Solo Female Travel in Europe: Everything You Need to Know

This is a guest post by Taylor K.

Europe is a great destination for solo female travelers! It’s pretty safe, small, and easy to travel around, and it’s full of gorgeous spots to see. What better way to spend a vacay than sipping espresso in Italy, eating fish and chips in England, diving into the gorgeous beaches of Portugal, and chasing the northern lights in Iceland?

That said, there are a few things to be aware of that will make your time there easier, such as what to bring, how to stay safe, how to keep your belongings from getting stolen, and which spots are the best even if, and especially if, you’re traveling alone:

11 Best European Countries for Solo Female Travelers 

Ireland

Ireland might just be one of the best places for solo female travel in Europe, especially if it’s your first time! The small “Emerald Isle” is incredibly beautiful with so much to do! And while the people might be a little on the sarcastic side, they are so friendly and welcoming! Better yet, the main language is English which makes getting around a whole lot easier.

Recommended destinations: Dublin, Cork, Dingle, Galway, and Aran Islands.

Iceland

From the waterfalls on the Ring Road and Golden Circle to the Glaciers, black sand beaches, gorgeous hikes and even the possibility of the Northern lights, Iceland is other-worldly. Each season promises a unique adventure, and while it is not the cheapest destination in Europe, there are many ways to save on your trip.

Iceland is also one of the safest places for solo female travelers in Europe as it is the safest country in the world which means you’ll find a a lot of other travelers to hang out with!

Recommended destinations: Vik, Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, Húsavík

Germany

Ready for beer, pretzels, magical castles, and lederhosen? All the cities in Germany have such unique characteristics, from the hip city of Berlin to the boisterous, beer-drinking city of Munich to the fairy tale city of Baden-Wüttemberg, I loved being able to experience SO much in one country. You can even experience some of the best Christmas markets if you visit in December! 

Germany has incredible transportation which makes getting around easy and English is widely spoken, or at least enough to get by! I felt safe in all the cities so, like all cities, as long as you use your street sense you’ll be perfectly safe!

Recommended destinations: Stuttgart, Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Leipzig

Finland 

Known as the happiest country in the world, the friendly people make Finland a safe and amazing choice! If you love the outdoors, you’ll love hiking alone while feeling safe. If you visit in the winter you can cross some serious cool winter activities off your bucket list like watching the northern lights in an igloo hotel (one of the coolest things I’ve ever done!) or throwing boiling water in the air and watching it vaporize. Crazy right?

Recommended destinations: Lapland, Helsinki, Rovaniemi.

France 

Ahh France – baguettes, cheese and croissants! Not only is the food amazing in France, but it’s also incredibly beautiful and safe for solo female travelers. Many first-time solo travelers choose France (hello-Paris!) so you’ll also have lots of opportunities to meet others and most of the people in big cities speak English, even if they prefer not to! Make sure you venture out of Paris and visit the beautiful lavender fields of Provence or wineries in Bordeaux.

Recommended destinations: Paris, Nice, Bordeaux, Provence, Strasbourg

England

England is small but so diverse so you can see a lot in one visit, while still being able to speak the language! You’ve got everything from the Medieval town of York to the storybook-cute Cotswolds to the bustling city of London and everything in between. It draws a lot of solo travelers so you should have no problem making friends to adventure around with!

Recommended destinations: London, Brighton, Manchester, York, The Lake District, The Cotswolds.

READ NEXT: London vs. Paris, which one is better?

Belgium

I dream of the crispy-sweet liege waffles from Belgium and you will too after leaving. Home to the best chocolate and so many languages and cultures, Belgium is a great place to experience a lot as a solo traveler. The capital, Brussels is a centrally-located major city and one of those European destinations that attracts a lot of solo travelers to enjoy the most amazing Belgium fries and beer!

Recommended destinations: Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp

Switzerland

Switzerland is an amazing destination for solo female travelers who want to get outside in the summer or winter! In the summer you can go hike the Matterhorn, visit Oeschinen Lake or Lavertezzo, go paragliding or go mountain-climbing in Interlaken!

