These places offer the best conditions for independent travel.
A recent study found that people are traveling alone more often because they are tired of discussing vacation plans in group chats.
However, potential solo travelers should also be aware that not all popular tourist destinations are suitable for solo travel.
Meanwhile, experts from the world’s largest travel publisher, Lonely Planet, have identified five destinations in Europe that are best for solo exploration in 2026.
1. Iceland – Safety, Museums, and Nature
This incredible country has been repeatedly recognized as the safest country in the world and one of the happiest places on Earth. The capital city of Reykjavik is a perfect example of why – its old town combines cosmopolitanism and coziness, with a variety of historical museums, excellent restaurants, cozy cafes, and corrugated iron houses painted in vibrant pastel colors that brighten up the winter darkness.
At the same time, solo hikers have nothing to fear on Iceland’s numerous hiking trails, as the only predatory wild mammal is the Arctic fox, which does not tolerate humans.
2. Lisbon, Portugal – friendliness and comfort
Some capitals seem alien and incomprehensibly huge, making a solo traveler feel out of place. But in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, all visitors are welcomed with equal warmth. The city instantly lifts the spirits with its picturesque light, the Atlantic breeze, and the vintage trams that slowly navigate the narrow streets lined with azulejo tiles.
In addition to its stunning beauty, Lisbon is a calm, friendly, and sociable city. Its hilly terrain divides it into small, village-like sections, giving it an intimate feel that most large cities lack.
3. Alonissos, Greece – beauty and tranquility
quieter and wilder than other Greek islands, Alonissos in the Northern Sporades offers solotourists the same beauty: rugged bays covered with pine trees and flooded with turquoise sea.
At the same time, the absence of day-trippers and large crowds of vacationers creates a delightfully welcoming atmosphere, where you can enjoy the slow Greek rhythm of walking from the bay to the tavern.
4. The Copper Coast, Ireland – nature, compactness, and comfort
If you haven’t heard of this stunning, rugged corner of the coast in the south of Ireland, you’re not alone – but you’re also missing out on a unique opportunity. A quieter, lesser-known, but no less beautiful alternative to the increasingly busy Wild Atlantic Way, this 25-kilometer stretch of coast between Kildarra and Strabally in County Waterford is an incredible sight. It is washed by crashing waves, determined by tides, formed by 460 million years of rock, and dotted with historic copper mines (all of which are part of the UNESCO World Geopark).
For solo travelers, its beauty lies in its compact size – even if you don’t drive, you can explore everything by bike or on foot. There are comparatively few tourists here, so guests are welcomed warmly and comfortably everywhere.
5. Munich, Germany – museums, parks, and beer
The center of Bavaria offers guests much more than just the clinking of beer mugs at the annual Oktoberfest. There are over 80 museums to visit, from art from different centuries in the three Pinakothek to automotive engineering at the BMW Museum. Also, in Munich, you can spend time outdoors – cycling or having picnics in the local parks. And, of course, there are many beer gardens.
In addition, Munich offers many opportunities for day trips outside the city, which can be easily reached by train. For example, you can take a mountain train to the highest peak in Germany, the Zugspitze, or explore the picturesque lake town of Tegernsee.