10 Best Solo Female Travel Destinations
If you’re on this page, that means you’re considering a solo trip. And you’ve come to the right spot!
Going on a solo trip sounds intimidating but it’s not, I promise. I even prefer it over traveling with others now. If you want to feel even more inspired, read why I went on my 1st solo trip.
Traveling solo means that you don’t have to coordinate schedules, compromise on things you want to do, no waiting on someone’s calendar to line up with yours. You just book it, bring your passport, yourself, and your own itinerary.
There are so many great destinations that are welcoming and great for female solo travelers. As someone who has been on many solo trips, I know choosing the destination can be a bit overwhelmingly.
Without further adieu, these are the best solo female destinations to add to your bucket list.
Quick Run-down:
Best Overall: Croatia
Best First Solo Trip: Costa Rica
Most Budget Friendly: Thailand & Vietnam
Best for Foodies: Japan
Best U.S. City: New York City
Best for Nature: Iceland
BEST FOR NATURE: ICELAND
have i traveled here? yes.
If you want a trip all about nature, Iceland is where I would send you.
From the moment I landed, I felt like I went into outer space. It was so otherworldly there. felt completely comfortable navigating the country on my own. English is widely spoken, the roads are easy to drive, and nearly every activity—from glacier hikes to Northern Lights tours—is meant for people to socialize. I did not do any tours but there were people all around at the stops along the Ring Road and Golden Circle. Downtown Reykjavik has some of the best food and you can make friends at the nearest pub!
Why I loved it:
One of the safest countries in the world
Friendly locals - every single person was so nice here!
Ultimate road trip destination
Endless day tours if you want to make traveling easy
Stunning scenery everywhere you look, even though stunning doesn’t even begin to cover it
Don’t miss:
Blue Lagoon
Golden Circle
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Skógafoss
Glacier hiking
Trying all the incredible food in Reykjavik
Quick Facts:
Budget: $$$$
Best time: June–September ; but if you’re going purely for Northern Lights, you will want to go in the winter
Ideal trip: 5–7 days
Perfect for: First-time solo travelers, easy to join tours and meet people, Reykjavik is incredibly walkable and easy to meet people
Here’s a link to my Iceland guide. It includes everything you could possibly need to know about Iceland: what to eat, where to stay, what to do, a packing list, how to rent a car and road trips you can take.
BEST EURO SUMMER: CROATIA
have i traveled here? yes.
Croatia completely exceeded my expectations. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect but it was probably one of my favorite solo trips. Between the crystal-clear water, charming old towns, the amazing food, and laid-back atmosphere, it’s one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited. It’s also one of the more inexpensive places I’ve been.
I loved how easy it was to explore independently and even meet people. It’s definitely a party trip but that makes it easy to make friends!
Why I loved it:
Beautiful beaches and charming towns
Easy island hopping (in the summer)
Walkable cities
Affordable compared to Italy or Greece
Amazing food and wine (some of my favorite white wine I had here)
Don’t miss:
Dubrovnik & the Game of Thrones tour - check out my guide on best things to do
Split - best things to do in Split
Island hopping in Hvar
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Sunset cocktails along the coast
Quick Facts:
Budget: $$
Best time: End of April–September
Ideal trip: 7–10 days
Perfect for: Beach lovers & foodies
Read my complete Croatia Travel Guide.
BEST FOR FIRST SOLO TRIP: COSTA RICA
have i traveled here? yes.
Costa Rica was my first solo trip ever - so obviously, it holds a very special place in my heart. This country is perfect if your ideal vacation includes waterfalls, wildlife, beaches, and adrenaline-filled adventures. It has everything. I felt like I had 3 different trips in one: being in the rainforest in La Fortuna with relaxing luxury hotels, hiking in the cloud forest in Monteverde, and beach by day, party by night in Tamarindo.
I loved how active every day felt. Whether you’re ziplining through the rainforest or relaxing in hot springs after hiking a volcano, it’s nearly impossible to be bored. And tons of people from all over flock to the surf camps here, so it’s easy to meet other solo travelers.
Why I loved it:
Adventure around every corner
Friendly locals
Incredible wildlife and hikes
Plenty of organized excursions
Easy to meet other travelers - especially at the beaches!
Don’t miss:
La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Volcano
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Manuel Antonio
Ziplining, ATVing, Surfing, pretty much every adventure sport you could ever dream of
Quick Facts:
Budget: $$
Best time: December–April
Ideal trip: 7–10 days
Perfect for: Adventure travelers, surf enthusiasts, nature lovers, and their beach towns have a fun nightlife
BEST U.S. CITY: NEW YORK CITY
have i traveled here? yes.
No city makes solo travel feel more normal than New York. It’s the city that never sleeps!! Everyone is going somewhere, doing something, most are not from there so it’s relatable.
No one cares if you’re eating dinner alone, browsing bookstores for hours, or spending an entire afternoon wandering Central Park. There’s so much happening that you’ll never run out of things to do. Not to mention, there are so many neighborhoods, you can re-invent yourself in each one.
