5 of the best European cities for solo travelers
Grab your suitcase without breaking the bank
Mark
So, you want to go to Europe, but your friends (or your man) don’t have the dough? Solo travel might be for you.
That said, not every destination is created equal, which is why Eminent recently ran the numbers. (And it’s a good thing, too, because the gays are famously bad at math.)
As part of a recent study, the European luggage company ranked which cities are the best deal, based on entertainment and relaxation options, safety, weather, and most importantly, average daily spend per person — and the results might surprise you.
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That said, their rankings provided plenty of exciting options for LGBTQ+ travelers, especially those who’ve already checked well-trodden destinations like London, Paris, and Rome off their lists.
Below, we dive into 5 of the top-ranked European cities for solo travel.
1. Prague
The best bang for your buck is Prague, which costs the average solo traveler around $227 — or €194 — a day. With plentiful parks, historic architecture, and sophisticated and relaxing places to stay, like Jalta Boutique Hotel and OREA Hotel Angelo Praha, it’s no wonder why gay tourism to this scenic city in the heart of Europe has been on the rise since the ’90s.
Our personal recs for those looking for some ruckus with their R&R are Friends Prague, their go-to gay bar, and TerMIX, where dancing is mandatory.
2. Budapest
With an average cost of around $183 per day, Budapest ranked at No. 2. Known as the City of Baths, the elegant Hungarian city takes its spa culture seriously, meaning there are plenty of spots to soak up the views, including the high-end Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons Hotel Greshman Palace, with stunning river views.
That said, the city where Madonna filmed Evita is not without its pleasures, including both relaxed and wild LGBTQ+ nightlife options, like ALTEREGO, the city’s most popular dance club, and CoXx Men’s Bar.
3. Madrid
With a cost of around $289 a day (and some of the best weather in Europe), Madrid, its optimal climate, and thriving LGBTQ+ earned it a rightful spot on the list. What really makes this Spanish city stand out is its choose-your-own-adventure options.
There are boutique accommodations like Room Mate Oscar Hotel and more economical options like Petit Palace Chueca; historical cathedrals and museums like El Museo del Prado, the world’s largest art gallery; or rowdy gay bars like Hot, STRONG, and Bears Bar. (A name which, obviously, speaks for itself.)
Nevertheless, the hottest club in town might be Chocolatería San Ginés, a cafe that serves chocolate 24 hours a day.
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4. Vienna
As Billy Joel famously sang, “Vienna waits for you,” although you might want to book your trip before its Pride festivities kick off on June 13. The flamboyant Austrian capital reportedly costs most solo travelers around $327 a day, and it earned its spot on the list for its high safety score, especially for LGBTQ+ people, and its mix of both parks and saunas and exciting nightlife.
If you’re visiting, might we recommend the trendy Village Bar, Felixx, then ending the night at The Eagle Vienna.
5. Lisbon
Lisbon is known for its beaches, nightlife, and, OK, fine, its Catholicism. That said, the Portugal gem, which runs most solo travelers around $280 a day, is a can’t-miss for its climate and culinary options alone. (We’re talking bacalhau, pastéis de nata, and bifanas, oh my!)
And at the end of the day, the pro-LGBTQ+ laws in Portugal are some of the strongest in Europe, and you won’t find any trouble looking for gay spots, like the bear-friendly Bar TR3S Lisboa, Trumps, and the pro-fetish crew Bar Cru. Now, any trouble you find there is your own business!
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