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20 best solo travel destinations for women that are safe AND stunning
Time to buy a flight and a tripod
Don’t get me wrong, I love a girls’ trip just as much as the next gal (honestly, probably more than the next gal). But my best travel buddy is, unapologetically, me. I’ve had friendships almost ruined on trips, and it took me a while to realise that not everyone travels well together. I’ve now visited 88 countries, and roughly 50 of those were by myself. Yes, the recovering people pleaser in me still struggles to decide what I want to do while travelling (jk, it’s almost always a local flea market or food hall), but it has almost always ended in pure joy.
There’s something strangely thrilling about travelling solo—finding out what you like and don’t like, learning how to entertain yourself, deciphering when to ask for help vs. when you can handle it yourself, and so on. And the trend of travelling solo-dolo is only becoming more popular. Self-guided tour company Macs Adventure recently reported that solo travel is up nearly 40 percent from last year, with most female-identifying travellers saying they craved the chance to leave their comfort zones and experience some level of personal growth. Love that for all of us!
But not all destinations are ideal for female solo travellers, and safety should always come first when planning your next adventure. That’s why I did a ridiculous amount of research—talking to experts, checking the Equaldex, and thinking about my past experiences, and so on and so forth—to come up with this list of the 20 best places to travel solo for women. From the sunny beach to the city streets, I can guarantee there’s a spot you’ll love below. So, prepare to take yourself out and about.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
If the new season of The White Lotus has put Thailand at the top of your bucket list, say hello to Chiang Mai. You won't get the island vibes of Koh Samui, but you will get gorgeous mountain landscapes, stunning temples, lively night markets, cute coffee shops, and a whole lot of peace and quiet. Stay at Pingviman Hotel if you want to be in a great place to explore, or consider going off the grid for a yoga or meditation retreat.
Helsinki, Finland
Finland has been voted the happiest country in the world eight years in a row, and the country’s joy is most contagious in the capital city. Vintage shopping is a major thing in Helsinki (don’t skip ReLove, a secondhand chain that moonlights as a cute café), as is sauna culture, and you’ll find both all over the place. The Hotel Maria has saunas in their rooms, so you can get your glow on in private before bar crawling or island hopping during the city’s white nights (aka when the sun doesn’t fully set during the summer).
Paris, France
Solo traveling in the city of love?! (*Le gasp.*) Oui, my friends. Très oui. Wandering the streets of the Marais or winding through the stalls of the Marché des Enfants Rouge can definitely be done on your own, as can sitting for hours on end at a café. French women dine alone often, so it’s not something out of the ordinary here. Just dip the tip of your croissant in your cappuccino foam before eating it, and you’ll fit right in.
Pro tip: Check out the single rooms at the quirky Hotel Sookie, then treat yourself to the jewellery box chocolates (no, for real, the boxes are golden) from chocolatier Jade Génin.
Seattle, Washington
Although it can be peppy when it wants to be, Seattle doesn’t even try to cover up its grunge roots. And the best way to visit is with an open mind. Seattle is a place of self-reflection, where you’ll find unexpected beauty among the fishy halls of Pike Place Market or on the infamous gum wall. Make a reservation at Communion for a comfort meal or, better yet, order it to-go and eat it in your bed at the Thompson Seattle while taking in the moody views of the city wearing a plush hotel robe.
Jose Ignacio, Uruguay
This former fishing village is one of the chicest, best-kept secrets in South America—plus, they make amazing rosé! Swanky lounges are dug right into the sand on the beach (try Parador La Choza), with a St.-Tropez-but-make-it-gaucho vibe everywhere you look. You can’t go wrong with any of the Vik properties, and their beachside firepits and communal dining options might help ya meet some new pals.
Palisade, Colorado
Colorado’s wine country is an easy weekend getaway, but still under the radar enough to give you that “I’m doing something wild!” feeling you want when travelling solo. Stay at Spoke and Vine, where the single rooms have a funky modernised motel vibe and they’ll deliver breakfast (for free) to your room every morning. You can walk most places around town, but you’ll want to rent a bike if you plan to try out some of the wines along the “Fruit & Wine Byway.” You can pull over to pick peaches or do a wine tasting whenever you feel like stopping.
Hamilton, Bermuda
There’s a scientific reason why the beaches are pink in Bermuda (google “foraminifera shells,” if you’re curious). But all you need to be concerned about is finding your perfect beach among the approximately 34 options on the island. (FYI, Warwick Long Bay is pretty much always the pinkest in photos.) The bars, shops, and restaurants in town are an easy walk or shared shuttle from the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club (often referred to as the “Pink Palace”), and downtown Hamilton is where the weekly Harbour Nights street festival happens every Wednesday from June to August. It’s a great place to meet other singles and locals!
London, United Kingdom
Sometimes it's nice to be a tourist in your home country. If you already live in London, why not consider booking into a boujie hotel experience for the weekend? And if you're not from London, then it's the perfect place to explore for the weekend, with so many things to do while travelling solo.
Tokyo, Japan
A culture of omotenashi (a Japanese term that translates to “wholeheartedly looking after guests”) makes Tokyo a prime spot for solo missions. Spend your mornings strolling through the peaceful Shinjuki Gyoen National Garden, which dates back to Japan’s Edo Period, before planning to get lost in the 10-floor Shibuya109 shopping mall, close to the Shibuya Stream Hotel. Robot sushi and slurpy soba noodles are acceptable options at all times of the day.
