What if you dared to try solo female travel in Europe this year? Traveling alone offers unparalleled freedom. Wander according to your desires, change your itinerary on a whim, or spend the whole day exploring a charming museum or café. A lazy morning in bed? A laid-back girl dinner in your hotel room? A catamaran trip? You decide!
Going solo is the promise of absolute freedom, a delicious mix of excitement and apprehension. It’s a chance to reinvent yourself, without constraints and at your own pace. This journey will push you out of your comfort zone, encouraging you to observe the world with new attention, start conversations spontaneously, and experience moments of authentic connection. It’s a unique opportunity to reconnect with your own desires, free from compromise.
Get ready for a deeply enriching experience and unforgettable memories!
Why is Europe the best place to start for travelling alone?
Europe’s capitals are an excellent playground for a first solo trip. Why?
- Safety: Most European countries have a high level of safety, and their cultural landmarks are familiar enough to allow you to travel with confidence, even if a certain amount of caution is always recommended.
- Exceptional public transit: High-speed trains, buses, and low-cost flights connect cities and countries with remarkable efficiency, speed, and ease Of navigation.
- Proximity of countries: This is a major bonus! You can go from the museums of London to the beaches of Crete, from Germany’s Christmas markets to Lisbon’s taverns, all on the same trip. There’s a country for every mood, a city for every dream!
- Accommodation: Europe has a variety of accommodations suitable for solo travelers, such as single rooms with private bathrooms at small prices in charming properties.
Here are a few European destinations for first-time solo female travelers, whether young or old, who are in search of freedom, must-see places, and new experiences. And the great news? Air Transat offers direct flights to several of them from Canada!
Are you ready for a trip you’ll remember for a long time?
Where can women travel solo in Europe for the first time? The Netherlands!
Amsterdam is an ideal destination for solo female travelers in Europe, especially for a first experience. This capital is a study in laid-back efficiency, with a welcoming atmosphere and an intuitive layout centered around picturesque canals that makes it impossible to get lost. It’s the kind of city that gives you permission to wander aimlessly. Plus, its ultra-efficient transport network is the best way to launch your adventure to the rest of the Netherlands, opening the doors to beautiful towns and bucolic landscapes in complete freedom.
Air Transat travel tips for a solo trip for women in the city of Amsterdam:
- Try a female-only hostel. Hostels like ClinkNOORD have awesome female-only dorms and organize events, making it a great opportunity to meet new people right away.
- Rent a bicycle. Nothing screams “Amsterdam” like a bike ride along the canals! It’s the ultimate way to explore the city and feel like a local, zipping past charming houses and across historic bridges.
- Get lost in the Jordaan neighborhood. This area is packed with so much history, you could spend a whole day just wandering. The cobblestone streets are lined with little cafes, thrift stores, and bookstores, perfect for a quiet afternoon of discovery.
Spain
In southern Europe, especially in Spain, life is best enjoyed without a watch. The siesta is an institution to be savored fully and without guilt—a break before the next round of tapas! Life is lived here according to one’s desires, from the peaceful coves of Catalonia to the lively evenings in Barcelona, from the upscale neighborhoods of Madrid to the coastal panache of Valencia. The low cost of living is an undeniable asset, allowing you to enjoy every moment of your trip for just a few euros. For a solo adventure, the country’s roads are easy and safe to navigate.
Since Spanish cities are popular destinations for solo female travelers, it’s not difficult to make new friends, whether in front of a Picasso painting or over a glass of Rioja wine. The relaxed vibe and countless amazing things to do make this country an ideal destination for solo travel.
Air Transat travel tips for solo travellers in the best beach destinations in Spain:
- Attend a flamenco show: For a moving experience during solo travel in Europe, slip into a tablao in Granada, Seville, or Malaga. Experience the raw intensity of flamenco, a powerful performance that is even more powerful when enjoyed alone.
- Rent a bicycle in Valencia: A perfect activity for freedom on two wheels. Safe bike paths crisscross the city’s lush parks, main squares, hidden courtyards, and sunny beaches. It’s a simple, fast, and open-air way to explore.
- Dive into a tapas tour: An initiation into incredible food! This is the perfect opportunity to understand the culture of tapas, its flavors, and how it is an intrinsic part of Barcelona’s soul.
- Visit the white villages of Andalusia: A timeless place with a rare authenticity, these beautiful towns are havens of tranquility. Linger here for hours with a good book, sipping on a tinto de verano in a region that lives at a slower pace.
Ireland
It’s simple: you don’t really travel solo here in Ireland, you become part of the community. The welcome is authentic, smiles are sincere, and conversations are easy. The numerous cultural references shared with Canada are actually a perfect excuse to bond! The pubs are a favorite place to live a true Irish experience, where traditional music evenings lend themselves well to meetings, whether with new friends or with charming locals who have a thousand stories to tell.
Say yes to a solo trip to Ireland, from Galway to Cork and the many beautiful towns in between, because you are never truly alone. We can’t really do anything about the Irish accent though… that’s a whole other story. A pint of Guinness can’t hurt!
