Women who like to travel solo, often have to consider the safest cities and countries to visit. Traveling solo can be scary but also magical, and while traveling solo when you can afford a luxury hotel and experiences makes it much easier and safer, it’s still important to visit safer cities as a female solo traveler. Below is a comprehensive list of the safest European cities for female solo travelers, where we have felt most comfortable and enjoyed every minute of. Sure, there are many more… but these cities are a safe bet!
London, United Kingdom
We may be biased as the majority of our team are based in London, but we certainly never seem to tire of it and there’s always something new to see and do. A plethora of luxury hotels and restaurants, events galore, an eclectic and vibrant music scene, and a city steeped in history and culture. It’s the perfect choice for solo female travellers who prefer to keep busy and immerse themselves in a new city. And to top it all off, most of the museums are free!
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Geneva, Switzerland
Switzerland as a whole is one of the safest countries to travel to solo, but Geneva is the city that truly captured us. Just big enough to remain interesting for a couple of days but with a small village feel, the city is set on the beautiful Lake Geneva with the Jet d’Eau and surrounding mountains as a backdrop. The city is full of luxury hotels, winding alleyways and postcard-worthy views, and provides easy access to the mountains for day trips, including the luxury ski resort of Chamonix.
Helsinki, Finland
We fell in love with Helsinki the very first time we visited. It feels unbelievably safe, and even the locals will tell you ‘nothing really happens in Helsinki’. We would recommend 1-2 days here to explore Helsinki. Visit Loyly sauna for a luxurious Finnish sauna experience and enjoy lunch afterwards in their restaurant, and don’t miss the stunning churches and cathedrals dotted around the city. Stay an extra day if you feel like catching the ferry over to Tallinn for a day trip.
Helsinki, Finland
Bruges, Belgium
We absolutely adore Bruges. It’s a fantastic city for a solo travel visit and you really should go for a minimium of two days, but ideally, you could spend three-four nights here and really lose yourself in the charm. Although it feels more like a town, Bruges is in our top picks of cities for female solo travelers because of that small-town charm. It doesn’t feel too overwhelming, making it a great choice for first time solo travelers.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is a truly special city and wonderful for a sunny weekend or few days spent shopping for trinkets, wandering the hills and streets, searching out views (head to São Jorge Castle for the best views!) and avoiding any sense of direction until the sun starts to go down. Lisbon is the best city if you love seafood, with Ramiro a local favourite. You also need to try a famous pastel de nata from one of the little bakeries early in the morning soon after they’re delivered.
Read more: Ultimate Guide to Exploring Portugal
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Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is an intriguing city with its’ iconic street style it has become so renowned for, but we were absolutely amazed when we began exploring and realised how large this city is. You could easily spend three or four days in Stockholm before venturing off further into Sweden, as this is easily one of the safest countries to travel in and really easy to get by as nearly everyone speaks perfect English!
Vienna, Austria
Vienna has just as much charm, delicious pastries, and historical architecture to admire as Paris, along with an enviable art collection. You could easily spend a few days exploring Vienna, especially if you’re looking to visit the museums and sites outside of the city. Vienna is also home to breathtaking palaces, and the famous Spanish Riding School where you can see them perform classical dressage.
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Dublin, Ireland
Dublin has a lot of vibrancy with pubs dominating the streets, but if that’s not your thing, you can easily look past the craziness on the streets and see there’s a lot of charm to discover in the city. Visit the Irish Emigration museum, Dublin Castle, and St Patrick’s Cathedral to find out more about the history of Dublin, and don’t miss a visit to Trinity College Library. If you’re looking for a day trip, head to Wicklow Mountains for breathtaking scenery. For true luxury accommodation, book a stay at The Merrion.
Tallinn, Estonia
If fairytales are true they must all be based off Tallinn. It has to be the cutest city we have seen with our own eyes and is perfect for female solo travelers. The charm of Tallinn exists in the Old Town, a reasonably sized area that has retained its charm and authenticity over the years. Tallinn is a great stop for two or three days, and can be couple with a visit to Helsinki as there’s a ferry that runs between the two cities.
Bergen, Norway
Although expensive, the Norwegian seaside city of Bergen is one of the most quaint and charming cities to visit in Northern Europe. Be sure to venture beyond the market strip of Bryggen on the waterfront and explore the hilly neighbourhood above – the gorgeous neighbourhoods are too charming not to witness in real life! Make sure to visit the mountain of Fløyen, which is close to the city centre. It’s connected to the town by a funicular, Fløibanen, that will take you to the top in less than eight minutes. Stay at either Opus XVI Bergen or Villa Terminus for the ultimate luxury hotel experience.
Bergen, Norway
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is the perfect city for any Harry Potter fans, as J.K. Rowling wrote a large part of the books here in the city. If the Potter series aren’t really your thing, there are still so many reasons to visit Edinburgh! The medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with gardens and neoclassical buildings are a sight to behold, and looming over the city is Edinburgh Castle, home to Scotland’s crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, used in the coronation of Scottish rulers.
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Paris, France
Paris is not just for lovers. A fantastic city for friends or solo travelers, it feels very safe and there’s plenty to see and do to keep you busy. Safe neighbourhoods we would recommend staying in include St Germain Le Marais and the 1st arrondissement (near the Louvre). These parts of the city are also really central locations to explore from and easy to get to the main sights.
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Louise Walker is AGLAIA’s Editor in charge of all content creation and management. She splits her time between London and Miami, and can always be found at a swanky hotel bar sipping on a Negroni. Contact her for any questions or if you would like to become an AGLAIA Contributor: hello@aglaiamagazine.com
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