signature azulejo tiles, and quintessential European facades will.
Porto’s pace is slow and traditional that it leaves you with a nice lingering nostalgia. There are several places to see a nice panoramic view of the city and take in the sunrise or sunset. Come hungry because Portuguese food is delicious and there’s an opportunity to try local cuisine from caldo verde (Portuguese collard green soup) to Porto’s specialty sandwich Francesinha (a traditional Portuguese sandwich covered with melted cheese and tomato gravy) on every corner. And of course, you can’t leave the city without tasting some delicious, sweet port. If you have time, cross the bridge and spend a little time in the Douro Valley.
Know Before You Go Porto:
Best Time to Visit:
May to September
Currency:
Euro
Plug Type:
Type C and F
Language:
Portuguese
Brighton, England
Our next solo female travel Europe city is seaside with a cosmopolitan feel. Let’s just say that in Brighton, you’re gonna be asking a lot of strangers to snap photos of you because this city is just that cute. It looks like a freshly curated Instagram feed and while you’re visiting you won’t give a damn about being basic…not one bit. Lots of stylish boutiques to get your shop on if you’re feeling fancy plus modern, brunch-y cafes that will make you wish your life was as put together as their avocado toasts.
Only an hour and a half train ride from London, it’s no wonder the exclusive Soho House has decided to add Brighton to its network. The city is located on England’s south coast so you know what that means, that’s right, an awesome seafront. Do some people watching while taking a long wander along the promenade, then post up on the pier or by the water and relax. Every May the city hosts one of the biggest arts festivals called Brighton Festival with expression, art, music, and more.
Know Before You Go Brighton:
Best Time to Visit:
May to September
Currency:
Britsh Pound
Plug Type:
Type G
Language:
English
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Move over Paris, cause Amsterdam is ready and willing to steal your shine. With miles and miles of canals and some of the most charming townhouses you’ll ever see, you better come locked and loaded with extra memory cards, sister because you will not even make it one block without taking pictures.
As one of Europe’s most visited cities, people flock to visit landmarks like the Van Gough Museum and the Ann Frank House. Amsterdam also as an extensive black history with plenty of black-owned businesses that are worth getting lost in. And of course when in Amsterdam do as the Dutch do and rent a bike which is obviously the best way to get around the city. Also, don’t forget to stuff your face with the most incredible dutch pancakes, stroopwafels, and bitterballen that you can eat.
Know Before You Go Amsterdam:
Best Time to Visit:
May to October
Currency:
Euro
Plug Type:
Type G
Language:
Dutch
English
Are you ready to add any of these European cities to your solo travel list? Leave a comment below and let me know which city you’re most excited to visit.
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