Finding the Safest Places to Travel in Europe: An Expert’s Guide
For the past seven years, I’ve embraced the journey of exploring the globe solo, and without a doubt, my favorite continent for independent travel is Europe. The continent offers a dynamic mix of experiences, with each country presenting a unique culture, incredible cuisine, rich history, and stunning architecture. It’s also a fantastic place to connect with other solo female travelers doing the same. For those embarking on their first solo adventure or looking for trustworthy destinations, finding the Safest Places To Travel In Europe is paramount. Based on my extensive travels, here are my top picks for cities where I felt most secure and comfortable traveling alone.
A solo female traveler navigates a historic street in Europe, emphasizing safety and exploration
Navigating Europe independently offers unparalleled freedom and discovery. When considering your next destination, ensuring peace of mind is key. Beyond just safety, many of these locations also rank among the beautiful safe places to travel, offering stunning scenery alongside a sense of security. Preparing for your journey is also crucial, and while focusing on destinations, remember essentials like packing appropriate gear, which might even include specific items for activities like a himal outdoors golf travel bag if your trip involves sports.
Top Safest Cities in Europe for Solo Exploration
For individuals new to traveling alone, especially women, selecting the right starting point can significantly shape the experience. The goal is a memorable first solo trip that builds confidence. While the concept of the “Safest Places To Travel In Europe” encompasses many locations, these cities stood out to me personally as feeling particularly safe and welcoming for solo travelers. They are excellent choices for testing the waters of independent exploration.
A quaint European street scene, illustrating charming and secure travel destinations
Copenhagen, Denmark
My first visit to Copenhagen came after several trips to Europe, largely due to its reputation as one of the most expensive cities on the continent. While the Danish capital certainly proved pricey, spending a few days exploring it solo was a fantastic experience, especially during winter. It’s a remarkably safe city, and I was fortunate to make a lasting friendship with a local who generously shared her city with me.
Scenic view of the Triple Bridge in Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana, Slovenia
I was genuinely surprised by how much I adored Ljubljana. Once mastering its pronunciation (Lah-yoob-li-ya-nah), I couldn’t stop praising it! Slovenia’s compact capital is exceptionally pretty and, in my opinion, vastly underrated among European cities. Its small scale makes it incredibly easy to navigate, with walking being the ideal way to explore. In summer, the abundant cafes and parks offer lovely spots for solo travelers to relax and observe.
A picturesque canal and historic buildings in Lyon, France
Lyon, France
Before visiting Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital (a title I mistakenly attributed to Paris for years), I had already traveled extensively in France. Lyon is a superb choice for solo female travelers who enjoy an active approach to exploring. You can easily combine eating, drinking, walking, and cycling, ensuring you experience the famed food scene while staying active and seeing different parts of the city. While large, it’s best enjoyed by focusing on exploring one neighborhood at a time over a few days.
A scenic view of Positano on the Amalfi Coast, Italy
Sorrento, Italy
The Amalfi Coast has become one of Italy’s most sought-after regions, attracting visitors worldwide. For solo travelers heading to this area, I highly recommend using Sorrento as your base. It’s a perfectly sized city that feels authentic and significantly safer than nearby Naples. While I enjoyed my time in Naples, it wouldn’t be my top recommendation for solo female travelers prioritizing safety. From Sorrento, you can easily explore stunning destinations like Positano and the less-visited but equally beautiful Ravello. Planning your trip carefully, whether you travel to rome in december or the Amalfi Coast in summer, enhances the experience.
Bryggen, the historic harbor district in Bergen, Norway
Bergen, Norway
Nestled on Norway’s southwestern coast, the charming city of Bergen is often cited as the country’s most picturesque. Norway, in general, is an excellent and incredibly safe choice for solo adventurers, and Bergen exemplifies this. While known for being one of Europe’s pricier destinations, you can balance city exploration with outdoor activities like hiking or, for a more relaxed view of the coastal towns and fjords, consider a cruise.
A grand building and square in Vienna, Austria during Christmas time
Vienna, Austria
Vienna holds a special place as one of my favorite European cities and is undoubtedly one of the safest capitals to explore alone. I spent a delightful Christmas season here last year, moving between festive markets. The city’s thriving coffee house culture provides a wonderful way to spend time solo; I could easily dedicate weeks to hopping from one cafe to the next.
Modern architecture along the waterfront in Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki, Finland’s capital, is another excellent and safe city, particularly well-connected for flights (Finnair is often affordable and offers good routes). A local once described a quiet weekend to me by saying, “nothing exciting happened, this is Helsinki after all,” which speaks volumes about its peaceful nature. While it can feel understated in colder months, exploring on foot with enthusiasm reveals its charm. If you seek a little more excitement, a day trip ferry to Tallinn, Estonia, is easily done.
Historic street view of Edinburgh, Scotland with the castle in the distance
Edinburgh, Scotland
For fans of Harry Potter, Edinburgh is a must-visit, being the city where J.K. Rowling found inspiration. Even if you’re not a fan, you can appreciate its profound history and culture. Edinburgh feels ancient, with locals eager to share its stories. It’s also home to one of Europe’s most stunning castles, perched in an enviable location overlooking the entire city. Its safe streets make it a joy to explore solo.
