Congratulations! You’re about to go on your first solo trip to Europe. That’s pretty big. And now, all you’ve got to do is plan! If you’re not sure where to begin, you’re in the right place! Taking your first solo trip can be so intimidating. But with enough preparation and openness, it can be one of the best experiences ever! This article will list some of the best solo travel destinations for female travelers. It will also include some tips on how to travel solo and answer some burning questions about solo travel.
Europe is a wonderful place to travel solo as a woman, especially if you’re new to it. Hopping around from country to country is super convenient and also very affordable. With a variety of rich cultures and vast topographies, you could go from hiking in the mountains to enjoying a cocktail on the beach in just a couple of hours.
Here’s what to expect from this article:
Before we go further into planning your first solo trip in Europe, let’s answer a few burning questions:
Is it hard to travel alone for the first time?
Doing anything for the first time can be a bit difficult. But once you get the hang of it, traveling alone can be super easy, and you won’t think twice about doing it again.
The best way you can gently lean into traveling solo is to prepare adequately for your trip. Following solo travel trips (which I’ll share in this article) and staying calm and excited for your trip can definitely help with making traveling alone so much easier.
Is it safe to travel to Europe alone as a female?
If you’re a woman traveling to Europe alone for the first time, you’re probably asking yourself this question. A lot of places in Europe are safe for female travelers. You still have to be cautious if you’re out at night or intoxicated in an unfamiliar area. But for the most part, you’ll be safe traveling anywhere in Europe.
Where in Europe is best for solo travel?
7 best cities for solo travel in Europe
Begin your guide to solo travel in Europe by checking out some of the best solo travel destinations on the continent.
I’ve traveled to all of these cities solo, and I’d totally recommend them to other female solo travelers eager to explore Europe.
Your inspirational list:
- Budapest
This one may seem a little biased because I live in Budapest, but even if I didn’t call this city home, I’d definitely recommend it for solo travel! Budapest is such a great place for female solo travel because it’s safe., fun and inexpensive. The city also has so much to offer, and there’s always something fun to do. It’s a great place to meet other solo travelers, so you won’t feel so alone on your trip.
If you’d like more info on what to do in Budapest, check out this list for some of the best ruin bars in the city! Have a look at my other travel itineraries for Budapest, so you’re completely caught up on what you need to know.
- Ljubljana
Small but mighty, this is an underrated solo travel destination in Europe. Ljubljana has to be one of the prettiest cities in Europe and great for solo travelers. It’s a walkable city with a lot of its sights at a close distance from one another. If you love nature and a small city feel, this is a great place to go for your first solo trip to Europe.
- Stockholm
Any Scandinavian capital would make it to this list because they’re such great places to travel solo. Stockholm may cost you a bit more than other places on this list, but a visit is definitely worth it. The culture is very easygoing and a great destination for solo travelers trying to have a relaxed trip. Check out this Stockholm Travel Itinerary.
- Barcelona
If you love to eat, party, and be in a crowd, you’ll love Barcelona. This vibrant city is amazing for first-time solo travelers who want to meet new people and get the best of solo travel in Europe. This popular destination has amazing weather, making it perfect to visit for most parts of the year. Barcelona won’t just teach you how to travel solo but also how to fall in love with it!
- London
London is such a multicultural city that you can’t possibly stand out for being a tourist. You can easily camouflage as a local, and that might put you more at ease as a first-time solo traveler. London has a bit of everything, so there’s always something fun for everybody to do. That said, it definitely deserves a spot on the list of best solo travel destinations for female travelers.
- Bristol
Another British city where you’ll be happy to take your first solo trip is Bristol. It’s such a beautiful, artsy city in the UK that is worth seeing. The food is amazing, and the art scene is even better. If you love to cycle, it’s definitely a good place to pick. Did you know it was the UK’s first cycling city?
The architecture is lovely, and Bristol is only 40 minutes away from Bath. It’s a charming British city you’ll most definitely want to check out. Want to know more? You’re in luck! Here’s your Bristol Travel Itinerary.
- Lisbon
If you want to start solo traveling with splashes of color, good eats, and a chill vibe, Lisbon is a fantastic choice! It’s a calm city that will put you at ease when traveling alone for the first time. A trip to Lisbon will be full of culture and good vibes and definitely make for a great first trip alone.
