Best European Cities for Solo Travelers

What Makes a City Great for Solo Travelers?

Key criteria:

Safety ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Low crime rates
• Well-lit streets at night
• Reliable public transport
• Female solo traveler-friendly

Social opportunities ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Strong hostel culture
• Walking tours (free/paid)
• Pub crawls, meetups
• Solo-friendly cafés, bars

Ease of navigation ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Walkable city center
• Clear public transport
• English widely spoken
• Tourist-friendly infrastructure

Value for money ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Affordable accommodation
• Cheap eats
• Free/cheap attractions
• Budget-friendly for extended stays

Things to do solo ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Museums, galleries
• Parks, walks
• Cafés for reading/people-watching
• Day trips accessible

The Top 10 European Cities for Solo Travelers

1. Lisbon, Portugal ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why it's perfect for solo travelers:

Safety: Very safe, even at night Social: Vibrant hostel scene, free walking tours daily, pub crawls Navigation: Compact, walkable (hilly but manageable) Budget: Cheap (€30-50/day) Vibe: Laid-back, warm locals, sunny weather

What to do solo:

• Join free walking tour (New Europe, Lisbon Chill-Out)
• Explore Alfama (medieval neighborhood, fado music)
• Ride Tram 28 (iconic yellow tram, €3)
• Sunset at Miradouro viewpoints (free)
• Day trip to Sintra (fairytale palaces, 40 min train)
• Beach time: Costa da Caparica (30 min away)

Where to stay:

• The Independente Hostel (rooftop bar, social)
• Home Lisbon Hostel (best-rated)

Solo-friendly cafés:

• Ler Devagar (bookstore café)
• Fabrica Coffee Roasters

Why it tops the list: Perfect combo of safety, affordability, social opportunities, and beauty

2. Budapest, Hungary ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why solo travelers love it:

Safety: Very safe Social: Famous ruin bars, pub crawls, hostel parties Navigation: Easy metro, walkable center Budget: Extremely cheap (€25-40/day) Vibe: Party city but also cultural

What to do solo:

• Thermal baths (Széchenyi, Gellért)—solo-friendly relaxation
• Ruin bars (Szimpla Kert)—easy to meet people
• Free walking tours (multiple daily)
• Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion (free to walk)
• Danube river walk
• Margaret Island (park, running, picnics)

Where to stay:

• Carpe Noctem (party hostel)
• Maverick Hostels (multiple locations, social)

Nightlife:

• Instant-Fogas (massive ruin bar complex)
• Pub crawls nightly (€10-15, meet other solo travelers)

Perfect for: Social solo travelers who want nightlife + culture + affordability

3. Prague, Czech Republic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why it's ideal:

Safety: Very safe Social: Backpacker central, pub crawls, walking tours Navigation: Compact old town, walkable Budget: Affordable (€30-50/day) Vibe: Fairytale beautiful, lively

What to do solo:

• Old Town Square (Astronomical Clock)
• Charles Bridge (sunrise = fewer crowds)
• Prague Castle (largest ancient castle)
• Free walking tours (daily, multiple)
• Letná Park (beer garden, sunset views)
• Day trip: Kutná Hora (Bone Church, 1 hour train)

Where to stay:

• Czech Inn (modern, social)
• Hostel One (legendary social hostel)

Food:

• Lokal (cheap Czech food, communal tables)
• Street trdelník (chimney cakes, €3)

Beer culture: Czechs drink most beer per capita—join them! (€1-2/beer)

Perfect for: First-time solo travelers (easy, safe, social)

4. Edinburgh, Scotland ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why solo travelers thrive:

Safety: Extremely safe Social: Pub culture, walking tours, hiking groups Navigation: Compact, walkable Budget: Moderate (€50-70/day) Vibe: Cozy, literary, dramatic landscapes

What to do solo:

• Free walking tours (Sandemans)
• Edinburgh Castle (€20, worth it)
• Arthur's Seat hike (free, panoramic views, easy to chat with other hikers)
• Royal Mile wandering
• Ghost tours (social, fun)
• Day trip: Highlands tour (group tours, meet people)

Where to stay:

• Castle Rock Hostel (historic building, social)
• Smart City Hostels (modern, clean)

Pub culture:

• Easy to chat at bars (Scots friendly)
• Live folk music nightly
• Whisky tasting tours

