Hidden Gems of Europe For Your Bucket List

Alright, travel lovers, it’s time to make your bucket list of hidden gems of Europe! 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 this must-see travel destination list! These 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.

Crafting Your European Bucket List

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 start manifesting your dream trip to these incredible destinations!

Görlitz, Germany

Görlitz is a small town in Germany that lies just on the border of a Poland town called Zgorzelec.

I stumbled upon Görlitz when I was living in Berlin and on a weekend trip to Dresden.

What is Görlitz Famous For?

This idyllic small town in Germany was made famous when it was the backdrop for the Wes Anderson film The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Granada, Spain

Granada is located in the southeast of Spain, approximately 853km from Barcelona.

While it is well known for the Alhambra, many travelers I talk to have never heard of it!

I found it to be very affordable, maybe the most affordable in Spain. In 2019 my Airbnb for one night was between 30-50 euros.

You could get away with spending only one day in Granada, though I recommend at least 2 full days and nights.

What is Granada Famous For?

Most famously Granada is known for the Alhambra. 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 a tour with a knowledgeable guide.

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.

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.

Toulouse, France

I found Toulouse when I was doing a cheap flight search on Skyscanner!

Toulouse is located only 603 km from the Spanish border. You will definitely notice that Toulouse is 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.

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.

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.

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!

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 is one of the safest destinations in Romania.

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 of the spooky 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.

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, since it’s such a short drive from the major cities.

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!

Aarhus, Denmark

I have visited Copenhagen a number of times, and on one of those trips I made an overnight stay in Aarhus.

You can plan a doable itinerary to Aarhus from Copenhagen if you have 2 days to spare.

Aarhus is located west of Copenhagen, and traveling by train is 3 hours away. Another option would be to rent a car in Copenhagen and drive the scenic route.

Aarhus 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.

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.

Zagreb, Croatia

Located near the border of Slovenia, 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 are the St. Mark’s Church, the 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 has been 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.

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 Consider These European Cities Worth Visiting

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 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 travel. I made this site to help make your journey around the world that much easier!

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My site is all about the inspiration and encouragement for women to get out there and see the world.

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