Would you go on a European city break alone?

[SunshineOverStress]

Posting here for traffic sorry!

Would you go on a European city break alone? If so, where would you go?

Would you go to a bar etc in the evening on your own?

I feel like I would love to do this but I'm worried about being bored or feeling lonely etc and would be out my comfort zone!

Yes I would. Probably wouldn’t go to a bar alone but would definitely go to restaurants, theatre, cinema.

Yes and Yes. Dunno where - somewhere I haven't been I guess.

Yes what a lovely idea. I'd go to a big bustling city and 100pc go out on my own. The waiters won't know you're on a minibreak, they will think you're there for business, so don't feel shy about going out in the evenings. Maybe take a laptop if you're feeling shy so you can pretend you're working.

I used to live in Paris and went out by myself the whole time - I absolutely loved it.

I would go somewhere where there's lots to do but also places to chill. Eg Valencia - lovely little city and then a fab beach to sunbathe on for a bit. There's a great hotel right on the beach too - thinking about it, that's what I'd do.

Or go to somewhere Scandi where they're a bit more sophisticated and won't bat an eyelid at a woman by herself - Copenhagen would be my choice. Or Amsterdam where anything goes!

What a fun plan - enjoy OP

I think the key is to make sure you have a book or well charged tablet with you so you aren’t bored or lonely while eg having lunch or on the plane.

I probably wouldn’t go to bars, restaurants yes but bars no...

Budapest, Porto, Prague, Slovenia and Krakow - I've loved my solo trips to all of these! 2/3 nights is perfect, for me. Don't be self conscious, no one is taking any notice :)

Yes to all of it. I have actually done Belfast alone which isn’t really the same as no language barriers but I was There for work and had a weekend off so did the tourist thing and had a blast. Would defo do a city where I had a small grasp of the language. Uber is great as it will get you around with little effort and works even when you’re lost.

Yeah I definitely would. Restaurants are fine alone, bars I think would depend on the bar!
I always take a book to read, but generally it’s nice to just go where you want and do what you like. S for where to go, if you are not used to solo travel, I’d probably choose somewhere that’s easy to get around and friendly. Oslo, Lisbon and Kraków would all be great - all are walkable and have no language barrier generally. I’ve not been to Amsterdam yet but plan to go there on my own, I imagine that would be easy too. Enjoy it!

Why wouldn't you?

Yes, to you alone, yes to going out alone. It’s not even a question I’d ask. As to where... well - anywhere. Where do you want to go? Go there. I love Rome.

Also, you could always join a free walking tour as it’s usually great and a way to be with people but with no pressure if that makes sense?

If you enjoy your own company it’s fine. I absolutely loved Rome and could see myself doing that on my own tbh.

Yes, I leave dh and dc at home and go on one at least once a year. It's wonderful. I go out to bars, have nice dinners for one, go see a show or a concert. It's great.

Ive been to Denmark (small town where Ryanair flew to!), Florence, Paris and Venice alone in my early 20's.

Usually 2 nights.

Went out to eat in a restaurant every night, sometimes took wine back to room rather than wandering after having a drink.

Never felt lonely or scared. Felt strong and capable and independent. This was also before smart phones so did everything via tourist info office or with a street map.

As for where, I've been to Barcelona loads of times, Munich, Lisbon, Paris, probably a few other places.

Yes, have done many times. If you feel out of your comfort zone, have your main meal at lunchtime as it's often more common see solo diners at lunchtime and usually a lot cheaper too, with set price menus. Then you can just have snacks/ light dinner, wine back while chilling back at your hotel/apartment at night.

Would go to a bar solo, if it was warm and had outside seating, somewhere good for people watching. Also if it was not too packed (would feel guilty taking up a table if it was really busy).

As for where to go, I cannot think of many places in Europe, I wouldn't go or that are unfriendly/ hostile to solo travelers. Depends what you like, interests, etc.

I loved Porto, Lisbon nice too, loved Seville, like quite a few French cities, Ljubljana (Slovenia), Munich. If you are flying, I would just look at where is cheap/ easy to get to and then pick a favourite from those options...

If you really don't want to go solo, Meetup.com sometimes has groups who do European city breaks. Not an organised trip or tour, just a way to go to places with other solo travelers and done at cost not as a money making thing..

Sounds like my idea of heaven! Would love the chance to just wander around a beautiful city on my own without having to worry about what any one else wanted to do - Rome or Venice would be my 1st choice and I'd be happy to go to restaurants and bars on my own.

Fully intend to do this once my children are a bit older

Yes to a city break. No to a bar.
I love solo travel, and it’s something I miss about being single. Obviously you need to take precautions, choose good areas and stay abreast of the local news (though I do all that for family or couple holidays as well).

I've been to Paris many times, lots of German towns and Naples alone.

I prefer it to having company really - I can be completely selfish and indulge my interests without worrying if anyone is bored. I went to cafes/cafe-bars and restaurants no problem. I always took a book or magazine, but rarely got to read them whilst out and about - I'm fairly sociable and happy to chat.

My next trip is going to be Seville or Florence, haven't decided.

I go to London alone twice a year and I've been to Paris alone multiple times. It's great - you do exactly what you want, please only yourself, see the sites/exhibitions/theatre you might not if you were considering other people's tastes...
(whispers - no one judges how long you spend in the bookshop)

Go for it, OP. It's a fantastic experience.

I can't believe that in 2020 women are still drippy enough to ask this!

My husband does this a few times a year to play in e-Sports events across Europe. He tends to go for 5 nights and has an absolute ball!

Recently he's done:

Cologne
Frankfurt
Bilbao
Leipzig
Malmö
Prague
Paris

He always goes to local areas, sits in bars, eats local foods. Never had an issue (he's a man so he obviously has far fewer issues than women face) on any of these trips.

In particular he loved Prague, Cologne, and Bilbao. If you decide to go to any of the locations he's been to, I'll pick his brain for things to do. He does do some very odd things like the blind museum in Frankfurt for example. So it's not the run of the mill attractions.

Yes. I've done it frequently including restaurants, bars and pubs alone.
Rotterdam
Amsterdam
Barcelona
Nice
Budapest
Rome
Florence
Naples - there may be more...

I think Berlin, Vienna or Madrid would be nice.

I would and I have. I don't go to bars because I'm not a big drinker and don't go out much even at home. But I eat out alone, it's totally fine. Far better than traipsing around looking at restaurant menus trying to agree with your travel partner where to eat that night!

Yes I've done this. Don't really understand the 'have a book for dinner' advice though. Why bother eating out if you aren't lapping up the atmosphere, people watching and eavesdropping?! By all means have a book if you want to read while you eat but armour of any type is completely unnecessary.

I like to explore on my own but also book stuff - art gallery tours, food/wine tour etc

I go on city breaks, but only go to similar to a pub music night/live music. Or a restaurant with a bar attached. So when I've eaten I move to the bar. When I go on family holidays, I take myself off for a full day and I'll go to a cocktail type place, though. For safety sake, I'll take a drink back to the hotel.

Lisbon is on my to do list. If I can't talk my DD into coming to Florence then that is as well.

In Prague, Krakow, Barcelona and the other places mentioned, you'll be fine.