best city in Europe to travel solo...

Paris.

I second Paris.

I have already been to Paris.. I thought about seeing it again but I kind of want to experience something new.

Barcelona or Munich

Amsterdam
Venice
Paris

Stockholm
Venice
Amsterdam

Why, why, why? Why are these places so wonderful for a single?

They fit the criteria on your list, is why. Mine are easy cities to get around on foot or by public transportation. They are safe. There's tons of stuff to see and do. Nothing about them requires necessitates having a partner.

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't feel safe traveling in Amsterdam by myself. Too much drug activity and prostitution. It's a great city but there's definitely a seedy side.

One city not mentioned that I feel offers much in the way of museums, parks, good restaurants, palaces, etc., and is safe is Vienna.

I agree with Amsterdam. I lived there 10 years ago (and moved there on my own, knowing no one), and just returned for a brief visit this last fall.

It's a very friendly and easy city to get around in. You have several museums (get the Amsterdam Museum card if you plan to visit alot of them, it'll save you money), you have spas/saunas, lots of shops and neighborhoods to browse in, the Dutch are friendly, most of them speak english since Dutch is difficult to learn, lots of history, progressive design, good nightlife, easy day trips to other places, efficient train system. It's also very pretty when the canals are lit up at night.

Even the infamous red light district is pretty safe (within reason) if you want to see it.

There are plenty of good restaurants in A'dam. Just avoid the area around the Leidsplein and Rembrantsplein. Enjoy neighborhoods like the Joordan and near the Vondelpark. There's a really great portuguese restaurant near the Artis Zoo. Dutch cuisine doesn't compare to those of southern europe in my humble opinion, but if you know where to look you can find some great meals. I've had some of the best indonesian food outisde of indonesia there. It was a Dutch colony.

The airport is one of the easiest to get in and out of...

And you can usually find good last minute deals on flights to A'dam since it is a major european hub.

I know there are other places that would suit you just fine, but this is one I have experience with!

Rome.
You may not do better for museums. The nicer larger hotels have day spas and it's easy to hop onto a train and get to a spa destination like Bagni di Tivoli or others like Saturnia.

Very safe, lots of transporation options, as it's walkable, cabs and buses are plentiful, and there's a Metro.

Many terrific restaurants.

Lots of parks and monuments where one can relax.

have visited solo:
London, Paris, Rome, Madrid,
Amsterdam, Stockholm, Vienna, Copenhagen,
Brussels
never had a problem

Pretty much all the major European cities meet your criteria so don't pick one based on those things. Pick one based on other things - like what interests you, the weather, etc. Do you prefer southern Europe? then Rome, Florence or Venice in Italy, or Barcelona. I've been to all the cities mentioned (except Vienna) plus several others and think you'd have no trouble in any of them. Since you are going in April that might make a difference - the more southern cities will be warmer, allowing for more outdoor relaxing. With the more northern cities it could be hit or miss. I've been in Paris and London in the spring several times and sometimes it was delightful (70s) and sometimes quite a bit cooler. They'd probably all be fine for walking around, but if you want to hang out at outdoor cafes, in parks, for picnics, etc then I'd go south.

Isabel makes a good point. Where did you plan to go if you had a friend to travel with? Just go there, but solo.

Traveling solo is not about the city you choose, but about what you do once you get there.

Also I personally did not feel unsafe in Amsterdam. Drugs and prostitution did not effect me as a tourist there.

The first criterion you mention (so it's obviously important to you)is SAFE. Not sure all the other cities would fit that category - Rome? London? No one's mentioned Athens - definitely safe for a single female; friendly, helpful people and most speak English; LOTS to see, including some of the best museums in Europe; GREAT food; almost certainly warm in April - wild flowers everywhere in the parks; generally cheaper prices than elsewhere, etc, etc.(Don't know about spas, though.)

I'll mention wonderful Lisbon. Very friendly happy people, beautiful hills, side trips, ocean, good food, museums,...easy to get around.

You will get lots of ideas and will probably have to do some research and STILL: what would be great for one person solo, may not be to anothers liking.

Curlysue:

Stockholm would be my enthusiastic vote. It's a world class, interesting, friendly and quite beautiful city. Only one drawback...it's expensive, perhaps a little more so than some of the others mentioned (but with the Euro so strong, all of the EU is affected)...But Sweden is not a Euro country, so you may be able to do well there. Stay in the old town (Gamle Stan), and I would guess that you'll end up loving it.

Second choice would be Copenhagen...it appears to be a singles town and is a delightful city to walk in..just like Stockholm.

Wherever you end up...enjoy! You'll meet lots of solos in either place. Safety wise..these two spots certainly meet the criteria.

Stu T.

Amsterdam and Venice are both wonderful for traveling alone. Paris, too. I've been to all of them alone. Wherever you are, just be careful and store your valuables where you won't be pickpocketed. That could happen in any big city in Europe or the U.S. Just use common sense.

Hi

Go on, do something different! Istanbul fits all your criteria.

I am surprised that nobody mentions Milano. Have been there several times solo and for me it has everything I want: culture (for instance see 'the last supper' )fantastic shops , the latest design furniture showrooms, good food , the old Brera district with the incredible pinacoteca, I would go back again tomorrow!

I spent 2 weeks solo recently in Vienna doing a language course and I found it great. People were very chatty and friendly. Its really safe. No end of Museums etc. Food is great - though I gained a few kilos. Its very laid back for a big city - so you can relax. It's not very expensive.