Santa Cruz, California
You could do nothing but eat tacos and drink coffee in Santa Cruz and you’d understand why so many people love this laid-back and super-progressive city. Surfing is a big deal here, which is cool if that’s your thing, and even better if it’s not because that means you’ll get delicious Verve Coffee Roasters all to yourself in the morning while everyone else is out on the water.
A stay at Dream Inn has the beach, bars, pool, restaurant, and boardwalk all in one spot, but you’ll need to head inland a bit for Yōso Wellness Spa’s dreamy “skin to soul” treatments (the massage might change your life).
Sydney, Australia
Low crime and high vibes make Sydney one of my favourite spots for solo travel. You won’t likely see a kangaroo or koala in this capital city, but you might see whales in the Sydney Harbour if you come between May and November. Fresh oysters at Gowings (where you should grab a room!) are always a good choice, but you might need to step out of your comfort zone a bit for one of Caitlin Erica’s “Strip Her” events—women-only pop-up strip shows that, according to the website, are designed to give you “a night of soulful, sensual sisterhood, and divine feminine mischief.” Intriguing!
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Prepare to plop your little sun-screened hiney down into the powdery white sand beaches of this U.S. territory. While you’re there, stay at Lovango Resort & Beach Club—so many female travellers were coming that the hotel created an entire solo travel package, which includes airport transportation and a ferry for island hopping while in town (plus a ton of other on-resort perks!). Their restaurant, The Sandpit, has communal seating and live music, but so does The Beach Bar (its actual name) down in Cruz Bay, if you want to spend some time away from the resort.
Monteverde, Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s beaches are for honeymooners and surfers, but you can find solo travellers chillin’ with the birds way up high in the misty, cool cloud forest. And, just saying, phone service is actually really good up in the clouds, especially at Hotel Belmar, where you should stay. Keep that OOO on the entire time though, because you’ll be super busy doing things like monkey spotting from your balcony hammock, getting outdoorsy on a canopy tour, and learning what cascara coffee husk tea tastes like.
Queenstown, New Zealand
It can be tempting to just stay in Auckland after the ungodly long flight to New Zealand, because that’s likely where you’ll be landing. But take it from me: Auckland is cool, but if you’re already going that far, you might as well keep going so you can experience the mind-blowingly beautiful South Island.
There’s a definite backpacker vibe around Queenstown, but that just means super-friendly people who will be down to meet up for drinks or day drifting on the Kawarau River. I love the QT Queenstown hotel for its views and the 24-hour room service (you know, for those nights you’re not feeling social or just want midnight fries).
Okavango Delta, Botswana
If you like animals and adventure, this Southern African city is where you wanna be. Book with Sanctuary Retreats and you’ll get a personal guide, which still counts as solo travel if you ask me...especially because you’ll be the only one soaking in that luxurious candlelit bubble bath after an evening safari drive. You can pick just one of their “camps” or hit all three for better odds of seeing the “Big 5”: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos (oh my!).
Hanoi, Vietnam
You’d think not knowing the language would be the hardest part about visiting this capital city, but you’ll be fine—simply point to whatever street food you want to eat, pay for it, and enjoy the best meal of your life. (And definitely top it with whatever fresh herbs and sauces are sitting out on the table.) The actual hardest part? Crossing the street—it’s a sea of mopeds! Stay at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi and venture out to check plenty of cultural and historic experiences off your list.
Banff, Canada
You don’t have to be into hiking, skiing, or biking (or even walking, really) to appreciate the raw beauty of this Canadian resort town. The downtown is super cute and has incredible shops (like Paper Den), restaurants (like Nourish Bistro), and bars (like Dancing Sasquatch) that are often filled with other solo travellers. The Rundle Bar at the Fairmont Banff Springs (a beyond iconic hotel) is a favourite low-key hang, with plenty of space at the bar and great nooks for some alone time. Visit anytime between September and early April for your best chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
New York, New York
Planning a trip to NYC can seem overwhelming, and that’s exactly why I love it as a solo trip. When you’re not trying to please a crowd, you get to do New York your way...which, let’s be honest, is the best way to do anything. The Ace Hotel New York has single rooms with great Wi-Fi, so use this Midtown location as your home base and wander through different neighbourhoods—Chelsea, Williamsburg, and Greenwich Village are some iconic ones—until you find the bars, restaurants, and boutiques that feel right for you. Here are our favourites if you need some inspo to start.
São Miguel, Azores, Portugal
There are nine islands that make up Portugal’s Azores region, but this is the largest and the best for setting off on your own. There’s a friendly nightlife scene in Ponta Delgada—which is within walking distance of the stunning Hotel do Colégio—with vibey bars and restaurants that spill out to the cobblestoned streets. The island is known for its super-sweet pineapples and volcanic hot springs, and if I were you, I’d enjoy both at the same damn time.
Reykjavík, Iceland
Everyone is raving about Iceland right now, and for good reason. Reykjavík, the capital, has once-in-a-lifetime sights, spas, and natural wonders. You can absolutely explore them alone, but if you’re down to meet some new friends, check out Explorer Chick, an all-women tour company geared toward solo female travellers. They’ll bring you straight to the country’s best spots—think: into the Secret Lagoon, across glaciers, and behind so (so!) many waterfalls.
Kristy Alpert is a lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering travel, health, food, home, and more. She has visited all seven continents—paid rent on three—and takes far too much pride in her spice cabinet, which includes juniper berries from Norway, cardamom from Nepal, and a prized ras el hanout from Morocco. Before joining Cosmo, she was a freelance travel writer for Men’s Health, Food & Wine, Esquire, Fodor’s Travel, Wine Enthusiast, and more. She is also a certified yoga instructor and rookie surfer. Follow her on Instagram.
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