Here Are 5 of the Best European Cities for Solo Travels

There comes a time in every traveler’s life when they’re forced to reckon with a simple question: is it time for me to go solo? Yes, we’re talking about solo traveling. Catching a flight or hopping on a train with that me, myself, and I trio in what can feel like an overwhelming feat. It’s been the source of anxiety for many students studying abroad in a non-pandemic world; your roommates are dying to go to the Amalfi Coast, your friends studying over in Florence want to meet you at Oktoberfest, your new friend from class is headed to Paris, but you’ve been dreaming of Greece for as long as you can remember. The aftertaste of first-world problems is strong on this one. But, if you can humor me and look past that, there’s a little nugget of truth here--a morsel of anxiety. Because let’s face it, traveling alone is intimidating.

Going solo is not as simple as buying a ticket and locking in an Airbnb, especially if it’s your first experience. Right off the bat, there’s the question of safety. Is it safe for me to travel alone? Anyone who’s seen Taken (like my friend who watched it the night before she left for her semester in Florence) knows the dangers that can come from being a naïve American taking on the world alone—especially if you don’t have Liam Neeson on call should things go awry. Physical fears aside, there’s also just the fear of what to do with all that free time on your own. Where should I go? How am I going to keep busy? Am I going to have to sit alone at dinner? Are people going to look at me weird? Perhaps most anxiety-inducing of all: Who’s taking my insta pics for me? Results may vary when asking a stranger on the street to oversee your 70-pic photoshoot. 

Look, all those questions are real and valid, and often don’t come with one-size-fits-all answers. But there’s power in the unknown and thrill in the open-ended. Part of the beauty in traveling alone is the idea that you never quite know what you’re going to get—what streets you’ll find yourself walking down, who you’ll strike up a conversation with at a bar, what local gems will catch your eye in a bustling market. Perhaps the biggest question you’ll encounter is how—how it’ll make you feel. Traveling alone gives you a lot of time to think, and with that can come plenty of space for reflection and introspection. What comes from this can impact you in ways you hadn’t expected, challenging your thoughts, shaping your perspective, and giving you more to chew on than if you’d had a rowdy group of friends tag along. Not only that but sometimes it may be your only opportunity to check off your dream destinations.

So, while being a party for one may bring about some traveler’s anxiety, that doesn’t mean it should stop us from it. Solo travels can open our eyes to a world of new experiences, but only if we have the courage to seize them on our own. To get your bucket list going, check out some of the top European cities for traveling alone, each bringing something different to the table in their own unique way.

Amsterdam

Ah, do you hear that? The leaves dancing in the wind and the sweet sound of oars gently tapping the stream. Photo by Chait Goli.

If you’re searching for a place to get lost in, look no further. The word picturesque just doesn’t do Amsterdam justice, with its budding foliage and labyrinth of rivers that stretch for miles along cobblestone alleys. The beauty of a place like Amsterdam is the freedom it gives to just be. One of the best weekends of my life was spent simply walking the streets, dipping in and out of vintage shops, stopping for coffee, and taking some time out for myself. Queue up your sad boi vibes playlist and feel like the main character in your own A24 coming-of-age film. 

For those days where you’re looking to be a little more active though, the Van Gogh museum and Anne Frank house are absolute musts, followed by one of the dozens of river cruises--go for the ones with open bars while you’re at it. And yes, for a big switch-up, do venture out into the Red Light District after dark, with caution of course. 

Copenhagen 

Option to stay on a houseboat? Yes please! Photo by Nhi Uyển.

Keeping with the Amsterdam aesthetic, Copenhagen is another hidden gem for the recluses-at-heart. Perhaps at the top of the list for any tourist is Nyhavn, the place that was once the city’s commercial port and is now home to shops, bars, and restaurants in a stunning array of colorful homes—like something out of an oil painting. Rich in history and vibrant daily life, Copenhagen has everything you need for a bustling museum day or simply aimlessly wandering—getting lost never sounded so nice.

Rome

Photo by Davi Pimentel.

No guarantees if you’ll find yourself on the back of a Vespa with an international pop star whose singing partner is your long-long twin (they never really explained that part, did they?). Lizzie McGuire fantasies aside, Rome has pretty much everything. The history, the food, the architecture, the food. With hidden gems around every corner and an old-world charm that can’t be beaten, there’s no shortage of corners for a solo traveler to wine and dine their way through. Must-sees are, without question, the Trevi Fountain, Coliseums, Altar of the Fatherland, the Pantheon, and a quick trip over to Vatican City.

Budapest

This neo-Gothic Parliament building is enough reason alone to grab a pen and mark your calendar. Photo by Dominika Gregušová.

Five minutes in Budapest and you’ll be pinching yourself wondering what storybook you've stepped into. With whimsical architecture and 360° views that are second to none, it’s an easy choice for some alone time. The Eastern European charm spans far and wide, with winding rivers and quaint little spots around every corner. Get lost wandering the Danube river or take a trip over to the Szechenyi Spa Baths, the most beautifully absurd way to treat yourself. Truly fit for a weekend of gram-worthy pics and some R&R.

Paris

Que c’est beau! Photo by Anna Urlapova.

How can we forget Paris? The crème de la crème of solo travel destinations where the world is truly your oyster. Shop your savings away along the Champs-Élysées, peruse masterpieces in the Louvre, meander around the gardens at Versailles or watch the city shine from the top of the Eiffel. There’s no shortage of things to marvel at, whether it’s a major attraction or just a walk through the open city. There’s beauty in every arrondissement--especially in those quieter, simpler moments.

Don’t be afraid to take the leap and adventure solo. It may be terrifying, but it may just be one of your best trips yet.