If you want to travel solo as a woman to Europe, there are many experiences for the solo traveller to Europe that you can do. Yet, besides cultural destinations, there is a wealth of outdoor experiences for nature lovers. And while many are more suitable for groups, there are many of them that you can do on your own.
Hiking the Dolomites Italy
Hiking is a great way to explore Europe as there are so many mountain ranges all over Europe. So if you like walking and hiking, there are plenty of opportunities. As you may already know, this year I’m planning more hiking trips in the Dolomites, in the Venetian and Carnic Prealps, which is the region in Italy I have explored since I was a teenager.
Among my favourite places in the Dolomites, you find Val di Fassa and Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi in South Tyrol and Trentino and the Puez Geisler National Park.
More Outdoor Adventures For The Solo Travellers to Europe
Want more ideas for your solo adventure in Europe? I asked fellow female travellers bloggers to share their picks for their upcoming solo adventures in Europe.
Hiking to the crater of a volcano, Iceland
As an avid solo traveller, the first thing I did before 2019 even began was a book and planned out all my trips for the year. And while I am embarking on some pretty epic adventures this year, the journey that I am most excited about is my solo adventure into Iceland.
I’ve seen the endless photos of this austere yet beautifully diverse landscape, plastered all across Instagram, and I am dying to experience this dynamic natural beauty for myself. Sure, the majesty of Diamond Beach will astound me, and yes, the Blue Lagoon will feel warmly refreshing against the chill in the air. There is one experience that beckons my wanderlust more than any other, the Inside the Volcano Tour.
During this tour, you first hike 40 or 50 minutes to the crater of the volcano. Once here, you are lowered, on an open-air elevator system, over one hundred and twenty meters through the mouth of the crater. At the bottom, you emerge into an eerily unique, hidden world of cavernous rock formations that create the dormant, Thrihnukagigur volcano, an almost otherworldly tour that will be unlike anything I have ever seen in my life.
Fort William in Scotland is a great place for both solo travellers and hikers. So if you tick both boxes, make sure you add Fort William to your 2019 places to visit. The town lies on the West Coast of Scotland, 66 miles from Inverness and is relatively small, but the start of the trail up Ben Nevis begins, the highest mountain in the UK. So whenever you visit you certainly won’t be alone.
Hiking a mountain does require proper planning, and if you’re travelling solo, you need to factor in a few more points. Ensure you have enough food, water and warm clothing.
You’re solely reliant on looking after yourself on the mountain, so be prepared. The other thing is to make sure you let someone else know what you are doing and, more importantly, give them know when you are back safely. These tips apply for all-day hikes in the UK.
Not all the hiking trails are as popular as Ben Nevis. And once you’re down from the mountain, there are plenty of people you can share your story with. Or for those just arriving, you can share your tips for their adventure to come. Fort William in Scotland is undoubtedly a great destination for solo travellers, and you’ll have a wonderful time.
Sardinia is the kind of place that deserves slow, in-depth travel. One of the best things to do in Sardinia is hiking – there’s plenty of coastal trails, mountain trails and even trails to archaeological sites that are all calling to be explored. Coastal paths, in particular, are easily accessible within a short drive from all the main cities, and they are well marked, so it is possible to walk them alone.
While most of them are short and can be walked within half a day, or a full day at most, others are multi-day hikes that require careful planning and packing, and it is better to join a group expedition.
A great trail that offers splendid views over some of the best beaches of the south coast of Sardinia is the one that connects Cala Cipolla to Pedra Longa and follows on to Tuerredda beach. Some parts can be quite technical, but the overall walk is not strenuous.
The best access point to Cala Cipolla, where the hike starts from, is Cagliari, Sardinia’s central city. It takes about one hour drive to get there, and the overall walk takes around 7 hours. As there are no shops or kiosks along the way, it is necessary to carry enough food and drinks for the hike duration.
I wanted to walk a part of Santiago’s Way on my own in 2019. I know how broad this is. There’re tons of different Santiago’s Ways out there (the Portuguese, the Northern Way, the Winter one, the Death of Coast Way and a bunch more on top of the famous French Way) with different lengths.
I have already walked some parts of the Portuguese, French, and Northern Ways. However, this time I want to do it on my own. I have been wanted to do it for a few years, and I know 2019 will be the year I will finally do it. The best thing and the reason I am this confident in making it happen is that I am based near Santiago de Compostela’s stunning city, the end of all paths.
So it will only take some decent weather for me to take a bus to a spot within one of the tracks and get started from there backward until I reach Santiago again. I can’t wait! Wish me luck.
I’ve spent the last two years travelling around Latin America, so I’m exploring closer to home this year. I was invited to a surf camp in Fuerteventura for a week, and although I’ve never tried surfing before, I thought I’d give it a try! I love how travelling alone gives me the freedom to do whatever I want, and I try to challenge myself to try new things each time.
