3 underrated European destinations that are perfect for solo female travellers

There are destinations that are on everyone's bucket list; people have millions of saved Pins and posts about them. And... there are the hidden gems that may be less attractive to the average holiday-maker but are the perfect destination for solo female travellers looking for their next Europe trip! In this post, I will share 3 of my favourite, but underrated destinations I would recommend.

I think underrated destinations often work especially well for solo female travel because they tend to feel a little calmer, slower and less performative. You’re not constantly trying to “tick things off” or fight through huge crowds just to see the main attraction. Instead, you can settle into the place more naturally and actually enjoy travelling the way you like. So, if you’re looking for somewhere in Europe that feels beautiful, interesting, and solo travel friendly without being completely overrun by tourism, these are 3 destinations I genuinely think deserve more attention.

Athens, Greece: one of the best underrated solo female travel destinations in Europe

I know calling Athens underrated can sound slightly controversial because people obviously know about it, but I still think it’s one of the most misunderstood cities in Europe. A lot of travellers treat it as a quick stop before heading to the islands, when in reality I think Athens deserves much more time than people usually give it.

Why Athens works so well for solo female travel

I am going to start this one with a confession: when I first visited Athens back in 2017, I was not impressed at all. I let myself judge the book by its cover. But luckily, life gave me another chance to not only visit, but actually live in this amazing and vibrant city. This experience allowed me to discover hidden gems and spots, learn more about Greek culture and the lifestyle, so that I can be the kind of person who highly recommends this overlooked travel destination. Everyone talks about Santorini or Mykonos when it comes to Greece, but I can promise you, the capital on the mainland can be just as exciting of an experience. Most people (and this is what I did the first time around too) make the mistake of only leaving 1 day to visit Athens, to do the basics, visit the Acropolis and Plaka. But this is exactly why most people don't think they would ever want to return to this capital. The truth is, you need more time than that to enjoy Athens and make the most of it. Athens is a city that comes alive especially in the evening; if you take a walk during the day, the atmosphere will be completely different (and less attractive, I admit).

I also think Athens works very well for solo female travellers because there’s always life happening around you. People are outside constantly, cafés stay busy late into the evening, and there’s a very social culture around simply sitting outside for hours with coffee or food. I spent a lot of time wandering around neighbourhoods like Kolonaki and Koukaki, stopping for iced coffee, browsing little shops, and slowly exploring without needing much of an itinerary. Yes, there isn't an overwhelming amount of attractions and sightseeing, but when you start out as a solo female traveller, that is an advantage.

Best things to do in Athens

The most common area would be Plaka to explore, but if you want to feel more like a local, I would say head to Kolonaki or even Piraeus or Mikrolimano for a waterfront experience. If you take a little trip just outside of the city, for example, towards the direction of Vouliagmeni, you can find gorgeous beaches, palm trees, and top-notch restaurants. My favourite part about this is that these areas are still mostly visited by local people, so instead of tourist crowds, you will share the beach with Greeks, which makes the experience unique. If you have more time, you can also do a little day trip down to the Temple of Poseidon, Sounion. This point has the most gorgeous sunset views but is normally less crowded than the Acropolis. But if you don't want to venture too far out from the city, just take a tram towards Glyfada for some cool beach bars (my personal favourite is Nalu). Athens is an amazing place to visit because the centre has that city life with amazing restaurants and cool bars, but if you take a little trip outside, it feels like you are on a Greek island already. And given its underrated and less touristy nature, the prices are much friendlier than on some of the islands. And if you want somewhere more quiet and residential without any tourists, take the metro to Kifissia and spend an afternoon or evening feeling like a local wondering around.

If you are now thinking, I would love to visit, make sure you check out my other blog about the best food spots in the city. You can find it here.

And compared to many Western European capitals, Athens can still feel relatively affordable, especially when it comes to food, coffee, and longer stays. For solo travellers, that makes a huge difference because it allows you to move more slowly rather than feeling pressure to constantly budget every little thing.

Where to stay in Athens

If you’re visiting Athens as a solo female traveller, I would personally recommend staying somewhere like Koukaki, Kolonaki, or even near the Riviera depending on the type of trip you want. Koukaki feels more local and relaxed while still being central, whereas Kolonaki feels more polished, café-focused, and slightly more upscale. And if you want somewhere more quiet and residential, you can even stay at Kisfissia area, however this is always going to be a metro ride away from the city centre.

Best time to visit Athens

I honestly think spring and autumn are the nicest times to visit Athens. Summers can become extremely hot and crowded, whereas April, May, September, and October still give you warm weather but with a much more enjoyable atmosphere for walking around the city. If you are lucky, you may even get some mild or sunny weather in winter time, so if you don't mind risking it for a quiet way to explore Athens, you can give it a go.

Now, if you feel like visiting, make sure you check out my complete solo travel guide to Athens, that is filled with top tips and recommendations.

Seville, Spain: a relaxed and beautiful solo travel city

I went for a short solo trip to Sevilla back in 2022, and I have recommended this spot to many since then. This is the perfect combination of laid-back, but also 'got enough to do' city break vibes. We're talking beautiful architecture, orange trees, flamenco dancers, and inviting restaurants wherever you go. The city is quite small, so I think if you're up for improving your daily step count, I would say get around on foot, but if you don't feel like it, I would recommend renting a bike and exploring the city by pedalling around. I felt very welcomed and at home in this beautiful, orange tree-filled city wherever I went. And the best part? The weather! Given its conditions, Sevilla has pleasantly warm weather during the winter months, which makes it an ideal destination all year round. Compared to other Spanish destinations, this one gets less of a hype, but you can definitely add it to your list.

