Since discovering a love of solo travel in my early 30s I’ve traveled alone to destinations in Asia, Central America, Europe, the UK and North America. In this article I’m sharing my thoughts on the best solo travel destinations for women based on my own experiences. 

What makes some destinations better for solo travelers, especially beginners, than others? My criteria include how safe a place feels, how easy it is to get around there, how big of a language barrier exists and the presence of tourism infrastructure. 

These are not the only destinations I’ve visited on my own, but they’re some of my favorites to recommend especially to anyone who feels a bit nervous to go alone. 

13 Best Places to Travel Alone as a Woman

Whether you choose to stay close to home or venture further away for your solo trip, here are some of my favorite solo travel ideas to inspire your next getaway.

North America Solo Travel Destinations

There are so many landscapes to choose from across North America. If you prefer beaches or mountains, there are destinations in North America that will give you exactly what you want. But as a city girl myself, here are some of my top picks:

1. Chicago

As a Chicagoan, I can confidently recommend that you visit my home city for your next solo trip.

Chicago has a great food scene, stunning architecture, down-to-earth people and plenty of fun things to do. Plus, the public transportation system makes it easy to get around all over the city.

I have a lot of Chicago travel guides for you to look through to help you plan your trip. 

Start with this Chicago solo trip planning article and go from there. 

One must-do whenever you’re in Chicago, solo or not, is this Chicago River Architecture Cruise. A can’t-miss!

2. New York

Another great and rightfully popular destination in North America is New York. This city draws eager tourists from around the globe, year-round. 

You simply cannot be bored in New York City. Take in a show, visit a museum, see Lady Liberty, spend hours strolling through Central Park and try as many different cafes and restaurants as you can stomach.

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, join this food tour. It’s a great way to learn from a local guide, meet fellow travelers and have people to share some yummy bites with.

3. Oaxaca City

For culture, food, character and friendliness you cannot go wrong with a solo trip to Oaxaca City. This colorful destination is also Mexico’s foodie capital, so you’re bound to eat well here. 

You can take some great day trips to nearby sights, walk through a neighborhood absolutely covered in murals, visit local food markets and more. 

One of my favorite memories is taking a traditional Oaxacan cooking class.

4. Mexico City 

One of my favorite repeat destinations in Mexico City. I’ve visited several times and still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface.

Between sprawling parks, food tours, museums and some epic day trips there’s so much waiting to be added to your Mexico City itinerary.

If you have time to take a full, day-long trip then Grutas de Tolantongo is a must!

Where to Travel Alone in Europe 

I love exploring countries and cities across Europe, and it’s probably the continent I’ve seen the most of.

I’m only recommending some of my favorites where I’ve been to solo the most, but know that there is SO much more to Europe than what’s here. I myself have a lot of Eastern Europe left to discover! 

5. Spain

Back in 2013-2014 I spent 10 months living and working in Madrid. I find Spain feels pretty welcoming (maybe aside from Barcelona when it comes to tourism…) and comfortable to explore solo. 

If you’re more into cities, visit Madrid or Valencia. For even more sun and a different vibe head South to Seville or Cordoba. Foodies, make your way to San Sebastian and even Bilbao. And if you prefer the beach there are a fair amount of coastal cities to choose from.

For Spain-specific destination inspiration, read this guide to the best cities in Spain for first-timers.

6. France

Some people are intimidated at the prospect of traveling solo to France, but I’m not quite sure why. Perhaps it’s in anticipation of a language barrier, or the stereotype about French rudeness. 

But I’ve traveled solo to different cities in France and found it to be a fun and easy experience. I’ve visited Paris solo multiple times as well as Bordeaux, Lyon, Toulouse, Annecy, Strasbourg and the Loire Valley.

My personal favorite has been Paris and if you find yourself there don’t miss the opportunity to take a croissant-making class.

7. Italy

Ah, Italy. My favorite place in the world. I’ve been lucky enough to spend months living in Rome, my someday-home. 

Like Spain and France, it’s easy to get around all across Italy via train. Different regions in Italy offer different experiences.

If you don’t like the chaos of Rome and Florence feels too tourist-crowded, try the foodie city of Bologna instead. Or make your way down to Sicily for southern charm and cuisine.

Italy is known worldwide for its food, history and art. If that calls to you but you’re not sure where in Italy is right for your solo trip read this guide to the best solo travel destinations in Italy. 

8. Greece

I visited Greece solo for about a month and spent time island-hopping around. The people in Greece are hospitable, the vibes are laid-back, food is delicious yet healthful and the views are gorgeous. 

Greece feels good. Start with my Greece solo travel guide to scope out whether this is the destination with your name all over it.

UK Solo Travel

Alright, if you want minimal language barrier (assuming English is one of your primary languages, if you’re reading this) then plan a solo trip to somewhere in the UK. 

9. London

If you like the hubbub of city life chances are you’ll enjoy London. But if you need sunshine to feel happy then consider the timing of your visit.

My favorite time of year to be in London is in May or June, when you’re more likely to experience clear blue skies. 

