How to Meet & Date Locals When You Travel to Europe

Would it surprise you to know that Europeans are seriously into dating apps?   The European online dating market will have 105 million active users by 2029, according to Statista.  Europeans aged 18 to 34 spend a whopping average of 90 minutes daily on dating apps!  As a traveler, this tells you that the apps can be a great way to meet and date locals when you travel to Europe: often leading to real-life connections.

If dating apps seem to daunting at first: check out language exchange meetups.  These occur weekly in most major European cities, drawing up to 200 participants.  Barcelona hosts 14 different language exchange groups that meet in various bars and cafes.  Participants receive name tags with languages they speak and want to learn, conversations usually last 5-10 minutes before rotation, and organizers typically charge a nominal entry fee that include one drink. 

This is a great way to meet new people and hone language skills!

 

Differences in Dating Apps in Europe

What are some differences between how Americans vs. Europeans use dating apps?  Europeans tend to write longer profile descriptions, averaging 140 words compared to 60 for Americans.  Profile pictures usually emphasize group activities and travel photos rather than selfies.  And they use different apps.  Once operates in France, Spain, and Italy, delivering just one match daily at noon (emphasizing quality over quantity).  Happn tracks location crossings and connects users who’ve passed within 250 meters of each other.  Inner Circle screens members via LinkedIn profiles and requires approval for membership (similar to Raya). 

These platforms attract Europeans who find Tinder too casual for serious dating.

How Cultural Norms Differ Across Europe

Dating customs in Europe vary widely from country to country.  It’s wise to tailor your approach to local expectations if you want to form genuine connections.  In Spain and Italy, for instance, men typically pursue women more directly and persistently than in Northern European countries (like Sweden), where equality in courtship is more the norm.  If you’re interested in dating a European man, you’ll find that Spanish and Italian men often prefer traditional gender roles, while Swedish and Dutch men often expect women to share restaurant bills and even make the first move. 

Norms regarding physical contact also differ across the continent.  French people often kiss both cheeks as a greeting between friends, which means nothing romantic.  While Germans maintain more physical distance until they know someone well (similar to Americans).  Mediterranean cultures accept public displays of affection more readily than Scandinavian societies, where couples rarely kiss in public.

 

But Where to Meet In Real Life?!

Cooking classes attract singles at higher rates than other tourist activities.  European cooking schools report that 40% of participants attend alone, and instructors often assign random pairings for recipe preparation.  Classes typically last for 3 hours, and often include wine pairings ~ which helps loosen things up!  Venice, Lyon, and Seville operate the highest concentration of cooking schools in Europe. 

Volunteer programs are another great way to meet people while traveling abroad (i.e. I loved volunteering on a coffee farm in Costa Rica)!  Volunteering creates a bond that dating apps simply cannot replicate.  Beach clean-ups in Portugal attract nearly 300 volunteers every weekend during the summer.  Urban gardening projects in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Vienna offer weekly sessions where you’ll often see the same, familiar faces.  Animal shelters across Europe need dog walkers, which places volunteers in daily contact with local staff and other volunteers from around the world.

 

How Europeans Communicate

Europeans text less frequently than North Americans, especially during early dating stages.  Germans and Swiss may wait up to 48 hours between messages!  Italians and Spanish tend to prefer voice messages over written texts.  French dating culture can involve longer gaps between dates, sometimes waiting two weeks between dates.  But in nearly all cultures, video calls before meeting face-to-face have become standard since 2020.  Calls typically last 15 minutes, & are treated as compatibility checks rather than as extended conversations. 

Cancellation rates drop 60% when video calls precede in-person meetings.

Conclusion: Authentic Connection Matters Most

The strongest connections happen when travelers immerse themselves in the social rhythms of the cities they visit—using apps that locals use, attending language exchanges, joining cooking classes, volunteering, and not taking it too personally if you don’t hear back from your new German friend right away: that could just be a cultural thing! 

Europeans are open to dating travelers, particularly ones who show respect and curiosity.  When you make subtle adjustments to fit in with local dating norms vs. trying to repeat patterns from home, your interactions with locals will likely become warmer and more genuine.  

xoxo Noelia 

Read Next: How to Make Genuine Connections While Traveling