A wise man named Ken Poirot once said “Some journeys in life can only be travelled alone.” Take his advice and fly with it. Sometimes the only travel companion you need is y-o-u, but where does a woman full of wanderlust go when she’s ready to get out of town for a while?
Well, the correct answer is wherever the heck she wants, but there are a few key characteristics that make some places more popular than others. There are so many factors really, and nowhere is ever going to be 100% perfect for every person, but there are key similarities in the best places to start.
For most, safety is key. A progressive general view of women’s rights is ideal as well. A tendency for like-minded travellers and other female travellers is a plus. Ease of accessibility is great, and generally just having enough interesting things to do in said place is ideal.
Whether you’re diving into travelling alone as a woman for the first time, or looking for a classic destination you haven’t done yet, here are 10 good places to start your next adventure:
The Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the most progressive places around on quite a few topics, and along with scoring well on safety lists, the locals are known for being laid back and polite.
Amsterdam is easily one of the coolest cities in the world, and it’s the perfect place to wander and explore to no end. There are few things better than biking around solo every day to tick off your bucket list in record time, and biking solo really is just the best way to do it.
USA
There is very little in terms of climate and scenery that the USA doesn’t offer, and its backpacking, camping and road tripping culture has made for such a normalized view of solo travellers of any gender. Getting around is easy, language is never a barrier and there’s so much to see and do.
Big spots like Hawaii, Las Vegas, New York City and LA are the cornerstones of girls’ trips, both solo and group, and the big cities along the coasts are definite must-dos for most travellers.
Croatia
There are few places in the world where we’d rather get lost than in Dubrovnik. We challenge you to find an old town that is cleaner and more picturesque, and as long as you walk downwards, you’ll always find yourself in the middle of town, making it ideal for exploring alone without worries.
The history of the area is so fascinating, and it’s such a refreshing change from the rest of Europe that you may be used to. Add in some quality beach time and a little sailing and you can’t go wrong exploring the Croatian coast.
Canada
Canada is the boy next door that you ignore until you ditch the bad boys and realize how nice it is to feel safe and be treated well. The people are notoriously friendly and accommodating, it’s safe, progressive, and as vast as it gets; ripe for exploring.
Quebec offers the European flavour, the west coast gives you your epic dose of outdoor adventure, and everything else is just so pleasant in typical Canadian fashion.
Switzerland
Super safe, picturesque, easy to get around, and one of the most delicious places in Europe – is there anything wrong with Switzerland?
It may not be the cheapest European country, but you’re paying for quality, and treating yourself to a bit of luxury is necessary now and then. From shopping to hiking, skiing and spa-ing, Switzerland has all of the good things, including enough castles to bring out the Disney princess in us all.
Japan
There are few places to travel alone in the world that cater to a solo escape more than Japan. Japanese life is organized, efficient, clean and polite, which makes it so easy to comfortably slide right in and get your sushi on.
Locals are so kind, helpful and accustomed to doing things solo as well. Everything from travelling to eating out alone just feels so natural in Japan, and the sightseeing and transport are like the cherry (blossom) on top of a great experience.
Spain
Spain really has a little bit of everything, and when it comes to Europe, there are few places that offer as much diversity all in one beautiful package.
The cities are walkable, the history is vast and fascinating and the beaches and party scene are superb. Plus, Spanish tapas makes for the perfect cheap meal option for one.
Iceland
Not only is Iceland one of the most popular places to go du jour, but doing it alone is a breeze. Reykjavik is the perfect size to get around on your own, and the locals are friendly and speak English as well.
It’s a great stopover location if you’re looking to add on more of Europe to your trip, and the geothermal spas are the ideal place to spend some quality pampering time. It’s also one of the safest countries in the whole world, and one of the most progressive in terms of feminism and attitudes to women.
Sweden
Sweden consistently ranks close to the top of every list when it comes to women’s rights and safety, and its progressive nature falls in line with many other Nordic countries, making it an ideal area to explore solo.
The epic seafood, sightseeing, adventure activities and Northern Lights make Sweden even sweeter, and their love for quirky music festivals will provide the perfect soundtrack for your trip.
Ireland
It’s pretty hard not to fall in love with Ireland as a whole, and for women travelling alone it’s kind of like the perfect place to start.
It’s different from home without putting you too far out of your comfort zone and the people are some of the friendliest in the world. The pubs are magnetic and make you feel right at home, whether you’re alone or not. It’s perfectly OK to grab a pint or a meal solo, and there’s tons to explore on foot, bike or by car.
The sightseeing is nothing short of breathtaking, it’s small enough to explore in entirety without going too far, and it’s one of the safest and friendliest places in Europe, making it one of the perfect places to travel alone.
