Solo travel inspo for 2026
Solo travel may just be the epitome of self-care. You can go exactly where you want. Spend hours at that museum you’ve heard so much about or leave after looking at just one exhibition. Get up early to explore the city or have a long lie-in. Order room service or prop yourself up in a small bar to sample the local delicacies – book, or not, in tow.
With so much to see and do, Europe’s buzziest capitals are the best places to set off on a trip by yourself. There are landmarks that have seen centuries of history, eclectic cultural melting pots, and of course art, new and old, around every corner. If 2026 is the year for taking yourself on a trip, here are our best solo travel ideas in Europe’s coolest cities.
Catch a film at London’s indie cinemas
A trip to the cinema is the ultimate solo date. Watch the film you want and sit back and relax knowing you’ve got first (and only) dibs on the popcorn. London’s neighbourhoods are packed with independent cinemas that not only show the harder-to-find flicks alongside headline-grabbing releases but are worth a visit for the buildings alone. For a spot of history, head to Brixton’s Ritzy Picturehouse or Portobello’s Electric Cinema – both of which have been standing since the 1910s. Or if you’re heading to the Barbican for a taste of Brutalist architecture and an amble through the art gallery, carve out some time for the Barbican cinema too.
Stroll through street art in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s streets are pulsing with the creative brushstrokes of the city’s street artists. The Dutch capital is one of the best places to lace up your comfiest shoes and hit the pavements to see the weird, the wonderful and the coolest street art going. For a solo trip, we recommend heading to STRAAT, the 8000 m2 former warehouse at NDSM in Amsterdam Noord. This museum boasts more than 160 huge, vibrant artworks that take up whole walls, by artists from all around the world. Join a guided tour to delve a little deeper or enjoy that ‘me time’ and soak up those works by yourself.
Explore Europe’s most unusual museums in Zagreb
Think of Europe’s best museums and no doubt the big names of London, Paris and Amsterdam will spring to mind. But it’s Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, that has the most per square mile of any European city – and it has the most unique ones too. Zagreb is where your perceptions will be challenged in the Museum of Illusions (Ilica 72), where you’ll feel better about your past drunken escapades at the Museum of Hangovers (Vlaška ul. 55), and where you can have a nosey at other couples’ histories at the Museum of Broken Relationships (Ćirilometodska ul. 2). Book a stay at our centrally-located art’otel Zagreb and get ready to see culture in a whole new light.
Get your counterculture fix in Berlin
It was once West Berlin’s poorest area, but now Kreuzberg is a feast for the senses, and the perfect place to keep you entertained when travelling solo. The neighbourhood is the place to go for the best third-wave coffee (try Five Elephant, Reichenberger Str. 101), sample street food from around the world at Markthalle Neun, or listen to live music at Admiralbrücke, one of the bridges that’s also a hotspot for watching the sun go down. Kreuzberg is also where you’ll find König Galerie, the contemporary art gallery housed in a Brutalist former church, and Berlinische Galerie, a must-visit museum of modern art, photography and architecture. Hire one of our bikes and explore the ‘hood on two wheels; Kreuzberg is just a 7-minute ride away from art’otel Berlin Mitte.
Lap up the best pasta in Rome
Like the rest of Italy, the Romans are serious about food and you’ll often find solo diners sitting down to a bowl of pasta and their favourite tipple at lunch. After exploring the Vatican, head down the road to Il Sorpasso (31/33 Via Properzio) and take your pick between a seat street-side, at the bar or tucked into one of the corners of this can’t-miss spot. If you’re planning on spending some time at Campo de’ Fiori, book a table at Salumeria Roscioli (21 Via dei Giubbonari). This is an intimate deli-meets-restaurant with fresh, modern Roman dishes and an enviable wine list. Top it all off with a stay at art’otel Rome Via Veneto.
