Finding The Best Places For Solo Travel

29 May 2025 sprintwilo.com

My first hike to the Swiss Alps? I will never forget it. I did it during my Switzerland solo tour. There was just me, the crisp mountain air, and millions of wildflowers. It was not just another hike for me. It was the moment. I was so proud of myself. Not just because I hiked all the way up; it was because I trusted myself to go on a solo adventure to experience all this. At that moment, I truly understood what solo travel was all about. It combines freedom, trusting yourself, and discovering the world by your own rules.

It has been so long since I started discovering the world as a solo female traveller. Over the years, I have explored so many different places. I went to busy cities, quiet coastal towns, mountain paths, beaches, hidden coves, and more. After countless solo travel journeys, I could find some of the best places for solo travel, especially for women. So, in this article, I will share my insights about these best places for solo travel with you.

Before heading to the best places for solo travel

You are not just ticking off sights on a bucket list when you solo travel. It is an entirely different experience. You get to enjoy the quiet moments in between during this journey. From my solo tour experiences, I can certainly tell you one thing. Your best moments will always come when you least expect them. Like this one time in Portugal, I shared a picnic with a stray cat in a Portuguese olive grove. Or that morning, I woke up way early in Vietnam just to watch the sunrise over the rice terraces.

Here is another important thing I learned. Not every place is ideal for solo exploration. When I recommend the best places for solo travel, I look for specific things,

Is it safe enough to relax and really enjoy yourself?
Is it adventurous enough to push your limits?
Will you get opportunities to meet people and connect with locals if you want to?

Trust me, finding places that check all these boxes is like hitting a solo travel jackpot. You can enjoy your journey without repeatedly looking over your shoulder.

Finding freedom in America

Sedona, Arizona, is honestly my favorite solo adventure spot in the US. I have covered cities like Austin and Seattle before—they are great, too! But there is something special about Sedona that makes it among the best places for solo travel male and female.

First off, those red rocks. They are not just pretty; they glow like embers at sunset. Solo travel hikers enjoy adventure here, exploring the vortex trails. Yes, the energy here is real. Cathedral Rock trail was my go-to spot. It is a bit of a climb, but you will know it was worth it when you get to the top and see those red mesas stretching out in every direction. The 360-degree views here are amazing. Here are more reasons I recommend Sedona as one of the best places to travel solo female in us.

Clearly marked and well-maintained trails.
There’s a strong community of hikers, so you can easily find hiking buddies if you want
The town is welcoming to solo travelers
There are so many wellness spots and cafes where you can relax after hiking.
Amazing stargazing at places like Slide Rock State Park (join the evening gatherings to meet people and swap stories with fellow hikers around campfires)

The best place for solo travel in US is not over from Sedona. Find out the best place for solo travel in US for you from my other solo adventures in the USA HERE.

Best place in Europe for solo travel

Now, about Europe, forget the crowded capitals of Paris and Rome for a minute. Let me introduce you to Madeira, Portugal. Here are reasons why I love Madeira as a solo female traveler,

Very safe and easy to explore
You can see a lot here without making complicated travel plans
The cliffside hiking trails (called levadas) are incredible
The locals are friendly and helpful
Thanks to Madeira’s great weather, you can visit any time of year

I’ll never forget the day I hiked the PR8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço. During this coastal hike, I saw the Atlantic Ocean crashing against jagged cliffs on both sides. After a day of hiking, I headed to the main town, Funchal. The locals I met at a restaurant, Tasca, later taught me to love poncha. This local drink was so strong that it made me forget I had sore muscles.

Love Europe? Read more about my picks for the best places for solo travel Europe HERE.

Find serenity in Asia

Are you thinking about solo hiking in Asia? Then, let me tell you about the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. It completely changed how I saw solo travel. I went on this 12-day trek alone, but I never felt lonely. Here is why I think the Annapurna mountain range is one of the best place for solo travel in Asia.

The tea houses along the trail are like little communities. There, you can share your experience with other hikers you meet along the route.
Try the dal bhat. It’s the perfect hiking fuel
Well-established and regularly used trail
Thanks to Nepal’s respectful trekking culture, it’s safe for solo female travellers.

Pro tips for the Annapurna Circuit

Hire a local guide like the incredible Sherpa women-led teams for reassurance.
Take your time getting to Thorong La Pass (it is at 17,769 feet!)
Plan for some downtime in Pokhara afterward at the lakeside cafes.