Like New York, there’s no shortage of activities and sights to keep you busy here.

It’s not my favorite destination from a foodie perspective but I suspect that’s only because I haven’t spent enough time there yet exploring all the international cuisine I’m sure London does so well. 

You can also take a day trip to Stonehenge, book a photo shoot of yourself in the city, go for a nice afternoon tea or grab a coffee and watch the world go by near the Tower Bridge – all experiences I’ve had and loved in London. 

10. Edinburgh

Castles, good coffee, storybook views. That’s what awaits you in Edinburgh. I feel robbed of my time there because, unfortunately, I was in recovery from COVID while there. 

I even had to cancel this epic, 3-day Isle of Skye tour I’d booked! So, of course I have to go back because my first visit didn’t really count.

But what I did see (don’t worry, I was in my non-contagious but still feeling crummy stage) was beautiful.

Yes, the weather was a bit cloudy and gray (even in May/June) but that only added to the moody atmosphere that feels fitting of this particular destination. 

Walking around, it’s easy to imagine how this city inspired much of the Harry Potter series. Still, I do believe you cannot visit Edinburgh/ Scotland without also seeing Isle of Skye so factor that into your plans.

Central America

I’ve visited several countries in Central America (including Nicaragua and Guatemala) but only Costa Rica solo. So, I’ll only speak to Costa Rica here. 

11. Costa Rica

When I rediscovered solo travel in my early 30s I started with a 4-month solo trip to Costa Rica. I spent most of my time in Santa Teresa, a popular beach-town.

But that’s because I was also working remotely and because I made local friends. So staying situated there worked for my routine and life at the time. 

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend someone visit Costa Rica as their first solo trip unless you’re primed for adventure and speak a little more than super basic Spanish.

Note that Costa Rica is also on the more expensive side of destinations to visit in this part of the world, so if you’re budget-conscious that’s a key consideration. 

It’s also not the easiest to get around. Your best option is to hire private drivers. Even if you take a domestic flight, you’ll likely want to hire private transfers to/from the airports. 

So, with all these caveats, why is Costa Rica on my list? Because I actually loved it. Costa Rica is beautiful, the food is good and there’s a variety of landscapes to choose to see. 

You could spend time in the mountains in Monteverde, visit a national park in Manuel Antonio or check out the beaches around Santa Teresa. You could join a yoga retreat in Samara or Nosara, or plan your own retreat in La Fortuna. 

If you’re looking for an entry point recommendation, I’d say start with the latter. La Fortuna caters more to tourists and there’s a range of activities you can join there.

There are hot springs, volcano hikes, chocolate making classes, night hikes and some great restaurants in town.

Solo Travel in Asia

If, like me, you’re from the US then these destinations can feel like a big commitment because of how long it takes to get there.

If you’re comfortable putting this much distance between yourself and home, then both of these are great solo travel destinations:

12. Thailand 

I just returned from a 3-week solo trip through Thailand, and I can definitely recommend it for fellow solo travelers.

While I skipped the islands in the south completely, I really enjoyed exploring central and northern Thailand instead. 

Thailand is a popular tourist destination which means it’s got good tourist infrastructure in place. It’s easy to get around and English is fairly widely spoken.

Some aspects are more affordable, some less so (for instance, things are more expensive down south which is also mostly where tourists are). 

I felt safe as a solo female traveler exercising basic precautions like not being alone in unlit, deserted areas. But even at night the cities I were in were lively and well-lit, thanks in part to the strong night market culture. 

Just like some of the other destinations on this list, you’ll need to pay extra attention to food and water safety in Thailand. 

On the plus side, Thailand has a growing expat community in addition to a thriving tourist scene, which makes it even easier to make new friends while visiting if you’d like.

13. Japan

Of all the destination ideas on this list, Japan is the one that poses the largest language barrier for English speakers. 

I experienced this first-hand when I spent several weeks traveling around Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Okinawa.

Not only does this mean it’s tougher to communicate directly with people (be prepared to use Google translate), but it also means you might feel alone in your own head a bit. 

Because you’re unlikely to understand many people around you, unless you’re at a tourist attraction. Even then, I heard very little English spoken around me while in Japan. 

If you can get over the language barrier though, Japan is a great solo travel destination for women. It’s often ranked one of the safest, too. 

Dining alone becomes less intimidating here as well because it’s very common to do so. In fact, lots of restaurants are designed with single seat spaces.

There are also restaurants where you don’t even have to speak with someone to order – an introvert’s dream? 

The transportation options are good, especially between cities thanks to the bullet train. Food is fresh and delicious. 

Compared with Thailand, the air quality in Japan tends to be better. But Japan is also more expensive than Thailand. 

Watch: Best Places for Solo Travelling

Final thoughts on the best solo travel destinations for women

This list is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the best solo travel destinations for women. But, especially for beginners, it’s a fantastic starting point.

Having been to each of the destinations on this list solo myself, I can wholeheartedly recommend them to you. 

Once you choose where you want to go, follow this step-by-step guide for how to plan your solo trip. Bon voyage!