3 underrated European destinations that are perfect for solo female travellers

Last updated: September 2026

There are destinations that are on most people's bucket list; like Paris or London, people have millions of saved Pins and posts about them. And... there are the hidden or more underrated gems that may be less attractive to the average holiday-maker but may be 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 (at least on an international scale) destinations I would recommend.

I personally like to recommend underrated or less trendy destinations for solo female travellers because these feel less overwhelming, more laid back and oftentimes compact. No need to follow strict itineraries or feel like you could miss out on something, which makes a destination easier to explore alone. 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. For most, this capital in normally just a quick stop before they head to one of the islands, but in this post I would like to advise you to spend a couple days here at least.

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).

In my experience Athens works well for solo female travellers because there is always life around you without it feeling too overwhelming (well outside of the peak tourist season of course). There are plenty of cafes and restaurants everywhere that feel inviting and not intimidating to try alone. There are different neighbourhoods to explore and get lost in, in the best way possible. The city centre itself isn't huge, so everything is in walking distance, which means less time spent stressing about figuring out foreign metro lines.

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.

Where to stay in Athens

If you’re visiting Athens as a solo female traveller, I would personally recommend staying somewhere central like Koukaki, Kolonaki, or even near the Athens 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 or Kallithea areas, however these are always going to be a metro ride away from the city centre.

Best time to visit Athens

Since I have even lived in Athens before, I have experienced all four seasons, some even multiple times. I 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

Seville feels familiar, compact enough to explore all main attractions on foot and laid-back that you don't feel awkward scrolling the streets on your own. And despite how small the city centre is, it offers some of the most unique and beautiful features you can come across in Europe. There are many little streets to discover without feeling unsafe or uncomfortable. I also liked the tapas culture in the city, as a solo female traveller dining alone can be a big push outside of your comfort zone, but I didn't have any issues or get any weird looks for rocking up alone to restaurants here. I would say you’re travelling solo for the first time, I think Seville is a very good introduction to it. The city feels safe, manageable, social without being too much, 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

My personal favoruite one was visting the Royal Alcázar of Seville and Plaza de España, these are likely to be the landmarks you mostly see on social media. But I think the real charm of Seville is to be found just wondering around its tiny, orange tree filled streets, finding a hidden cafe or rooftop bar where you can people watch from or read a good book. I would also hihly recommend renting a hike and exploring the city that way.

Where to stay in Seville

For solo travel, I think staying somewhere central works best because Seville is such a walkable city. The only thing I wold advise is look into the reviews as some of the hostels could be located near or above places that can be noisy at night, so just look ot for that (but I guess that is kind of standard advise for cities in general).

Best time to visit Seville

I would highly recommend Seville for a sunny winter escape because the amount of 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

I might be repeating myself here, but similarly to Seville this city is small, compact but has enough to offer to make a 2-3 day solo trip interesting. And even longer if you take day trips to places like Nice or Monaco! The city centre itself is super easy to navigate, and the prices are also more budget friendly than in other parts of Italy that are more mainstream.

Best things to do in Sanremo

Since it is not filled with must-see attractions, San Remo is perfect for you if you want to relax by the beach, enjoy a cocktail (or mocktail), or a slow Italian lunch or dinner. When visting San Remo I would defitely combine it with nearby attractions and use it as a comfortable base. I collected all my top picks in the area with logistics and top tips, read it here.

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 personally 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 give a chance to more underrated and compact places, that may not be as famous on social media, but save you some headaches when it comes to travel logistics. In my experience solo travel is best enjoyed at a slow place and I think the above locations all alllow you to relax and go with the flow a bit.

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.