In winter, enjoy skiing in ski towns like Davos Klosters, Grindelwald, or Gstaad. It’s cheaper than skiing in the States and the Swiss Alps are GORGEOUS, especially with a glass of mulled wine or cheese fondue after a day on the slopes.

Recommended destinations: Gimmelwald, Interlaken, Grindelwald, Zermatt, DavoKlosters, Wengen

Spain 

Spain has some of the friendliest people I’ve ever encountered, amazing transportation, beautiful weather, and most big cities speak enough English to get by comfortably. There are also so many awesome things to buy and bring back from Spain to remember your trip! You could spend days just exploring Madrid or Barcelona city center because it’s a country that feels like it never sleeps and the cities are always alive and buzzing!

Recommended destinations: Madrid, Barcelona, Mallorca, Seville, Ronda, Valencia, Granada.

Estonia

If you’re looking for something off-the-beaten-path, look no further than Estonia. This tiny Baltic country is not usually on the top of travelers list, but it should be. There is so much history in Estonia and walking around old town Tallinn feels like you’re in a medieval storybook – it’s one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. Because it’s less visited, Estonia is a nice break on your wallet.

Estonia is also a short ferry ride from Sweden or Finland, so it’s a great base to knock a few countries off your list at once.

Recommended destinations: Tallinn, Tartu

Austria

The central European country of Austria is underrated when it comes to its neighbors of Switzerland and Italy, but it’s just as incredible! It’s one of the safest countries, the people are super friendly and English is widely spoken. Due to its central location, it also makes getting around the rest of Europe a breeze. I found it to be similar to a cheaper version of Switzerland which may be a great alternative based on your travel budget.

The Capital City, Vienna, is loaded with stunning architecture, art, and culture. On the flip side, the adorable town of Hallstatt feels like you’ve stepped into a postcard. 

Recommended destinations: Vienna, Hallstatt, Salzburg, Innsbruck

While this is not an exhaustive list, these are some of the best countries in Europe for solo female travel! However, there are tons of places worth checking out all over Eastern and Western Europe which can be safe, fun, and great places to meet others.

How to Get Around Europe

Budget Airlines

Flying within Europe can be a steal, especially if you’re flexible with your dates. Use comparison sites like Skyscanner or Google Flights for the best deals. Ryanair, Easy Jet, Norwegian Airlines, and WOW are also budget-friendly options.

NOTE: Some of the budget airlines (I’m looking at you Ryanair) have odd rules for check-in or luggage so read EVERYTHING before booking!

Trains

Europe’s train system is vast, eco-friendly, and comfy. Look for passes online and plan your route. If you’re touring multiple countries, the Eurail pass can save you big bucks. Plus, trains often connect airports to city centers.

Metro

When you’re getting around the cities themselves, look for the metro. The public transit is affordable, saves you time from walking from place to place, and is dry on a rainy day.

Buses

Flixbus and Megabus offer reliable service at a low cost.

Taxis

Taxis in Europe can be pricey. Use them only when you have lots of luggage or no other transport options. Uber is a bit cheaper, and BlaBlaCar offers car-sharing.

Walk

This is one of the best ways to get around European cities and discover cute neighborhoods or local eats! Expect cobblestones and bring sturdy walking shoes. 

How to Meet Other Solo Female Travelers in Europe

Europe is easy to get around, small, and iconic for the art, food, architecture, and variety of cultures so you’ll meet a lot of other solo travelers – especially if you stay in hostels! Here are some tips for meeting others:

• If locals see you traveling Europe alone they are more likely to invite you to events and show you around. It’s easier for them to accommodate one person than a group.
• Opt for hostels or couch surfing to save money and meet people. Check sites like hostelworld.com for hostels with social spaces or events. For couch surfing, go for hosts with good reviews. Be aware, the hostel crowd is often younger and full of study abroad students.
• Use Social Media: Platforms like Instagram or travel forums can be great for connecting with other solo travelers to meet up with. 
• Join Female Travel Groups on Facebook: Look for women-only Facebook travel groups like this one. 
• Local Events: Attend local events or festivals where you’re likely to meet like-minded travelers.
• Tinder: Some solo female travelers use it platonically to meet other travelers. Just be clear about your intentions.

