Best European Cities for Single Travellers (Hiking and Adventure)

Whether you like to party hard, love taking long walks, or want to go for hiking, camping, or other outdoor adventures, cities in Europe offer everything. However, it can be challenging to decide which of them deserves your time and effort.

As a single adult wanting to visit European cities in the hope to meet locals and exploring the beautiful hiking trails that the continent has to offer, you need to consider the cities mentioned here.

Here are best European cities that impress adventurers with their stunning scenery, great night life, food, and a whole lot more.

 

Chamonix

With one of the oldest ski resorts, the venue of the first Winter Olympics, and close to Mont-Blanc, this city is heaven for trekkers interested in exploring the Tour du Mont-Blanc. In addition to Chamonix hiking offering easy access to the full circuit, several other smaller Alpine hikes are accessible from the valley.

Chamonix is stunning beautiful and filled with adventure in all seasons of the year. In addition to this, it is a hub for avid adventurers, so there is always a social event going on filled with other avid adventurers. Because of the access to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, the fact that it is incredible year round, and that this is a top destination for nearly all adventurers, Chamonix sits as one of the best cities in the world.

 

Geneva

If your Europe tour is pivoted to hiking and your destination is the full circuit Tour du Mont-Blanc, Geneva is the best choice for your European city visit. This Swiss city is the second most populated in Switzerland and offers the fastest access to the Mont Blanc ranges to trekkers.

Guided tours of the Tour du Mont-Blanc hike can be taken from the city. And the necessary equipment and gear can be rented or bought before starting the 170 km long hike. If you aren’t up for a giant challenge, that’s no issue either. All types of hiking and backpacking is available for those going on solo trips, or those looking to grab a guide, or join a group guided tour.

The typical climate in Geneva stays cool during the winters but can reach up to 80 F in summers with a bright sky. In the winter, the average low usually revolves around 19-20 F in December and January. As a hiker, May to August is the best to visit the Mont-Blanc range.

 

Paris

Known by the name “city of love”, Paris is the capital city of France housing the world’s major financial, fashion, arts, and diplomacy institutions. As a single individual, you may despise the name that was given to it, but you’ll be astonished by how much more the city has to offer.

The Eiffel Tower, a 19th-century marvel and the focus point of tourists, stands 1083 ft. tall and provides a stunning aerial by standing nearly in the middle of the city. The Arc de Triomphe, the Louver, and the Palais Garnier also will quench your wanderlust.

For hikers, beautiful trails between Le Perray-en-Yvelines and Gazeran can be the ultimate trekking destination in Paris. Accessible by public transport, the green valley alone is worth your visit.

 

London

The capital of England, London, is known for its heritage sites, palaces, and great historic monuments. The famous Buckingham Palace, the house of the Queen, is situated here. London is the third most populated city in Europe but offers both quiet nighttime and partying opportunities for young single travellers.

For the adventurer in you, the 7.5km loop trail of Hampstead Heath Circular Walk near Islington can offer a moderately challenging self guided trekking tour. If you have a dog, do take them with you on this hike, but on a leash. Depending on your pace, the whole loop may take around 2 hours to complete, but do give the lake and forest the attention they deserve.  While London may not be the city ideal for outdoor adventure, you can find wakeboarding, indoor ice climbing, zip lines, amazing sporting events, and more.

Furthermore, when visiting London, don’t forget to warm your eyes with the Palace of Westminster, the Royal Observatory, and experience the London Eye. If you have spare time, do visit Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral, The British Museum, and Tower Bridge.

If you’re a sports fanatic, the Wembley Stadium, Wimbledon, and seven major Premier League clubs including Chelsea and Arsenal are based in London.

 

Les Contamines

Les Contamines is a popular resting point for trekkers doing the self guided Tour du Mont-Blanc. This small village, now slowly turning into a city, is located in the French Alps and is only 1.25 hours from Geneva.

The city is a popular destination for both hikers and casual tourists wanting to enjoy their vacation in a mountain valley surrounded by Alpine forests.