Why Seville is great for solo female travellers

Compared to somewhere like Barcelona, which can feel much busier and more intense, Seville feels calmer and easier to explore alone. Orange trees line the streets, little tapas bars spill onto quiet plazas, and there’s always this calm energy of people sitting outside talking late into the evening. I also loved how walkable the city is. A lot of the best moments happened naturally while wandering between neighbourhoods rather than specifically trying to see attractions. That slower pace makes Seville feel especially comfortable if you’re newer to solo travel. Additionally, I think Seville is one of the easiest places in Europe to enjoy eating alone. Tapas culture naturally suits solo travel because you can casually stop somewhere for one or two small dishes without it ever feeling awkward. Some evenings I would barely have a plan at all and would just move between different little bars depending on what looked good. And if you’re travelling solo for the first time, I honestly think Seville is a very good introduction to it. The city feels safe, manageable, social without being chaotic, and full of enough life that you rarely feel completely alone unless you actually want to. No wonder it made my list of top 10 cities in Europe for first-time solo female travellers.

Best things to do in Seville

Of course, there are also some incredible landmarks worth seeing like the Royal Alcázar of Seville and Plaza de España, but my personal favourite moments ended up being the ones spent wondering in the little side alleys and quieter corners. Early mornings before the streets get busy, long lunches outside, cycling along the river, and slowly hopping between tapas bars ended up being some of my favourite parts of the trip.

Where to stay in Seville

For solo travel, I think staying somewhere central works best because Seville is such a walkable city. Areas around the old town or near the river make it very easy to explore slowly on foot without constantly relying on transport.

Best time to visit Seville

I would avoid peak summer if possible because the heat can become extremely intense. Spring can be a good time to visit, especially when the orange trees are blooming and evenings are warm enough for outdoor dinners without the city feeling unbearable during the day. But if you want to opt for a sunny winter escape, you might as well add Seville to your list, because the amount oh sunny hours are much higher than in other parts of Europe, so the chances of getting some winter sun are pretty high! This is what I did, and it was exactly the warm city getaway that I needed after a long January.

Sanremo, Italy: an underrated alternative to the French Riviera

Definitely a city that gets less attention compared to Rome, Florence or Venice, but a city I would once again add to my list. I got to visit this lovely, coastal Italian city a few times over the years, but I would always happily return. The reason? Its location. As I mentioned, this city is located by the sea, very close to the Italian-French border. It has a beach, so it is the perfect combination for those who love both, the city and the beach life. Still on about location: did you know that San Remo is only a short train ride away from some of the most popular French Riviera locations, like Cannes, Nice, Monaco or Menton? That's right! By taking a train that crosses the mentioned border, you can easily access any of these locations (obviously have to consider that a visa might be needed to visit France). All of these locations can make a great day trip (I even managed to fit both, Menton and Monaco in one day, depending on plans of course). Given how exclusive and expensive these places can get, staying in San Remo can save you some money, while also enjoying the beautiful views of the Côte d'Azur. Additionally, San Remo offers more of a local, Italian experience compared to other, more touristy cities. If you are a solo female traveller, looking for less crowded places but still enough going on, I would definitely recommend a visit to San Remo.

Why Sanremo works well for solo travel

Located close to the French border in the Italian Riviera, Sanremo has this slightly faded elegance to it that I actually found really charming. Palm trees, old hotels, little cafés, beaches, colourful buildings, and long seaside walks all give the town a very relaxed atmosphere that feels much more local and lived-in than some of the more famous Riviera destinations nearby. What I liked most about Sanremo was how easy it felt to simply exist there without needing constant plans. You can just walk along the promenade, stop somewhere for coffee or an Aperol spritz, browse little shops, and spend hours by the sea without really doing anything particularly productive.

Best things to do in Sanremo

I think Sanremo works best when you embrace slower travel rather than trying to turn it into a fast-paced sightseeing trip. Spend time walking along the coast, enjoying long lunches, exploring the old town, and taking little day trips along the Riviera. It also works really well as a base because you can easily visit places in both Italy and the French Riviera while spending much less money than staying directly in somewhere like Nice or Monaco.

Where to stay in Sanremo

I would personally stay somewhere close to the sea or within walking distance of the centre so you can fully enjoy the slower atmosphere without needing transport constantly. The town itself is very walkable, which makes solo travel feel easy and relaxed.

Best time to visit Sanremo

I visited San Remo many times over the summer, and the reason why I liked it so much is because you still get that Riviera charm but without the price tag or the tourist crowds, even during peak summer months. So, this can be a perfect alternative if you are looking for the same vibe. Altough I persoanlly haven't experienced it, late spring could also be a good time to visit if you don't like the heat that much.

Final thoughts on underrated solo female travel destinations in Europe

I think solo travel becomes so much more enjoyable once you stop feeling pressure to only visit the destinations everyone else is talking about online. Some places photograph well for social media but feel exhausting in reality, especially when travelling alone. And sometimes the cities that people overlook slightly end up giving you the most memorable experiences instead. For me, destinations like Athens, Seville, and Sanremo all offered something slightly different, but they had one thing in common: they allowed me to enjoy travelling solo without constantly feeling rushed, overwhelmed, or pressured to do everything perfectly. And I think that’s what makes a destination truly good for solo female travel in the first place.

I hope you enjoyed this post or found it useful for your next adventure. And if you’re looking for a way to feel more grounded while travelling, don’t forget to grab my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder. It’s packed with simple tools like a printable checklist, self-care prompts, and mini rituals to help you feel more at home, wherever the journey takes you.