You don’t need a companion to scratch that wanderlust itch (Picture: Getty)
Solo travel is becoming more and more popular, but it’s important to do your research so you don’t end up surrounded by loved-up couples or lose out to single person supplements.
To help you choose wisely, travel experts at airline Wizz Air have put together their ranking of the top European city destinations for exploring alone in 2023.
Looking at solo traveller user reviews on TripAdvisor, they were able to determine where lone tourists have the most positive experiences.
Andras Rado, Corporate Communications Manager at Wizz Air commented: ‘One of the most reliable ways for travellers to gain information about the realities of travelling to a destination is through the experiences of other travellers that have been there before, which is why we know the importance of basing our ranking on reviews.’
Among those that came top, the report found that the Greek city of Rhodes was the most idyllic spot for solo travellers, followed by Split, Croatia. These cities not only saw a large volume of five-star reviews overall but scored especially well for both their attractions and restaurants.
Here’s the full list of top places to visit as a lone adventurer:
1. Rhodes, Greece
This idyllic Greek city took the crown (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
In first place was the Greek city of Rhodes (on the island of the same name) which saw 76% of its solo-traveller reviewers rate it five stars. Of these, the city’s attractions received a majority of faultless reviews (79%), alongside 73% of reviews for restaurants located within the city.
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There’s plenty to amuse yourself with here, from the 15th Century Grand Master’s Palace to wandering the Old Town’s bazaar-esque shops, bistros and bars.
And with views like this, it’s easy to see why this city takes top spot.
2. Split, Croatia
One for GOT lovers (Picture: Getty Images)
Next, in second place, was the Croatian city of Split, which saw 73% of its solo-travellers rate five out of five, mostly for its attractions (81%), alongside 66% of reviews for its restaurants.
Fun fact, scenes from Game of Thrones were shot in Split, and there are tours you can take to explore filming locations.
3. Faro, Portugal
Another stunner (Picture: Getty Images)
In third place was Faro in Portgual, which was given a rating of five by 67% of its solo travellers. Of these, the city’s attractions received a majority of five-star reviews (74%), alongside 59% of its restaurants getting perfect scores.
Fresh seafood is a must for any culinary explorers here, while the Municipal Museum and numerous churches offer an extensive history of the Algarve if that’s more your vibe.
4. Istanbul, Turkey
Beautiful (Picture: Getty Images)
In joint third place with Faro was the Turkish city of Istanbul, which received top scores from 67% of travellers. 64% of rated its attractions five stars, and an impressive 71% of reviews for the city’s restaurants were glowing too.
One unmissable visit is the Hagia Sophia Mosque, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, but you could just as easily while away your days at the Grand Bazaar or embrace the culinary scene on a food tour.
5. Florence, Italy
Last but not least (Picture: Getty Images)
Finally, Florence in Italy took fifth spot. The city of culture, Renaissance art, food, was given a five-star rating by 71% of users, alongside an additional 61% of top reviews for restaurants located within the city.
This Tuscan capital was featured heavily in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2023, and we can see why. Picturesque cathedrals and galleries mean you’ll never be bored, but you could just as easily spend your time stuffing yourself with pasta and gelato; after all, there’s no one around to judge you.
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Can you guess the number one spot?
