Best Travel Destinations for Solo Travelers
Best Solo Travel Destinations Around the World: Where to Travel…
Best Solo Travel Destinations Around the World: Where to Travel Alone
I’ve traveled solo to many places around the world and discovered that some destinations are especially welcoming and easy to explore alone. From safety and transportation to local experiences, I always research a destination before traveling.
In this guide, I’m sharing some of the best solo travel destinations I’ve personally visited and would happily recommend to other solo travelers. Whether you’re planning your first trip alone or looking for your next adventure, these destinations are great places to travel solo, explore independently, and discover the world at your own pace.
Tokyo, Japan
Japan is one of my top recommendations for solo travel, and it’s easy to understand why. Known for its excellent safety, efficient transportation, and respectful culture, Japan is a comfortable destination for travelers exploring on their own.
Tokyo is particularly easy to navigate. The city has an impressive public transportation network, and many stations, signs, and services provide information in English. Even though Tokyo is enormous, getting around becomes surprisingly simple once you understand the transport system.
For first-time visitors, popular areas such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro are great places to begin exploring Tokyo. From busy shopping streets and amazing food to entertainment and local neighborhoods, each area offers a different side of the city.
If you’re planning your first solo trip to Japan, Tokyo is an exciting place to start.
London, England
London is one of my favorite cities to explore, and it’s also a great choice for solo travelers. Although I often visit with my sister, I’ve explored the city on my own several times, including attending a concert by myself. Even when traveling back by train at night, I felt comfortable and safe.
I’m fascinated by British history and the royal family, so visiting historic landmarks such as Westminster Abbey and Hampton Court Palace is always a highlight for me.
Beyond its history, London offers an incredible variety of attractions, restaurants, museums, neighborhoods, and entertainment. The extensive public transportation network also makes it easy to get around without a car.
If you’re looking for a destination where you can travel alone, explore at your own pace, and never run out of things to do, London is an excellent choice.
Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva turned out to be a wonderful surprise for solo travel. During a 10hours layover, I decided to leave the airport and explore the city instead of spending the entire day waiting for my next flight. It ended up being one of the easiest and most enjoyable spontaneous solo adventures I’ve had.
Getting into the city was incredibly simple. There are luggage lockers near the airport train station, and the train ride to central Geneva takes only around 10 minutes. The city itself felt clean, peaceful, and very well organized, which made exploring alone feel effortless.
With limited time, I walked along Lake Geneva, wandered through the charming Old Town, and stopped to enjoy a traditional Swiss cheese fondue.
If you have a long layover or are planning a solo trip to Switzerland, Geneva is definitely worth considering. It’s easy to navigate, compact enough to explore on foot, and offers a great introduction to Swiss culture and scenery.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is a wonderful destination for solo travelers, especially if you enjoy exploring cities on foot. Compared with many European capitals, Lisbon is relatively compact, although its famous hills can certainly make walking a little more challenging!
One of the first things I did after arriving was join a free walking tour. I highly recommend this for anyone traveling alone because it’s an easy way to discover the main sights, learn about the city’s history, and meet fellow travelers. I even ended up spending more time exploring Lisbon with someone I met during the tour.
The city itself is full of character. You’ll find colorful buildings, beautiful Portuguese azulejo tiles, traditional balconies, historic streets, and charming viewpoints around almost every corner.
My favorite area was Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood. Getting lost among its narrow, winding streets is part of the experience, and the viewpoints overlooking the city’s red rooftops and the Tagus River are spectacular.
If you’re looking for a destination where you can walk, meet people, discover beautiful neighborhoods, and enjoy Portugal at your own pace, Lisbon is an excellent choice for solo travel.
Prague, Czech Republic (Czechia)
Prague is one of those European cities that feels almost too beautiful to be real. With its historic buildings, charming streets, and stunning architecture, exploring Prague can feel like walking through a fairytale.
It’s also a city that holds a special place in my travel memories because it’s where I met a fellow solo traveler who later became a close travel friend. We connected while exploring Prague and eventually went on several unforgettable adventures together in different parts of Europe.
For solo travelers, Prague is particularly enjoyable because the historic center is easy to explore on foot. Many of the city’s most famous attractions are within walking distance of each other, making it simple to discover the city at your own pace.
Some of the best places to visit in Prague include the iconic Charles Bridge, the colorful John Lennon Wall, and the famous Prague Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square.
With its fascinating history, beautiful architecture, lively atmosp
Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver is an excellent destination for solo travelers because it combines city life with nature, great food, and plenty of outdoor adventures.
One of the things I enjoy most about Vancouver is how easily you can experience different sides of the city. You can spend the morning exploring attractions, enjoy delicious food in the afternoon, and still have time to get outside and take in the spectacular scenery.
There are plenty of things to do in Vancouver, including walking across the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge, visiting the Vancouver Aquarium, and discovering the city’s fascinating history at the Vancouver Police Museum. The museum was particularly memorable for me because I even had the chance to dress up as a police officer while learning about the history of crime and investigations in Vancouver.
Beyond the attractions, Vancouver’s beautiful natural surroundings are a major reason to visit. Mountains, water, parks, and beaches are all close to the city, making it easy to combine sightseeing with outdoor activities.
With its welcoming atmosphere, diverse food scene, beautiful landscapes, and easy-to-explore neighborhoods, Vancouver is a fantastic choice for solo travel in Canada.
Bratislava, Slovakia
I absolutely love exploring Eastern Europe, and one of my favorite destinations to visit is Bratislava, the charming capital of Slovakia.
During my time in Bratislava, I discovered so many fascinating and surprising facts about the city and the country as a whole. The experience was even more memorable thanks to the friendly and knowledgeable local tour guides, who were genuinely proud and passionate about sharing the history and culture of their homeland.
