Rhodes, Greece view. Solo holidays in UK and Europe
Rhodes, Greece view. Solo holidays in UK and Europe

Top 12 Solo Holiday Ideas & Travel Destinations In The UK & Europe For 2023

Experience the world with your fave person: you.

Lads holidays, gal pal retreats, family vacays — they’re all great. But, travelling with people can sometimes be too much hassle. We mean sharing bathrooms, sightseeing vs partying, and deciding where to eat. Pure stress.

So, why not brave the big wide world and explore what it has to offer, alone. Yep, all by yourself. There’s no better company TBH.

And you’re not actually alone, either. According to our latest ONEderlust survey, 79% of Gen Z are interested in going solo travelling this year. Chances are, you may even bump into a familiar face on your travels.

If you’re planning a cheap holiday for one but need convincing, we’ve got you. There are plenty of benefits to solo travelling and going on solo adventure holidays, both in the UK and in Europe.

Benefits of solo travelling

Whether you’re your own worst enemy or your BFF, solo travelling can be daunting. But, we’re here to reassure you with the positives of solo travel.

  • You’ll see new sights, the sights that you want, without having to vote as a group.
  • You’ll learn to be more independent, making decisions for yourself and following your preferences.
  • You can make friends with like-minded fellow travellers.
  • You’ll learn about new cultures and experience new foods, activities, and see parts of the world you could only dream of. 
  • You’ll learn more about yourself (we know, such a cliché).
  • Your language skills will improve as you communicate with native speakers.

The world can be a scary place but there are loads of incredible places suitable for solo travellers. These are our best travel destinations for solo holidays in Europe and the UK. Plus the best places for solo travel for women.

Solo holiday ideas & travel destinations in the UK & Europe

Solo holidays in UK

Oxford

Oxford, UK. Solo holiday in UK

Sitting in a respectable second place on our ONEderlust staycation index, Oxford is a fab choice for dipping your toe into solo holidays in the UK. The historical university city has a landscape of gorgeous architecture, making it ideal for those who love history and sightseeing.

With a safety score of 64.11, Oxford is one of the safest cities for a solo holiday in the UK, as well as for women travelling solo.

For those wanting to embark on solo adventure holidays, Oxford is packed with things to do. The city has almost 5 tours and over 2 landmarks per km², so you will literally find something on every corner.

Bath

Bath, Somerset, UK. Solo holiday in UK

A little gem in Somerset, Bath is home to Roman remains and striking architecture. Each street you take, you’ll be faced with luscious green views or elegant Georgian buildings that will have you whipping out the camera every few steps.

The Roman Baths are a must-see. Considered one of the highlights of the city, you’ll get lost in time and wander through the baths in awe. And of course, there are plenty of bars and restaurants of all different cuisines, so you definitely won’t go hungry.

The entire city has to be seen on foot, including Pulteney Bridge — Bath’s iconic landmark. And make sure you visit Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein if you’re a literature fan, where you’ll dive into Mary’s life and her inspiration behind the novel.

Glasgow

If you want to see the UK’s finest views, a trip to Scotland should be on the cards. The city of Glasgow sits in the top 10 of the best cities for solo holidays in the UK, and there’s no wonder why.

Packed full of things to do and see, it’s the fifth most tourist-friendly destination in the UK. Glasgow has several museums and galleries for you to wander around (especially handy in the bad weather). But if the sun does make an appearance, the Glasgow Botanic Gardens is an underrated attraction. Full of botany, architecture and history, it’s the perfect place to get lost in by yourself.

Solo holidays in Europe

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam is hugely popular for a weekend getaway, but it’s also a prime location for solo holidays in Europe. The locals are friendly with most speaking English, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost in translation.

The city also has a low crime rate, so is also a good option for solo travel for women. The public transport is extremely reliable too, so you’ll be able to hop in and around the city with no hassle.

Visit Anne Frank’s House if you’re a history buff, or relax on a canal tour. If you’re brave enough to take on the Dutch cyclists, jump on a bike and join a tour of the city — just don’t fall in the water, especially if you went to a ‘coffee shop’ just before. 

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon, Portugal. Solo holidays in Europe

A solo holiday around Europe doesn’t have to be inner-city based. If you’re a coastal lover, Lisbon is a hot spot for solo travellers. And as the average price of a cup of coffee is equivalent to around £1, it’s also a great place for cheap solo holidays.

Be warned, the city is pretty hilly, so expect to grow your calf muscles on your trip to Lisbon. If you need to rest your legs though, sunbathe on one of the beaches close by or enjoy a cocktail while marvelling at the city’s beauty.

Stockholm, Sweden

Bright buildings in Stockholm, Sweden. Solo holiday Europe

Sweden, along with most of the Scandinavian countries, is considered one of the safest countries in the world. And in Stockholm, around 90% of the population can speak English, so you’ll have no trouble navigating your way around (the public transport is really good, too). 

