10 European Destinations for Female Travelers • The Blonde Abroad

When it comes to European travel, there are certain places that are easier for travelers to get around, especially solo female travelers. Europe is a continent that is generally safe with low levels of crime, reliable transportation, and a respectful attitude towards women—but naturally, this can be felt more strongly in some places than others.

Whether you are looking to go on a solo adventure or a trip with your girlfriends…

here are my suggestions on the top ten European destinations for female travelers!

Iceland

The spectacular scenery of Iceland makes for an amazing destination to explore nature—and when this is combined with a low crime rate, friendly locals, and developed tourist infrastructure, it makes it a great place for female travelers.

A good range of day trips and attractions, such as the Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle, glacier hiking, and diving at the Silfra Fissure, means you can either join organized trips or do things on your own!

The Ultimate Iceland Ring Road Itinerary

Sweden

With great levels of equality, clean and efficient transportation, and amazing sights to see, all of Scandinavia is ideal for female travelers, but Sweden is among the best with stunning cities such as Stockholm and Gothenburg.

In the north of the country, you can find stunning views of the Northern Lights or you can pay a visit to one of the many islands that make up Sweden’s archipelagos.

The Ultimate Stockholm Travel Guide

Portugal

There are plenty of historic attractions to be found in Portugal, along with some amazing winelands and stunning beach destinations!

Portuguese food is so delicious, and the foodie scene walks such a fine line between tradition and innovation. I love the wine culture too, especially in cities like Porto.

Lisbon is also a top destination for those looking for some retail therapy as it is home to a great range of independent fashion designers!

10 Places to Visit in Portugal (That Aren’t Lisbon)

Italy

Italy is a beautiful country that has a balance of thriving culture and amazing cuisine, along with a distinguished history, unique culture, and really stunning sights to see.

From exploring Rome to wine tasting your way through Florence, eating pizza in Naples, walking the canals of Venice, and driving the beautiful Amalfi Coast, female travelers will find no end to things to do in Italy!

The country is welcoming and friendly, and even more so when you start to discover the excellent local wine and food!

The Ultimate Two-Week Italy Itinerary

10 Places to Visit in Italy (That Aren’t Rome)

Switzerland

The mountainous country of Switzerland in Central Europe has long been a popular tourist destination. Female travelers have their choice of adventures, ranging from the cosmopolitan city of Zurich, the picturesque streets of Geneva, and the old town of Bern.

Plus, what girl doesn’t want to visit a country known for cheese and chocolate?!

Ireland

Most people will naturally think of whiskey, Guinness, and lots of greenery when thinking of Ireland… but I think of warm and charismatic locals, beautiful winding roads, stunning natural scenery (and some whiskey and beer too!). There are no shortages of hidden gems around this country.

From the beautiful architecture and lively scene of Dublin out to the rugged terrain on the Wild Atlantic Way, this is a great country to explore that is generally safe and friendly for female travelers. I did a Two-Week Ireland Road Trip with girlfriends and it was an absolute blast!

10 Places to Visit in Ireland (That Aren’t Dublin)

Hvar, Croatia

Croatia

If you are looking to travel on a budget, Croatia is generally cheaper than many European countries, while still being a super friendly, easy-going, and safe place to visit.

It’s one of my all-time favorite destinations!

The wonderful coastline means there are plenty of beautiful beaches and seafood-rich cuisine, along with great sailing and sunset cocktails. Come hungry and indulge in farm-to-table dishes, plus local truffles, honey, wine, and olive oil!

The Netherlands

Famous for the canals of Amsterdam, tulip fields, windmills, and a history of artists, the Netherlands has a population that is welcoming for all female travelers.

The flat terrain makes it great for outdoor sports such as cycling and hiking, and there are epic sights steeped in a rich history and Dutch culture throughout the country.

10 Places to Visit in the Netherlands (That Aren’t Amsterdam)

Greece

Where stunning ruins, volcanic cliffs, and friendly locals meet the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea. My first trip to Greece was a summer adventure through Athens and Mykonos. I returned again to sail the Saronic Islands on The Yacht Week Greece, and then again to explore the Cyclades islands of Santorini, Milos, and Naxos!

The laid-back culture is great for those who want to soak in some sunshine and ultra-fresh food.

10 Places to Visit in Greece (That Aren’t Santorini)

Belgium

This charming country has a wealth of history throughout its cities, and excellent transport connections sitting in the heart of Western Europe, making it ideal to include as part of a longer European adventure.

Brussels is home to some wonderful architecture, the European Parliament, and the major EDM festival ‘Tomorrowland’, while cities like Ghent and Bruges offer walks along romantic canals (complete with white swans)!

Sightseeing aside, Belgium is also famous for its chocolate, waffles, frites, and beer!

10 Places to Visit in Belgium (That Aren’t Brussels)

Where have you felt safe and comfortable as a female traveler?

Instagram

Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

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Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

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January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
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Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

🛎️ Amenities
World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

🥥 The Food & Coffee
Fresh, locally sourced Costa Rican flavors with elevated execution. Oceanfront bites, poolside snacks, handcrafted coffee experiences, and yes… plenty of coconuts.

🌿 Sustainability
Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

We truly cannot wait to come back. ✨

If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
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#costarica #waldorfastoria #luxuryfamilytravel #familytravel

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A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

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A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
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I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
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#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

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