Europe’s top solo travel destinations revealed

Madrid has been named the top destination for lone travellers, following a rising interest in solo exploration.

Travel insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk have created the 2026 Solo Travel Index to help experienced and novice solo adventurers choose their next European getaway.

Solo travel is growing in popularity, with data showing that 69% of travellers were planning a solo trip last year, and Google searches for “solo travel” have increased by 223% over the last 10 years.*

Some of the most popular reasons why holidaymakers choose to travel independently include wanting to see the world without waiting for others (74%), being able to do ‘what they want, when they want’ (57%), and getting out of their comfort zone (54%).**

Reflecting this growing trend, the experts at Quotezone looked at some of the most popular European travel destinations and ranked them based on several factors that solo travellers should consider when planning their trip.

They analysed factors such as public transport, so that travel logistics are easy and affordable, the number of hostels and tours available, giving solo travellers the option to meet new people and explore the sites in the safety of a group, plus internet speed to ensure maps, translators and informational guides are all readily accessible.

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 travellers and can greatly influence the enjoyment and confidence of exploring a new city alone.

The research revealed Spain’s capital Madrid offers the best experience for solo travellers, featuring the highest number of hostels to choose from, affordable public transport, and speedy internet.

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.

Second on the list is Prague in the Czech Republic, which stood out for its high scores for safety, giving travellers confidence to explore the city independently, both during the day and into the evening.

Prague is also a budget-friendly destination with plenty of historic attractions and a vibrant social scene, making it an ideal spot for solo travellers looking to balance sightseeing with opportunities to socialise.

In third place is Lisbon in sunny Portugal, known for its colourful streets, iconic yellow trams and hilltop viewpoints. Lisbon scored highly due to its huge volume of attractions – almost 4,000 tours on offer – and a good mix of hostels.

Coming in fourth is Paris, a city full of iconic sights and charming neighbourhoods. While this capital scored lower on safety, its large selection of sightseeing tours, rapid internet connections, and plenty of hostels for solo travellers should help holidaymakers feel more confident – ensuring research on problematic areas is done beforehand.

Rounding out the top five is Reykjavik in Iceland – the perfect destination for outdoor lovers, offering breathtaking natural landscapes, from waterfalls and volcanoes to geothermal springs. While Reykjavik has the priciest transport costs, it more than makes up for it by being the safest destination on the list.

At the other end of the scale, Oslo in Norway came last in the ranking, mainly due to lower availability of hostels and tours, as well as more expensive public transport.

Helen Rolph, travel insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk said: “Solo travelling has seen a significant surge in recent years, with more and more holidaymakers choosing to travel independently, so they can explore the world on their own terms and get out of their comfort zone.

“This is why we created the 2026 Solo Travel Index, ranking popular European cities based on factors that are important for people travelling alone, such as safety, the cost of getting around, the availability of hostels and tours, and internet speeds.

“Our research highlighted Madrid as the top destination for solo travellers, thanks to its combination of affordable public transport, plenty of accommodation options and fast internet access.

“Prague and Lisbon also made the top three, receiving great scores for safety and offering a huge range of experiences for solo adventurers looking to make the most of their trip.

“While travelling alone can be an incredibly rewarding experience, it’s important to plan ahead and take safety precautions. Having comprehensive travel insurance in place, especially when travelling alone, can protect travellers against unexpected situations such as cancellations, lost belongings, or medical emergencies while abroad.”

Quotezone helps over 4 million people compare and find savings on bills and essentials every year, including travel insurance, both in the UK and abroad.

References:

The full 2026 Solo Travel Index can be found here –

Sources:

*https://www.insightvacations.com/blog/travel-trends-2025/
**https://www.condorferries.co.uk/solo-travel-statistics

Methodology:
All sources and information are correct as of 13/03/2026. Each city was given a nominal score, which was totalled up to give a final ranking. Points for safety were doubled, given it’s a top priority for travelling independently.

The ten analysed cities are all included in the Conde Nast 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards list of best European cities – https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-cities-in-europe

● Safety score – https://www.numbeo.com/crime/region_rankings.jsp?title=2026&region=150
● Cost of public transport – https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/
○ Prices converted on 12/03/26, using xe.com/en-gb/currencyconverter/
● Number of hostels – https://www.hostelworld.com/
○ Number of hostels available on Hostelworld, for travel dates 15th- 16th April, search conducted on 12/03/26
● Internet speeds by country – https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/internet-speeds-by-country
● Number of tours – https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/
○ To find the number of tours, we searched the city on Tripadvisor’s ‘Things to do,’ clicked on ‘See all’, made sure category type was ‘Tours,’ and checked the total number of results at the bottom.
● Paris and Reykjavik received the same total points. Paris was awarded an extra point because it’s less crowded with tourists (7.24 tourists per inhabitant), compared to Reykjavik (12.10 tourists per inhabitant) on https://www.holidu.co.uk/magazine/european-cities-overtourism-index

This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.