- A new study ranked Krakow, Poland, as the best European city for solo female travelers based on safety, affordability, and social comfort.
- The analysis evaluated several metrics, including scam risk, transportation costs, as well as access to museums, spas, and female-oriented hostels.
- Zagreb, Croatia, and Wroclaw, Poland, followed in the top three, with several other Polish and southern European cities rounding out the top 10.
There’s something extra special about going out and exploring the world all on your own. The only ripple in this plan for many solo female travelers is feeling safe enough to do it. Luckily, there are plenty of places out there where you can feel great being all by yourself, according to a new study, which honed in on cities across the European Union.
In January, tour company Private Tours England released an analysis, which sought to find the best places for female solo travelers. To reach its conclusion, the team analyzed 21 metrics across five key categories, including each destination’s scam risk level, how comfortable it feels to walk at night, and overall safety statistics. The research also measures the costs associated with visiting each place, including the price of a cappuccino, an inexpensive meal, and a beer. It also considered the cost of things, such as a one-night stay in a three-star hotel, public transportation tickets, and the cost of taking a taxi.
Beyond these metrics, the team also took into account “social comfort” (measured through a city’s friendliness score and English proficiency) along with the number of activities in each, including spas and museums. It then assigned each destination a score out of a possible 100.
After looking at all the data, it named Krakow, Poland, as the No. 1 spot for solo female travelers.
“It tops the Safety Index at 75.19 and is strong on walking safety at 67.97. Violence against women is low, but scam risk sits at medium,” the findings stated. “Prices for food and transport are low. Hostels are heavily female‑oriented at 93 percent. Museums and spas per capita are high. Ride‑hailing is widely available, and internet speeds are fast. English is fair, and walkability is strong.”
In a close second is Zagreb, Croatia, which nabbed a high safety score of 78.65 and a walk-alone-at-night score of 80.22. “Transport costs are among the lowest in Europe,” the report said. “Female‑only hostels are available but less common than in Krakow. English skills are decent. Museums and parks are moderate. Uber or Bolt services operate across the city.”
Rounding out the top three is Wroclaw, Poland, which also had a high safety index score at 74.66. But there are a few things to keep in mind. “Night walking safety is lower than in Zagreb. Hostels with female‑only options are common,” the findings said. “Food and hotel prices are below E.U. averages. Nature parks and wellness centers are available. Walkability and internet speed are strong. English proficiency mirrors other Polish cities.”
Other top spots include Poznan, Poland, at No. 4, followed by Sevilla, Spain; Warsaw, Poland; Prague, Czech Republic; Edinburgh, Scotland; Malaga, Spain; and Porto, Portugal, rounding out the top 10.
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