Best Cities For Solo Travel In Europe

November 7, 2019

Europe is a great continent for solo travellers. Most destinations are easy to get to, there’s a good choice of accommodation for different budgets and most cultures are incredibly welcoming to tourists. Here’s our edit of the best cities in Europe for solo travellers.

1. Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Dutch capital is a hot bed of culture and art, with some world class galleries exhibiting works from Rembrandt to Warhol, Van Gogh to Pollock. Stroll the winding canals to get your bearings of this small and friendly city and drop into the galleries in museum district to see fine art and find out more about the history of the city. Hire a bike and explore on two wheels like many of the locals – you’re well served by the many off-road cycle paths. The city’s parks are also great to cycle through and are a pleasure to see in all seasons. The strong café culture means there’s always a place to stop for coffee and cake and with regular overnight ferries to Holland, you can enjoy a relaxing travelling experience and arrive rested and ready to explore.

VanGogh_Blog_1900x500

 

2. Budapest, Hungary

If you’re looking for vibrant nightlife and relaxing spas to remedy the sore head the day after, Budapest won’t disappoint. The city which straddles the river Danube, has plenty of historic buildings to explore during the day including St Stephen’s Basilica and the Hungarian Parliament building, but it’s at night when the city really comes alive. Its collection of ruin bars and laid-back clubs welcome locals and travellers alike, providing perfect places to soak up the authentic experience of the city. Start your evening with drinks at Mazel Tov, in the lively Jewish quarter then head to Szimpla Kert to have a drink in a converted bathtub or Trabant car before soaking up the electronic atmosphere and music. If you’re after something really different, head to Szechenyi Baths, the 20th century bath house which hosts regular Sparties, what can be best described as a rave in a thermal spa. Swim or dance the night away in the thermal waters lit by lasers and flashing lights and return the following day for a totally different, relaxing experience.

SzechenyiBaths_Blog_1900x500

 

3. Munich, Germany

This Bavarian capital attracts visitors for its awe-inspiring architecture, art galleries, and famous beer halls. It’s particularly busy in the autumn during Oktoberfest which is a great time for solo travellers to visit as the atmosphere in the city’s beer halls is electric during the festival.

Combine ale and history at the city’s most famous beerhalle, Hofbräuhaus. Founded in 1589, tourists and locals alike share tables, stories and beer into the early hours, surrounded by history.

Visit Residenzmuseum, home to Bavaria’s rulers from the 1500s up until WW1 and now home to amazing treasures telling of Bavarian royal life across the centuries. Several art galleries across the city display Rubens and Rembrandts , Dürers and Botticellis, and are a real treat for art lovers.

Traditional and modern sit side by side in this city of two halves. The historic architecture and traditional ways mix with the modern bars and hipster hangouts. The city’s parks provide a pocket of peace amid the busy city too.

 

4. Aarhus, Denmark

For Scandinavian, laid back cool, Aarhus is the place to be. This coastal, historic city was crowned European Capital of Culture in 2017 and offers culture vultures a rainbow topped art gallery ARoS and a wide selection of festivals throughout the summer. Sample authentic Nordic cooking in one of the cities many restaurants – the vibrant Latin Quarter is your best bet for dining with locals down quaint, cobbled streets. Take a walk or a cycle down by coast, taking in the fresh sea air then return to your hotel room or air bnb with a book and feel that truly scandi sensation of hygge, a sense of cosiness and contentment that just gets even better when you’re on holiday.

Aarhus_Blog_1900x500

 

5. The Hague, Netherlands

Just south of Amsterdam, the Hague is not only a fantastic city to visit, it also boasts its own beach and the surrounding fishing district is a delight to discover. Known as Scheveningen, the cobbled streets, sandy dunes and sprawling beaches are only a twenty-minute cycle ride from the city centre. Hire a bike and work up an appetite for fresh fish at one of several local restaurants when you arrive.

TheHague_Blog_1900x500

 

Back in the centre of the city, stop by Mauritshuis gallery to see the famous Vermeer painting Girl with a Pearl Earring and enjoy a coffee in one of the city’s many cafés. Mugs & Mermaids is a fabulous café which really embraces the seafaring heritage of the city, offering a mythical, underwater atmosphere which includes bright blue pancakes and pink lattes.

The Hague is also a great base for exploring the rest of Holland, whether it’s cycling to Kasteel Duivenvoorde, the brick castle surrounded by sumptuous parkland, just 45 minutes from the city, or whether it’s hopping on a bus to Rotterdam or the famous tulip fields of Keukenhof.
__________________________________________________________________________________

DFDS run daily, overnight ferries to Holland. Find out more here.

Comments are closed