10 Best Places to Travel Solo for Women
It’s a big world out there and you want to see it all, right? But it’s tough sometimes when our schedules don’t sync up with our friends’ schedules or no one shares our same desire to travel and explore the world.
You definitely don’t have to wait until someday to make that trip you’ve always wanted to make. For those willing to still head out for a trip without the company of friends or family, here’s a list of the best places to travel solo for women.
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The Best Solo Destinations for Women
Alright, so you’re ready to take a solo trip, or maybe you’re just taking that first step to figure out where might be a good place to go. Here are some highly rated places to travel solo for women.
1. Rome, Italy
What better of a place to travel than Roma! From the endless gobs of gelato you’re bound to consume, to the pounds of pasta and pizza you’ll also be scarfing down, there’s a lot of food to enjoy while you’re here.
Not only is there an abundant supply of food, but there’s also tons of history and culture to experience firsthand. All of the places you’ve always wanted to visit: the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Trevi Fountain. You won’t run out of places to check out or explore here.
Rome is also the capital of modern Catholicism. Have the desire to see the Pope? He holds an attendance in St. Peter’s Square every Wednesday morning.
Walking through the Piazzas alone is a good enough reason to book your trip to Rome tomorrow, but don’t take my word for it. Everything is walkable and memorable. This is what dreams are made of (name that reference)!
2. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Take a trip to the “Venice of the North” and visit Amsterdam. Filled with friendly people who are excited to welcome you to their city and engage in conversation, you’ll never be bored or alone if you don’t want to be.
Amsterdam is pretty well known for its “coffee shops” that aren’t really coffee shops. Let’s just say it’s not coffee that they serve here.
The canals are beautiful. You’ll never run out of post-card worthy views along the canals overlooking shops or multi-colored homes similar to ones you’re likely to see in a storybook.
While you’re strolling along the canal, check out all of the places along the way that give free cheese samples, or better yet, check out the cheese museum for the grand tour. While we’re on the subject of food, pancakes are socially acceptable at any time of the day here. Just saying.
Bikers will also love Amsterdam as it has great bike lanes anywhere within the city. Don’t forget to check out the floating flower market that is famous in Amsterdam!
3. Melbourne, Australia
Ready to take a trip to the land down undah? Look no further than Melbourne, voted the “most liveable city.” There’s something here for everybody. I mean, really, there is. A good mix of great shopping, a lively sports scene, gourmet food, and a thriving art culture that makes it worth visiting for people of all interests.
Interested in something a little more outside of the city? Take a coastal scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road. This is one of the best scenic road trips you can hope to drive and stretches about 150 miles in total. Stop to surf, hike, or take in the view of the 12 Apostles along the way.
4. Bali, Indonesia
When you think of Bali do you think Paradise? Good, you should.
There are so many tropical destinations with beautiful beaches and scenery, but Bali is one of the most traveled. It’s also one you don’t want to miss out on.
If you appreciate beaches with beautiful white sand and scenic charm, look no further, Bali is your place. You can lounge on the beach or take part in any of the fun outdoor choices like surfing, cliff jumping, or even natural water slides.
There’s an abundance of flower gardens and greenery here. There’s also a huge cultural atmosphere in Bali, so much so that cultural traditions are still practiced quite often throughout the year, which includes ceremonies and celebrations. You can even tour several of the religious temples if you’re down to see what a temple looks like and understand the history behind it.
There are beautiful resorts to stay here, but there is also a great selection of affordable hostels. You’ll also get a variety of food, including plenty of vegan, organic and healthy options.
There’s shopping in outdoor markets or stylish boutiques. For the art obsessed, there are murals on a majority of the corners within the city. The Balinese people are very friendly, and you’ll quickly find that they love engaging in conversation with almost anybody, including tourists!
5. South Island, New Zealand
New Zealand is known for its safety, which will put you at ease as you venture off here on your solo trip. Not to mention there are loads of others visiting this area as well, which means you’ll have plenty of backpackers and adventure-seekers to make friends with along the way.