What to pack 

While you want to look cute, you don’t want to draw attention to the fact that you’re traveling alone in Europe. Think dressing down with neutral, muted colors and basic items that you can layer depending on the weather such as leggings, cardigans, basic jeans, and cute, longer dresses. I would recommend you avoid anything skin-tight and opt for looser-fitting and more flowy attire. Also, keep a thin sweater or scarf in your bag to throw on if you feel awkward or cold.

READ NEXT: The perfect Europe packing list for summer, fall, and winter

You also want to ensure you are avoiding pickpockets. Bringing an RFID-blocking travel bag, such as a Pacsafe bag, or an RFID-blocking wallet is a great idea. Leave the expensive gadgets at home and don’t have any kind of expensive items, like jewelry, showing.

Make sure you have closed-toe comfortable shoes for all the cobblestone streets you will be walking on and leave the flip-flops at home unless you are going to the beach! Many larger hostels have coin laundry service, but even if they don’t, it’s easy to track one down in the city, so don’t worry too much about not packing enough clothes.

Where to Find the Best Food in Europe

Europe is pretty much heaven for foodies! Here are some of my best tips for getting the best eats:

• Skip restaurants with English menus or the ones in city centers that have big menus with photos posted outside. Don’t worry about not knowing the language; just check out what others are eating and point to what they are having! It’s always worked well for me!
• Forget the diet. Savor pasta in Italy, feast in Greece, and enjoy Swiss chocolate. YOLO baby! (on that note, here’s an honest comparison between Greece and Italy, if you can only visit one!)
• Ask your hostel or hotel about nearby food markets. Street food is often cheaper and just as tasty as restaurants. For example, Berlin has a vibrant street food scene.
• If you have access to a kitchen, hit the local morning markets. It’s cheaper and you’ll get to experiment with fresh, local ingredients.
• Make sure you know local dining times and operation hours. For example, Spaniards eat late dinners, and some Italian restaurants close in the afternoon.
• Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. This site is a good resource for country-by-country information.
• Join a local food tour to discover hidden gems. Try to do this the first day so that you get the local road recs from the guide right away! You’ll also usually meet some cool people on the tour!
• Use social dining apps like EatWith to dine with locals with amazing experiences and food.
• Check out local food blogs for recommendations.
• Always Google search restaurants before eating. I always eat at those with 4.5+ stars and it’s never led me to a bad meal.

Is Europe safe for solo female travelers?

Yes, Europe is very safe for solo female travelers overall and can sometimes even be safer than large US cities as most countries have outlawed guns and have fewer assaults. Like in any other country, you should take some safety precautions such as not walking home alone at night, not drinking too much alcohol, using a theft-proof bag, and locking up your passport!

You can check out some safety stats here.

Long-term living and working abroad in Europe

Visa deets: Most travelers from countries like the U.S., Canada, and Australia get a 90-day Schengen visa upon arrival. Some can also secure working holiday visas or longer-term visas, like the German freelancer visa.

Consider becoming an au pair: You’ll take care of a family’s kids in exchange for room and board. It’s a great way to see Europe, especially if the family covers your flight and expenses. 

Extra Tips for Solo Travelers

• Language Skills: Knowing the local language can open doors to job opportunities.
• Local Job Boards: Check local job boards and expat forums for job listings.
• Co-working Spaces: These are great for networking and often have job boards.

Europe is a super welcoming place for women on solo adventures. The good news is, that you won’t feel alone if you stay open, friendly, and eager to explore. Follow our straightforward travel tips in this travel guide to stay safe and make amazing memories, just like you would at home.

About the author: Taylor is the creator of Culture Craving Couple, a travel blog focused on traveling in the USA and Europe. She and her husband’s goal is to help you explore the world while growing closer through off-the-beaten-path experiences and giving back.