Why I loved it:
Has public transportation
Endless museums & free things to do
Broadway and lively nightlife
Incredible restaurants - upscale and budget-friendly
Great people watching
Don’t miss:
Central Park
The High Line
Broadway
Brooklyn Bridge
Chelsea Market
Quick Facts:
Budget: $$$
Best time: Spring & Fall, Winter for the Holidays
Ideal trip: 3–5 days
Perfect for: City lovers, art & museum goers, if you love nightlife and busy cities
BEST FOR YOUR FIRST TIME IN EUROPE: PORTUGAL
This one is still on my bucket list…
But I’ve heard nothing but incredible things!! Every solo (and non-solo) female traveler I know raves about Portugal. Between Lisbon’s colorful streets, Porto’s wine scene, and the Algarve’s stunning coastline, it consistently ranks as one of the easiest countries to explore alone. It’s also super picturesque.
Why it’s recommended:
Friendly locals
Great public transportation
Affordable
Walkable cities
Beautiful beaches
Spicy nightlife
Don’t miss:
Lisbon
Porto
Sintra
Algarve
Quick Facts:
Budget: $$
Best time: April–June or September
Ideal trip: 7–10 days
Perfect for: First European adventure, if you want a little bit of everything, wine lovers
BEST BUDGET BACKPACKING: THAILAND
High on my travel list.
If you’re looking to stretch your travel budget while meeting people from around the world, Thailand is hard to beat. This consistently comes up on my list of places to travel to solo and I know a lot of people who backpack here.
It has one of the best backpacking communities in the world, making it easy to join tours, meet fellow travelers, and explore without spending a fortune.
Why everyone loves it:
Affordable
Incredible food
Beautiful beaches
Amazing hostels
Friendly atmosphere
Don’t miss:
Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Phuket
Phi Phi Islands
Quick Facts:
Budget: $
Best time: November–February
Ideal trip: 10–14 days
Perfect for: Budget travelers
BEST FOR ADVENTURES: VIETNAM
Also high on my list
Vietnam seems to be one of those destinations that surprises everyone—in the best way. I was supposed to go with my family this year but it ended up getting cancelled. Not only is it extremely affordable but the people are warm and the landscapes are so diverse. From bustling cities to peaceful rice terraces, it’s consistently praised for its affordability, welcoming locals, and unforgettable food scene.
Why it’s recommended:
Incredible street food
Affordable hotels
Beautiful scenery
Easy backpacking route
Rich culture
Don’t miss:
Hanoi
Hoi An
Ha Long Bay
Ho Chi Minh City
Quick Facts:
Budget: $
Best time: March–April
Ideal trip: 10–14 days
Perfect for: Foodies
BEST FOR FOOD & CULTURE: JAPAN
High on my travel list.
Japan appears on nearly every list of the safest destinations for solo female travelers, and for good reason. People love it and it’s definitely becoming a popular travel destination. Between its efficient transportation, clean cities, and culture where solo dining is completely normal, it’s a dream destination for women traveling alone.
Why it’s recommended:
Exceptionally safe
Incredible train system
Beautiful culture
Amazing food
Solo travel is common
Don’t miss:
Tokyo
Kyoto
Osaka
Mount Fuji
Quick Facts:
Budget: $$$
Best time: March–May or October–November
Ideal trip: 10 days
Perfect for: Culture lovers
I had my friend write a guest travel blog on the everything you could possibly need to know when visiting Japan - you need to check it out here!
BEST FOR SAFETY: NORWAY
On my travel list but I think I should move it up to the top.
If your dream vacation includes hiking, fjords, and jaw-dropping landscapes, Norway belongs on your list. It consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in the world and is known for its incredible outdoor adventures. It’s also ranked one of the happiest nations! I think it would be a great first solo trip destination.
Why it’s recommended:
Stunning scenery
Safety
Great hiking
Scenic train rides
Friendly locals
Don’t miss:
Bergen
Oslo
Geirangerfjord
Trolltunga
Quick Facts
Budget: $$$$
Best time: June–August
Ideal trip: 7–10 days
Perfect for: Outdoor lovers
BEST QUICK TRIP: AMSTERDAM
High on my travel list.
Amsterdam is one of those cities that’s made for wandering. Besides having iconic architecture, it’s also known for being extremely progressive. It’s probably good to mention the canals, museums, cafés, and bike-friendly streets, it’s an easy destination to enjoy at your own pace.
Why it’s recommended
Extremely walkable
Excellent public transportation
World-class museums
Friendly atmosphere
Easy weekend trip
Don’t miss
Anne Frank House
Rijksmuseum
Canal cruise
Jordaan neighborhood
Quick Facts
Budget: $$$
Best time: April–May or September
Ideal trip: 3–4 days
Perfect for: Weekend city breaks
Solo Travel Essentials
This is everything I travel internationally with. I never leave without these things.
My Best Solo Travel Tips:
In addition to some of my best travel tips, I also give some direction on how to take your first ever solo trip here.
Share your itinerary with someone you trust and share your location
Download offline Google Maps before you land.
Book accommodations based on location and with excellent reviews - read them all!!!
Join a walking tour on your first day - read how to make friends while solo traveling
Trust your instincts. A woman’s intuition is very real.
Keep emergency cash in a separate place.
Also keep 2 forms of identification separate at all times.
Don’t be afraid to eat alone—it gets easier every time.
But sit at the bar - makes you more approachable!
Remember that confidence often comes after taking the first step. You got this!!
Continue Planning Your Trip
Looking for more travel inspiration?
Check out my complete travel guides, city itineraries, and downloadable travel planning resources to make planning your next adventure even easier.
