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Alright, ladies, it’s time to make your bucket list! Now I am not going to say that cities like Rome, London and Paris are a waste of time. However, they will not be on the solo female traveling bucket list! These seven hidden gems of Europe are far more interesting to visit than the big-name cities.
I think there are several reasons why you should seek out lesser-known places in Europe before visiting the well-known ones. I’ve found the most popular cities are too big, too crowded, and wildly overpriced, and you can do better.
7 Best Hidden Gems of Europe For Solo Travel
For this post, I am going to create a fantastic solo female traveling bucket list full of places you may have never considered! So get a pen and paper and make your travel wish list with these seven hidden gems of Europe!
#1. Granada, Spain
Granda is located in the southeast of Spain, approximately 853km from Barcelona. This hidden gem is very affordable, maybe the most affordable in Spain. In 2019 the average Airbnb for one night was between 30-50 euros.
The most famous attraction in Granada is the Alhambra. The Alhambra was originally constructed as a small fortress in AD 889. In 1333 it evolved into a palace. Alahambra is perched upon a hill, with viewpoints clear across the city and surrounding meadows.
Do yourself a favor and buy your tickets to Alhambra far in advance. Tickets will sell out months and months ahead of time. I wasn’t very prepared but was lucky enough to get entrance the day before, but for the interior grounds only. If you want to see all the Alhambra has to offer, then you must have booked in advance.
The smartest way to experience Alhambra is to book one of the below group tours. These tours have knowledgeable guides that make for a better overall day at the fortress.
>> GRAB ENTRY TICKET FOR ALHAMBRA
How To Get To Granada
If you fly directly into Granada, there is a bus that will take you directly into the city center. I would highly recommend this bus service. It was very affordable, approx 4 euros, and took around 45 minutes.
You can get more information on the bus from Granada Airport to City Center, here. Via train, Granada Train station is located in the city center.
Where Else Can You Go From Granada?
Via train, Granada is located only 2 and a half hours away from Seville. Seville is located in the most southern tip of Spain.
The city of Seville is a beautiful city to add to your solo female traveling bucket list. I visited this city alone for four nights in October.
Seville is a lot larger than Granada, with a lot more to see. There are some incredible hotels in Seville that are more affordable than you think!
Barcelona is also a quick flight away from Granada, getting around Barcelona is very easy.
Hidden Gems of Europe Inspiring Video & Photos of Granada
Click Here: Travel Inspiring Photos of Granada + Top Travel Recommendations
#2. Toulouse, France
Located only 603 km from the Spanish border is Toulouse, France. Toulouse if filled with the influence of Spanish culture. This influence is most apparent in the architecture and food.
The city has a “siesta” daily typically between the hours of 2 pm-7 pm. The definition of “Siesta” is a time for rest, and recharge. Siesta is very common all through Spain. Toulouse is the first French city I visited that has adopted the rest and recharge way of life.
During siesta, restaurants will likely be closed. I had trouble finding any restaurant to serve food after 2 pm and before 7 pm, even at hotels. Having arrived at 2 pm, I was very disappointed.
Toulouse’s most visited church is the Basilica of Saint Sernin. A grand basilica located in the city center. A fantastic way to spend a day in Toulouse is by walking around to the different basilicas and marveling at the architecture. And if you have time, I would highly recommend doing a bike tour.
Hidden Gems of Europe Photos | Toulouse
Click Here: Inspiring Photos of Toulouse
Just 2 hours from the central train station in Toulouse is one of my favorite French cities, Bordeaux! If you want to add a fairytale-like city to your solo female bucket list, go to Bordeaux.
I am sure it won’t surprise you to know that France has several hidden gems. If the idea of going to France is really piquing your interest, get inspired by this virtual evening living in French culture.
#3. Bologna, Italy
Did you know that Bologna is the food capital of Italy? I would have assumed it was Rome, but I would be wrong. If you are hungry for pasta, Bolognas’ signature dish is tagliatelle, served in a ragu sauce.
Since Bologna is all about the food, you should plan to stuff your face with all the Italian food you can find. Luckily there is a way to combine food tasting and touring with this walking tour.
