Especially as a female solo traveler, making sure your destinations are safe is a top priority.
Luckily, Europe is one of the safest places for women to travel alone. It claimed seven of the top 20 safest cities in the world according to The Economist‘s Safe Cities Index (SCI) 2021, more than any other continent on the list.
To create this list, I combined results from the Safe Cities Index 2021, Travel Safe Abroad’s Safety Index, and my own personal experiences in each place. Check out the 7 safest places for women to travel alone in Europe in 2023 below!
Read more: Traveling alone for the first time? Check out my complete guide to first-time solo travel!
1. Copenhagen, Denmark
What makes it safe
Topping the SCI 2021 in personal security as well as overall safety score, Copenhagen is one of the safest places for women to travel alone in Europe in 2023. The city’s lord mayor Lars Weiss says that anyone, whether you’re a man or woman, LGBTQ+, or part of any other minority, can feel safe in Copenhagen. Copenhagen, and Denmark in general, enjoys a high level of trust and security owed to social cohesion and a narrow wealth gap that are cornerstones of Danish culture. Furthermore, their crime rates are extremely low. They are currently at their lowest in a decade!
From living in Copenhagen for 7 months, I can attest to all of these facts. Altogether, these factors make Copenhagen the perfect pick for solo female travel, and one of the safest places for women to travel alone in Europe in 2023.
Top 3 sights & activities
Tivoli, Nyhavn harbor, Danish cuisine (smørrebrød and pastries)
Read more: Explore Copenhagen like a local with my Ultimate Local Guide to Copenhagen – complete with input from Copenhagen natives themselves!
2. Vienna, Austria
What makes it safe
Close behind Copenhagen, Vienna tops the list of the safest places for women to travel alone in Europe in 2023. It has a rating of 88 out of all cities in the world according to Travel Safe – Abroad. By taking the usual precautions like staying aware of your surroundings and carrying a bag that closes well, the risk of crimes like pick-pocketing and bag snatching are almost eliminated in Vienna. Also, violent crime is extremely rare here. Enjoy safe public transportation and relatively low risk of terrorism in Vienna.
Top 3 sights & activities
St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Schloss Schönbrunn, Spanish Riding School
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3. Munich, Germany
What makes it safe
Munich is also one of the safest places for women to travel alone in Europe in 2023, with an overall very low risk of crime. It regularly ranks very highly in Top Quality of Life rankings as well. Though there is some risk of pickpocketing, as goes for most major cities, there is a very low risk of both mugging and kidnapping. Public transportation is also very safe, altogether making Munich very safe for solo female travelers.
Top 3 sights & activities
Hofbräu Haus, Oktoberfest, English Garden
Read more: The Ultimate Solo Female Travel Guide to Munich
4. Amsterdam, the Netherlands
What makes it safe
Coming in at #6 in the world in the Safe Cities Index 2021 and #2 for personal security, Amsterdam is #4 on my list of the safest places for women to travel alone in Europe in 2023. Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities in the world and I always felt very safe walking around alone there. It even comes in on top on my list of the top solo travel destinations in Europe! Just watch your belongings like usual and avoid drunk crowds at night, and you will stay very safe in Amsterdam.
Top 3 sights & activities
Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank house, canal tour
Read more: The Ultimate Solo Female Travel Guide to Amsterdam
5. Stockholm, Sweden
What makes it safe
With a relatively low risk of crime, Stockholm is fifth of the safest places for women to travel alone in Europe in 2023. Stockholm comes in at #4 in personal security and #10 in overall score on the SCI 2021. While you do need to be wary of people offering to help you with your luggage, “gold ring” tricks, and fake petitions, regular precautions will help you avoid any petty crime. I felt incredibly safe while traveling in Sweden. In typical Scandinavian fashion, solo females are normal and highly respected, making it a great destination for solo female travelers.
Top 3 sights & activities
Old Town (Gamla Stan), The Royal Palace, Skansen
You might also like: The best eSIMs for Europe in 2023
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6. Lisbon, Portugal
What makes it safe
Libson ranks #9 in the world for personal safety on the SCI 2021. Like many other cities on this list, the crime rate is very low. The biggest thing there is to be worried about in Libson is pickpockets. Portugal as a country is generally very easygoing, and anyone, whether female, old, or part of any minority group can be sure they will be safe and enjoy their vacation there. This all makes Lisbon one of the safest places for women to travel alone in Europe in 2023.
Top 3 sights & activities
Jerónimos Monastery, Alfama, Belém Tower
Read more: The Ultimate Europe Solo Female Travel Guide
7. Madrid, Spain
What makes it safe
The SCI 2021 ranks Madrid #10 for personal safety and the 21st safest city in the world. Purely because of the sheer number of people who visit Madrid, you’ll need to be watchful for pickpockets. This is especially true on public transport, as it’s the main place pickpockets operate. Mugging and kidnapping are extremely rare in Madrid. As ever, be mindful of your belongings, especially in crowds, and your trip to Madrid should go off without a hitch.
Top 3 sights & activities
Royal Palace of Madrid, El Retiro Park, Museo Nacional del Prado
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Other Top Solo Female Travel Destinations in Europe
1. Salzburg, Austria
The city of music (and The Sound of Music), Salzburg is a charming Austrian town at the foot of the Austrian and Bavarian Alps that’s not to be missed for solo travelers who love nature.
2. Berlin, Germany
The historic capital of Germany is surprisingly affordable, and you’ll enjoy the safe atmosphere, counter-culture party scene, and the ample number of other travelers to meet when solo traveling in Berlin.
3. Crete, Greece
Maybe not the most expected destination on this list, Youth Hostel Plakias on Crete was voted ‘Best Hostel in Greece’ in 2015 and 2016 is a tranquil respite for solo travelers from all over the world – so much so that many reunite here decades later!
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