Festivals:

• Edinburgh Fringe (August)—world's largest arts festival, incredibly social

Perfect for: Solo travelers who love nature, history, and cozy pub culture

5. Amsterdam, Netherlands ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why it works:

Safety: Very safe, bike-friendly Social: Hostel culture, canal boat tours, coffee shops Navigation: Bike city, compact, everyone speaks English Budget: Moderate-expensive (€60-80/day) Vibe: Liberal, artsy, chill

What to do solo:

• Rent bike (€10/day)—explore like local
• Museums: Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House
• Canal walks
• Vondelpark (picnic, people-watching)
• Free walking tours
• Day trip: Zaanse Schans windmills, Haarlem

Where to stay:

• ClinkNOORD (across river, cheap, social)
• The Bulldog Hotel (iconic, central)

Coffee shop culture: Easy to meet people, but optional (non-smokers welcome)

Canal boat bar crawl: Social, unique

Perfect for: Solo travelers who bike, love art, want liberal vibe

6. Barcelona, Spain ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why it's great:

Safety: Generally safe (watch for pickpockets in touristy areas) Social: Beach, tapas bars, hostel scene Navigation: Metro + walkable neighborhoods Budget: Moderate (€50-70/day) Vibe: Beachy, vibrant, artistic

What to do solo:

• Free walking tours (Gothic Quarter, Gaudí tour)
• Gaudí architecture (Sagrada Familia, Park Güell)
• Barceloneta Beach (solo sunbathing fine, beach volleyball pickup games)
• Tapas bar hopping (easy to chat at bars)
• Montjuïc (hill, castle, free fountains show)
• Day trip: Montserrat mountains (monastery, hiking)

Where to stay:

• Sant Jordi Hostels (multiple, social, party/chill options)
• Yeah Barcelona Hostel

Food:

• Tapas bars (La Boqueria market)
• Menu del día (€10-15 lunch, three courses)

Nightlife: Beach clubs, Rambla pub crawls

Perfect for: Solo travelers who want beach + culture + nightlife

7. Berlin, Germany ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why solo travelers love it:

Safety: Very safe Social: Incredible nightlife (techno clubs), alternative culture, meet-ups Navigation: Excellent public transport, bikeable Budget: Moderate (€45-65/day) Vibe: Edgy, artsy, historical, anything-goes

What to do solo:

• Free walking tours (essential—Nazi history, Cold War, street art)
• East Side Gallery (Berlin Wall graffiti, free)
• Museums: Pergamon, DDR Museum
• Mauerpark flea market (Sundays, karaoke)
• Tempelhofer Feld (former airport, now park—biking, picnics)
• Nightlife: Berghain (if you get in), Watergate, Tresor

Where to stay:

• Generator Berlin (huge, social)
• Wombat's City Hostel

Food:

• Currywurst (€3-4)
• Döner kebabs (€4-5, best late-night food)

Unique: Solo club-going is normal (Berliners go alone, dance alone)

Perfect for: Solo travelers into nightlife, history, alternative culture

8. Copenhagen, Denmark ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why it's wonderful:

Safety: Extremely safe (one of safest cities worldwide) Social: Hygge culture, bike culture, design-focused Navigation: Bike-friendly, compact Budget: Expensive (€80-120/day) Vibe: Cozy, design-forward, happy people

What to do solo:

• Rent bike (explore Copenhagen way, €15/day)
• Nyhavn (colorful harbor, expensive but photogenic)
• Free walking tours
• Christiania (hippie commune, interesting)
• Louisiana Museum (modern art, coast, €18)
• Tivoli Gardens (amusement park, magical at night)

Where to stay:

• Generator Copenhagen (waterfront, social)
• Danhostel Copenhagen City (cheap for Copenhagen)

Budget tips:

• Supermarket meals (eating out expensive)
• Free museums Wednesdays
• Bring alcohol from Sweden (Denmark booze pricey)

Perfect for: Solo travelers who love biking, design, and don't mind spending more

9. Porto, Portugal ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why it's underrated:

Safety: Very safe Social: Growing hostel scene, wine tastings, river walks Navigation: Walkable (hilly) Budget: Very cheap (€25-45/day) Vibe: Charming, authentic, less touristy than Lisbon

What to do solo:

• Free walking tours
• Port wine cellars (tastings, tours, €10-15)
• Ribeira district (riverside, colorful)
• Livraria Lello (beautiful bookstore, €5 entry)
• Douro River cruise or walk
• Sunset at Jardim do Morro

Where to stay:

• The Passenger Hostel (design hostel, social)
• Gallery Hostel (art-focused, chill)

Food:

• Francesinha (€8-10, local specialty)
• Pastéis de nata (€1 custard tarts)

Perfect for: Solo travelers wanting Lisbon vibe, fewer tourists, cheaper prices

10. Krakow, Poland ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why it's ideal:

Safety: Very safe Social: Backpacker hub, pub crawls, tours Navigation: Compact old town Budget: Extremely cheap (€20-35/day) Vibe: Historical, somber (Auschwitz nearby), vibrant nightlife

What to do solo:

• Free walking tours (Main Square, Jewish Quarter)
• Auschwitz day trip (group tours, €30-40, emotionally heavy but important)
• Wieliczka Salt Mine (underground cathedral, €25)
• Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter, trendy cafés/bars)
• Wawel Castle (free on Mondays)

Where to stay:

• Mosquito Hostel (legendary party hostel)
• Greg & Tom Hostel (best-rated)

Nightlife:

• Vodka tasting bars
• Underground clubs
• Pub crawls (€10)

Perfect for: Budget solo travelers, history buffs, party scene

Honorable Mentions

Great but didn't make top 10:

Bruges, Belgium: Beautiful but small, can feel lonely solo (couples-focused) Vienna, Austria: Safe, cultural, but expensive and formal (harder to meet people) Rome, Italy: Amazing but chaotic, pickpockets, harder to navigate solo Stockholm, Sweden: Safe, beautiful, but very expensive, Swedes reserved

Solo Travel Tips for Europe

Safety strategies:

✅ Stay in hostels (social + safe) ✅ Share location with friend/family (Find My Friends) ✅ Trust instincts (if something feels off, leave) ✅ Avoid walking alone late at night (Uber/taxi) ✅ Keep valuables secure (money belt, hostel lockers)

For women: Europe generally very safe solo, but usual precautions apply

Meeting people:

✅ Stay in social hostels (not hotels) ✅ Join free walking tours (chat during, grab food after) ✅ Pub crawls (instant group) ✅ Cooking in hostel kitchen (conversation starter) ✅ Day tours (group tours = built-in friends) ✅ Apps: Meetup, Couchsurfing Hangouts, Bumble BFF

Dining alone:

✅ Bring book/journal (occupy yourself) ✅ Sit at bar (easier than table alone, can chat with bartender) ✅ Lunch solo easier than dinner (less conspicuous) ✅ Street food/markets (grab and go) ✅ Picnics in parks (very normal solo)

Reality: Europeans dine alone regularly—it's not weird!

Loneliness management:

It happens, even in social cities:

✅ Schedule social activities (tours, pub crawls) ✅ Balance alone time (recharge, journal) ✅ Video call home (when needed) ✅ Join group accommodation (dorms, not private rooms) ✅ Remember: Temporary loneliness ≠ mistake

Solo travel = comfortable with own company (valuable life skill)

Sample 2-Week Solo Europe Itinerary

Beginner-friendly route:

Days 1-3: Lisbon (ease in, sunny, social) Days 4-6: Porto (quick train, cheaper, charming) Days 7-9: Barcelona (flight €30-50, beach city) Days 10-12: Prague (flight €40-60, backpacker heaven) Days 13-14: Budapest (train/flight, party finale)

Total cost: €1,200-1,800 (including flights, accommodation, food, activities)

Best European cities for solo travelers prioritize safety, social opportunities, and ease: Lisbon tops list (safe, affordable €30-50/day, vibrant hostel scene), followed by Budapest (party culture, thermal baths, €25-40/day), Prague (fairytale beauty, backpacker central), Edinburgh (pub culture, Arthur's Seat hike, Fringe Festival), Amsterdam (bike-friendly, liberal vibe), Barcelona (beach, Gaudí, tapas bars), Berlin (techno clubs, Cold War history), Copenhagen (safest, bike culture, expensive €80-120/day), Porto (authentic, cheap €25-45/day), and Krakow (budget-friendly €20-35/day, Auschwitz trips). Join free walking tours, stay in social hostels, embrace pub crawls, and remember dining alone is normal in Europe.