Summer city breaks are underrated. While it can be tempting to make a beeline for the beach when the hottest months hit, if you’re looking for a solo escape that offers a great food scene, curious and beautiful neighbourhoods, and a heady dose of culture, Europe’s metropolises deliver.
Out of the 120-plus cities I’ve spent time in over the course of the past 21 years while travelling the world, over half have been on solo trips. My favourite places for journeying alone often have similarities; typically, they’re on the smaller side for ease of getting around and are pretty walkable, as I enjoy immersing myself and taking photographs. Usually they’ll also have a good smattering of well-priced, well-designed places to stay, as accommodation can get pricey when you aren’t splitting the cost.
I prefer cities that are connected to nature, whether filled with green spaces or in proximity to great hikes, beaches or forests. While I adore Asian and South American cities, you don’t have to travel that far to find underrated gems suitable for solo travellers.
From a little-visited Polish haven adored by David Lynch, to Italy’s gritty mecca for Diego Maradona fans, these are my six favourite city breaks for solo travel in the summer months.
1. Lodz, Poland
Best for: Street art aficionados and film buffs
After spending nine days in the Polish city of Lodz, I can confidently say it’s one of my favourite cities in the world. Filled with hundreds of bold street art murals and reclaimed textile mills transformed into cultural hubs, it’s a place overflowing with creativity.
But that’s not all. For solo travellers, it also ticks many boxes; it’s enjoyably walkable, there’s an abundance of well-designed, well-priced Airbnbs; restaurants such as Len i Bawelna don’t require a booking and won’t discriminate against anyone dining alone, plus there’s an abundance of brilliant museums and galleries to visit, including Muzeum Sztuki and the Central Museum of Textiles.
While I was there, I also discovered that the late, great American filmmaker David Lynch was a fan of the city, too, visiting it at various times throughout his life, captivated by Lodz’s low-hanging clouds and industrial aesthetic. Today, plenty of cinema-related museums provide film buffs with the chance to get lost in various fictional worlds. Art lovers will be drawn to Lodz’s large-scale murals and moving neon signs.
Where to stay
This Airbnb-listed bright-white flat in the heart of the city is popular thanks to its high ceilings, peaceful vibe and friendly host. Close to the action and hidden within a historic building, it makes it easy to live like a local.
Price: From £47 per night.
2. Lyon, France
Best for: Foodies
Having lived with three food-loving Lyonnais girls in my early 20s, I took all of their top-notch recommendations on my first visit to France’s third-largest city and have since returned countless times. Less chaotic than Paris, more beautiful than Marseille and often touted as France’s true foodie capital, Lyon is the ideal place to while away a solo summer city break.
The gastronomic hub overflows with over 4,000 restaurants spanning fine dining establishments (as of 2026, there are 18 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city and surrounding area) to low-key eateries, as well as a handful of brilliant food markets.
Some of my favourite spots for solo-ers include Le Kitchen, a tiny, modern bistro championing local seasonal produce, the food market Halle de Lyon Paul Bocuse, for picking up supplies and sampling a bit of everything, as well as the one-starred Miraflores for contemporary Franco-Peruvian.
While in town, don’t forget to sample just a few of Lyon’s regional delights like tarte aux pralines, quenelle Lyonnaise and Salade Lyonnaise.
Where to stay
OKKO’s bedrooms are simple, affordable and ideally located for a solo city break. A buffet breakfast is included in room rates, but I’d recommend heading out to a typical Lyonnais cafe for proper coffee and freshly-baked pastries. Nearby Seline is a good shout.
Price: From £82 per night.
Read more: Lyon’s green revolution makes it one of Europe’s best cities to visit. I should know, I live here
3. Valencia, Spain
Best for: Nature lovers
I spent three weeks living solo in the heart of Valencia a few summers back, eating €2 breakfasts at old-school cafes, shopping for oversized Valencian tomatoes and wrinkly-skinned lemons at Mercat de Russafa, and staying in an Airbnb with the prettiest floor tiles I’ve ever seen.
Versus other Spanish cities, Valencia boasts plenty of green spaces, including a sprawling botanical garden filled with ferns, dainty orchids and lush palms. Elsewhere, a huge curve of greenery runs all the way from Parc de la Canaleta to the museum district, providing the perfect space to jog, walk or cycle during a weekend break.
