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Solo Travel Guide: Travelling alone in Europe

Europe offers plenty of fun, safe and once-in-a-lifetime experiences for people who want to travel alone. Here's our guide to travelling solo in Europe as part of a small group tour.

Updated by: Aimee White - Travel Copywriter at Explore Worldwide
Updated: 1 April 2025

 

Our small group tours to Europe are perfect for solo travellers. Choose from trips to Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Portugal and many more.

 

Whether you’re 30 or 60, a wide variety of solo travellers join our small group tours. With an average group size of 11 people, you’ll have the opportunity to meet like-minded people while benefitting from a fully immersive experience. Visit places that you may not have discovered travelling alone and explore at ease under the expert guidance of your local tour leader. 

 

Here we give you a few ideas of the best places to visit in Europe, answer some of the most frequently asked questions about our solo European trips and explore why booking a trip alone is such a great way to travel in Europe:

 

1. Spain
2. Italy
3. Greece
4. Turkey
5. Croatia
6. Portugal


Spain: Walk with new friends

Spain is one of our most sought-after Europe solo tour destinations. From walking through sleepy rural villages on our Highlights of Andalucia Tour to pedalling past sweet-smelling apricot groves on our Cycle Southern Spain - Murcia adventure, there are plenty of exciting solo trips to choose from in Spain.

 

If you like Spanish wine and tapas, join our wine tasting walking tour through the Ribera del Duero region. For something more active, make the famous pilgrimage from Leon to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela on our Camino de Santiago Walking Tour or go trekking in the gorgeous Picos de Europa for stunning views and bonding memories with your group.

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Italy: Learn from locals

Explore a few of Italy's most charasmatic, beautiful regions on our Rome, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast tour. In fact, the Amalfi Coast is one of the best spots in Italy for walking - check out our dedicated Amalfi walking tours for your perfect route. For a mix of food and walks, consider our Emilia Romagna tour, or for something more challenging go hiking in the iconic Dolomites.

 

Cycling in Italy is also ideal for solo adventurers; on our Cycling Puglia tour, ride through hill towns, farmlands and the coastline by standard bike or e-bike. A more relaxing but just as adventurous way to travel is by train, and our Venice to Rome tour won't disappoint. For a dose of rich history, join our Ancient Sicily tour where you'll visit classical ruins, from well-preserved mosaics and Doric architecture to Neapolis Archaeological Park.

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Greece: Go solo island-hopping

If you're looking for great company, delicious food and never-ending celestial views, Greece is an excellent destination for a solo holiday in Europe. Join like-minded travellers for a relaxed island hopping cruise around the Cyclades archipelago on our Highlights of the Greek Islands tour, or discover the gems of Europe's oldest capital city, Athens, on our Peloponnese Explorer trip. Those going solo can enjoy the best cuisine from Crete to the Peloponnese on our Taste of Greece food tour.

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Turkey: Get off the beaten track

If you're not sure how to start planning your solo trip to Turkey, our small group trips pack in all the highlights and lesser-known gems. Our Turkey in Depth tour visits the ethereal Cappadocia region with its iconic 'fairy chimneys', while our Upgraded - Discover Turkey tour soak in hot springs, visit ancient sites and stay at premium accommodation, where swimming pools and thermal waters await!

 

Combine Turkey's foodie and historical delights on our Taste of Turkey food tour. Travelling from Istanbul to Cappadocia, you'll be in-the-know with Turkish cuisine, from sampling street foods like grilled mackerel and chewy ice cream to fruit wine tasting and cooking classes.

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Croatia: Embrace stress-free travel

Share treasured memories with other solo travellers as you discover the aquamarine lakes and panoramic mountain-top views of Croatia's Plitvice National Park by foot on our Walks and Coastal Towns of Croatia. Or jump in the saddle to ascend pearlescent limestone cliffs that rise from the azure-blue seas by bike on our Cycle Dalmatian Coast Tour.

 

Our Croatia Island Hopping tour takes all the hassle out of planning how to visit Croatia's islands. With the accommodation, transport and itineraries taken care of, you can simply enjoy the likes of Brac, Korcula and Mljet, three beautiful Croatian islands with lots of activities to try. This immersive trip also includes a guided walking tour of Dubrovnik and wine-tasting opportunities - plus you'll be in the know with you expert tour leader.

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Portugal: Pack in the highlights

From the golden beaches of the Algarve to the exotic islands of the Azores, Portugal is an attractive destination for solo travellers looking to join a small group tour in Europe. Get to know your group over local dishes and waterfalls walks, get away from the crowds as you follow remote coastal trails or take a local train along the Douro Valley and visit winemaking estates on our Walks and Wine Tasting tour.

 

Explore northern Spain as you pedal from Porto to Lisbon on our cycling tour, or explore more of the south of the country as you ride from Lisbon to the Algarve. If you're looking to check out all the highlights of Portugal but aren't sure where to start, our eight-day small group trip takes in Porto, Lisbon, Coimbra and the Douro Valley.

