Best Places to Travel Solo | Top 20

When traveling solo for the first time, it can be a bit intimidating, but finding the best places to travel solo will really ease the jitters. Before my first solo trip, I was pretty scared, but I ended up absolutely loving it and I have traveled solo many times since then!

I think what makes a city a good solo destination is the safety, the ease of getting around and the people. I have traveled all over the world and compiled a list of the best places to travel solo!

1. Reykjavik – Best Places to Travel Solo

The streets are so charming and colorful and locals are always willing to help out with anything. There is so much to see in just a short walking distance and it’s hard not to fall in love with that Icelandic charm. I dare say this is one of the best cities in the world for solo travel and where else can you take a #trollselfie? One of the best parts about traveling solo here is that you can take day trips all over Iceland and they pick you up right at your hotel in Reykjavik so you really don’t have to worry about a thing.

My favorite tours in Iceland were:

Golden Circle Tour
West Coast Road Trip
South Coast Glacier Lagoon, Black sand beach and waterfalls tour,
Northern Lights Tour
Don’t even forget about soaking in the milky blue waters of The Blue Lagoon

Make sure to read my guide on what to know before you go to the Blue Lagoon, here!

2. Queenstown

If you love adventure, this city is for you! The options almost seem limitless and the scenery definitely doesn’t hurt it either 😉 Queenstown is one of the safest places I’ve been and the only thing you need to worry about is how long you’ll have to wait in line for your Ferg Burger!

Plus there’s tons of day trips nearby including my favorite:

Milford Sound Day Trip– This was one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been!
Lord of the Rings Day Tour– Because when in Middle Earth, am I right?

To see 20 amazing pictures of Milford Sound in New Zealand, check this out!

3. London

Oh London, what is there not to love? There are countless free museums, picture perfect pastel houses in Notting Hill, all the cereal eating you can imagine at Cereal Killer Cafe and incredible broadway shows in Piccadilly Circus. That is just brushing the surface. The metro system is incredible or you can be the perfect tourist and ride a red double decker bus!

For ideas of what to do with a week in London, check out my guide!

4. Rome

I have been to Rome 3 times and I can say I’m still not bored of it! It’s one of my favorite cities in the world and there is so much to see and do with in walking distance. My first time there, I was enthralled and so happy eating gelato by the Trevi Fountain and pizza by the Colosseum, you’ll be having too much fun to even notice that you’re alone.

Best Places to Travel Solo

5. Venice

The only unsafe thing about Venice is falling out of a gondola! (Which I don’t think ever happens) But seriously, Venice is quaint, unlike anywhere else in the world and safe. It is absolutely perfect for solo travel. If you have a little extra time, check out Venice’s vibrant brother Burano.

6. Krakow

Krakow has a wonderful old town surrounded by castle gates that you can actually walk in! The food is delicious and cheap and there is plenty to do in the area. A highlight is Krakow castle where there are many different areas to tour, including a dragon blowing fire at the end. I sat next to the river there all day and just watched people pass by and I never once felt unsafe.

7. Rothenburg

If you want to feel like you stepped into a fairy tale, then definitely visit Rothenburg. It is the most cute, quaint little town in Germany with colorful houses and even a Christmas museum open year round! Don’t forget to try a fried cookie dough ball called a schneeball.

8. Bali

Have your “Eat Pray Love” moment in the magical land of Bali. You will never run out of things to do and you definitely won’t be alone because you’ll meet many other solo travelers.

9. Copenhagen

The main city center area is very compact making this Scandanavian city very walkable. Sick of walking? Taking a boat is a great way to see the city! Make sure to stop by Nyhavn for a picture perfect photo stop and a great place to eat lunch! Another great way to spend your afternoon is at Tivoli, an amusement park that even inspired the famous Walt Disney. It is super cute and super perfect for solo travel.

10. Prague

In a word, Prague can best be described as magical. Being there during the Christmas markets will make it magical to the extreme! There are cheap prices, a charming and walkable old town and friendly locals which all make this city one of the best for solo travel.