To get a great overview of the city, and burn off some of those carbs, climb Two Towers. I would highly recommend staying in this area of Bologna when booking accommodations.
>> BOOK WALKING TOUR OF BOLOGNA
Hidden Gems of Europe Photos | Bologna
Click Here: Get inspired to visit Bologna with these 15 photos
For a romantic day trip with yourself, add this hidden gem of Europe to your list! You can reach Verona by train in just under an hour! Verona really is the city of love, and I enjoyed it solo! My complete guide to Verona has recommendations on where to eat, sleep, and what to do!
#4. Sighisoara, Romania
Have you been looking to visit somewhere completely different? Maybe a place so unique, that you have trouble pronouncing the name! Then Sighisoara (Sigh-ee-sore-ah) is the place for you. This hidden gem in Romania has a historical past.
All you vampire-loving ladies need to put Sighisoara on your European bucket list. Why? Because this Romanian city is the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. He is known throughout history as the real “Dracula.”
You need no more than two days in this perfectly preserved medieval town. Some sightseeing highlights include a city walking tour and Dracula home visit. Don’t forget to climb the Sighisoara Clock Tower for views of the breathtaking landscape.
Hidden Gems of Europe Photos | Sighisoara
Get inspired to visit Sighisoara with these 15 photos
Not too far away from Sighisoara lies the city of Lviv, Ukraine. It would be most convenient to fly from Romania to Ukraine. The distance between the two cities is 624 km / 387 miles. For a magical time in Ukraine, check out this solo female guide to Lviv.
#5. Bremen, Germany
I was blown away by the beauty and charm of Bremen, Germany. Bremen is one of the largest ports in Germany. The city is sitting just southwest of Hamburg and 70 km / 43 miles from the North Sea. I am surprised that Bremen isn’t more popular, and still can be considered a hidden gem of Europe.
The historic old town is one of the top attractions in Bremen for a good reason. You will find some incredible architecture in the old town square. Learn more about the history of Bremen by doing a night walking tour with a knowledgeable guide.
Visit the historic landmark of the Schnoor neighborhood. This part of the city is the only remaining medieval quarter. You will find small winding streets packed with idyllic restaurants and shops. This area of town is somewhat hidden away, and I also missed it altogether!
Hidden Gems of Europe Photos | Bremen
Click Here: Inspiring Photos of Bremen
Germany has some of the most idyllic small towns I have ever seen. Why not add to your solo female traveling bucket list by checking out these villages. Each of the five boroughs is within a 3-hour train ride of Berlin!
#6. Aarhus, Denmark
Denmark might easily be my favorite European country for solo female travelers. The people are very friendly, and I feel the safest when traveling there solo.
Aarhus is located west of Copenhagen, and traveling by train is 3 hours away. The city sits on Denmark’s on the eastern coast of the Jutland peninsula and has an awe-inspiring harbor. Some cool things to check out are the Dokk1 Cultural Centre, the iconic Iceberg building, and swimming at the harbor baths.
Aarhus is a foodie town, perfect for the solo female traveling food lover. A must-visit is the Aarhus Street Food Market.
No visit to Aarhus would be complete without visiting the Den Gamble By. This is a living history museum, located in the center of Aarhus. Get a real live look at daily life before the 1900s, and experience the 1920s and 1970s. This is a perfect activity to put on your bucket list when visiting Aarhus.
Hidden Gems of Europe Photos | Aarhus
Perfect Copenhagen to Aarhus Itinerary
If you are going to continue your time in Denmark, make sure and stop in Copenhagen. This is a city I have visited four times! I have created an exclusive city guide for the solo traveling female.
#7. Zagreb, Croatia
Located near the border of Slovenia is, Zagreb is the capital of Croatia. A tiny city, perfect to add to your solo female European bucket list.
Zagreb, unlike most of the coastal towns of Croatia, is very cheap! You can stay in a nice hotel, and get a delicious meal for a quarter of the price you would in Dubrovnik.
A few highlights of Zagreb is the St. Mark’s Church, Cathedral of Zagreb, and Ban Josip Jela Square. The best way to get a full overview of this city is to do this 2.5-hour walking tour.
