Travelling alone is one of my favourite ways to explore the world. Today, I’m sharing with you the best solo travel destinations to visit in Europe in 2022, whether this is your first time travelling solo or you’re a seasoned pro looking to expand your European horizons.
Note: I’m also listing two cities in the United Kingdom as ‘solo travel destinations in Europe’, even though I know they officially left the European Union in 2020. Sue me.
Europe is home to many of the world’s most historically and culturally relevant cities. For people like you and me, that means it’s got plenty of solo travel destinations to discover. In other words: you could spend days — or even weeks — in every major European city without getting bored.
These are my favourite solo destinations in Europe for a quick city getaway.
Ahh, the city that started it all. I went to Dublin on my very first solo trip, and that’s an experience I’ll always cherish. The Irish capital is a city with plenty of things to keep a solo traveller entertained for a few days. If you’re worried about solo travel safety: Ireland is consistently listed among the safest countries in the world to travel by yourself.
Read more: Budget Solo Travel in Dublin: Travel Tips and Tricks
Everything Amsterdam does, Rotterdam does better. At least for solo travellers. The city has the same culture, the same people and the same food, but better and cheaper. Especially if you’re not a fan of crowded cities with many attractions aimed at tourists, you’re better off in Rotterdam.
Read more: Where To Eat In Rotterdam: The Ultimate Foodie Guide
Then again, if you do happen to be a fan of crowded cities, London is the place to be if you’re travelling solo. Other travellers tend to agree: it’s the third-most visited city in the world, and for good reason. You could easily spend a week (or more) in each of the city’s 12 boroughs. London is home to world-class restaurants and museums, not to forget its historical districts and splashes of innovation, such as the Shard, Tate Modern, and the Sky Garden.
Are you looking for a bit of everything when you travel? Luckily for you, Europe is rich in cities that offer something for everyone. Culture, nature, adventure and gastronomy go hand in hand in these solo travel destinations.
The Maltese capital is not only a sight to behold — it’s also the perfect base for solo travellers to explore the three islands of Malta. Some highlights around the country are Rabat, Mdina, the Azure Window remains on Gozo, the Blue Lagoon in Camino, the Three Cities, and Marsaxlokk. English is one of the official languages in the country, so if you can read this, you’ll have no trouble getting around.
Read more: Solo Travel in Malta: A Conclusive Guide
With its impressive cultural neighbourhoods, modern art and electronic music scene, Berlin is the city that truly made me love travelling solo. Whether you just want to visit the essentials — Brandenburger Tor, Reichstag Building, Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall, for starters — or you’re looking to go off the beaten path: Berlin has something for everybody.
Read more:
A stunning historic city centre, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, and the Scott Monument walk into a bar… No idea what the punchline to that joke is, but the city is there to please every solo traveller. The cultural sights (you know, the ones from the joke in the first line), a breathtaking hike (Arthur’s Seat), plenty of shopping opportunities and the Royal Botanical Gardens make Edinburgh the amazing city it is today.
Read more: Edinburgh Solo Travel Guide — Things To Do In Edinburgh
Are you a seasoned solo traveller looking for a new thrill? Or just a first-timer who wants to do something just a little bit different?
Take a look at some of my favourite offbeat solo travel destinations in Europe.
The second-largest metropolitan region in Belgium and host of the 1920 Summer Olympics, Antwerp is a great, albeit slightly unusual, solo travel destination in Europe. (And, coincidentally, it’s also the city I call home at the time of writing this. Come say hi!)
Read more: Best Restaurants in Antwerp: The Ultimate Foodie Guide
If you’re a solo traveller with an interest in international politics, there’s really no competition for Strasbourg. The city is home to several European institutions and non-European international institutions. Its historic city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, although the city has been at the centre of violent disputes throughout history, it now serves as a cultural bridge between French and German culture.
Read more: 10 best day trips from Strasbourg for slow travellers
Bologna is known as the Fat, Red, and the Learn’d City — respectively due to its rich cuisine, the red Spanish tiled rooftops, and being home to the oldest university in the western world. Oh, and one of the best pasta sauces of all time — Bolognese sauce — is literally named after the city. But if that won’t convince you to travel to Bologna, I’m not sure what will.
Whether you’re looking for a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park or you simply want to absorb the atmosphere of the Central European lifestyle, Zagreb is where you want to be.
Read more: Zagreb (Croatia): Is It Worth a Visit or Not?
Just because you’re travelling alone, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy nature. Whether it’s snowboarding down a mountain slope, going for a hike in the mystical forest or catching waves with your surfboard that gets your adrenaline going, there are plenty of solo travel destinations in Europe for nature lovers.
The enchanting town of Braga is a budget-friendly alternative to bigger Portuguese cities, like Porto and Lisbon. The town is located in northern Portugal, between rugged mountains, mystical forests, grand valleys, and soothing plains. Additionally, Braga enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate with mild winters.
Many solo travellers avoid travelling to Switzerland because of its high cost of living. But what if I told you that you can also do it on a budget? Sivan from The Blonde Abroad gives plenty of tips on travelling to Interlaken on a budget in this blog post.
