Having lived in urban centers for most of my adult life, I’ve developed a fondness for solo city breaks—having embarked on over 20 such adventures. There’s something uniquely fulfilling about exploring architectural marvels, observing the tapestry of lives woven around me, and indulging in the vibrant tastes, sounds, and aromas each city has to offer.
In recent years, solo travel has seen a notable uptick. Hilton’s annual Trends report reveals that 34% of those surveyed plan to take a solo trip in 2025. Meanwhile, research from the travel association Abta shows that the number of Britons who traveled alone rose to 16% in the year leading up to August 2023, an increase from 11% the previous year.
For those embarking on their first solo travel experience, a city break is a seamless way to dip a toe into this emerging trend. Kirker Holidays, a tour operator specializing in experiences for the over-50s, notes a 20% rise in bookings for independent short breaks to cities like Paris over the past five years.
Recognizing the growing demand, travel companies are waiving single supplements, and hotels are rolling out rooms designed specifically for solo travelers. Dining alone is becoming more commonplace, with restaurant bar stools inviting lone explorers to enjoy a meal in comfort.
Based on factors like activities, costs, and overall ambiance, we’ve curated a list of the best European cities for solo travelers…
Athens, Greece
Once known for its pollution and overcrowding, Athens is evolving into one of Europe’s most liberating destinations. Roaming through this open-air museum filled with archaeological wonders is a joy—tickets for the Acropolis and six additional sites cost just £30 through GetYourGuide.
However, it’s the thriving arts scene that is drawing in a diverse crowd. Alternative Athens offers a three-hour street art tour that showcases murals reflecting both the origins of graffiti and contemporary societal issues.
To truly absorb Mediterranean culture, dive into local fare at Varvakios Agora central market, enjoying snacks like koulouri and gyros. For a more intimate dining experience, head to the 150-year-old Diporto, where strangers feel like friends.
With vibrant nightlife that stretches into the early hours and a metro system running until 1am on weekends, Athens has no shortage of ways to engage. Stop by Alexandrinó Bistrot in Exarcheia for people-watching or visit Heteroclito in Monastiraki to savor natural Greek wines. The contemporary Twinn hotel in downtown Piraeus offers single rooms starting at €65 (£54).
Tampere, Finland
In Finland, spending time in one’s own company isn’t just accepted—it’s celebrated. In a nation of introverts, solitude is an art form, making it easy for solo travelers to dine, dance, or even take a dip in the crisp Baltic waters without a second thought.
A 2022 survey by Visit Finland indicated that 32% of tourists in the country identified as solo travelers, with women particularly drawn to Tampere due to its impressively low crime rates—secured at 79.4% according to Numbeo’s safety index.
Once befriended, Finns are warm and welcoming, especially in the sauna. The Tampere region boasts over 70 public saunas, including Finland’s oldest, Rajaportti, and modern spots like Kuuma. Enjoying one of the country’s cheaper areas, navigating public transport is a breeze with a 24-hour ticket available on the Nysse app for just €8 (£6.60). Various hotels, including Solo Sokos Torni Tampere, offer packages tailored to single travelers starting at £134 per night.
Manchester, UK
It’s often said that cities in the north of the UK tend to be friendlier—and more affordable. And Manchester, with its welcoming atmosphere, has recently climbed past London on many travel lists compiled by critics like Time Out and Lonely Planet.
According to a 2023 Leisure Visitor Survey conducted by the local tourist board, 19% of tourists in Greater Manchester identified as solo travelers, with nearly 90% praising the area’s inclusive vibe. Canal Street’s Gay Village, known for its lively bars and clubs, serves as a hub for the UK’s second-largest LGBTQ+ community outside London.
The Timeleft app helps create relaxed dinner date experiences on Wednesdays, pairing up five solo diners based on personality type (£12.90, excluding dinner costs). For those who want to focus solely on food, the bar-stool dining at New Wave ramen and cocktail bar is ideal for solo lunch or dinner.
For accommodations, Yotel Deansgate offers compact rooms starting at £73, while Moxy Manchester provides social spaces to spark new conversations from £100 per night. Visit Manchester also suggests joining a music or pub walking tour or diving into the city’s cultural venues (visitmanchester.com/ideas-and-inspiration).