For safety purposes, if you’re looking to find female only dorms, you’ll also find those here.
Make sure to get a good view of Aoraki/Mt. Cook, which is New Zealand’s highest peak. It’s also the most beautiful peak you’ll see and most Instagram worthy (to say the least).
If you’re in the outdoors-y mood you’ll have your choice of activities: from national parks, kayaking through the Marlborough Sounds, bungee jumping or canyon swinging in Queenstown. This place is an outdoor enthusiast heaven as well as for adrenaline junkies.
You can also meander around Christchurch Street for an awesome trail of street art. Be sure to grab yourself a “flat white” along the way of this trail. You can also check out the wineries in Central Otago. There’s a lot to pack in on a visit to South Island.
6. Copenhagen, Denmark
Visiting Copenhagen will give you a great sense of the Danish flair for fashion, design, and culture. From jazz clubs to great restaurants (world famous ones like “Noma”), to one of the world’s most beautiful museums- the Louisiana Museum of art, you’ll be blown away by all that Copenhagen has to offer.
There are an endless amount of canals to stroll along or explore here while taking in the beautiful colored houses along the way. You can do so by foot or via bike.
Good news for avid bicyclists– there is an actual highway that is made for bikes. No joke. It’s purely for bikes, so your dreams of having an entire road to yourself and other bikers has come true.
The Christiana is another spot to visit– this is a real-life living Hippie commune. And if that’s not your thing, check out the food and pastries here in Denmark. You’ll find some of the most mouthwatering pastries of your life and also a food that is known as Smørrebrød which is basically an assortment of delicious toppings on bread.
Danes are known for being some of the friendliest people, so definitely strike up conversations and engage. Take a stroll through the Tivoli Gardens or even check out the Lego Factory or the world’s oldest amusement park if you’re feeling something a little unique.
7. London, England
London is packed full with iconic places that you’ve no doubt always wanted to see in person. You have Big Ben, the London Eye, Westminster Abby, Buckingham Palace, and even the double-decker red buses.
There are so many cool places to see in real life that you’ve most likely watched on your favorite shows or movies and have always wanted to explore for yourself.
I used this travel guide in London
An endless amount of gardens await you to stroll through. Feeling artsy? Check out the Southbank area for galleries and theaters in this area or even the West end for its famous theater district. East London offers a great street art scene as well.
Check out Notting Hill for streets of colorful homes that have often graced the Instagram feed. Then, stop into a cafe that serves afternoon tea and finger sandwiches/cakes to feel like a true royal while you’re here and touring all that London has to offer.
If tea isn’t your thing, check out a Gastropub or a pub while you’re here for the food and beer. Don’t forget fish and chips!
London offers a great nightlife too– great lounges, clubs, and rooftop bars. Or choose to end a night by cruising on the River Thames.
8. Barcelona, Spain
There’s a reason that Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe. It’s also one of the oldest cities in Europe. It offers great weather, with a mild climate throughout the year, which means winters aren’t really the kind of winters most of us are used to.
There are miles and miles worth of beaches along the coast nearby as well as a thriving adventure sport scene– definitely try your hand at surfing, kayaking, kitesurfing, sailing, balloon rides, and more.
Check out the architecture at many well known places here in Spain. The Gothic Cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar as well as the Gothic Quarter, which looks like something straight out of a fairy tale.
This city is considered the Capital of Modernism within the Architecture world. Take advantage of being here for this reason and explore all of the buildings you can.
There’s some awesome food here to check out. You’ll find a focus on the Mediterranean diet – vegetables, bread, cereals and olive oil. There’s an endless amount of tapas to choose from all over the city as well as fresh seafood because of the city’s quick access to water right next door.
As for a nightlife– most people say that this is a city that never sleeps. There are many places that are still open all the way till 6am!