Air Transat travel tips for solo travel in Ireland:
- Join a guided tour: This is a great activity to discover Ireland’s spectacular landscapes without having to drive on the other side of the road (yikes!). It’s also an opportunity to get to know other like-minded travelers.
- Opt for a bed & breakfast or a hotel: Although hostels are very popular across Europe, here in Ireland they are often frequented by groups who are motivated by the island’s alcoholic traditions… For a solo traveler, it’s better to choose a lovely B&B or a charming hotel for a peaceful stay.
- Plan a trip to the Aran Islands: A special mention for these rocky islands off the west coast. Famous for their wild landscapes and preserved Gaelic culture, they are ideally explored by bike. Bicycles can be rented directly at the ferry terminal upon arrival.
Portugal
This solo travel guide to Portugal is for you. The warm welcome of the Portuguese people is legendary, even if the language barrier is present when you move away from the tourist centers. And that’s a good thing! You’re going to have to work a little bit harder to get those pasteis de nata. Urban travelers will feel right at home in Lisbon, with its museums, trendy restaurants, and numerous hostels. But by venturing outside the big cities, you’ll discover a hinterland and a coastline dotted with beautiful towns and charming places that will tick the calm, epicurean, and breathtaking boxes. Thanks to the efficient road network and public transport, Portugal’s historical treasures are also very easy to explore at a low price and with great ease.
Air Transat travel tips for solo travel in Portugal:
- Treat yourself to a sunset cruise in Lisbon: Head to the Tagus for an unforgettable evening, glass of vinho verde in hand. It’s a perfect way to end the day in a captivating atmosphere!
- Surf in Ericeira: Yes, it’s a World Surfing Reserve, but you don’t have to be a pro! Many schools offer courses for beginners. It’s the ideal place to connect with the ocean, surpass yourself, and meet other surf enthusiasts.
- Sleep in a quinta in the Douro: For a total immersion, book a stay in a wine estate that you like. It’s a unique experience, far from the noise of the city, in the heart of breathtaking landscapes.
Where should a solo woman travel alone in Europe? Switzerland!
If you dream of breathtaking alpine scenery, Switzerland is an obvious choice. The country offers a sense of security that is among the highest in the world and a public transport network of remarkable efficiency. It is easy to move from village to village for hiking, skiing, or simply admiring the beauty of the lakes and mountains. With a multi-mode pass in hand, you’re ready for adventure!
As for the budget, it’s better to be honest from the get go: you don’t come to Switzerland to be reasonable. It’s therefore a destination that is better suited for generous budgets, because all this simplicity and beauty… come at a price.
Air Transat travel tips for solo travel in Switzerland:
- Travel on a panoramic train: The Swiss railway network is not just a means of transport; it’s an attraction in itself! Opt for a panoramic train and let yourself be amazed by the breathtaking alpine scenery.
- Join alpine festivities: Dive into the heart of alpine folklore by participating in an alpage ceremony! This ancestral Swiss tradition of transhumance sees cows, adorned with flowers and bells, crossing festive villages during their ascent in spring or their descent in autumn.
- Book a chocolate-making workshop: This is a fun and delicious activity that will allow you to bring back a unique souvenir, made with your own hands. And it’s a symbol of Switzerland!
- Taste the wines of the terraced vineyards of Lavaux: This exceptional place, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a perfect destination for a solo stroll, with a breathtaking view of Lake Geneva and the Alps that surround it as far as the eye can see.
Norway, one of the safest places for solo female travelers in Europe
Norway may seem like a bold choice for a solo travel in Europe experience, but the reality is quite the contrary! It’s a great place to be by yourself for many reasons, and the reward is immense for the most curious who want a little bit of everything. The great outdoors, world-class museums, a lifestyle that so many people envy, a flourishing gastronomic scene focused on local products…
There’s a caveat, though: the rumors are true, Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world. Especially with the Canadian dollar exchange rate! If budget is not an issue, however, this is a top pick for an unforgettable trip in the heart of spectacular nature and a lifestyle that is gentle on the soul, whether you go in the summer or in the colder months. It should be noted that Oslo is also one of the safest cities in the world.
Air Transat travel tips for solo travel in Norway and Northern Europe:
- Sleep in a glass cabin: For a total immersion experience to observe the Northern Lights or the Midnight Sun from your bed, in complete privacy.
- Initiate yourself into the art of friluftsliv: This is the Norwegian philosophy of the great outdoors. Adopt it by taking a short solo hike, sitting by a campfire, or picking wild berries.
- Relax in a floating sauna: In the city of Oslo, floating saunas on the fjord near the Opera or Aker Brygge are a must-do ritual. Let the heat envelop you, then plunge into the cold water with the locals. A typical Norwegian ritual!
- Participate in a group kayak trip on a fjord: Glide in silence on absolutely calm waters, surrounded by dizzying cliffs and waterfalls, with a naturalist guide who will be happy to explain the places you discover.