How to solo travel as a woman
How to prepare for your first solo trip to Europe
Now that we’ve got our destinations let’s get on to how to plan your first solo trip alone:
💳 Step 1: Define your budget
One of the first steps to planning your first solo trip is defining your budget. This doesn’t mean planning out every detail but knowing how much you’re willing to spend on traveling essentials such as accommodation, transportation, and food. Defining your budget will also help you choose the solo travel destination that’s best for you.
To start, do some online research and see how much things cost on average. Once you have these numbers, weigh out which options will fit your budget perfectly and, if necessary, readjust your budget accordingly.
📅 Step 2: Get down to your travel itinerary
Now that you’ve done some research and defined your budget, it’s time to start booking things for your solo trip. The first thing you’re going to book is your travel ticket! Transportation in Europe is very convenient, and this makes solo travel 10 times easier than in many other places. For last-minute solo travel deals, have a look at Kiwi or Skyscanner.
Trainline and Flixbus also have a good selection of affordable train and bus tickets, so you may want to look there, too.
The next thing to book on your solo trip to Europe is your accommodation. This is one of the things that may cost you the most on your trip, so some extensive research will go a long way! For women traveling solo for the first time, hotels or hostels can be a great option.
If there’s stuff you’re absolutely sure you want to see, book those activities too. Booking activities in advance will save you some cash and a lot of time. Don’t feel pressured if you don’t know what you want to do yet. You can figure that out once you’ve arrived.
📝 Step 3: Time to make your wish list
Now for the fun part! Planning your activities. 😍
Being able to do what you want, when you want, is arguably the main reason why solo travel is the best. You can choose which activities line up with your interests and budget. Having a look at the popular attractions in the city you’re going to ( like this travel itinerary to Bristol ) can help you plan your solo trip to Europe.
If you’re not too sure what to do when traveling alone, have a look at what some travel blogs (like this one) have to say. If you’re active on social media, this is also a great place to look! People are constantly posting and tagging locations, so if you want real-life insights on bars, cafés, or other cool spots you could check out, social media is a good place to look.
I frequently share new eateries and my travel destinations here.
🧳 Step 4: Start packing
As your travel date starts to get closer, it’s a good time to start packing. Be sure to check how much luggage you’re allowed to have (especially if you’re flying) so you don’t have to pay extra. Most airlines in Europe don’t offer a lot of baggage allowance, and they can be very strict. A good tip for traveling solo is to pack light.
If you’re not too sure what to pack, have a look at the weather forecast for when you visit. Another thing to consider is what activities you might get up to on your solo trip. For instance, you’re going to need comfortable walking shoes if you plan to explore the city on foot.
🗺️ Step 5: Double-check everything
Traveling solo can be intimidating and exciting all at the same time, so don’t worry if you feel it all! As your trip gets even closer, be sure to double-check everything. Make sure you know when exactly you need to be at the station or airport and how you’ll get to your accommodation. Also, be sure to have your funds sorted out. Have some cash on you but also some on your card. Keep your family and friends updated with your solo travel itinerary for some extra sense of security, just in case of anything.
After this, the only thing left is for you to enjoy your first solo trip to Europe!
How do I travel alone for the first time in Europe?
💡 Essential tips for traveling alone
- Do some research (on everything) – whenever you travel solo, you’ll have to be on top of everything—from arranging your transportation and accommodation to planning out the details of your days away. A great way to ensure you’re not missing out on anything is by looking up as much as possible. Travel guides, such as Bristol Travel Itinerary: How to spend one day in Bristol, can be super helpful when planning your trip. If you’re active on social media, you can find a lot of up-to-date information from travelers and locals, which gives you an even better idea of the place you’ll be visiting.
2. Dare to daydream! – Visualizing your trip is a great way to start getting excited about it. Once you’ve done some research and read some advice or travel stories, you can better start imagining what kind of trip you’d like. This will make you feel more in control of your first solo trip and help you make the best of it. Think of where in Europe you’ve always wanted to visit and imagine yourself there on your first solo trip. Think of the food you’d eat and what you’d do. Visualize, visualize as much as you can!