What's the big deal about being a single woman? LOTS OF WOMEN RIGHT AROUND THE WORLD ARE SINGLE! Go where you want with confidence. Single women are not pariahs. They don't get pointed at and people don't say in their native language "oooooh....lone woman"!

Try Baden-Baden for the spa...

Nicely put Suzie. I really don't know what the fuss is about. I wasn't a "smug married" until recently and happily travelled the world on my own. I never once even thought about it as being of any significance.

Thank you LawChick. Actually, I'm newly married as well. He wants to do everything together (we're that new!)
I've got this bug in my head to return to Europe by myself. I enjoy travelling solo. I loved my 11 years single..good years those....good years.

Curlysue,
I travel solo quite often - I like it better than travelling in a group. Here are cities in EUrope where I have visited "solo" and never had any problem:

- London (several times)
- Lisbon (several times)
- Berlin
- Munich
- Frankfurt
- Prague
- Vienna
- Zurich
- Lucerne
- Paris

London fulfills all your criteria with the exception perhaps of "good food", though you can always try to eat in foreign restaurants.

Lisbon, in contrast, has the best food of all the places I have visited, but I did not see lots of places for singles to hang out (to tell you the truth, I did not look for them...).

You guys are great! So many tips! Hah, now I just have to find a ticket I can afford since I won't be halfing everything! =)

I travel a lot on business and usually try to tack a couple of days vacation onto the various trips. So - from a female who has traveled for several days solo in various cities, my choices in terms of amount to see/do and comfort of a woman dining alone:

London
Dublin
Edinburgh
Amsterdam
Copenhagen
Stockholm
Oslo
Berlin
Munich
vienna
Prague

These are in no particular order - and all are perfectly safe.

Switzerland is also a good option - but you need to travel between cities by car or train - good if you want some countryside as well.

Would also suggest major cities in Italy - if you have no problem discouraging a few overfriendly men. The same goes for Spain - keeping in mind that Madrid is a huge - and late - nightlife city - but there's much more to see/do in the cities of Andalusia - but you really need to tour them by car.

I travel a lot by myself. Most of Europe is safe. I have been to Paris, London, Endinburgh, Berlin, Venice, Frankfurt, and Istanbul travelling by myself with no problems. Be prepared for lots of conversations with locals, including men. All have lots of museums and great food and night life. I like to pick hotels that are centrally located and walking distance of all tourist attractions even if it costs a little more. I don't carrry a purse when I travel, look well dressed and not like a tourist (I get better serivice that way). That means better casual clothes, nice costume jewelry, etc. I leave the expensive jewelry and watch at home. Carrying a camera/map or guide book is no problem if you carry a bag/pockets big enough to put it away when you want to be discreet. My money, and credit cards go in a zippered money belt, or inside zippered pocket of a travel vest that I never take off. You can always email the hotel conincerge in advance for ideas of what to do and transportation options. Ask locals for what to do like dining suggestions, where to shop, tourist ideas. Great way to meet people and find unique destinations. Ask about the bad parts of town, and avoid them. Take taxis at night instead of public transportation and have fun. Most important get a good phrase book or language tape/cd before you go and learn some phrases in the local language. I usually listen to a tape every day for a month before I travel to get some fluency. It breaks the ice (most speak English but appreciate your efforts to communicate). Make sure you always have your hotel address on you so you can always hop a taxi there if you get lost or get tired. If you want specific suggestions for a particular city destination just email me and I can give you lots of suggestion. l.mickus@pecorp.com

I thought I'd chime in with a couple of fantasic destinations outside of Europe: Vietnam and Costa Rica. I've been to both and found them safe beyond what I even expected (... in fact, I think both made some "top 10 safe places for women to travel solo" list).

April would be an especially wonderful time to visit either place, as you would miss the rainy seasons. Both countries have fantastic beaches (... I lived in Hawaii for a few years, and Vietnam may have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world!). Both have incredibly inexpensive, great food and lodging. And Vietnam may have some of the friendliest people on the face of the planet. Things to do? Name your outdoor adventure! Or simply relax on the beach! Relics and unofficial museums are also everywhere!

Surprisingly, I found Vietnam full of European travelers. In fact, I was on a excursion that was full of folks from Italy, none of whom knew each other before arriving in Vietnam. I met some great friends from all over Europe, every where I went in Vietnam. And don't worry about seeing the seedier side of tourism that you've heard about in, say, Thailand. Vietnam is more free of that kind of stuff than most U.S. cities.

Good luck in your travels!

Munich.
1. It's clean, I never felt unsafe there. The people are very nice.
2. There's lots to do- wonderful museums, palaces and Thermbads.
3. Great food and beer.
4. It's a lovely city and the day trips from Munich offer spectacular scenery.

Female solo traveler - I nominate Paris!!

I've travelled all over Europe by myself. If you're comfortable with yourself, there's no reason to have someone with you. There is no place I would say that I felt uncomfortable as a single woman. Paris, Brussels, Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Oslo, Reykjavik, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Barcelona, Valencia, Monaco, Cannes, Nice, Zurich, Innsbruck.

I'm also a solo traveler, and have been to many major European cities without a problem. Just be responsible and you should be fine. I would recommend Oxford, Geneva, Venice, Paris, London, Dublin, Florence, or islands like Corfu or Mykonos. have fun and be safe