Ideal destinations for your first solo trip

The thought of your first solo trip feels exciting and intriguing. Traveling alone, the freedom to go and stay wherever you want. But... does it have to be a four-week backpacking adventure on the other side of the world right away? Absolutely not. In fact, for your first solo vacation, it's actually smart to keep it small.

Choose a destination closer to home, where you can easily travel to and where you won't immediately spend hundreds of euros on plane tickets. Additionally, it's smart to go for a few days to a week, so you can quickly return home if it turns out not to be for you. This way you give yourself the chance to discover if solo travel is something for you, without immediately having enormous pressure or costs attached. And believe us, even within Europe (or just outside it) you'll find destinations that are adventurous, inspiring, and affordable.

5 affordable and safe solo destinations in and around Europe

1. Tamraght / Taghazout | Morocco

Tamraght and Taghazout are two small surf towns on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, about 30 minutes from the city of Agadir. These places are popular among solo travelers because the atmosphere is relaxed and there are many small hostels, surf houses and yoga retreats where you can easily meet other travelers.

You usually fly from Amsterdam or Eindhoven to Agadir Al Massira Airport (AGA). From there you can get to Tamraght or Taghazout by taxi or shuttle in about 40 minutes.

Most solo travelers stay in surf hostels or small guesthouses. These accommodations often organize group activities like surf lessons, yoga or communal dinners, making it easy to meet people.

What you can do there:

Take surf lessons on beaches like Anchor Point or Banana Beach
Yoga or meditation at one of the retreats
Day trip to Paradise Valley (a beautiful valley with natural swimming spots)
Relax in cafés with ocean views

Cost estimate for 1 week:

Flight €120 - €250
Hostel/guesthouse: €15 - €30 per night
Food: €10 - €25 per day

Total: +/- €400 - €700 for one week

Porto | Portugal

Porto is one of the nicest cities in Portugal for a first solo trip. The city is big enough to discover a lot, but compact enough to quickly feel at home. The atmosphere is relaxed, the people are friendly, and prices are often lower than in many other European cities.

You usually fly directly from Amsterdam, Eindhoven, or Rotterdam to Porto Airport (OPO). From the airport, the metro takes you to the city center within 30 minutes.

For accommodation, you can choose from hostels, boutique hotels, or small apartments. Hostels in the neighborhoods of Ribeira, Cedofeita, and Baixa are particularly popular among solo travelers, as you can easily meet other people there.

What you can do there:

Walk through the colorful streets of Ribeira
Taste Port wine in the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia
Visit the famous Livraria Lello bookstore
Day trip to the beach of Matosinhos
Boat trip on the Douro River

Cost indication for 1 week:

Flight €80 - €200
Total: +/- €450 - €750 for a week

Flight €120 - €250

Hostel/hotel: €25 - €70 per night

Total: +/- €500 - €800 for one week

Valencia | Spain

Valencia is an ideal destination if you're looking for a combination of city, beach and good food. The city is large, but feels relaxed and less hectic than Barcelona, for example.

You can fly directly from Amsterdam, Eindhoven or Rotterdam to Valencia Airport (VLC). From there you can reach the city center by metro within 20 minutes.

For accommodation, it's best to look in the neighborhoods of Ruzafa, El Carmen or near Malvarrosa beach. There are many hostels, hotels and apartments here where solo travelers often stay.

What you can do there:

Cycle through the huge Jardín del Turia park
Visit the futuristic buildings of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
Relax on Malvarrosa beach
Eat the original Valencian paella
Visit the Mercado Central market

Food and activities: €20 - €40 per day

Total: +/- €500 - €800 for a week

Ghent | Belgium

Don't want to fly for your first solo trip? Then Ghent is a perfect destination. This Belgian city has a creative atmosphere, beautiful historic buildings and a lively center full of cafés and restaurants.

You can easily travel by train from the Netherlands to Ghent-Sint-Pieters. From cities like Rotterdam or Amsterdam, you'll often be there within 2 to 3 hours.

For accommodation, you can choose from hostels, small hotels or Airbnbs in the center. Especially around Graslei, Patershol and the city center, you'll be right in the heart of the city's atmosphere.

What you can do there:

Walk along the canals and historic buildings
Visit Gravensteen castle
Discover street art in Werregarenstraat
Taste local beers in cafés
Take a boat tour through the canals

Hostel/hotel: €30 - €80 per night

Total: +/- €450 - €700 for a week

What to look for on your first solo vacation

For a first solo vacation, it's nice if your destination:

is easy to reach (preferably without transfers)
is affordable in terms of transport, accommodation and food
has something to offer that appeals to you (beach, culture, nature or tranquility)

Think of a place where you don't have to arrange everything, but still have enough to do when you feel like it. A city or region with hostels or guesthouses is often nice, especially if you want to connect with others.

Start small, discover big

Your first solo trip doesn't have to be grand to feel grand. Start nearby, keep it manageable and choose something that suits you. This gives you all the space to experience what it brings you without becoming overwhelmed. Who knows, it might leave you wanting more. Or you might discover something new about yourself. And that's exactly why solo travel is so valuable.