Let's be honest: solo travel really is the best kind of travel. We’ll say it so that you don’t have to – sometimes, you just need a break from the kids or the other half. Alternatively, perhaps you’re just dying to get out there and see a bit of the world before the future kids and other half come along and ruin everything make your life that much better.
We can think of no better continent for solo travel than Europe. And here at Plum Guide, from what to see and do to where to stay, we’ve got you covered for the perfect trip. Read on for a whistlestop tour through some of our favourite cities for solo travel in Europe.
London, UK
From Big Ben and big red buses to Buckingham Palace (not yet on our listings, sorry) and being packed onto the tube like sardines well past their use by date, London is a city like no other.
Take in breathtaking views from The Shard and the London Eye. Stroll across the Thames via the iconic Tower Bridge. Sit in the audience at a West End theatre show. It’s all a bit cliché, but with good reason, darling. For those of you looking for something a little off the beaten track, spend a day exploring Kew Gardens or one of the many hip neighbourhoods such as Shoreditch, Brixton and Hackney. It’s also well worth getting lost within the delicious tastes and smells of Borough Market.
If you fancy getting out of the Big Smoke, the UK is home to some incredible scenery. Try the South Coast, the Lake District or the Scottish Highlands for starters.
The Bengal Tiger, Plum Guide home in London
Paris, France
Bonjour! Oui oui! So say the moustached men in striped jumpers cycling along, wearing berets instead of helmets, fresh baguettes perched in the front basket. Just joking –fortunately, Paris is not that cliché and stereotypical as the world would have you think.
Of course, the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower are rather special and you could take a thousand selfies in front of Notre-Dame (please don’t). Admittedly, we’ve always been a sucker for the Louvre and its many famous collections too. Oh, and we do love enjoying a bottle of wine with some fantastic cheese up at Sacré-Cœur, overlooking the city. With a city this beautiful and full of so much culture and history, how could you not?
On the topic of wine, a food and wine tour is an absolute must. High-speed trains can also take you to the South of France on the Mediterranean coast in just a few hours. Prime wine country.
Ivy & Oak, Plum Guide home in Paris
Barcelona, Spain
It’s always sunny in sunny Barcelona. That’s enough reason alone to tick this one off as you solo travel in Europe. Of course, being so close to the coast, there’s also the sensational seafood on offer, best washed down with sangria.
Stuffed and perhaps a little unsteady on the feet, meander down Las Ramblas past the street performers, living statues, street hawkers, food stalls (oh go on then) and flower vendors. It’s a right of way for all tourists. Take in the Sagrada Familia and many other funky architectural masterpieces such as Casa Batlló and Casa Milà.
Head to the Camp Nou for a game of football so you can tell your friends and family you saw the best football player on the planet, even if you don’t care one bit. Or, perhaps just lounge about on one of the many top class beaches that stretch for miles along the coast.
City Masia, Plum Guide home in Barcelona
Berlin, Germany
The Spree River, Berlin
As you solo travel in Europe, there’s every chance you may at some point feel a little lonely. But not in Berlin. Often praised for having the best nightlife in Europe, you can rest assured there’s the opportunity to meet plenty of new people and interesting characters on a night out. It’s the best place to really let your hair down and party all night (and well into the next day). The food is ridiculously good, the artwork painfully cool and the transport all runs like clockwork. Is there anything bad about this place?
If you do fancy a break from the grime and grit that epitomises this edgy cesspit oozing with cool and Cold War shadows, the German rail network is effortlessly efficient (the Germans built it, duh) and can get you out to any other part of the country in a flash.
East Side Story, Plum Guide home in Berlin
Rome, Italy
Rome is another classic destination for solo travel in Europe. On one hand, you can enjoy the many marvels of ancient architecture – statues, temples, elaborate fountains and colosseums. To answer Russell Crowe (Gladiator, 2000), how could you not be entertained?
Beautiful street in Rome, Italy
On the other hand, you can slip away and explore the vast maze of side streets, nooks and crannies. The Eternal City is filled with great food and even better wine. Plus, the weather is almost always beautiful – perfect for sitting out on the street and watching the world go by as you nurse an espresso while reading your favourite book.
If the inconceivable happens and you somehow run out of things to do and see, there’s always Venice. Or Milan? How about Florence? Italy really has it all.
