The 7 Best European Cities for First-Time Solo Travellers
Europe is an amazing destination for first-time solo travellers, as cities tend to be safe, you meet many other travellers and there is a good public transport system. Here are my 7 favourite European cities for solo travellers that are fun and easy to visit!
Solo travel can certainly feel daunting at times. You only have yourself to rely on and may feel worried about feeling lonely or out of place. As a solo, female traveller, you may also be concerned about safety.
I certainly had a little bit of all of that on my first solo trip, however it is now my favourite way to travel. I have met so many incredible people while solo travelling and explored the most gorgeous corners of the world.
For those looking to do the same, here are some of my favourite European cities that are perfect for solo travel.
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My favourite cities for first-time solo travellers
1. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is one of my all-time favourite cities and it’s easily one of the best to solo travel. It’s easy to navigate, most people speak English and there are tons of other travellers.
On top of that it’s also and incredibly interesting city to visit, with tons of history, culture and fun nightlife.
Make sure to go on one of the free walking tours while you are here to learn about the history and culture of Budapest from a local.
2. Montpellier, France
Montpellier is actually where I started my solo travel journey almost 4 years ago now and I love the city with all my heart. It is so safe, has many things to do and even has incredible beaches close-by.
It’s also a very walkable city making it easy to navigate even at night, plus you’ll meet lots of other travellers and international students here.
Don’t miss: I would highly recommend scheduling in time to visit Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, the UNESCO World Heritage Site located a 45 minute drive from Montpellier. The medieval city is an absolute highlight and there are public buses that go there if you don’t have a car.
3. Florence, Italy
Florence is an amazing city to visit as a first-time solo traveller because it’s easy to navigate while having something interesting to see around every corner. It’s overall just more manageable than e.g. Rome, but still has the incredible food, art and history.
I would recommend visiting in the off-season though, such as September & October as Italy has become overrun in the summer. Crowds are less in the autumn and the weather pleasant. During this time, it is much easier to get tickets to the Duomo and Uffizi Galleries. On top of all that, it is also the start of the wine and olive oil seasons – what more could you want!
A small word of warning: Recently, Florence (and Italy in general) has seen more pickpocketing and petty theft. At night, avoid walking around alone and keep your valuables hidden any time of day! This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe to visit solo now, just to be mindful.
4. Vienna, Austria
It doesn’t get much safer and organised than Vienna, which makes it perfect for first-time solo travellers. On top of that, pretty much everyone speaks English and is happy to help.
It also doesn’t lack in entertainment and beauty. Vienna is the perfect mix of modern and history. It has the urban charm of a big European city mixed with the stunning palatial architecture of the past.
Make sure to try a Sachertorte (chocolate cake with apricot jam) while you’re here, it is so good!
5. Lake Bled & Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana consistently ranks amongst the safest cities in Europe and I can only vouch for that. I felt incredibly comfortable and safe both in the capital and Lake Bled, and had the best time too.
Slovenia in general is still an underrated travel destination and one I’d highly recommend. I found navigating here pretty easy, most people spoke English and Ljubljana is super walkable.
6. Krakow, Poland
I recently visited Krakow for the first time and was surprised in the best way. I hadn’t researched my trip much, but the city was so beautiful, it felt safe and the locals were friendly.
I think it’s also a great budget-friendly destination for first-time solo travellers and you’ll meet lots of other travellers here.
Top Tip: Make sure to try Dobra Pączkarnia donuts while there, they are divine!
7. Porto, Portugal
I’m not going to say “favourite city”, however Porto is really high up there. It is the city of Port wine, beautiful historic buildings and winding streets. And in my opinion, the perfect start to solo travelling.
Porto has so many incredible attractions, stunning vantage points for panoramic views and even great beaches for surfing. On top of all that, it is safe, affordable and the people are friendly!
Check out my Porto guides:
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Hi, I’m Bell
My blog is here to show you that there isn’t one correct way to travel the world. Together, we can figure out what that means for you. Learn more about me here!
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