The capital of Sweden is lined with brightly-coloured buildings, surrounded by water and has a mix of historic and modern architecture. It’s also considered one of Europe’s most sustainable cities, so it’s definitely worth visiting to see how cities should be coping with the climate crisis.

Solo travel for women

Our ONEderlust survey revealed that 37% of Gen Z women would love to solo travel, but cite ‘safety fears’ as a barrier to solo travelling. While there are dangerous parts of most countries and cities, we’ve got the best solo travel destinations for women, in both the UK and Europe. No more saying no to solo adventure holidays.

Solo travel and holidays for women in UK

Norwich

Norwich, UK. Solo travel for women in UK

Ranked first in our ONEderlust index for the best cities for solo holidays in the UK. An underrated medieval city, Norwich has a rich history, and a flourishing arts and music scene, giving it a cool, edgier vibe. 

Visit the likes of Norwich Castle, Norwich Cathedral, or explore a host of independent boutiques and high-street stores that the city has to offer — because shopping on your own is way easier.

With a safety score of 74.03, Norwich is a prime place for solo travel for women and singles. The lowest hotel price is on average around £37, so makes for a pretty cheap holiday for one, too. Bonus.

If you’re a woman travelling solo, Norwich has, on average, 1.56 meetup groups per km², so you’re easily able to socialise with people on similar journeys. There’s also 13.87 couch surfing hosts per km², in case you want a cheaper and more sociable alternative to hotels. 

Cambridge

Cambridge also makes it onto our ONEderlust index, sitting in fifth place for the best cities for solo holidays in the UK. While the average lowest cost of a hotel is more than the others on the list — £49 — it’s still a good steal considering how nice the city is.

It’s one of the safest cities on the index, with a safety score of 71.31, making it a super good spot for women travelling solo. But if you’re feeling a bit lonely, there are nearly 4 meetup groups per km² in Cambridge — do you think you’d bump into Kate and William?

There’s no doubt that the university city is absolutely gorgeous and idyllic. The river, historic architecture and quaint city lanes housing independent businesses really epitomise Cambridge. Whether sightseeing, shopping or wandering around the university gardens, you’ll find your new home away from home on your solo holiday.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland UK. Solo travel for women in the UK

Of course, we can’t mention a best cities list without an appearance from the Scottish capital. Edinburgh is Scotland’s answer to London, except for way less traffic, angry commuters, and more bottles of Irn-Bru lining shop shelves.

The city makes a great stop for solo travelling women. The vibes of the city centre are immaculate, and the people are some of the friendliest around. You’ll feel as safe as if it was your own hometown. The area is brimming with culture, you’ll easily be able to fill up your solo holiday with plenty of things to do. 

Visit Edinburgh castle or the National Museum of Scotland if you’re into the history of the city. If not, stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens, climb up Arthur’s Seat, or enjoy a solo picnic in Princes Street Gardens (with amaze views of the castle). 

Solo travel for women in Europe

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen, Denmark. Solo travel for women in Europe

The capital city of Denmark is home to long canals, cyclists, and tons of cool, hipster spots to hang out. Plus, it’s one of the safest cities on the map, even at night — ideal for women on their solo travels.

86% of Danes speak fluent English, which should make you feel more at ease and comfortable when navigating the area on your own. They’re also very respectful of people’s personal space, so you shouldn’t feel intimidated when out alone.

The city’s striking, vibrant buildings along the canals make it an uber-picturesque city, so make sure your phone’s charged for plenty of snaps. If the cityscape isn’t enough, check out Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen’s magical theme park (one of the oldest in the world) and the inspo behind Walt Disney’s Disney World. You’ll be surrounded by a fairytale atmosphere, along with exotic architecture and lush gardens. And of course, rides that are nostalgic, and some even spooky.

Dublin, Ireland

A place full of friendly locals, you’ll be making friends in every bar you visit. The casual and laid back vibe suits solo travellers who just want to experience a place like a local. The capital city is also very walkable, which is ideal for seeing the city in all its glory.

If you’re trying out solo holidays in Europe, it’s a good idea to start with English-speaking countries, like Ireland. It also helps that the culture is similar to that in the UK, so you should hopefully feel more at ease as a woman embarking on solo travels.

Check out the Guinness Brewery for a lesson in how the stuff is made, or read up about Irish history at Dublin Castle. Sunshine blessing your day? Head to Dublin Zoo to make the most of your stay. 

Rhodes, Greece

Rhodes, Greece, Medieval city. Solo travel for women in Europe

If you’re a fan of the beach and history, Rhodes should be your next solo holiday destination. Bask in the hot Greek sun on the beach with the pile of books you’ve brought with you. Or walk around the Acropolis and Medieval City of Rhodes for a blast to the past.

The island is safe and the locals are friendly, often treating tourists as one of their own, so you should be safe on your travels, even at night. If you want to meet other female solo travellers, join a wine-tasting tour and you’ll soon be blurting your tipsy secrets to strangers you’ve just met. 

Read our ONEderlust staycation index for more information about destinations for weekends away in the UK.

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