How to Navigate Europe as a Black Traveler for the First Time

Amara, GA

Traveler Details: Age Range: Late 20s | Food Preferences: Adventurous eater | Loves local street food and regional cuisine | Culture-seeker | Nigerian-American | Budget traveler | Protective style wearer | Emotionally curious + observant

I’ll never forget the moment I stepped off the train in Vienna. The air was crisp. The architecture looked like something from a storybook. As I wheeled my suitcase toward the city center, something else hit me—everyone was staring. Not in a threatening or unkind of way. I instantly knew: They’re not used to seeing someone like me here. Traveling through Europe as a Black woman was one of the most beautiful and emotionally stretching experiences I’ve ever had. Here’s what I wish I knew before I went—and how you can navigate it all with confidence and ease.

1. You Will Be Seen—Before You’re Heard

In some parts of Europe, you’ll blend right in. In others, you’ll stand out the moment you step off the plane. The stares might catch you off guard at first. But remember, curiosity isn’t always hostility. Some locals may have never seen a Black traveler in person. You’ll become the representative for an entire people—whether you asked to or not. It’s not fair, but it’s real.

Tip: Carry your presence with confidence. It helps you set the tone. Even a small smile or an assertive “Bonjour” shifts the dynamic quickly.

2. Not All Diversity is Created Equal

Europe isn’t one experience—it’s 44 countries, thousands of cultures, and vastly different energy. You might feel incredibly welcomed in Lisbon and awkwardly isolated in Budapest. Paris might feel like Harlem one minute and a fashion museum the next. Research matters. So does trusting your gut.

Try the Black in the World or Black Travel Alliance communities for up-to-date city reviews from other melanated travelers.

3. Microaggressions Might Show Up as Politeness

Europe has a subtle way of testing your patience. The waiter who brings your check last. The boutique clerk who insists you can’t afford it. The hostel manager who checks your ID three times while ignoring others. You’ll wonder, “Was that racism, or just rudeness?” The answer is: sometimes both. Sometimes neither. And sometimes, it’s something we’ll never fully understand. What helped me: journaling in the evenings. A quiet space to process what I couldn’t make sense of in the moment.

4. You Can Take Up Space—Softly and Proudly

Your presence alone is powerful. Don’t shrink to make others comfortable. Don’t skip the tour, or the museum, or the cute wine bar just because you think you don’t “fit.” You deserve to be there just as much as anyone else. You never know who’s watching you take up that space and feeling braver because of it.

Anti-theft backpack with built-in USB charger – Great for confidently exploring without clutching your bag at every turn.

5. Safety Isn’t Just About Danger—It’s About Belonging

I never felt in immediate danger in Europe. But I did feel out of place sometimes. Hyper-aware. Unspoken. Safety, for us, is more than physical. It’s feeling like you can exhale in a café without being watched. It’s walking without wondering if someone’s following. It’s knowing the language well enough to defend yourself if needed.

Tip: Learn 5 words in the local language: “Hello,” “Thank you,” “Please,” “Excuse me,” and “Help.”

It’s not just polite. It can save you in a tight moment.

6. Hair, Skin, and Beauty Needs Are Not Universal

Europe is not the place to assume your beauty routine will be easy to find. Even in major cities, it was rare to find products for textured hair or deep melanin skin.

Must-pack items:

• Edge control (travel-size)

• Oil-based moisturizer

• Satin bonnet or pillowcase

• Foundation in your shade

7. Travel While Black Isn’t Just Possible—It’s Transformational

Despite the discomfort, despite the learning curves, despite the language gaps—Europe gave me something I didn’t expect: pride. Pride in navigating new cities alone. Pride in showing up unapologetically. Pride in knowing that the world is so much bigger than fear. I didn’t just visit places. I visited parts of myself I didn’t know existed.

Final Thought

If this is your first time traveling through Europe as a Black traveler, you might feel nervous. That’s okay. What matters is how you show up anyway—with grace, with curiosity, and with a sense of self that no border can erase. We’re out here. We’ve done it. You can, too. When you do—come back and share your story. You never know who needs to hear it.