If you don’t know why Iceland is the perfect solo travel destination for nature lovers by now, I don’t know what to tell you. For example, you can bathe in the Blue Lagoon, chase the Northern Lights, explore an ice cave or discover the black sand beach with the unpronounceable name — Reynisfjara.
Looking for a big-hitter city with a lavish history where you’ll never run out of things to do? Consider the following solo travel destinations for culture lovers.
When you know that Dubrovnik was a filming location for Game of Thrones, Star Wars and Robin Hood, you’ll realise why it’s worth your precious travel time. The city on the Adriatic Sea is mostly known for its characteristic Old Town and ancient city walls, and many places of interest in Dubrovnik rely on its rich cultural heritage to attract travellers.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do, they say. The Italian capital might be one of the most romantic and charismatic cities on earth, but that doesn’t mean solo travellers will get bored in Rome. The city has been a major human settlement for almost three millennia, leading to a cultural history Romans are rightfully proud of.
Athens is the cradle of Western Civilisation and the birthplace of democracy. That’s why it’s the place to be for solo travellers looking to get all cultured up. For example: you can walk in Plato and Aristotle’s footsteps on the Acropolis, learn about the city’s culture in the Benaki Museum, and stroll through the labyrinth of streets in the oldest neighbourhood of Athens — Plaka.
As you can see, it’s not difficult to find the best places for solo travellers in Europe. It’s a continent so rich in cultural, natural and gastronomic history that you can spend years here and still not see everything there is to see.
If you’re a seasoned solo traveller, what’s your favourite solo destination in Europe and why? Be sure to leave a comment down below and inspire your fellow solo travellers.
-S
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Discover everything the Rotterdam food scene has to offer, from cheap coffee shops to trendy vegetarian restaurants. These are our favourite places to eat in Rotterdam.
Nicknamed ‘Gateway to the World’ thanks to its extensive public transport system, Rotterdam has internationally-inspired eateries sprawled all across town. With plenty of new Rotterdam restaurants and bars opening their doors every day, there has never been a better time to eat out.
In this article, you’ll find well-established institutions and new kids on the block alike. This is the ultimate foodie guide to Rotterdam.
If you’re wondering about my favourite places to eat and drink in Rotterdam, check out the embedded map below (or click the link if the map isn’t showing)
Why don’t you start your journey to Rotterdam by watching my travel video?
Skip ahead with the following links:
Bertmans is a breakfast restaurant in Rotterdam where you can go for a reliable meal at the start of your adventure-filled day.
Bertmans serves both sweet and savoury dishes, with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options for you to choose from.
My personal recommendation: French toast with an iced latte.
Baker & Moore was founded by Paul & Eline, who had always dreamed about starting something and decided to pursue their dream after a round-the-world trip.
At Baker & Moore, you’re in charge. You can assemble a sandwich, salad or yoghurt bowl the way you want to, using their #CreateItYourself formula.
You can come here for all-day breakfast, lunch, or just a drink.
What’s in a name, right? At Bagels & Beans, you can find great bagels, salads, coffee and other drinks at reasonable prices.
Don’t let the fact that this is a chain scare you away. After all, there must be a reason for the company’s success, right?
In the case of B&B, the success is in its simplicity and its accessibility: you can practically find a franchise around every corner in major Dutch cities.
Harvest Coffee Brewers is a place where good food, good coffee and good service come together.
Both founders worked in the Melbourne hospitality industry, where your ability to prepare a great cup of coffee can make or break your reputation. In other words, they know what they’re doing.
At Harvest, they share their Melbourne experiences with the people of Rotterdam, so you may as well enjoy it.
One of my favourite places to get coffee in Rotterdam was Coffeecompany.
If you’re looking for a Starbucks-like coffee chain that’s not Starbucks, Coffeecompany is the place to go for you.
Visiting this place was a part of our morning routine of getting coffee, orange juice and pastries and eating them in our hotel room, and I would highly recommend it.
People with eagle eyes will notice that this is the second time I’m mentioning Baker & Moore.
But I’m the one writing this Rotterdam food guide, so if you have a problem with that, you’re going to have to find a way to deal with it. 🤷
I’m just mentioning them again because they also turn out to have splendid coffee, iced tea and other brunchy drinks.
In its essence, Lilith is a rebellious vegetarian breakfast & coffee place in Rotterdam with a large array of plant-based and gluten-free options.
If you’re looking for great coffee, friendly service and kick-ass American pancakes in an Instagram-friendly interior, you’re not going to find a better spot than Lilith.
Lilith was recommended to me by a friend who’s actually from Rotterdam! If even the locals approve, you’re doing a good job as a restaurant.
Mecca is originally a restaurant that serves some of the best Arabic, Lebanese and Mediterranean food in Rotterdam, consistently recommended by many magazines and bloggers.
But a little-known fact is that the coffee at Mecca is also splendid.
So if you’re in the neighbourhood and you want to unwind, drink some coffee and enjoy the serenity of the surroundings, be sure to pop inside or take a seat on the gorgeous outside terrace.
Markthal isn’t technically a restaurant, but you’ll understand why I put it on this list once you go there.