9. Bordeaux, France
The wine country of Europe. At least that’s the first thing that I think of when I think Bordeaux.
There are so many different wineries and vineyards to visit while you’re here, not to mention the great tasting wine you’ll remember forever. Top the good wine with the gorgeous backdrops you’ll get to stare at while you’re sipping on all of that wine.
There’s also a wine museum called “La Cite du Vin” and it’s an interactive experience for all museum attendees. You can go ahead and sign me up, thank you.
Not only does Bordeaux offer great wine, it also offers great food. There are so many tiny bistros here as well as master chef establishments that any foodie will appreciate. The city is also known for its famous oysters, which you should definitely try if you get a chance to visit.
As the city is mostly car free, it’s one of the best cities in France to ride a bike or walk in. While walking or biking you can explore several of the popular landmarks that call this place home– Rue Saint Catherine (the largest pedestrian shopping street in Europe) and Pont Jacques Chaban-Delmas (the longest and tallest vertical lift bridge).
You should also check out the massive reflecting pool “Miroir d’Eau” which is always a lively place to be and is one of the most famous places to photograph.
Related: Take a Day Trip to Champagne France
Bordeaux was voted the best destination in Europe to visit in 2017. You should check it out for yourself and let me know if (and when) you agree with this ranking.
10. Cape Town, South Africa
This little gem in South Africa will be an adventure you’ll never forget. There are beaches, harbors, gardens, and mountains to see and climb. The beautiful climate mimics a Mediterranean climate where it feels like paradise in the summer and mildly wet/cool in the winter.
Explore the picturesque beaches of Cape Town to lay out or swim or explore the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront area for great restaurants and cruises.
All along the beaches, there are also beautiful beach bars where you can casually drink a cold one while watching a beautiful sunset. Sound like paradise yet? Oh yeah, and there’s also a beach that is filled with Penguins! Where else can you find that?
Take a cable car all the way up to the top of Table Mountain where you’ll find endless views of the entire city and ocean. While you’re up there, grab lunch at the restaurant at the top of the mountain.
Check out the vibrantly colored neighborhood of Bo-Kaap or decide to channel your inner adrenaline junkie and go shark cage diving while you’re here. It’ll for sure be an experience you’ll never forget.
And once you’re done diving into the ocean surrounded by sharks, you’ll want to unwind with some wine at any of the vineyards here in Cape Town. This is a city you need to make sure you have on your bucket list and it would make for an awesome solo-venture.
Why Should You Travel Alone?
For the experiences of course. Nothing opens up your eyes quite like adventuring to new places and immersing yourself in new and diverse cultures. The more you see, the more you realize the importance of remembering that where you are is only a small corner of the world in relation to everything that is out there.
You gain a sense of “grounding” in knowing the world doesn’t revolve around you, your current surroundings, and that your problems sometimes have a way of dissolving when you’ve changed environments.
Is it Safe to Travel Solo?
Yes! I know our culture has deemed traveling alone unsafe for women because of certain movies or real-life scenarios of terrible things that have happened.
What you need to remember is this: Bad things can happen anywhere. Yes, anywhere. Even in that “safe” area you know of and go to often.
By not traveling, you are not avoiding these risks or dangers 100%. You still have to watch out for them in your own backyard.
You need to be conscious of your surroundings and gain a sense of street-smarts no matter where you are in the world. Having this awareness of what’s happening around you is so important to making the right decisions and for not getting yourself into bad situations that you’ll regret.
Final Thoughts: Best Places to Travel Solo for Women
Sometimes it’s scary to jump into the unknown, like traveling to another country or a city you’re not familiar with all by yourself, but it’s an adventure and a great opportunity to go see the world.
Don’t miss out on the opportunities life throws at you to see all of the beauty in this world if you have the chance to. These are stories and adventures you’ll be telling your kids and their kids for years to come.
What are your favorite places on this list? If you’ve gone on a solo trip before, what was your favorite part about it and what did you learn from doing it?