3. Don’t over-plan – You may want to stay on top of your trip if you’re traveling by yourself for the first time, especially to an unfamiliar place. But just like the rest of life, things don’t always go according to plan. If you overdo it, you may end up stressed or upset when things don’t go as you’d like. Plan as much as possible, but leave some room for spontaneity as well. You may end up meeting other solo travelers on your trip that you could join in some other activities. Remember, you’re on this solo trip to Europe to have fun, so do that!
4. Be flexible – On the note of things not always going according to plan and meeting other travelers, be flexible! One of the benefits of solo travel is the flexibility it gives you. Milk this as much as you can by going with the flow. You can still do what you want to do on your solo trip, but don’t shy away from unexpected activities. Say yes to new things! People who know how to travel solo always make room for unexpected adventures. Those are what make for a great story!
5. See the city differently – A benefit of solo travel that we’ve already covered is in charge of your trip. You can see what you want to do when you want to do it. If you normally explore places on foot, try taking the bus or metro. These varied perspectives of the city will enrich your trip and experience even more.
6. Be alert – Safety should always be your priority. Especially when you travel solo. Most cities in Europe are pretty safe for female solo travelers, but you still have to be alert. Avoid being flashy with your stuff if you’re out by yourself. Pickpocketers and swindlers may notice you and try to take advantage of you. On a night out, be cautious of how much alcohol you consume, as you wouldn’t want to put yourself in a compromising situation.
Remember, you’re away from home, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
7. Speak to strangers – The idea of striking up a conversation with strangers may seem pretty daunting, but if you travel alone, you can speak to a stranger. Start small. Smile at people or take notice of other solo travelers. Even if you don’t end up making life-long friends, an enjoyable conversation with somebody new could introduce you to so many new things and make your time alone not lonely. I count on Couchsurfing to meet travelers and locals every time I travel in Europe, especially when I’m on a solo trip.
8. Document your experiences – With social media use at an all-time high, documenting your life is easy! But worry, you don’t need to share it with the world if you don’t to. In fact, it’s safer to keep the exact location discreet when you travel solo. Carrying a journal alone with you is an easy way to reflect on each experience you have during your time away.
9. Immerse in the culture – A few steps always go a long way. Whether it’s learning some basic words and phrases or doing things the locals do. Trying to immerse yourself into the culture as much as possible will help you enrich your solo trip around Europe. The continent has a huge diversity in culture, and each country could offer a unique experience, so don’t be afraid to try something new while you’re away.
10. Don’t just stick to touristy places – While the landmarks could be the reason you’re traveling somewhere, try to go beyond the touristy path. Do what the locals do and see how they live. You never know; you could end up wanting to move there. Going to a coffee shop, a local restaurant, or a bar could paint the city in a whole new light.
Why you should travel solo
Solo traveling is extremely beneficial because it gives you the chance to:
- Explore a new place without another person’s judgment.
- Freedom to do what you like, when you like.
- Challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone.
- Learn a lot about yourself.
- Gain more self-confidence.
- Meet many new people.
- Plan and stay on top of things.
- Gain a new perspective on several things.
How does it feel to travel alone?
Your first solo trip to Europe may feel a little overwhelming at first, but it could be one of your life’s best experiences. Traveling alone can make you feel more self-aware and confident. Stepping out of your comfort zone and striking up conversations with strangers will come easier with time, and you’ll value time spent traveling alone a whole lot more.
Traveling alone as a woman
Your first solo trip can get you nervous and worked up. That’s totally fine. All you have to do is trust yourself to manage your solo trip and have a great time seeing Europe. Remember to count on your intuition. If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t go for things to go completely horrible before you move to plan B.
Prioritize your safety at all times and make sure you’re still having an enjoyable time. You’re there for yourself anyway! So, take pictures, speak to strangers, and let loose. A lot of countries in Europe are great locations for first-time solo travelers, so you can be at ease on your trip.
How long should I go on a solo trip to Europe?
Depending on where you’re traveling from, your budget, and your schedule, you can travel alone for a couple of days or a couple of months. If you’re planning your first solo trip to Europe from the US or farther away, a week or two would be a great introduction to Europe.
If you plan on visiting multiple cities, you may want to visit for a month.
There are also plenty of ways you could stay in Europe for an extended solo trip. Working remotely or volunteering are just a few ideas.
Have a look at my Bristol Travel Itinerary and my Budapest guides here!