Les Contamines has incredible skiing, amazing access to the outdoors, and a budding Après-ski and nightlife. Because it is growing, it is less expensive than many of the other European cities on this list, making it a pretty stellar option for a more budget conscious traveler.

 

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the most populous city in the Netherlands. Due to the web of canals surrounding the city, it’s also known as the “Venice of the North”. Now providing ample opportunities for travellers to engage in nightlife and festival activities, Amsterdam was originally built to control flooding.

The popular tourist destinations in and around Amsterdam include the canals like Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and architectural marvels like The Scheepvaarthuis and The Begijnhof.

Complete with hundreds of parks, open spaces, and nature reserves like Nieuw-West, Amsterdam offers great exploration opportunities to single adventurers. To explore the  Nieuw-West, start from Volkstuinpark De Bretten and enjoy the 10+ km long walk through the diverse wildlife and the forest of Spaarnwoude.

The best time to visit Amsterdam is either in April or September. Winters being chilly and summers being humid, springs and autumn is the best time for your next visit.

 

Barcelona

Barcelona, the second largest city in Spain, is a global city with a rich cultural heritage. With its unique blend of architecture, art, food and culture, Barcelona has something for everyone.

The best way to explore Barcelona is on foot or by bike. The best time to visit Barcelona is during the months of April through October, when the weather is mild and there are fewer tourists.

Some of the best things to see and do in Barcelona include visiting the Gothic Quarter, exploring Park Guell, taking a cable car ride to Montjuic Castle, visiting La Sagrada Familia and strolling down Las Ramblas.

Whether you’re looking for a city break or a beach vacation, Barcelona has it all. With its many attractions, Barcelona is one of the best European cities for single travellers. In addition to amazing culture and nightlife, Barcelona is in close proximity to incredible hiking and outdoor adventures. Whether those adventures are ocean sport related, or getting into the mountains, you can find it all in Barcelona and other Spanish cities.

 

Prague

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is a city full of history and culture. Situated on the Vltava river, Prague is a beautiful city with many things to see and do.

Some of the best things to see and do in Prague include visiting Old Town Square, taking a walk across the Charles Bridge, exploring Prague Castle, and visiting the Jewish Quarter.

Prague is a great city for single travellers as it has something for everyone. With its many bars, clubs, and restaurants, there is always something to do in Prague. In addition, Prague is a great base for exploring the rest of the Czech Republic.

The best time to visit Prague is during the spring or autumn when the weather is mild and there are fewer tourists.

 

Zurich

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. Situated on the banks of Lake Zurich, Zurich is a beautiful and clean city.

Some of the best things to see and do in Zurich include visiting Old Town, taking a walk or bike ride around Lake Zurich, exploring the Zurich Zoo, and visiting the Swiss National Museum.

Zurich is a great city for single travellers as it has something for everyone. With its many bars, clubs, and restaurants, there is always something to do in Zurich. In addition, Zurich is a great base for exploring the rest of Switzerland. Public transportation is pretty incredible, and it is a hub for all types of travelers from adventure seekers, to culture seekers.

Zurich is generally quite expensive, but for what it offers, it can’t be left off of this list.

 

Venice

Venice, the capital of Italy’s Veneto region, is built on more than 100 small islands in a marshy lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. It has a Mediterranean climate with cool winters and warm summers.

Some of the best things to see and do in Venice include taking a gondola ride, visiting St. Mark’s Square, exploring the Doge’s Palace, and taking a boat ride to Murano.

Venice is a great city for single travellers as it has something for everyone. With its many bars, clubs, and restaurants, there is always something to do in Venice. In addition, Venice is a great base for exploring the rest of Italy.

The Dolomites are only 2.5 hours away, making day trips or weekend trips into some of the most incredible looking terrain easy. Venice is an incredible hub for outdoor adventure that has a balance of incredible culture and nightlife.

 

The Bottom Line

These are only a few of the best European cities for single travellers, but there are many more. If you’re looking for an amazing adventure, stunning scenery, and great nightlife, then these cities should definitely be on your list. So get out there and explore all that Europe has to offer!