Iconic architecture of Oxford University in England
Oxford, England
If you’re in London and desire a countryside escape or a day trip, Oxford offers a beautiful and safe option for solo exploration. The city is vibrant with student life, making it a great spot if you enjoy meeting people. Introverts can still experience the city’s essence by visiting the historic colleges and exploring their grounds.
Hallgrímskirkja church dominates the skyline of Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceland
Despite its dramatic landscape of ice and fire, Reykjavik is one of Europe’s surprisingly safest cities to visit. Thanks to increased tourism, it’s easy to connect with fellow travelers and locals alike. The cafe culture is bustling, providing many cozy spots to spend time. A delightful surprise was the abundance of vegan food options, available at both mainstream and dedicated plant-based restaurants. It’s an ideal city for a few days before venturing into the Icelandic wilderness.
Colorful buildings and a tram on a street in Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon has long been a favorite of mine for solo female travel. I’ve consistently felt incredibly safe and welcomed by the locals. It’s unquestionably one of the most beautiful cities to simply get lost in, wandering its hilly streets and discovering hidden gems. When considering safest cities to travel in europe, Lisbon always comes to mind.
Street art and buildings in Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb, Croatia
Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, was a pleasant surprise on my first visit. Having heard little extraordinary about it beforehand, I thoroughly enjoyed my days wandering its streets and getting delightfully lost. While coastal Dubrovnik is more famous, don’t overlook Zagreb. It serves as an excellent base for a few days, allowing you to experience life like a local in a city where you feel safe and comfortable. Exploring where to travel from croatia often starts with discovering its charming capital.
Zurich lakefront view with mountains in the background, Switzerland
Zurich, Switzerland
Switzerland is dotted with beautiful cities and towns, but for me, Zurich stands out as uniquely stunning. I particularly enjoy visiting during the winter months on my way to the ski slopes. I could easily spend several days here, finding a cozy spot outside a coffee shop, wrapped in a blanket, sipping hot cocoa. Its reputation for safety is well-deserved.
Iconic view of Tower Bridge in London, UK
London, UK
Out of all my visits to London, approximately 90% have been solo, and every time has been incredibly enjoyable. The city offers an abundance of free museums and a large expat community, ensuring there’s always something to see or do. London feels remarkably safe, regardless of the time of day or night, or the season. With countless entertainment options, it’s an easy city to navigate and enjoy on your own.
Buildings along the Spree river in Berlin, Germany
Berlin, Germany
I lived alone in Berlin for several months in 2015 and still cherish those memories. This city is effortlessly cool, offering a vast array of affordable restaurants, yoga studios, a continually evolving coffee scene, and a profound history that could occupy you for weeks. It’s a dynamic yet safe environment for independent travelers.
Zurich lakefront view with mountains in the background, Switzerland
Gent, Belgium
Belgium isn’t always the first country solo travelers consider, but having been one of my initial solo destinations years ago, I have a fondness for it, especially the city of Gent. It has a large student population, which makes it easy to connect with people and engage in social activities. Alternatively, if you prefer solitude, Gent is a wonderful city to wander without a map or specific plan, feeling completely safe.
Colorful buildings in Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is renowned for its impeccable street style and is indeed one of Europe’s most fashionable cities to explore. It’s an excellent city to discover over three days and becomes especially lively during the summer weekends. Its reputation for being welcoming and safe holds true.
A view of the Florence Duomo and cityscape, Italy
Florence, Italy
Italy offers countless incredible cities and towns, making it challenging to pick just a few for solo travelers. However, if safety is a priority, Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is one of the most beautiful cities to explore on foot and feels very safe for the most part. There are also fantastic day trip opportunities outside Florence, especially if you rent a car to explore the stunning Italian countryside.
Medieval street scene in Tallinn Old Town, Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn’s medieval old town is perhaps the closest you can get to stepping into a real-life fairytale. You could spend a day or a week wandering its streets; the city is so beautiful and feels incredibly safe, allowing you to lose yourself in its pure charm.
Canal view in Bruges, Belgium
Bruges, Belgium
The city of Bruges in Northern Flanders might just be my single favorite city in all of Europe. It’s exceptionally safe for a solo female traveler and so picture-perfect that you’ll feel like you’ve walked into a postcard. It truly embodies the charm and security desired when seeking the safest places to travel in europe.
Conclusion
Choosing to travel solo in Europe is an incredibly rewarding experience. While concerns about safety are valid, many European cities offer welcoming environments where independent travelers can explore with confidence. The cities listed above represent destinations where I personally felt secure and had positive experiences. From the historic streets of Edinburgh and the artistic heart of Florence to the tranquil canals of Bruges and the vibrant energy of Lisbon, Europe provides a wealth of safe and enriching opportunities for solo adventurers seeking the safest places to travel in europe. With careful planning and choosing destinations known for their safety, your solo European journey can be both empowering and unforgettable.