I highly recommend the Post Communist Tour of Bratislava with Authentic Slovakia. It was one of the most informative tours I’ve ever taken and gave me a much deeper understanding of Bratislava’s past, Slovakia’s history, and the changes the country experienced after communism.
One of the best things about visiting Bratislava is its small and compact city center. Many of the main attractions are within walking distance, making it easy to explore the city without feeling overwhelmed.
Budapest, Hungary
Another fascinating and safe Eastern European city to visit is Budapest, the beautiful capital of Hungary. It’s an easy 2.5-hour train ride from Bratislava, making it possible to visit two countries in one day, which is a popular option for many travelers exploring Central and Eastern Europe.
Walking across the Széchenyi Chain Bridge is a must when visiting Budapest, especially for the beautiful views of the Danube River and the city’s historic architecture.
I also enjoyed visiting Memento Park, an open-air museum filled with statues and monuments from Hungary’s communist era. It’s a fascinating place to learn more about the country’s history. And of course, Budapest is famous for its unique ruin bars, such as Szimpla Kert, creative and atmospheric spaces built inside abandoned buildings.
Ubud, Bali
Ubud is the perfect destination if you’re looking to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and reset. I joined a yoga retreat in Ubud, which made solo travel feel much less isolating and gave me the opportunity to meet new people along the way.
I was going through a particularly difficult time mentally at that point in my life, and Ubud became the perfect sanctuary to begin my healing journey. Being surrounded by Bali’s beautiful and rich local culture, peaceful landscapes, and the kind-hearted and welcoming people of Ubud made the experience even more meaningful.
Some of the highlights include hiking Mount Batur for sunrise and visiting the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, where you can see monkeys up close while exploring a beautiful natural setting.
Hiring a private car in Bali is also surprisingly affordable and makes it easy to explore beyond Ubud, including some of the island’s stunning waterfalls and rice terraces.
Reykjavik, Iceland
There’s truly no other country quite like Iceland. Its dramatic landscapes, volcanic scenery, waterfalls, glaciers, and black-sand beaches make it feel like you’ve stepped onto another planet.
If you visit Iceland at the right time of year, you may also be lucky enough to witness the breathtaking Northern Lightsdancing across the night sky. I normally avoid driving when traveling abroad, but I felt completely comfortable renting a car in Iceland because the roads are straightforward and relatively easy to navigate.
Even if you choose not to rent a car, there are still plenty of things to do in Iceland. Convenient shuttle buses and organized tours make it easy to visit many of the country’s top attractions without driving yourself.
Reykjavik, Iceland’s small and charming capital, is also very easy to explore on foot, with many attractions conveniently located within walking distance. From Reykjavik, you can enjoy a variety of popular day trips, including the Blue Lagoon and Golden Circle, both of which I highly recommend.
Vienna, Austria
If you love shopping, food, and beautiful architecture, Vienna is a wonderful destination worth exploring. Kaerntnerstrasse is one of Vienna’s most popular shopping streets and is packed with a great mix of shops, charming cafés, and inviting restaurants.
The historic buildings that house these shops and restaurants are also a major attraction, offering a beautiful glimpse into Vienna’s rich architectural heritage and fascinating history.
And if you’re a fan of the classic film The Sound of Music, like I am, you absolutely must visit Salzburg, located about a 3-hour drive from Vienna. I joined a full-day Salzburg tour that picked us up directly in Vienna and took us on a scenic journey to Salzburg, with several interesting stops and beautiful sights along the way.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
If you’re a fan of Game of Thrones, then you absolutely must visit Dubrovnik, Croatia. A large part of the show was filmed in this breathtaking city, and as you wander through its narrow alleyways and admire the ancient stone buildings, it truly feels like you’ve stepped into the medieval fantasy world of Game of Thrones.
To make the most of the experience, I highly recommend joining one of the guided Game of Thrones tours in Dubrovnik. These tours offer plenty of fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and details about the famous filming locations throughout the city.
But Dubrovnik has much more to offer beyond its Game of Thrones fame. This picturesque coastal city offers incredible views in every direction along the Adriatic Sea. Its crystal-clear turquoise waters are perfect for a refreshing swim, with Banje Beach being one of the most popular spots. If you’re looking for adventure, cliff jumping along Dubrovnik’s rocky coastline is an exciting experience you won’t want to miss.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Another compact and lively city that is just a short train ride from Bruges is Amsterdam, one of the most popular destinations in the Netherlands. The city is famously known for its Red Light District, but there is so much more to discover and appreciate beyond this well-known area.
Amsterdam is filled with charming and picturesque canals that wind through the city, along with a wide variety of fascinating museums. Some of the highlights include the renowned Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the contemporary Moco Museum, and the deeply moving Anne Frank House. Each offers a unique insight into Amsterdam’s art, history, and culture.
I also recommend exploring the Albert Cuyp Market, where you can experience the lively local atmosphere and sample some delicious Dutch treats. Be sure to try a fresh stroopwafel while you’re there!
Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia feels like a place from another world. Its incredible landscape is filled with unique rock formations known as fairy chimneys, created by volcanic activity thousands of years ago.
Staying in a Cappadocia cave hotel such as Taskonaklar or Mithra Cave Hotel is a truly unforgettable experience, especially because many of these unique accommodations are built directly into the region’s ancient rock formations.
Most travelers visit Cappadocia to experience the famous hot air balloons at sunrise, but during my trip, the balloons were canceled because of strong winds. Even without the balloon ride, the breathtaking scenery, fascinating history, and unique atmosphere made my visit unforgettable.
Cappadocia is also rich in history, with incredible places such as the Göreme Open-Air Museum and ancient underground cities offering a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past. The warmth and hospitality of the local people made the entire experience even more memorable.