For more Asia adventures, visit my article on the best place for solo travel in Asia HERE.

Italian dreams are not limited to a tourist trail

Now, let’s talk about Cinque Terre. This hidden gem stole my heart. These five rainbow-coloured villages that cling to cliffs above the Ligurian Sea do something special for solo adventurers. I spent a week here. Before day trippers arrived, I woke up early to hike between Monterosso and Vernazza. Here is why I think Cinque Terre works so well for solo travel,

The villages are connected by easy hiking trails and reliable trains.
It is so tiny you can’t get lost, but it is big enough to explore for days.
The Sentiero Azzurro hiking trail is well-maintained and gorgeous.
It is very safe around here, even for early morning or evening walks.
You can try the local pesto pasta and limoncello with new friends at family-run trattorias.

Want to read about everyone’s favorite Amalfi Coast and more Italian solo travel destinations? Visit my best place in Italy for solo travel article HERE.

Where should you start? Best place for first time solo travel

I love my fans. They often share their love via emails and mail and tell me how much I have inspired them to overcome their fears and travel solo to the best places around the world. They always ask very important questions that I will answer in my later articles. One of their most asked questions is, What is the best place for first-time solo travel? They remind me of myself years ago. I stood in my living room surrounded by travel guides and equipment lists. My head was filled with so many questions. The biggest one was, Am I truly ready to travel solo? Today, I will share some of the gentlest and most exciting destinations for first-time solo travelers.

Starting with Iceland’s Laugavegur trail

This trail holds a special place in my heart. Why? It was my first multi-day solo trek. Along this 55-kilometre trail, you will see,

Colorful rhyolite mountains
Black sand deserts
Hot springs
and mirror clear lakes

Are you worried about being too isolated? Do not be. There are excellent huts on the trail where you can stay comfortably. Once I arrived at a hut, I got a warm welcome from the wardens and fellow hikers. You’re never truly alone unless you want to be in here. The best part? The sun barely sets during summer, so you can hike in the dark without any worries.

Take it easy at the English Lake District

This is where I learned that you do not always have to face extreme challenges when you solo hike. You can build your confidence gradually in this fantastic region. I loved hiking from Grasmere to Keswick and stopping in the cute little villages. The trails are well-marked, and you are never too far from a town.

Enjoy the best of both worlds at Banff National Park

Banff National Park in Canada actually surprised me with its wilderness and developed infrastructure. Want to meet and greet other solo travelers? Visit the hostels around the park, especially near Lake Louise. Here, I spent my evenings chatting with new friends about hiking trails. Then, the next day, I head out for peaceful solo walks around Moraine Lake. You will not believe how blue the water is at the Valley of Ten Peaks. It is so real. The trails are in great shape. I felt very safe during the tour because the park rangers were always there.

A note to first-time solo travelers

Remember, everyone starts somewhere. When I reply to my fans’ messages, I always tell them not to worry about nervousness. You can start with places where you can be as social or independent as you want. There are clear trails and plenty of other travelers around, so you can always get help if needed. Trust me, once you take that first step, you will wonder why you didn’t try solo travel sooner. After your first step, check out my article on the best places to travel for solo female travelers HERE to learn about fantastic places you can go next.

Relaxing places to visit alone when you need to breathe

We all get those times when we just need to get away and find some peace. Here are some fantastic relaxing places to visit alone I found during my solo travels.

Lake Bled, Slovenia, gives fairy tale vibes

This was one of the happiest places during my seven-day solo European adventure. I walked the path around the lake every morning and watched the mist and that little island church. Want a fun story? I tried rowing one of the local boats (they call them pletnas). Let’s just say the locals got quite a laugh watching me figure it out. The surrounding hills are great for easy hikes like Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica. And you can get beautiful views of the Julian Alps.

Find magic in the quiet Arashiyama bamboo forest in Kyoto

Want to know a secret about the bamboo forest? Go at dawn. It is so much better without all the crowds. I went every morning to see the sun coming through the bamboo. It was different every time. The way the leaves moved, the light on the ground. It is just so peaceful. And nearby, there is this temple garden, Tenryu-ji. Find a quiet spot here, and just… be.

