Lovely Cities in Europe

 Paris, France

Paris is by no means affordable (in fact, quite the opposite), but it’s worth the expense if you have the budget. It’s such a large and beloved city with enough to keep a single traveler happily exploring for an entire lifetime!

Which makes slow solo travel a fun and enjoyable way to glimpse life in Paris, cruising on the metro, waking up to croissants and espresso, and seeing the Eiffel tower on the horizon.

Outside of the Paris classics like the Louvre and the Notre Dame, be sure to make time for more offbeat places like going to the free rooftop on the Galeries Lafayette, the Montmartre vineyards, and just getting lost in general. Dark tourism in Paris is also an interesting way to experience the city, with the Catacombs (underground tunnels lined with bones) topping the charts.

Porto + Lisbon, Portugal 

I instantly fell in love with Portugal. This sunny nation on the coast is warm, inviting, and filled with many unique things to do and see. And who doesn’t love a wine destination?

The best places to visit in Portugal include Lisbon, Sintra, Porto, the Algarve, and the Azores Islands, which are known as the “Hawaii of Europe.” Smaller destinations in Portugal like Sesimbra and Aveiro also have incredible things to do and see.

My impressions of Portugal were that the locals were very friendly, many people spoke English well, and it’s another affordable destination perfect for solos. Portugal also rocks an exciting expat scene thanks to its freelance visa attracting many to the Iberian Peninsula. 

Dalmatia Coast, Croatia

Croatia is a beautiful destination along the Adriatic Sea and is home to lovely summer weather, medieval towns, and of course, filming locations for Game of Thrones. While I haven’t visited here solo, throughout the 7 days we spent in Croatia, it was obvious it was a hub for solo travelers!

We even befriended a solo backpacker on one of our tours and spent the evening enjoying drinks together. Although main tourist spots like Dubrovnik were a bit pricey, the rest of the country was fairly affordable. 

The best places to visit in Croatia include Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, and Zagreb, which are easily accessible via FlixBus or budget airlines like EasyJet and RyanAir.

Belgium 

Belgium is an insanely underrated destination and boasts, dare I say it, a better beer scene than Germany! The cities are also quite unique and beautiful, and all seem to have exceptional food and bar scenes. The vibrant yet historical metropolis of Brussels, medieval Ghent, and the glamorous port city of Antwerp are all worth visiting.

And if you’re up for small-town adventuring, Dinant is beyond picturesque. For solo travelers in Europe, Belgium is small and fairly easy to get around via train, the locals are friendly, and the food is amazing. 

Copenhagen, Denmark 

I lived and studied abroad in Copenhagen when I was getting my Bachelor’s degree and have spent many hours exploring the city’s streets solo. Denmark’s capital is beyond safe, locals speak exceptional English, and there are so many fun and unique events and things to do.

The city is also not all that big, which means it’s easy to navigate and get around by foot or bike.

It’s also easy to pop over to Sweden or fly via budget airlines to surrounding Scandinavian countries. While its cloudy weather is less than ideal (and the high cost of living), Copenhagen offers a lovely intro to Scandinavia.

Top things to do in Copenhagen include visiting the colorful Nyhavn harbor (and taking a canal tour), climbing the spire of The Church of Our Savior for a bird’s eye view, and visiting Rosenborg Castle. 

The United Kingdom + Ireland

Ireland and anywhere in the United Kingdom are great places to visit for first-time solo travelers, especially those from the states.

Why? Because aside from the fact that they’re exciting destinations with lots to offer, everyone speaks English! And while many people speak English in Europe, having native-English speakers to converse with as a solo traveler adds a level of comfort. But be warned, travel in London, Ireland, and the UK at large can be pricey. 

Some of the classic London things to do include seeing the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, enjoying afternoon tea with scones, and climbing Big Ben.

Those planning a trip to Ireland have exciting destinations to look forward including Dublin, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, and other more off-the-beaten-path spots.

Source : https://www.lifeofbrit.com/