When I was 19, I took my first solo trip to Austin, Texas. By 20, I had the confidence to take my first solo trip abroad. Solo travel as a female can be an empowering and enriching experience. You have the freedom and independence to decide where you want to go, what you want to eat, and how you want to spend your time. It also allows stepping outside your comfort zone and build your confidence and self-reliance while exploring a completely foreign or new-to-you destination.

When traveling solo, you will overcome challenges, build new skills, and put yourself out there when you want to meet new people to spend your time with. In this post, I cover 8 of the best European cities for solo female travelers. If you want to take a solo trip, take this as your sign to go for it! It might seem daunting but once you get over the discomfort of being in this new situation, you will have unforgettable experiences.

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The Best European Cities for Solo Female Travelers

How I decide what a good solo travel destination is:

There are a few things that I take into consideration in deciding what makes a good destination to travel to solo.

1. Safety: Safety is so important when you’re going to be alone in a new place, especially as a female! Of course, it is always important to use basic precautions when traveling regardless of if you’re by yourself or not. However, some cities are generally safer than others and can often be better suited for solo female travelers. Looking at crime rates (especially in regards to females, tourists or solo travelers, solo female traveler reviews, and the general vibe can be helpful to look at to determine what cities are safe.
2. Accessibility and navigation: When you’re traveling solo, the last thing that you want is to be lost and alone. It can put you in a vulnerable position. Being able to navigate safely and efficiently is so important. I find that a great public transportation system and a walkable city are important to me when I travel solo.
3. Activities: Just because you’re traveling by yourself, doesn’t mean you’re traveling alone. I have met so many different people when traveling solo. However, at times I want to be alone or just haven’t met anyone that I would want to spend time with. Traveling to a city with lots of activities can make it easier to stay entertained while solo traveling and take the pressure off needing to meet others.
4. Budget: When I travel solo, I prefer to be able to travel on a budget since I am not splitting the cost of things like hotels, rental cars, and activities with others. When traveling in Europe, generally Western Europe is going to be a bit more expensive than Eastern Europe.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam was the first city that I traveled to abroad as a solo female traveler when I was 20 years old. This city is not only a safe destination for tourists but has great public transportation and is very walkable from the city center. There are so many things to do in Amsterdam from the many museums, historical sites, shops, foodie destinations, and some of the more infamous activities such as visiting the local coffee shops. Amsterdam is a great location to choose for your trip as a solo female traveler.

Lisbon

This vibrant city has developed a reputation for being one of the best European cities for solo female travelers. Lisbon is relatively inexpensive, safe, and has a walkable city center. This city is packed with charm, from its historic neighborhoods like Alfama to its delicious food scene. You can also take a day trip to Sintra, a fairytale-like town nestled in the hills.

Bruges

Bruges is a fairytale-like city with canals, cobblestone streets, and beautiful architecture. It is a great place to wander around on foot, explore the shops, and enjoy the delicious Belgian chocolates and waffles. There are plenty of options for hostels, hotels, Airbnb’s, and other accommodations. It is also a short train ride away from other great cities to explore in Belgium such as Ghent. If you’re visiting Paris or Amsterdam, it’s an easy commute by train as well. Bruges ended up being one of my favorite cities when traveling solo in Europe.

Ljubljana

Ljubljana is a charming and walkable city with a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a great base for exploring Slovenia, a small country with stunning scenery, including Lake Bled and the Julian Alps. This city wasn’t one that I heard much of before visiting. After visiting, I realized it is one of the most underrated cities! Ljubljana has even made my list of top places I’ve ever been. Ljubljana was clean, felt very safe as a solo female traveler, and was easy to navigate.

Budapest

Budapest is a haven for solo female travelers. It’s safe, with a friendly atmosphere and easy-to-use public transport. From exploring historical sites to relaxing in thermal baths, Budapest offers something for everyone, all at an affordable price.

Madrid

Madrid has a vibrant culture and friendly atmosphere. The city is known for its safety, allowing for solo female travelers to confidently explore the charming neighborhoods. A well-connected metro system makes navigating a breeze, while delicious tapas crawls and flamenco shows provide a chance to mingle with locals and fellow travelers.

Vienna

Vienna is a city rich in history and culture, making it a great choice for solo travelers who want to experience the best of Eastern Europe. The city is safe, and clean, and has a well-developed public transportation system. There are a variety of different hostels, hotels, Airbnb, and other accommodation to choose from. Not to mention, Vienna has so many different museums to explore throughout the city. During a visit to this charming city, you will have no shortage of things to do which makes it one of the best European cities for solo female travelers.

Paris

Paris has walkable streets and an excellent metro system empowers you to explore iconic landmarks like the Louvre at your own pace. Parisian cafes, with their lingering culture, welcome you to savor a croissant and a coffee, people-watching and soaking in the atmosphere. Whether indulging in retail therapy along the Champs-Élysées or strolling through charming gardens, Paris caters to independent spirits. If you want to meet others, hostels are abundant in this large city making it or you can join a walking tour with other travelers providing you with ample opportunity to explore the city with a new friend.

How to Choose a Destination to Travel Solo To:

1. Consider what you would like to do on your trip. Are you wanting to hang out on the beach? Hop from country to country to try and see the most? Explore a large city? Visit many museums? Depending on your interests, different cities and even countries are going to be more suited to your wants.
2. Be sure you’re visiting during a good time of year for both the activities you would like to do, potential crowds, and weather conditions.
3. Be respectful of the culture! Always, always, always research the culture before your visit to be respectful and not run into any surprises.
4. Budget can be good to keep in mind when choosing a destination. Be sure to include the cost of transportation (are you going to need to rent a car, take Uber, or just use public transportation), the average cost of food, hotels/hostels, and activities.

Still hesitant about solo female travel?

If you have even the slightest interest in traveling solo, I highly recommend giving it a chance! I hope this list of 8 of the best European cities for solo female travelers helped choose a destination for your next trip.

Thank you so much for reading! If you want to get notified when I post new posts, be sure to follow my Instagram @maddie_deer here or like my Facebook page here. If you have any tips for preparing for a cross-country move, be sure to leave me a comment below!