BEST PLACES FOR SOLO WOMEN TRAVELERS

Welcome, fellow solo traveler. This is where your adventure begins. Solo traveling is a beautiful gift. You’re going to learn so much about yourself, make so many fabulous new friends, meet so many beautiful strangers, and see so many vibrant landscapes and skyscrapers, too. The world is your oyster, but the question is, where do you start?

When I see lists like these I often just see suggestions for places women should travel to solo based on only one thing: safety. The best places will be where locals are particularly friendly and welcoming, or it’s social due to a shared interest like surfing or diving, and even though it might be off the beaten path a bit, it’s not so remote that you’ll be the only one there. It still has that special charm that makes it feel authentic and inviting.

MOAB , UTAH

Moab is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. For those all about the camper van life, bouldering, hiking, and kayaking, Moab has it all going on. It’s where you’ll find Canyonlands and Arches National Parks as well as Dead Horse State Park. Basically, it’s one of the most gorgeous areas on Earth with a high concentration of incredible rock formations and free campsites.

MAUI , HAWAII

It’s crazy to think that Hawaii would be a good place to travel to solo, but you will be delighted to find that there are tons of things for you to do even though. You can make friends easily while snorkeling, find a lot of active adventures, like hiking to waterfalls on the Road to Hana, and also find a surf school especially for women as well!

ICELAND

Iceland is ranked the #1 safest country in the world by Vision of Humanity, and you can attest, people left their cars running while they went grocery shopping! That’s how sure they are that nobody will steal their car. Iceland’s landscape is so unique and stunning, plus it’s great for a road trip. Reykjavik has social hostels as well, where you can find adventure partners. 

FINLAND

When thinking about an escape, heading to the Arctic during the winter would not exactly at the top of your list, but after experiencing how amazing the Arctic could be in Iceland, you will go for it: Lapland, Finland, in January. You will find that when the weather is so cold that it drops to 30° below freezing, the air becomes incredibly crisp. Also, that far north, the sun barely sits on the horizon during the short time that it’s out, creating an unusual combination sunrise/sunset.

BERLIN , GERMANY

Berlin is hands down, one of the coolest cities in the world. It’s like Brooklyn meets San Francisco with an LA vibe. Whatever you identify yourself as, you can easily find your tribe here. The city is filled with creative people, alternative things to do, and delicious food to devour. You will never feel like the odd one out being a solo girl in the city, because people couldn’t care less (in a good way). You can dress like a unicorn diarrhea and barely anyone would bat an eyelash. What’s not to love about that?

LOMBOK , INDONESIA

Many people are put off by Bali’s overtourism, where there’s constantly bad traffic, beaches littered with trash, and long waits for photos at popular Instagram spots. So where can one go in Indonesia where there are stunning waterfalls, nice beaches and a social yet laidback atmosphere, like Bali once upon a time had? The answer is Lombok. Not only is Lombok overall a wonderful alternative to Bali, but also cheaper. As a solo traveler, You will find it easier to socialize and connect with other solo travelers in Lombok, as people tend to hang out at the same spot, like Kuta, or go to the same beaches.

ALMOST ANYWHERE IN FRENCH POLYNESIA

Remember travel before the Internet was so ubiquitous, before Instagram was even a thing, and before the birth of “influencer”? Allow me to introduce you to French Polynesia, where the locals immediately treat you as though they know you, the environment is preserved and treasured by the locals, and you can truly come back to yourself. While Bora Bora may make solo travelers feel a little bit out of place, French Polynesia has way more than that to offer, and I can almost guarantee you that you will have a wonderful time as a solo girl. This is a country you know you will be returning to again and again.

COFFEE BAY , SOUTH AFRICA

Africa gets a bad rap as being a scary place to travel through, and while it’s important to take precautions , that doesn’t mean solo female travelers should write it off. I love how laidback Coffee Bay (and that whole coastline) is and how many other cool backpackers are always passing through. It’s easy to meet other people, go on long walks along the bluffs on the ocean, and take in gorgeous nature. While South Africa does have a pretty high crime rate, the bulk of it is in the cities. I loved the little towns like Coffee Bay where there weren’t many people or worries around at all.

TOFO , MOZAMBIQUE

I love Tofo, Mozambique because of the type of adventurous and interesting people it attracts. It seems like most travelers in Mozambique have a cool story, and have arrived by word-of-mouth. There are only a couple of backpackers accommodations there, and scuba dive shops, but both are excellent places to meet other solo travelers.

TOKYO , JAPAN

The language barrier may make you feel a little bit intimidated at first, but virtually everything from public transportation to ordering food from a local restaurant is so organized and systematic, it makes traveling in Japan such an easy and enjoyable experience. In cities like Osaka and Tokyo, there are all kinds of interesting things to do, including all kinds of themed cafes, unique museums where one can easily spend hours in, and beautiful parks perfect for people watching. Visiting Japan is also perhaps the best place to master the art of dining alone. Many solo travelers are afraid of eating alone, but in Japan, eating alone is completely normal. There are even restaurants that sell on “low interaction dining”!

QUéBEC , CANADA

Quite possibly the safest and most scenic place to drive through, Québec is a special place with endless beauty to offer to its visitors. If you are looking for a comfortable solo road trip experience with great accommodation choices, delicious food, and friendly locals, Québec is perfect for just that. Come for the beautiful fall foliage, but stay for the food, hospitality, and uncrowded adventures in a beautiful part of Canada.

IGUAZU FALLS , ARGENTINA

Iguazu Falls is one of Argentina’s most-visited attractions and for good reason, I mean just look at that beauty. There are plenty of social places to stay, from mid-range hotels to hostels.

ARUGAM BAY , SRI LANKA

This little surfing town on Sri Lanka’s east coast, which doesn’t get nearly as much tourism as the booming south, is so tranquil and chill, it’s hard to leave. Places that have a sport as their main draw always attract more solo travelers, and this little surfing town in paradise is one of them. Extra points if you take the train there, one of the best parts about traveling through Sri Lanka.

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT , NEPAL

It is a 2-week hiking loop in Nepal, solo. You will remain solo up until departure, and won’t have any hiking buddy.

While solo traveling and soul-searching don’t lend themselves to a one-size-fits-all approach, generally the places that draw solo travelers are the ones that are the most interesting and unique, provide opportunities to enjoy nature and connect with others (and with yourself). Regardless of which place you’re targeting in the world, with these best places for women to travel alone covering just about every continent and style of travel, you can find a place that suits your needs!

STAY SAFE ! HAPPY TRAVELING!

MUCH LOVE ❤