Since Valencia is a coastal city, it’s also worth spending a day on the beach, but I’d advise solo travellers to avoid the city’s main stretch of sand – where I hear phone and bag thefts are becoming increasingly common – and instead opt for Parc Natural de L’Albufera. Here sweet-scented pine forest-backed beaches provide a more scenic and secure day out.
Where to stay
Palau de la Mar is a 19th-century, recently renovated manor house which has been transformed into a pretty boutique hotel.
Price: From £159 per night.
4. Athens, Greece
Best for: Admiring ancient architecture
While often overlooked in favour of Greece’s idyllic islands, its capital, Athens, continues to draw me back, always providing the ideal destination for a fascinating solo sojourn.
For those going it alone, I recommend staying in the Plaka and Syntagma areas in the heart of the city for ease of getting around, and to be within walking distance of many of the city’s must-see sights.
Of course, the Acropolis of Athens is the place to go to be surrounded by some of the world’s most iconic ancient structures, from the Temple of Athena Nike to the revered Parthenon. And if you’re a first-time solo-er in the city, it’s worth hiking to the top of Mount Lycabettus, from where the entirety of the city unravels, dotted with orange trees and awe-inspiring architecture.
Souvlaki, comprising grilled meat, fresh tomatoes, parsley, a little yoghurt, and salt and pepper, all wrapped inside a warm, delicious homemade pitta bread, is the ideal street food snack. It feels like it was made for solo travellers. To sample the best of the best, head to Kostas at Filellinon 7 in Syntagma.
Where to stay
Mere footsteps from the winding streets of Plaka, near the slopes of the Acropolis, NEW Hotel Athens is ideal for a solo city breakers with its quirky design, great location and top-notch service. A couple of bedrooms boast Acrolipos views, so be sure to specify when booking if you want to secure one.
Price: From £200 per night.
5. Naples, Italy
Best for: Living out your Italian dream
In my opinion, Naples doesn’t get the recognition it truly deserves. Viewed as having a gritty edge, it’s often overlooked for Florence and Rome. But for a solo city break that offers incredible food, far fewer tourists, and the chance to see some of the most beautiful sculptures ever to be crafted by the human hand, Naples, for me, always wins out.
Watched over by the almighty Mount Vesuvius, just a short train journey from Pompeii, and a boat ride away from the resplendent volcanic island of Procida, Naples is perfectly situated for a well-rounded city break that impresses on every level.
Make a base in the peaceful Vomero district, from where it’s easy to take the funicular into town to admire the Veiled Christ, Giuseppe Sanmartino’s staggeringly beautiful sculpture found within Museo Cappella Sansevero, Banksy’s Madonna with a pistol, and the Diego Maradona street art found all over town.
Then, for wholesome home-cooked food that never disappoints, head to L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele or Pizzeria Di Matteo for perfect slices of marinara, Buatta Di Angela Gargiulo for pasta, and Il Gelato Mennella for gelato.
Where to stay
My favourite place to stay is this immaculate one-bed Airbnb listing brought to life by superhost Ombretta. Not only is the space creative and well-designed, but she also supplied me with endless local knowledge that’s not found in any guidebook.
Price: From £109 per night.
Read more: Naples remains a city in love with the beautiful game
6. Sofia, Bulgaria
Best for: Those on a budget
With return flights from London airports starting at just £41 return, and over 1,000 Airbnb listings from as little as £35 per night, Sofia, Bulgaria is a no-brainer for a summer solo trip on a budget.
For a capital city, it remains refreshingly uncrowded, allowing for last-minute hotel bookings, and spontaneous dinner plans. Try the cute vegetarian restaurant Sun Moon on September Street, which doesn’t require reservations.
During my week-long escapade, I learnt about Bulgaria’s underrated wine at a tasting event I found on Airbnb Experiences, enjoyed cosy dinners with newfound friends at Hadjidraganovite Izbi, drank in so-called “secret” bars including Hambara. I also had plenty to explore, admiring Sofia’s Soviet-era architecture and layered past on a communist walking tour that I also found on Airbnb. Don’t miss the chance to do the same this summer.
Where to stay
DOT Sofia encompasses sleek lofts decked out with the artwork of Bulgarian creatives; an award-winning restaurant, a minimalist shop, and a gallery space, making it the best place to stay in town.
Price: From £118 per night.
Read more: 7 of the best places to cruise in Italy