Azores archipelago, the best place in Portugal for solo travel

I cannot compare the Azores to any other place I’ve been before. Especially São Miguel. There, I found trails to hidden volcanic lakes and thermal pools. And Sete Cidades? That crater lake? I was obsessed. I spent hours there walking around the rim for hours. And I could watch the lake change colors with the weather. Walking along the coast here is so easy and peaceful. The best part? When you get tired, you can stop in any of the little villages for some fresh seafood.

Discover these global gems too

Spirituality Meets Adventure at Meteora, Greece

The best place in Greece for solo travellers? It is Meteora. Both spiritual and adventurous solo travelers love to visit here. The monasteries on the rocks? Insane! I hiked between them for three days. Every trail had a different fantastic view; it was incredible. Stay in the nearby Kalambaka town. You can find so many friendly guest houses there. And the evenings are just, wow. When the sun hits the rocks while monastery bells ring in the distance? It is an unforgettable experience.

Maui is the perfect Hawaiian solo adventure

Maui is the best place in Hawaii for solo travel when it comes to adventure time and relaxation. You must do the road to Hana. While traveling on the road, I could stop wherever I wanted to check out hidden waterfalls and quiet beaches. Nobody rushed me; it was just my schedule. The Pipiwai Trail with the bamboo forest and the 400-foot Waimoku Falls? It is one of my favorite hikes ever. Want to give yourself a real treat? Watch the sunrise at Haleakala National Park. Then, find that secret red sand beach (Kaihalulu Beach) near Hana. During the tour, I stayed in a cute town on the North Shore called Paia. It is close enough to everything but away from the big tourist spots.

Covent garden felt like home

The best place to stay in London for solo travellers? Covent Garden, guys. That is my happy place in London. It has so much energy and really is for travelers. I loved exploring the cobblestone streets, shops in the Market Building, and those cafes at Seven Dials—adorable! And it is so central that I could walk to places like the Thames or Soho in no time. I spent many evenings hanging out near Leicester Square, meeting other travelers.

Lisbon’s heart is the Alfama district

Want to know the best place to stay in Lisbon for solo traveler? Alfama, all the way. The narrow cobbled streets here are like a maze, but that’s what makes it fun. I got into this nice routine in Alfama. I took morning walks when the streets were quiet. In the afternoon, I stopped for coffee and those amazing Portuguese pastries (pastéis de nata). And in the evenings, I watched the sunset over the Tagus River from rooftop viewpoints like Santa Luzia.

FAQ Section

Where is the best for solo travel?

I recommend awesome places like Japan or New Zealand. Japan is famous for low crime rates, efficient public transportation like the Shinkansen, and polite culture. In New Zealand, there are many hiking and adventure destinations for solo female travelers. Its small population and reputation as one of the safest countries are more reasons to visit there.

Where is the best place to vacation by yourself?

How would you like to vacation in a paradise like Iceland? You can get amazing views from the Northern Lights, Blue Lagoon, and waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss, enjoy a relaxing (a bit cold) atmosphere, and just enjoy the vibes by yourself among the small population and tourist-friendly setting.

Where is the best country to travel solo?

Oh, I have to choose one? I have got so many places in mind. For this, I will select Canada. Why? Here, you can freely roam without feeling overwhelmed. There are friendly people and gorgeous nature, and you can spend days exploring beautiful Vancouver and Toronto cities. And do not forget natural wonders like Banff National Park.

Where are the best places to be alone?

Try spots like Scotland’s Highlands or a quiet beach in Costa Rica. I am talking about misty hills, lochs, and castles in Scotland’s remote, rugged, peaceful highlands. And how can you forget notable towns like Inverness? These places are made for solo female explorers. Then Costa Rica’s relaxing vibe, especially on less touristy beaches like Playa Carrillo or Santa Teresa, is terrific. It is like these places are made for you to be alone. The country’s welcoming Pura Vida culture and eco-tourism are attracting travelers who love to spend some time alone.

Conclusion

I am writing this article about the best places for solo travel while watching the sunset at a small café in Porto. This reminds me how awesome solo travel is and how much of an incredible person it has made me as of today. Every solo tour I went on taught me about myself and the world.

In the beginning, I was excited but a bit nervous. Do you feel the same? Then, you will be a great solo traveler, just like me. Everyone starts shaky. But you get the hang of it fast. You will love the best places for solo travel females we discussed in this article. The people you meet and those random moments you did not plan will be your favorite memories. Do not delay. Your solo trip is waiting for you.