There's an urban myth that travelling alone is for very brave or very lonely people. False. Solo travel is, very often, just the consequence of really wanting to go somewhere and not having the patience to wait for your friends to have the time off or the money.
The first time always scares you. You think: "I'm going to have dinner alone and they're all going to look at me with pity" or "If I get lost, there's nobody to grumble with". But the truth is that solo travel is the ultimate freedom. You wake up when you want, you eat what you fancy and you don't have to visit boring museums just because your travel partner wants to.
For your first solo adventure, the trick is to choose destinations that are safe, easy to navigate and where it's easy to meet people (if that's what you want). Martin suggests these 4:
1. Copenhagen, Denmark: The Safety of "Hygge" 🇩🇰
If you're afraid of getting lost or of the language barrier, Copenhagen is your safe harbour. The city is super safe, everyone speaks perfect English and the vibe is very relaxed.
Rent a bicycle, stroll along Nyhavn, sit in a café reading a book and drinking hot chocolate. Nobody is going to think it's weird that you're alone, it's part of Hygge culture (the Danish concept of comfort and cosiness).
2. Dublin, Ireland: It's Impossible to Stay Alone in a Pub 🇮🇪
If your fear of solo travel is loneliness, head to Dublin. The Irish are probably the friendliest people in Europe.
Walk into a pub in Temple Bar, order a Guinness, sit at the bar and within 5 minutes you'll be chatting to the person next to you about the weather, football or music. It's the perfect city for those who travel alone but enjoy spontaneous company.
3. Berlin, Germany: Culture, History and Currywurst 🇩🇪
Berlin is the city of individualism. Everyone is busy with their own lives and nobody judges anyone. It's a fantastic destination to explore on your own because there's an absurd amount of history to absorb (the Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the museums).
The street food (like the famous Currywurst) is incredible and easy to eat on the go, which solves the "problem" of having to sit alone in a formal restaurant, if that bothers you.
4. Amsterdam, Netherlands: The City of Free Spirits 🇳🇱
Another city you can easily explore by bike or tram. Amsterdam has very young, cosmopolitan energy.
You can spend hours in the Van Gogh Museum, take a boat ride through the canals or relax in Vondelpark. The city attracts thousands of solo travellers from all over the world, so it's very likely that you'll end up making friends with someone in your hostel or at a café.
The Lone Wolf Drives Themselves to the Airport... In Their Own Car!
You've worked up the courage. You booked the flight, the accommodation and put your itinerary together. You're going to be the master of your own destiny.
But notice the irony: you're about to embark on a trip of total independence, but you're going to depend on train timetables or a ride-hailing driver to get to the airport? You're going to start your solo adventure dragging bags through a crowd on the metro?
A real independent traveller takes care of themselves from start to finish.
Take your own car. It's just you and your music on the way to the airport, no depending on anyone. Drive up to the Departures door and a Multipark driver will be there waiting for you.
You hand over the keys, take two steps and you're inside the terminal, ready to conquer the world. Our Valet Parking service keeps your car safe while you're out discovering who you are.
When you land back in Portugal, full of stories to tell (and probably very proud of yourself), you don't have to wait for transport. Your car is at the door, ready to take you home.
Be the master of your trip from minute one! Run the simulation and book your spot at the Multipark site and have a great adventurous landing!