11. Melbourne

The second largest city in Australia actually feels more like a city in Europe! Famous for it\’s street art, bright beach huts and fantastic crazy shakes, you’ll never run out of stuff to do. There are plenty of amazing day trips from Melbourne including to the famous Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles and to Philip’s Island to see adorable little penguins march up the beach at night.

12. Sydney

Sydney is an incredibly nice city with killer views. The bay area is particularly lovely for a stroll especially near the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour bridge. The bridge is a great vantage point for incredible views of the city and if you dare, you can climb on the very top of it! Don’t forget to stop at Bondi Beach for an afternoon.

13. Boracay

Boracay has a breath taking beach that you could spend all day at, but if you do end up getting bored, there are many affordable activities including underwater helmet diving, fly fishing (no not actual fishing) and four wheeling just to name a few. There are many restaurants right on the beach and just down the road a little bit further are bars and night clubs. No need to worry about public transportation and just focus on having a fun time!

14. Washington DC

Georgetown, D.C’s college town little brother is a good place to start a solo tour. The University town is very charming and safe and is a great place to spend an afternoon. You can spend all afternoon strolling around admiring the architecture or you can try your hand at rowing or canoeing on the river. Don’t forget to try the world famous cupcakes.

Once you’ve stuffed your face with cupcakes, walk along the river to the Lincoln Memorial. On summer weekends, everyone’s out enjoying the sun playing volleyball, walking their dogs or catching those pesky Pokemon (there are a lot in D.C!) Many times there are free concerts at the Lincoln Memorial that you can sit and enjoy or head down to the rest of the National mall, enjoying the many memorials along the way. You’ll also find over 40 food trucks to choose from and over 14 museums to see! (Bonus: they are all free).

15. Philadelphia

Philly’s old town is very walkable and safe. I started my solo travel walking tour near the Love memorial and they even have specific city employees there walking around to help tourists. There is so much history and incredible food and architecture in this city, you’ll have plenty to do! There are huge street signs everywhere pointing to the main historical attractions, so it’s hard to get lost. There is also an affordable bus option that will take you to all of the main attractions.

As in most large cities it is generally safest during the day time, but you should always follow common safety precautions no matter what time of the day or where you are. Stay on well-traveled paths and always be aware of your surroundings!

16. Kyoto

Oh Kyoto, I fell in love with being transported back in time to the Japan of old, walking through alleys and finding secret gardens, pagodas and temples. Japan is very safe and clean and the locals are very kind. There are many public transportation options and they even have a one day bus pass for $5 USD that will take you to all of the major cities and attractions. If you’re lucky, you’ll also spot a geisha!

Best Places to Travel Solo

17. Chiang Mai

Thailand is called the land of smiles for a reason and has very friendly locals. Chiang Mai’s old town is very safe and filled to the brim with endless temples and incredibly unique and charming restaurants. There is a good reason many expats live here and to top it all off, the local food is very cheap. There are many festivals here if you can time it just right because seeing hundreds of lanterns flying in the air should be on everyone’s bucket list!

18. Edinburgh

Edinburgh and Scotland in general are extremely safe. Edinburgh has a lot of similar features to London, but with a quaint and charming feel. The architecture is stunning and there is a beautiful castle overlooking the whole city. You’ll never run out of fantastic views and the locals are super friendly and their accents are fantastic! If you have time, make sure to venture out to the country side and maybe you’ll spot a hairy coo!

19. Stockholm

Stockholm is one of the best places to travel solo because it is compact, making the old town very easy to walk around, if you’re hoping to go to places a little further, there are great bus and tram options. I recommend the Stockholm Pass to make the most of your time. Some notable attractions are the Vasa Museum, Skansen Park and the ABBA museum. You can even sleep on an old yacht, now transformed into a hotel called Malardrottningen!

20. Victoria, BC

Victoria is the Capital of British Columbia and is very walk-able. I felt very safe at all times of the day. Featuring a delightful combination of modern and historic architecture, stunning gardens, a lively restaurant scene, and picturesque water views at every corner, this enchanting city is an ideal choice for a weekend retreat. You can fly to the island, but we took the ferry over! This is a unique and scenic experience as you can drive your car right on to the ship. Best part is you can catch the ferry from Seattle which is another great city for solo travel!