Recently I learned how to dive, so I’m excited to see how I will manage surfing the waves instead of diving above them! The Canary Islands are a fabulous destination for a winter sun fix in Europe, and Fuerteventura is known for its surfing and outdoor activities, so I can’t wait to go. I’ve spent the winter in England, so I am dying to feel the sunshine on my skin again and hopefully become a gorgeous surfer babe while I’m at it.
Once a year, I pack my stuff and visit Switzerland, and so will I do this year. Switzerland is the best country for solo female travellers. It is safe, clean and it is easy to get around by public transportation. Though I love public transpiration there, I will make a road trip through Switzerland this year, again. This might sound boring to some; I can assure you that – despite its small size – Switzerland has a lot to offer, and road-tripping is one of the best things to do.
Seriously, it is fun and should be on your itinerary. While I love each part of Switzerland, I will mostly stay in the region of Interlaken. This place, in particular, is beyond beautiful and perfect for solo female travellers.
You can visit any site and will always feel safe – thus an excellent destination for people travelling solo for the first time. Okay, I will not be entirely by myself. Whenever I make my annual Switzerland trip, I take my little dog with me. He, of course, loves Switzerland as much as I do. So much greenery and lakes to hop in. Well, he might not like what I have planned for this year, though.
I have also made it my mission to hike. Yes, hiking is essential in Swiss culture, and I have done it several times, but only shorter. This upcoming trip will include more hiking, however, if you plan a solo trip this year. Plan on a road trip to Switzerland, Interlaken.
May is the perfect time to plan a road trip to the tiny Balkan state of Bulgaria. I have prepared a two-week tour of the country, driving along with the lavender and rose fields, visiting ancient Thracian tombs and sanctuaries, watching a street festival and just spending some precious me time.
One of the highlights of the trip is the Rose Festival. From the end of May to the end of June, Bulgaria smells like heaven – the Rose Valley. Being one of the biggest rose oil exporters globally, Bulgaria hosts a month-long Rose Festival in the city of Kazanlak and the nearby villages, with rose-picking rituals taking place every weekend. Every visitor is welcome to join the celebrations and the processions or wake up before sunrise to join the rose-picking.
You should pick the flowers before the sun pops up above the horizon because of their precious essential oils, so it’s an activity for early birds. Other amazing activities to make the most of your time in the Rose Valley include visiting the ancient Thracian tombs in and around the city (the valley is also known as The Valley of Thracian Kings because of the many remnants of this period of Bulgarian history) or hiking in the Stara Planina Mountains. Kazanlak is conveniently accessible by bus, by train or by rental car.
Next month, I will be returning to London, which is one of my favourite cities on earth. London is the perfect place for a solo traveller for many reasons. For example, the city is generally very safe, and there are plenty of activities to do that are quite enjoyable even while travelling alone. One of the things I am looking forward to most is taking a photo walk around the beautiful Notting Hill neighbourhood of London. Notting Hill is known for its pastel-coloured buildings, charming little storefronts, and easily walkable streets.
The Notting Hill Gate area is one of my favourite cities to snap photos of because no matter which road you turn down, you can find adorable, quintessentially British moments and architecture. St. Luke’s Mews is a wonderful spot as well, and (fun fact!) it is where one major scene from the movie Love was filmed. I am excited to get back to my favourite London neighbourhood and capture some new finds and classic views on a leisurely solo photo walk!
By Sierra of Passport Voyager
Visiting the Alhambra in Grenada, Spain
Last year, I was sitting in Florence, Italy, being serenaded at a live opera. I was the only person under the age of 40 in the audience (by a lot), so the performers regaled me with a song about the women in Granada, Spain. When the opportunity came up to visit this location, I took it as a sign from the universe, like travelling kismet.
There aren’t many places in Europe that can entice visitors in the middle of February, but Granada is a win year-round. This is due in large part to its crowning architectural achievement, The Alhambra. Tickets to the fortress sell out months in advance.
I booked my ticket in November 2017 and barely secured entry for mid-February 2018. I look forward to having “pan con tomate” and “jamón Iberico” again. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about travelling solo after all these years, it’s that eating alone and enjoying the free WiFi isn’t so bad!
Michela is a passionate traveller and outdoor enthusiast who has travelled solo for +35 years between Italy, Australia, South East Asia and more countries. Through her adventures and knowledge, she has been inspiring and helping women over 50 to travel solo and independently. Michela is the founder and editor-in-chief of Rocky Travel & Tours For Over 50.
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Lynne Nieman
February 3, 2018 @ 3:38 pm
Great ideas for us solo travelers who love Europe and who really love the outdoors.