Vilnius, Lithuania
Traveling alone often brings budgeting challenges, but Vilnius shines as a wallet-friendly option. For the second consecutive year, it tops the Post Office Travel Money’s list of the cheapest city breaks, offering weekend getaways at about half the price of Amsterdam.
To explore the enchanting medieval old town and the quirky Uzupis neighborhood, a leisurely walk is your best option. Free walking tours led by local guides begin every morning at 10:30 AM from the cathedral square (vilniusfreetour.lt).
Thanks to its lower prices, indulging in Michelin-starred experiences becomes more accessible. Sit at the bar or a solo window seat at Nineteen18, where an enticing 10-course meal includes inventive bites like ants (€94/£78). Alternatively, delve into traditional family-style dining at Amandus, where meals are served simultaneously to diners at 7 PM (€90/£75).
Regent Holidays has responded to the growing interest in solo travel by launching a four-night twin-center escorted tour connecting Vilnius to Riga, Latvia, starting from £950 per person, which includes single-occupancy accommodations and flights.
Reykjavik, Iceland
With a population of fewer than 400,000, the residents of Iceland are quick to connect with one another.
Reykjavik’s few streets make it easy to explore, minimizing indecision when it comes to choosing a spot for a meal or drink. While prices can be steep—especially for alcohol—apps like Barhopp and AppyHour are excellent resources for finding deals. For more affordable dining, 101 Reykjavik Street Food serves homemade dishes at around £16 for fish and chips.
Beyond city life, Reykjavik serves as a gateway to nature. The budget-friendly Loft HI Hostel is centrally located, featuring private rooms starting at £100 and women-only dorms starting at £42, with a rooftop terrace perfect for meeting fellow adventurers.
In town, Tjörnin Pond is renowned for birdwatching, while Perlan offers exhibitions on Iceland’s natural wonders and an observation deck. Even in the sweetest moments of bustling life, there’s space for reflection—underscoring why Iceland has topped the Global Peace Index since 2008.
Lisbon, Portugal
Once overlooked, Lisbon has seen a renaissance, drawing in non-EU settlers through Golden Visa and digital nomad schemes. This growth spurt has ushered in a range of bars and restaurants, particularly in the Bairro Alto and Chiado districts, though many traditional establishments offering affordable seating for solo diners have remained resilient amid rising rents.
For delightful people-watching, take a seat amid the curiosities at Pavilhão Chinês in Bairro Alto or settle into the cozy, dusty velvet banquettes at Bar Procópio near the romantic Amoreiras Garden. During the day, cafes that cater to remote workers can be lively meeting spots—try one of several Copenhagen Coffee Labs in the area.
Hostel options are plentiful around the compact city center, often with appealingly low rates. Noticing the surge in solo travelers, the boutique hotel AlmaLusa Alfama, which overlooks the Tagus River, offers rooms for singles starting at £125, along with a concierge service dedicated to organizing group activities, including guided tours and sunset sailing trips on the river.
For female solo travelers, the travel community Girl Gone International provides a network of 15,000 women in the city, while laughter is always on the agenda at popular English-speaking events organized by the Lisbon Comedy meetup group.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin is a city that thrives on dissidence, defiance, and counterculture—a place where enjoying activities alone feels completely natural.
A survey conducted by restaurant booking platform OpenTable recently dubbed Berlin the best city in the world for solo dining experiences. At Kink Bar & Restaurant in Prenzlauer Berg, diners can enjoy their meals prepared in an open kitchen environment. Likewise, Unsicht Bar hosts dinner shows in the dark—perfect for those who enjoy an unexpected twist.
For those who may shy away from Berlin’s lively nightlife scene, a Silent Disco Walk ’n’ Dance Tour—held every other Sunday in the Government Quarter—offers a fun alternative (€14.90/£12.40, silentmove.berlin). For a calmer experience, Slow Travel Berlin organizes cultural walking tours that allow for deeper engagement with the city’s rich history. Alternatively, the Gaffl app can help connect you with fellow travelers through shared interests.
Accommodations in this bustling city range from hostel bunks to boutique hotel rooms at The Circus complex in Mitte, which features an on-site microbrewery and a lively calendar of events. Single rooms start from €95 (£78) (circus-berlin.de).