While there are many other other reasons Americans gravitate towards Europe, those listed above are why I chose a country in Europe for my first solo-trip abroad about 5 years ago. And while I’ve traveled alone quite a few times since then, I still find myself slightly afraid of veering over to another continent all alone – And that, my friends, is probably something I need to challenge myself to overcome.
But all that being said, let’s discuss some of the best destinations in Europe for solo travelers, whether it’s your first trip or your 10th. I should note – The destinations listed below are those that I’ve experienced for myself. At the end of this post, I will share a list of others I’ve seen creators and friends rave about for you to consider.
The reason Portugal is such a fantastic destination for solo travel is because it is so common to do – Which leads you to meet many folks who are doing the same along the way. It’s also incredibly affordable, provides public transportation throughout the coastline, and there’s so much to experience from exploring hidden beaches to trying new restaurants. (Lisbon was included on my 5 Greatest Destinations In Europe For Foodies list after it was awarded “Europe’s Best City Culinary Destination” at the World Culinary Awards in 2024!) What struck me the most about traveling Portugal was the comradery, specifically staying in hostels. I met so many friends simply because we were all having this shared experience and similar itineraries. Not only did this lead to fun discussions over breakfast, but continued run-ins and meet-ups, as we would land in the same places over and over around the country.
My biggest issue with Portugal? No other destination compares.
What I learned immediately was that people will gravitate towards you if you’re solo. I assume that is because most of us inherently want to comfort those around us. It’s also much easier to be aware and connected to what’s going on around you when you’re not constantly in conversation with a travel buddy. I’ll never forget the bus ride from the Santorini airport and turning the corner to see the most beautiful place I’d ever been at the time. I was all alone with my jaw on the ground – I may have even cried.
Throughout my 3 weeks island-hopping in Greece – I just felt so safe, so connected with myself and with Mother Nature, and I found every place to be easy to get around, whether on a bus or by foot; The islands are small and walkable with a ton of activities and different colored beaches to explore. 3. Albania Are we sensing a theme here? Beaches are great for solo travel, what can I say!
This past summer, I spent almost a month traveling through Southern Albania and the country is absolutely gorgeous, but it is a little different from the rest of the destinations listed today… Let me explain. Why is Albania a great destination for solo travel? Because of the safety and the people. There was never a point in my trip where I felt unsafe or unwelcome; Everyone from the bus drivers to the servers to the Airbnb hosts was very adamant on wanting me to have a great experience in their country, and feeling welcome is something I really appreciate when traveling.
However, the culture is pretty much opposite of what I described in Portugal. There are not a ton of hostels, most people seemed to be traveling in groups, and the transportation is wonky as can be.
That being said, if you enjoy alone time and the great outdoors as much as I do – This is a really amazing solo trip.
I actually started this blog while traveling in Albania, and published quite a bit about the trip already. You can find more travel tips for Albania here.
For starters, I am always telling people of all ages and demographics to visit in Dubrovnik – This town is so unique and beautiful, but the best part – The people are incredibly kind and welcome you with open arms!
Other cities in Croatia are quite different than Dubrovnik. Cities like Split, Zadar, and Zagreb were more modern and had younger travelers running around, but in my experience, the locals were slightly less warm. Regardless, every place I visited in Croatia over the six weeks I spent there felt very safe.
Is this the most common solo destination? No – Which is why I recommend starting your Croatia trip in Split, possibly making a few friends, then heading over to Dubrovnik together. Feel free to do a little island-hopping along the way, but these two cities make the perfect pair. The last thing I will say is that the bus system in Croatia is not the most organized, but it will get you there if you persevere. My experience with public transportation was strictly up north while I was staying in a small town called Jasenice near Zagreb – There were no updated bus signs around town, every website described a different schedule, and the locals tried to help, but their directions were inaccurate. For this reason, I didn’t make it to the city much, but when I did – I had to wait and watch for buses, jumping on any one I could find.
But hey, that’s all part of the adventure! 5. Iceland After ranking as the safest destination in the world for 10 consecutive years, I’d say Iceland is a top choice for solo-travel. It was also the first country I visited in Europe, and it is absolutely magical. 🙂
If you’re a lover of the outdoors and wonders of the world, you will never run out of things to see and do in Iceland. And the best part? This country is so tiny that you’ll have a chance to see it all!
My recommendation for solo travelers is to stay at a hostel in Reykjavik, where you will have access to all of Iceland’s sites and adventures from Glacier hiking to floating in the Blue Lagoon. If you are hoping to meet a travel buddy, you’re likely to meet one here or even on a tour through Get Your Guide!
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Like I said at the beginning of this post, the 5 solo travel destinations listed above are places that I’ve been to and have had a great experience in – But of course, each of our experiences will be unique so I hope yours ends up being as magical as mine!
A few places that I’ve seen consistently on solo-travel destination lists and even recommended from friends are:
Countries
– Italy (I’ve only been to Venice and it was lovely but I was with a friend)
– Spain (I’ve been to Barcelona a few times and it felt a little dangerous but many people do travel here solo, as well as throughout the rest of Spain)
Cities
– Vienna (I spent only one night here and didn’t meet anyone, but it was insanely gorgeous and had people of all nationalities walking around)
– Prague (Many many many people have told me this is their favorite city in Europe, but I’ve not made it for myself)
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Have you been to any of these places? What was your experience?
For more destination ideas, head over to Destinations In Europe!
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