European city break for lone female

[Frenziedandfurious]

I have some easyJet vouchers to cash in, they fly to loads of destinations from my local airport. I can't be bothered to try and arrange with a friend, it's too much like hard work trying to manage all the logistics.

I'll be booking for June, where could I go as a lone female where it's relaxed and welcoming and I can eat out in the evenings without feeling like some kindof impostor. Also where it's safe for me to wander about.

Paris is a no due to safety issues. Munich and Barcelona been to many times, want to try somewhere new. Not Copenhagen as been before and was a bit £££!
Ideas?

Venice🙂lovely to wander around. I found the waiters very protective of me when they saw I was alone.

I think so low female travellers are a big market for European city breaks. It’s in their interest to keep you safe - but obviously you are are going to be sensible on your own and not wander off to strange places at night

I know, I really need to conquer the self consciousness thing. I'm fine in the day
Honesty fake it until you make it!!
Start small, late afternoon say. Be confident, smile. Take a phone or kindle to use as a distraction.
Why should you miss out?
And lets face it. These people in restaurants are doing there own thing and will hardly notice you and carry on with their lives irrespective of whether you've had something to eat or not!

Nice and the Côte d’Azur. I really like Menton. Really easy to get about (easy airport bus plus a local train linking all the towns) and very safe. Fantastic food.

If you don’t fancy wandering about then you can pay entry to a beach club (used to be about €25) and laze on a lounger all day.

I’d also second San Sebastián (flights/transfers are awkward for just a weekend though) and Seville.

Eating out on your own in Prague definitely not an issue, lived there for a bit and eat out alone many times.

Very safe city, lots to see and do and great bar/cafe culture. Easy to get around too.

Most Belgian/Dutch cities good too (or Luxembourg City if you can fly there, gorgeous place).

Would also recommend Helsinki, not cheap to eat/drink though but less expensive than Copenhagen, Stockholm or Oslo (or certainly used to be).

Cologne or other German cities?

@Porridgeislife

Nice and the Côte d’Azur. I really like Menton. Really easy to get about (easy airport bus plus a local train linking all the towns) and very safe. Fantastic food.

If you don’t fancy wandering about then you can pay entry to a beach club (used to be about €25) and laze on a lounger all day.

Yes love Menton too, went there many times pre DC, felt a little unsafe though in nice I must admit.

I go everywhere solo now. Friends have dwindled off with marriage and babies and the ones left never seem that fussed, or it's always me organising it etc etc. So now I've embraced it and love prefer it. Places I have been solo -

Lisbon. Loved it, highly recommend.
Paris. Didn't feel unsafe at all but I can see why one wouldn't like it. I love Paris.
Amsterdam. Liked a lot. Just stay at away from RLD especially at night.
Bordeaux. Liked, did a great trip to a winery with others then went on my way.
Montpellier. Nice little place with a good student population so was lively at night but I didn't feel unsafe. I got the bus to a beach close by and a day trip to Nimes was good.
Stockholm. Was quite cold when I went and £££ but I'd go back.
Couple of places in Mallorca and can't wait to go back.

The only places I've felt unsafe has been out with Europe.

I'm vegetarian too, I know big cities in Europe are generally quite accommodating these days but have had some truly shit meals in France and Germany! However know Berlin has a good selection of vegan and veggie places to eat

@Supersee

I go everywhere solo now. Friends have dwindled off with marriage and babies and the ones left never seem that fussed, or it's always me organising it etc etc. So now I've embraced it and love prefer it. Places I have been solo -

Lisbon. Loved it, highly recommend.
Paris. Didn't feel unsafe at all but I can see why one wouldn't like it. I love Paris.
Amsterdam. Liked a lot. Just stay at away from RLD especially at night.
Bordeaux. Liked, did a great trip to a winery with others then went on my way.
Montpellier. Nice little place with a good student population so was lively at night but I didn't feel unsafe. I got the bus to a beach close by and a day trip to Nimes was good.
Stockholm. Was quite cold when I went and £££ but I'd go back.
Couple of places in Mallorca and can't wait to go back.

The only places I've felt unsafe has been out with Europe.

Am leaning more and more to Bordeaux or Vienna! I miss France a lot as used to spend so much time there...

Antwerp
Tallinn
Riga
Vilnius
Bordeaux
Nantes
Gdańsk
Warsaw
Sibiu
Timisoara
Cluj

I recently had a weekend in Bilbao as a solo female traveller with no issues (and I'm autistic and a wheelchair user so more vulnerable than most). Lovely city, especially if you're into modern art (Guggenheim museum) and lots of prams and kids around on the metro etc so safe that way.

Ljubljana

Scandinavian cities are generally safe but I think if you’re self conscious at all about being on your own eating out etc then I would go for somewhere like Vienna, which is very safe but also easier to blend in in. I’ve eaten on my own here and felt very comfortable, there is also lots to see, even if it’s just wandering round the city taking in the beautiful architecture. I lived there many years ago and visited more recently with my teen DD’s and we had a lovely time. I’ve often fantasised about a trip away on my own. Have fun and enjoy, wherever you decide to go.

I would go to an Italian city or maybe Dubrovnik, or Budapest. (Can't tell you what they are like but I think they would be nice in June and I would like to go.....or Belfast).

I would open the web site.....put in my dates and see what worked price wise. -- I've been to many of the others you mention.

Stockholm, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Lisbon and Prague

Come to Norway! Trondheim is beautiful in June and very very safe! I have lived in Stockholm, it’s beautiful but absolutely not safe for a lone woman exploring, unfortunately I’m speaking from experience.

Come and visit Trondheim, lots of places to visit and eat in the city, amazing nature and the land of the midnight sun in June!

Maybe Carcassonne? I know it is a Disney castle, but the city is lovely. Plenty of lovely walks and trips on the River Aude, and no worries about grub, lots of little cafes especially around Place Carnot.

You can take the train to Limoux about 40 minutes, it is wine country and there are lots of caves within walking distance where you can sip and taste, if that's your thing. Further along the train line is Quillan, a charming town with river walks and within sight of the Pyrenees.

Just an off the beaten track suggestion!

Seville or Malaga.

I am a huge fan of the north of Italy: Bologna, Milan or Verona are all beautiful, safe and easy to get to. Bologna is probably my personal favourite.

I also love Copenhagen, which is just brilliant (but veeeeeery expensive).

Venice! Highly recommend. The whole thing is an adventure.

Zurich. Expensive but safe

@colouringfoxes

I recently had a weekend in Bilbao as a solo female traveller with no issues (and I'm autistic and a wheelchair user so more vulnerable than most). Lovely city, especially if you're into modern art (Guggenheim museum) and lots of prams and kids around on the metro etc so safe that way.

I was going to suggest Bilbao. I had such a great time there. Really interesting and fun city.

I have visited Krakow, Riga and Vilnius on my own.
All three easy to navigate and felt safe.

Rome or Reykjavik?