From Spain’s beautiful northern coastline to Slovenia’s alpine landscapes and Estonia’s medieval streets, three very different European destinations worth discovering.
Europe has no shortage of famous cities. And while I love many of them, some of my most memorable travel experiences have been in places a little beyond the usual tourist trail.
Having travelled extensively throughout Europe, I’ve found that certain destinations lend themselves particularly well to exploring independently. Not necessarily because they have the most attractions, but because of the way you can experience the local culture, discover something unexpected or simply enjoy being somewhere different.
Here are three of my personal favourites. I’ve visited all three, and each offers something quite different for solo travellers.
1. San Sebastián, Spain — Seaside living and a wonderful food culture
Tucked along Spain’s northern coast in the Basque Country, San Sebastián has a wonderful combination of beautiful beaches, excellent food and a lively, relaxed atmosphere.
The sweeping curve of La Concha Beach is one of the city’s great attractions. You can spend the morning swimming, strolling along the promenade or settling in with a book overlooking the bay. It’s the sort of seaside destination where you can easily enjoy a day on your own.
But for me, one of San Sebastián’s biggest attractions for solo travellers is its famous pintxos culture.
Pintxos are the Basque Country’s answer to tapas — delicious small bites served in bars throughout the city, particularly around the Old Town. Locals move between bars, enjoying a pintxo and a drink before heading somewhere else.
It’s such a natural way to dine when you’re travelling alone.
You don’t need to commit to a formal restaurant meal every evening. Instead, you can find a spot at the bar, sample something delicious and soak up the atmosphere. And because the bars are often lively and communal, there’s always the possibility of striking up a conversation.
It’s a lovely way to feel part of local life rather than simply observing it as a visitor.
Beyond the beaches and food, there’s plenty to discover, from coastal viewpoints and historic streets to the city’s distinctive Basque culture.
My tip: Join a guided pintxos tour early in your stay. You’ll discover some wonderful local spots, learn how the tradition works and perhaps meet a few fellow travellers along the way.
2. Ljubljana, Slovenia — A charming capital and a gateway to adventure
Ljubljana is one of my favourite European cities, and Slovenia is a country I think more Australians should consider exploring.
The capital itself is delightful. A beautiful riverside setting, elegant bridges, outdoor cafés and a largely pedestrianised historic centre give it a relaxed, welcoming feel.
It’s somewhere I’d happily spend a couple of days enjoying the atmosphere without feeling the need to rush from one attraction to the next.
There’s also a fascinating history to uncover. Slovenia was part of the former Yugoslavia and became independent in 1991 — something that feels remarkably recent when you think about the history we often associate with European travel. I find learning about this part of Europe’s past particularly interesting, and a local walking tour is a great place to start.
But what makes Ljubljana especially appealing is what lies beyond the capital.
Slovenia packs an extraordinary amount of natural beauty into a relatively small country. Within a manageable distance of Ljubljana, you’ll find alpine lakes, mountains, forests, spectacular gorges and opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Lake Bled is perhaps the best-known example, with its picture-perfect island church, medieval castle and surrounding mountains.
While you can visit on a day trip from Ljubljana, I’d suggest considering a night or two at the lake itself. It gives you time to enjoy the scenery without rushing and perhaps venture further into the surrounding region.
In summer, there are opportunities for swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking and cycling. Those looking for more adventure can explore rafting and canyoning experiences elsewhere in Slovenia, particularly around the Soča Valley.
Winter brings a completely different experience, with snow-covered alpine landscapes when conditions allow and skiing and other winter activities in the mountain resorts.
And it’s not all about adventure. You could just as happily enjoy the lakeside scenery, take a boat trip, explore the countryside or settle into a lovely café.
That’s what I find so appealing about Slovenia. You can combine a beautiful European city with some truly spectacular nature, without having to travel enormous distances.
My tip: Don’t treat Ljubljana as just a quick overnight stop. Spend a couple of nights enjoying the capital, then consider adding Lake Bled or another part of Slovenia to your itinerary. Organised day tours are also a great option if you’d prefer not to hire a car.
3. Tallinn, Estonia — A medieval fairy tale with a fascinating past
Tallinn is one of those cities that makes an impression almost immediately.
Step through the historic city walls into its beautifully preserved medieval Old Town, and it feels as though you’ve entered another world.
Cobblestone streets wind between centuries-old buildings, church spires rise above the rooftops, and little shops, cafés and hidden courtyards invite you to stop and explore.
I particularly love the idea of staying within the Old Town itself. There’s something special about stepping outside your accommodation in the morning and finding yourself surrounded by so much history.
For solo travellers, it’s a wonderful place to explore without needing a packed itinerary. You can spend hours wandering the lanes, browsing artisan shops and discovering another picturesque corner around the next bend.
But Tallinn is much more than a pretty medieval town.
Its history is extraordinary, from its days as an important Baltic trading centre to the Soviet occupation of Estonia during much of the twentieth century.
I’d highly recommend taking a guided walking tour to understand the stories behind the buildings and streets. And for a fascinating, sometimes confronting insight into more recent history, the former KGB prison cells are well worth visiting. The KGB Museum at Hotel Viru offers another perspective on Soviet-era surveillance.
There’s also a surprisingly contemporary side to Tallinn, just beyond the medieval walls.
A short walk takes you to Balti Jaam Market, a bustling mix of food stalls, local produce, independent shops and places to eat. It’s also home to Humalakoda, a craft brewery and restaurant where you can sample locally brewed beers.
Nearby, the Telliskivi Creative City has transformed a former industrial area into a lively neighbourhood of street art, galleries, cafés and creative businesses.
It’s a wonderful contrast to the historic centre and a reminder that Tallinn is very much a modern, evolving city.
And Tallinn is surprisingly easy to combine with Helsinki. The two cities are connected by regular ferries across the Baltic Sea, with the crossing taking around two hours. If you’re planning a trip to Finland, it’s well worth considering a few nights in Tallinn too. With short transfers to the ferry terminals at either end, you can comfortably allow half a day to travel between the two cities.
My tip: Stay in or close to the Old Town if you can, and make time for a guided historical walking tour. Then venture beyond the walls to discover Tallinn’s markets and contemporary neighbourhoods.
Tallinn also features on our SoloMade Baltics journey, where we have the opportunity to explore this fascinating part of Europe together.
Three cities, three very different experiences
What I love about these destinations is how differently they allow you to experience Europe.
San Sebastián is about embracing the seaside lifestyle, enjoying wonderful food and becoming part of the local atmosphere.
Ljubljana introduces you to a beautiful, less-visited corner of Europe, with the added opportunity to explore Slovenia’s remarkable natural landscapes.
And Tallinn transports you into another era, where medieval charm and fascinating history sit alongside a vibrant modern culture.
They’re three cities I’ve genuinely enjoyed visiting, and three I’d happily recommend to travellers looking beyond Europe’s more familiar destinations.
Because sometimes the most memorable journeys are the ones that take you somewhere you hadn’t previously considered.
Looking for inspiration for your next solo adventure?
At SoloMade, we help solo travellers discover destinations and experiences that suit their interests, whether that’s an independent holiday, a carefully selected cruise or tour, or one of our own small-group journeys.
If one of these destinations has caught your imagination, we’d love to help you explore the possibilities.
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