Don’t waste your annual Europe travel insurance because you can’t find someone to go with; step out alone and discover the continent’s most welcoming cities.

Being alone means that you can explore what you want at your own pace without having to consider the needs and wishes of companions. Having travelled solo once, you might find that you’ll want to do it again and again.It’s lovely to go away with friends and loved ones but if you really want to immerse yourself in a foreign land then there’s no better way to do it than to go alone.

Europe is a great place to start your solo travelling experience as many of the major cities offer safe, inviting landscapes and cultures to discover, perfect for exploring alone. So make sure your Europe travel insurance is in place and then check out my top recommendations for solo city travel.

Reykjavík, Iceland

While it’s always advisable to have your Europe travel insurance in place in case of cancelations or health issues, on a trip to Reykjavik you’re unlikely to need to claim for theft or crime. Iceland was recently declared the most peaceful European country on the Global Peace Index and this is borne out in its capital city. The friendliness of the people of Reykjavík and the safety you’ll feel on the city’s streets make it a great, relaxing place to explore alone.

Paris, France

The bustling French capital with its street cafés, bars and beautiful boutiques is a lovely place to discover alone. The busy Parisians won’t bat an eyelid if you sit for a leisurely hour or two reading a book or people-watching in one of the many pavement cafés. And, forget what you’ve heard, Parisians are actually a friendly bunch if you make an effort to speak to them in French, no matter how bad your language skills may be.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is a wonderfully compact city with all its sights in walking distance of each other, making it a manageable place to discover alone. The entire city looks like something out of a Brother’s Grimm fairy tale with sights to see on every corner. Check out the Old Town (including Franz Kafka’s tiny house) and Wenceslas Square, then lose yourself in its pretty streets where you’ll discover Renaissance palaces, Baroque churches and Gothic cathedrals.

Dublin, Ireland

As well as being one of the safest cities in the continent, according to a recent survey by a Europe travel insurance company, Dublin is also one of the friendliest. Check out the sights during the day – including Dublin Castle and St Patrick’s Cathedral – then in the evening relax in one of the many local pubs for a pint of Guinness and a chat with the local crowd. This is a UNESCO City of Literature, so make the time while you’re here to take one of the many literary tours where you’ll discover the homes and meeting places of literary greats: James Joyce, Samuel Becket, George Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde.

Travelling alone can be a rich and rewarding experience, so make sure you’ve got your Europe travel insurance in place and make a start on a wonderful solo adventure.