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Frequently asked questions about our solo tours in Europe



Is Europe a good destination for solo travellers?
Yes, Europe is an excellent destination for solo travellers. The continent is vast in history and culture, with countless historical sites, museums and traditions. Europe has an extensive and reliable public transport system and well-established tourist infrastructure. From the rural countryside of Spain to the striking ancient architecture of Italy, and from the golden-sand beaches of Portugal to the pearlescent seas of Croatia, there is plenty for solo travellers to explore in Europe.
Is Europe safe for solo travellers?
Europe is home to some of the safest countries to visit. However, while the risks are low, as with all trips you should keep your wits about you and take precautions to take you and your belongings safe. By travelling in a small group you are better protected. Your local guide can advise you on the local customs, as well as warn you of any places that may pose a threat. Europe is also a safe place for female travellers - read our solo travel guide for women for more information.
How big are the group sizes on your Europe trips?
Our Europe small group tours accommodate 6 to 20 people, depending on the type of tour you choose. Our average group size is about 11 people - this is the perfect group size for solo travellers who want to explore a destination without feeling lonely. The group is usually made up of roughly half females and half males, and all ages are welcome to join; the lead booker has to be over 18, and those aged 17 will be charged as an adult. There is no upper age limit on our trips. 
What does a single supplement mean?
The individual prices of our Europe tours are generally based on shared twin rooms, so you may be paired up with another solo traveller of the same gender. However, if you'd prefer your own room, almost all of our trips offer a single room supplement. This means you'll pay a little extra for your own room, but in return you'll enjoy your own space to rest up and relax. You can find the cost of the solo supplement on each trip page under 'Dates & Prices'.
Will I have time to myself on a small group tour?
Yes, most of our European trip itineraries include time for you to explore the destinations on your own. This free time can be spent with other travellers in the group, or you are free to enjoy some time alone - whether that's beach time in Spain, cafe-hopping in France or visiting museums in Italy!
What types of Europe group tours does Explore offer?
Our Europe small group trips cover various themes, including:
  • Classic Discovery: Take in the must-sees and lesser-knowns, from the highlights of Andalucia to a Malta & Gozo cultural adventure.
  • Walking and Trekking: Traverse high ridges in Madeira and amble along coastal trails in Turkey.
  • Cycling: Switch to two wheels and whisk through changing landscapes, including southern Spain, the Baltic States and Provence.
  • Wildlife: Spot local fauna while walking Scotland's Orkney Islands or go bear-watching in Romania.
  • Rail journeys: Explore the Balkans, travel from Venice to Rome or set out on a Budapest to Prague train adventure.
  • Food and Drink: Tuck into authentic cuisine and have a go at making your own dishes, from stuffed vine leaves to pizza!
  • Boat journeys: Join a Greek Island cruise or journey along the pristine waters of the Danube Delta.
  • Activity: Embark on a Finnish Lapland winter adventure to go husky sledding and cross-country skiing.
  • Upgraded: You'll enjoy all the best parts of a classic discovery tour but with elevated touches - think premium accommodation and extra-special experiences.

The benefits of small group tours for solo travellers in Europe

Save time on planning and logistics

When you travel with an organised group tour, all of the planning, travel arrangements and accommodation booking is taken care of; all you need to do is turn up and enjoy the trip! Our tour leaders are also very knowledgeable, so you'll likely see and visit places in Europe that you perhaps wouldn't have considered if you'd been travelling solo.

 

Make new friends

One of the most significant benefits of travelling in a group is that you have the opportunity to meet other like-minded solo travellers. Many of the solo travellers who join our trips make new life-long friends during their adventures. And some even choose to travel together on another Explore tour in the future.


Solo traveller at Ephesus in Turkey

Share the experience

From the moment that you reach the imposing cathedral of Santiago de Compostela on our Camino de Santiago Walking Tour to spotting the fluorescent flashes of the Northern Lights on our Iceland Northern Lights adventure, a small group tour to Europe allows you to share these unforgettable experiences with fellow travellers. Take a group selfie as you reach the highest point of Hvar on our Cycle the Dalmatian Coast Tour and make a toast to wonderful adventures with new friends as you feast on delicious Greek mezze at the end of a group food tour in Greece.

 

Uncover hidden gems

Accompanied by an expert local tour guide, a small group tour gives you a better chance of finding some of the more obscure and hard to find places and attractions in Europe. Uncover the serene Masurian Lakes on our Upgraded - The Baltic States and Poland tour or step back in time as you uncover the myths and legends of ancient Sicily.

 

Stay safe

Keeping you safe while travelling on one of our small group tours is our number one priority. Safety in numbers means you'll be less at risk as a solo traveller and your local group leader will keep a watchful eye over you and your fellow travellers throughout your Europe trip. Feel at ease as you delve into the busy markets of Istanbul on our Turkey in Depth tour and avoid getting lost in Italy's Alta Murgia National Park by following your knowledgeable tour guide on our Cycle Puglia tour.

 

More cost-effective

Travelling with a small group in Europe can often make the trip more affordable than travelling solo. You'll benefit from discounted group bookings for accommodation, transport and admissions, and you'll have the opportunity to share the cost of food and drink with your fellow travellers.

Don't just travel, Explore!

Ready for a Europe adventure like no other? Our small group tours take you through the rolling hilltop towns of Tuscany, the brilliant beaches of Barcelona and ancient relics of Greece. Walk through Scotland or journey from Venice to Rome by rail - where will you choose first?

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