The summer weather has got us dreaming of jetting off to go travelling (and maybe to find a hotel with some air conditioning)! The Store Room’s Salford self storage team have researched the best places to go as a solo traveller so take a look to get some inspiration!
?: Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh, Scotland
This is great for the solo traveller who enjoys a cooler climate! The city has an incredible medieval centre and boasts Edinburgh Castle.
There is so much history to explore including a hidden street under a street called Mary Kings Close. You can take tours down to the street below to discover Edinburgh’s hidden history or there are a plethora of other tours such as the Mountebank Comedy Walk, photography tours or even a chocolate tour! If you fancy a change of pace, we also highly recommend the Royal Botanic Garden which is beautiful, and hosts a wide range of plants.
INTERESTING FACT: Sir Nils Olav, the worlds only knighted penguin, lives in Edinburgh. Yes, you read that right – a knighted penguin! He was adopted in 1972 by the then-King of Norway, and his roles include inspecting the Norwegian Guard. He has consistently been promoted through the ranks from Corporal in 1982, to Brigadier in 2016. You can even go and see him at Edinburgh Zoo!
Stockholm, Sweden
For those who are looking for a sense of style and beauty while traveling solo, Stockholm is definitely the place to go. It is built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges, and is full of beautiful people, places, architecture and fashion. It’s great for a solo traveller as you will always feel safe, even at night while walking down the dark (but charming) alleyways.
Visit the old town of Gamla Stan to enjoy the cobbled stone streets and narrow buildings in beautiful colours. There are so many attractions to visit from medieval Renaissance churches to the huge baroque Royal Palace (built in 1697). We are sure you won’t be able to experience everything you want to see all in one trip and will look forward to returning.
INTERESTING FACT: One of The Store Room’s employees is actually from Sweden, and he told us that in Sweden Donald Duck is more popular than Mickey Mouse! So much so that one of the traditional Christmas films is “Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul”, which translates to Donald Duck and His Friends Wish You a Merry Christmas.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe with lots of historic architecture, and hotels and apartments are much cheaper than elsewhere in Europe due to an oversupply of vacancies. It’s also great for a first time solo traveller as there are fewer crowds than in other major cities so you won’t feel as overwhelmed.
There is so much that this gorgeous city has to offer, with lots of amazing museums, stunning churches, synagogues, thermal baths and Margaret Island (Budapest’s most impressive green space)!
INTERESTING FACT: A whole city exists beneath the Castle Hill – it consists of a maze of over 200 caverns which are a result of geothermal springs. You can even visit these caves on guided tours!
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is considered to be one of the top 10 happiest cities in the world to live and is a great place to explore while traveling on your own due to its classic charm, friendly locals and low crime rate.
Traveling to Copenhagen is great for art and history lovers, as Denmark has the oldest monarchy in Europe, so the capital has been perfected over centuries. Cycling is the most common method of transport, and you can rent bikes to explore the city at your own pace.
INTERESTING FACT: For those who are feeling a bit more adventurous you can visit Tivoli Gardens, which is the third-oldest amusement park in the world – the oldest rollercoaster is over 100 years old!
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is ideal for the solo travel who wants to get away to the beach, as Portugal has a famously friendly surf scene. Lots of places offer surf lessons and rentals, and with 40 beaches around town there will be something for all levels.
Additionally, Lisbon is one of the most affordable cities in Europe, Lisbon is a great place for a solo traveller. It’s a beautiful place to explore with lots of ancient architecture and excellent museums, but also has a lively nightlife which is great for meeting new friends! It’s also another safe city so you don’t need to worry as much, but of course you should always stay aware of your surroundings.
If you don’t fancy a surf there is still so much that Lisbon has to offer from visiting the National Museum of Contemporary Art, to enjoying a coffee break with a Portuguese tart, we are sure you’ll have a wonderful time as you explore the city.
INTERESTING FACT: Portugal once had control over half of the New World and was the first global empire in history. The Treaty of Tordesillas, which was signed in 1494, gave Portugal the eastern part of the “New World”, which included Brazil and part of Africa and Asia!
Of course, if while travelling you need to arrange somewhere to leave your items, The Store Room is happy to help! Or maybe when you come back from Portugal with a new found love of surfing and a surf board in tow, The Store Room can help with our single item storage option!