If you are planning to visit Dubrovnik, and I highly recommend that you do, go in the offseason. Over the years, thanks to Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik in the high season is overrun by tourists.
I visited in October, just the start of the offseason. It was the perfect time to visit the old town of Dubrovnik. I got all the beautiful weather with a fraction of tourists. Stay tuned for an exclusive post about Dubrovnik.
>> BOOK WALKING TOUR OF ZAGREB
Hidden Gems of Europe Photos | Zagreb
Full City Guide for Zagreb Coming Soon!
Zagreb is located very close to the border of Slovenia! I traveled by bus to this incredible country. For a fantastic trip to Slovenia, check out the guide for Ljubljana and Lake Bled!
Why I Call These Places Hidden Gems
I have been so incredibly fortunate to travel to a lot of Europe’s most famous cities. These cities are London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, and Barcelona.
All of the cities I visited I truly loved, but it was a small day trip I took to the lesser-known cities that stood out. I made this list of the seven hidden gems in Europe because each and everyone one of these places really blew me away.
I hope that you will add them to your solo female traveling bucket list! And since it is not always easy to navigate booking a multi-city trip, I created a unique guide. Over the years, I have made many travel mistakes that taught me how to perfect the art of solo traveling. I made this site to help make your journey around the world that much easier!
Follow My Blog For More Hidden Gems
I don’t have any hidden agenda with my blog. You don’t have to worry about signing up for the newsletter and fear I will be trying to “sell” you something. I am building a community of followers that love to travel, want to grow, and spread positivity.
My site is all about the inspiration and encouragement for women to get out there and see the world. And, more importantly, get to know themselves. The posts I create do all contain affiliate links, and I am proud to say that. If I am listing a service or a product on my site, it’s because I genuinely believe in it.
I do hope you use the link I embed if you’re planning to buy the product or use the service I suggest. These tiny commissions show me that people are enjoying my content, and it helps me pay the hosting fees and all the other crazy costs for running a blog.
Staying safe is of the highest priority! Some of the most obvious safety measures can be overlooked. Don’t find yourself underprepared. To stay on track, I created a safety guide.
When you are traveling alone there isn’t anyone to help you carry your crap. PACK SMART! Check out this packing guide for all the must have’s and leave at home!
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Tina says
I love this post! So many great ideas on hidden gems to check out in Europe. I love the big “popular” cities, but I aaalways love the more off the beaten path cities a tad more. Less expensive, less crowded, less touristy – its a win-win-win for me too 🙂 Can’t wait to travel again, hopefully I’ll get to visit Sighisoara in Romania this year!
Cirrena says
Inspired to add Zagreb back to my bucket list. Love this post, can’t wait to read more!
Lauriane says
Hi Melissa :). Awesome idea this post !!! It is great to have some idea to get out of the crowded Venice or London ;)! We visited Bologna last year and it is true that the food there is delicious ! Toulouse is also a very cool city with a lively vibe.
Meghan Emcee says
I’ve heard of some of these places before but I haven’t been to any of them yet 🙁 Now I don’t know which one I should visit next I want to visit them all!
Krystianna says
Oh my gosh, you are really fueling my wanderlust while I’m sitting here reading your post. Croatia has been at the top of my list for a while. I’d of course love to visit Dubrovnik because of all the Game of Thrones sites, but it’s nice to know that there are areas like Zagreb that are a lot more less-visited. It really does look gorgeous there.
Sarah Camp says
Your photos are giving me MAJOR wanderlust – I can’t believe how dreamy these cities are – and I will admit that Romania surprised me! I have to get to all of these places! Seriously considering buying a 1 way ticket to Europe after all this hahaha!!!
Lorenza says
My sister loved loved Granada! I have been thinking about Romania and now I’m sold! Thank you for the wonderful list!
Kelly says
All of these spots are gorgeous! Haven’t been to any of these cities yet, but they are all on my list! Finding areas like this that haven’t been over run by tourism is so great.
Mariah says
I love the colorful buildings in your photo of Romania. All of these “hidden gems” seem like such amazing places to visit. I feel like lesser-known cities are a great way to really immerse yourself in the local culture and I hope to be able to see these places one day. Keep sharing these hidden gems, I would love to see more!