THIS IS THE NO. 1 CITY IN EUROPE FOR SOLO TRAVELERS RIGHT NOW—AND IT RANKS FOR SAFETY, AFFORDABILITY, AND VIBRANT CULTURE
A new 2026 Solo Travel Index ranks Europe’s top cities for going it alone—factoring in safety, transport, and affordability.
Traveling with friends and family certainly has its rewards—creating new memories together and bonding over shared experiences chief among them. But sometimes, you just want to go it alone, which allows you to move at your own pace, see precisely what you want to see, and pivot plans spontaneously when inspiration strikes. Just as there are great family and group-friendly destinations, there are places around the world that are especially well-suited for solo travelers.
Quotezone, a travel insurance company, has identified some of the very best ones to visit right now. In March, the insurance company shared the results of its 2026 Solo Travel Index, analyzing the best solo destinations across Europe. It created the ranking by looking into critical factors like a city's public transport, the number of hostels and tours available, and internet speed (important for accessing maps and guides on the go).
"Safety was a major factor, and was allocated a higher proportion of the scoring, as being and feeling secure is a top priority for solo travelers and can greatly influence the enjoyment and confidence of exploring a new city alone," the team shared in the report.
After looking at all the data, the team named Madrid, Spain, as the No. 1 spot for solo vacationers.
"Spain’s capital offers the best experience for solo travelers, featuring the highest number of hostels to choose from, affordable public transport, and speedy internet," the team wrote. "On top of that, Madrid has a high safety score and offers vibrant nightlife and plenty of cultural hotspots, perfect for solo adventurers to explore and soak up the city."
Next up is Prague in the Czech Republic, which took the second-place spot thanks to its high scores for safety, "giving travelers confidence to explore the city independently, both during the day and into the evening." The authors of the study also noted that Prague is a budget-friendly destination with "plenty of historic attractions and a vibrant social scene, making it an ideal spot for solo travelers looking to balance sightseeing with opportunities to socialize."
Rounding out the top three is Madrid's neighbor to the west, Lisbon, Portugal, which scored highly for its huge volume of attractions, abundance of tours, and ample hostel options.
Other cities to make the list included Paris, France, at No. 4, followed by Reykjavik, Iceland; Budapest, Hungary; Athens, Greece; Vienna, Austria; Florence, Italy; and Oslo, Norway. But these aren't the only places solo travelers can (or should) explore.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
2026-05-18T12:17:39Z
