10 Best European Countries For Solo Travelers, Ranked

Seasoned solo travelers believe that everyone should travel by themselves at least once. When you go to a foreign place on your own, you gain both freedom and empowerment, and it's one of the most rewarding experiences that you can have.

Though there are many positives to solo travel, it’s still daunting for those who have never done it before. To begin with, it’s best to choose a destination that is friendly for solo travel. This means picking a location that’s safe, easy to get around, and full of amazing things to see and do.

Check out our list of the best European countries to visit as a solo traveler, ranked.

10 Iceland

If there’s one thing that solo travelers seem to have in common, it’s raving about Iceland as a destination for solo travel. Considered the safest country in the world according to the Global Peace Index, Iceland is a hotspot for travelers who are by themselves because it gives them a sense of security. Statistically, you are less likely to run into danger in Iceland than anywhere else in the world.

Aside from the fact that it’s safe to visit, Iceland is popular, which means that there are always lots of other solo travelers to mingle with.

9 Luxembourg

Luxembourg is a blink-and-you-miss-it European country, but it’s one of the best destinations as far as solo travel is concerned. The small size of the nation actually works to its advantage, as it’s easy to get around the compact cities.

Being relatively unknown to the majority of tourists coming to Europe, Luxembourg is free from many of the dangers lurking in overcrowded, iconic cities. There’s also a large international community in Luxembourg thanks to the numbers of expats there, so it shouldn’t be hard to come across English speakers.

8 Ireland

Ireland was also ranked on the Global Peace Index for being one of the world’s safest cities. Apart from that, Ireland has an incredibly friendly vibe that seems to be missing from places that are overly touristy. It’s easy to make friends in the Emerald Isle, so it's an ideal place to visit if you’re a solo traveler.

Thanks to its fool-proof tram service, the capital city of Dublin is also super easy to navigate. There’s nothing worse than getting lost when you’re all alone in a foreign country, but in Ireland, it’s easier than ever to find your way around.

7 The Netherlands

There are a few reasons why the Netherlands is one of the best places to travel to on your own. For starters, nearly everyone speaks English, so it’s less daunting than visiting a place where you don’t understand what’s happening and what people are saying to you.

The vibe in the country, but in Amsterdam in particular, is incredibly laid back, and this will help you to feel relaxed rather than on edge as a solo traveler. The best way to see the city is to rent a bike and explore at your own pace.

6 Sweden

Sweden is a great place to go if you’re a solo traveler, but particularly so if you’re a solo female traveler. Known for its egalitarian environment, Sweden has a culture of treating women and men equally, meaning you won’t run into gender-based issues that may become a problem in less progressive locations. A woman traveling by herself in Stockholm is nothing to gawk at.

There is plenty to do in Stockholm for the solo traveler, including exploring the stunning winding streets of the historic city center and visiting the royal palaces.

5 Spain

The Spanish are among the friendliest in Europe, so solo travelers visiting Spain often feel very welcome. It is the land of hospitality and social gatherings, which means it’s easy to meet new people and find things to do as part of a group, even if you’re traveling by yourself.

Food and accommodation are also cheap in Spain compared to other countries in Europe, making it a great option if you’re looking to cut costs while on your solo trip. The country is a melting pot of cultures, with the city of Seville, for example, featuring African, European, and Jewish influences.

4 Austria

Traveling alone can be scary, especially if it’s your first time, so finding a country that’s statistically safe can settle a lot of fears. Austria was ranked the third safest country in the world on the Global Peace Index, after Iceland and New Zealand. In addition to being one of the safest places to visit in Europe, Austria is filled with things to do.

It’s not out of the norm to sit alone and sip coffee at a traditional Austrian café, so you’ll feel right at home here as a solo traveler.

3 Portugal

Coming just below Austria on the Global Peace Index for 2019 is Portugal, another one of Europe’s safest cities. Though travelers are catching onto Portugal’s appeal, it’s still not as popular as other European countries, so you can visit without having to battle the chaos of a traditional hotspot.

Lisbon is not only beautiful to look at but also happens to be one of the most affordable cities to visit in Europe. The nightlife is also unique and is a great way to meet other travelers and make lifelong friends.

2 England

England is an oldie but a goodie as far as solo travel is concerned. While it wasn’t ranked in the world’s top safest countries for 2019, it is perfect for solo travelers due to the fact that it’s easy to explore and everyone speaks English.

London is an overwhelming and busy city, but its public transport system makes it a breeze to navigate. You can’t really get bored in a place like London, with things to do and see jumping out at you from every corner, so solo travelers won’t regret visiting here.

1 Italy

Italy hasn’t always had a good reputation among solo travelers, but that’s all changing. While you need to be vigilant in big cities like Rome, where there are lots of crowds, sticking to the smaller cities is a good approach that will help you experience authentic Italian culture.

Italians are known for being welcoming and friendly, which is even truer in the smaller cities that aren’t flooded with tourists. You might have to learn a bit of Italian to get around in places like Verona or Prato, but it’s one of the easiest languages to learn as an English speaker thanks to its phonetic quality.

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