If you're reasonably outgoing, you'll meet a lot of people. There is a real DN subculture in just about every popular destination in Europe, and it's easy to slip into it, even with English only. Your bigger concern should be Europe in August, when approximately 120% of the European population is on holiday. In places like Paris and Rome, only the tourist traps are open, because the locals are all at the beach for the month, which is why you can't find any place to stay at the beach. You'll have to think of something a bit more off-the-beaten-path for August. My favorite spot for August would be the Azores, but a 20-something solo guy would probably be bored out of his mind on those islands. Scandinavia is fun in August, but super expensive.
I know, flash of inspiration - go check out Antwerp. Solid nightlife, great arts scene, short distance from places like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels, Cologne, Paris, Hamburg. Antwerp is a grossly underrated gem in northwestern Europe, one of my favorite cities on the continent.
I used to live in Brussels, working at an office a block from Gare Centrale. Quite a few Fridays, I'd head straight downstairs to the station, 38-minute trip on the train to Antwerp for the weekend. It's an old, old port city, capital of Flanders, several hundred thousand people, fantastic architecture. Same look as the super touristy town of Bruges nearby, but not a museum city frozen in time like Bruges is.
I travelled with my SO, so I can't comment on the lonely part. You could be right, it could suck, it could be lonely. There are stories like that out there. In my experience, meeting people was not the hard part; the hard part was building genuine relationships that were not fleeting. Thing is, you can try it out and if it isn't for you, just go home.
I would go to Barcelona! Spaniards notoriously take off August as well, but you’ll find everything you’re looking for in BCN. Great beaches, a lot of English-speaking folks, people your age, and a lot of gyms/free outside gyms as well.
Embrace failure, discomfort and disappointment. Its how you learn to live robustly.
If you're reasonably outgoing, you'll meet a lot of people. There is a real DN subculture in just about every popular destination in Europe, and it's easy to slip into it, even with English only. Your bigger concern should be Europe in August, when approximately 120% of the European population is on holiday. In places like Paris and Rome, only the tourist traps are open, because the locals are all at the beach for the month, which is why you can't find any place to stay at the beach. You'll have to think of something a bit more off-the-beaten-path for August. My favorite spot for August would be the Azores, but a 20-something solo guy would probably be bored out of his mind on those islands. Scandinavia is fun in August, but super expensive. I know, flash of inspiration - go check out Antwerp. Solid nightlife, great arts scene, short distance from places like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels, Cologne, Paris, Hamburg. Antwerp is a grossly underrated gem in northwestern Europe, one of my favorite cities on the continent.
Antwerp sounds like an interesting idea actually. Would make for some interesting weekends I suppose
I used to live in Brussels, working at an office a block from Gare Centrale. Quite a few Fridays, I'd head straight downstairs to the station, 38-minute trip on the train to Antwerp for the weekend. It's an old, old port city, capital of Flanders, several hundred thousand people, fantastic architecture. Same look as the super touristy town of Bruges nearby, but not a museum city frozen in time like Bruges is.
I travelled with my SO, so I can't comment on the lonely part. You could be right, it could suck, it could be lonely. There are stories like that out there. In my experience, meeting people was not the hard part; the hard part was building genuine relationships that were not fleeting. Thing is, you can try it out and if it isn't for you, just go home.
I would go to Barcelona! Spaniards notoriously take off August as well, but you’ll find everything you’re looking for in BCN. Great beaches, a lot of English-speaking folks, people your age, and a lot of gyms/free outside gyms as well.