The best way to describe Markthal I can think of is this: it’s an indoor food court inside a huge dome.
Popular stalls and shops inside Markthal feature authentic food and drinks from all kinds of culture and will give you Dutch stroopwafels, Japanese ramen noodles and Spanish tapas, among many other delicious meals.
Destino is a contemporary Spanish tapas restaurant with a menu that changes every 8 weeks.
If you’re looking for the best classic Spanish dishes with a twist or surprising new Spanish-inspired combinations, look no further than this trendy restaurant, which is located in the up-and-coming neighbourhood Oude Noorden (Old North).
Added bonus: you can find Spanish recipes and an extensive list of tips for restaurants in Spain on Destino’s website.
Op Het Dak is more than a restaurant — it’s an experience.
At a ten minute walk from the central station, you’ll find the first rooftop farm and urban garden of Holland. Attached to this is a place where you can have breakfast and lunch, with a focus on clean, simple and local food.
The menu is mostly vegetarian, but there is also a daily catch of fish that the chef transforms into a lovely meal. My personal recommendation is the courgette shakshuka.
Little V is a franchise of restaurants serving traditional Vietnamese food in the Netherlands, located in Rotterdam and The Hague.
The first Little V restaurant was launched in The Hague in 2006, as a way to introduce Dutch people to South Vietnamese food. Fourteen years later, this restaurant is still going strong, and the chain is doing better than ever.
One of the reasons why Little V works so well is because of its focus on shared eating: you order a few dishes, place them in the middle of your table and share them with friends and family.
Without a doubt, dining at Zino Urban Bistro was my most interesting experience in Rotterdam. The only thing you can order at Zino is a surprise menu of 3, 4 or 5 courses.
The contents of the menu change every week, but it’s always based on French cuisine. Of course, if you have dietary restrictions, just tell the waiter and you’ll get an adapted menu.
The food here was magnificent. Surprising combinations, innovative techniques and wonderfully attentive staff made sure that Zino became one of my favourite restaurants in Rotterdam.
While most restaurants in Rotterdam have at least a few vegetarian-friendly options, there are some restaurants that go the extra mile and are dedicated to the veggie lifestyle. Here are my favourites vegetarian restaurants in Rotterdam.
The main reason why Rozey is one of my favourite places to eat in Rotterdam is because you barely even notice that you’re not eating meat.
The concept is simple: you pay a set price and you get to order delicious vegetarian food to your heart’s content. (And yes, drinks are also included in the price.)
Be sure to try out the feta rolls and the fried sweet pepper.
At Sugo Pizza, the star of the show is their famous pizza al taglio – pizza baked in large rectangular trays, and sold by the square.
Granted, not all pizzas at Sugo Pizza are vegetarian, but they have plenty of veggie-friendly options.
Okay, so get this. Contrary to popular belief, junk food doesn’t have to be meaty. Whoa. I know. And, hold on to your hats, Vegan Junk Food Bar proves that vegan food can be delicious.
Not only that, but the food is also incredibly Insta-worthy (as their 80K+ Instagram followers will testament).
Cruelty-free plant-based burgers? Loaded kapsalon fries? Flashy cocktails? Find all of this – and more – at Vegan Junk Food Bar.
Aloha markets itself as a ‘low waste foodbar’, but it’s actually much more than that. It used to be a subtropical swimming pool, until it was converted into the trendy restaurant it is today.
Aloha is on a mission to serve slow food with unique combinations of surprising ingredients and to reduce food waste. And while that’s a great mission to stand behind, there’s one thing about Aloha I love more.
The rooftop terrace. The atmosphere here is unlike anything I’ve experienced before and the view of Rotterdam’s harbour is to die for. But I guess you’ll have to see it yourself to believe me.
As a Belgian travel blogger, I can’t help but feel drawn to a place called ‘Belgian Beer Café Boudewijn’. I just can’t help it.
This bar combines the brilliance of Belgian beers with the hospitality that Rotterdammers are known and loved for.
At Boudewijn, you’ll find 24 splendid Belgian beers on tap and over 200 bottled beers. Or, as we call it in Belgium, just enough to have a bloody good time.
Related: 20 Cities In Belgium Worth Exploring
One of the best places to get a drink in Rotterdam is called Bokaal. A trendy city café in the newest cool neighbourhood in Rotterdam, Bokaal has something for everyone.
Whether you’re a beer connoisseur, a freelancer looking for a place to work for a few hours or just someone who wants to get tipsy with friends, Bokaal is the place to be.
Thoms is one of those places in the city where you can spend an entire day without getting bored.
It’s a coffee bar, restaurant, café, terrace and nightclub all rolled into one fabulous establishment in the heart of Rotterdam.
At night, the underground bar magically transforms into a nightclub where you can move to the beats until the early hours.
By now, surely, you’ve realised that there’s something for everyone in this city. They don’t call it the New York of the Netherlands for no good reason, right?
So, now that you know where to eat and drink in Rotterdam, there’s nothing left for me to do than wish you the very best on your trip.
Do let me know if I missed anything or if you went to one of these places and loved it just as much as I did.
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