Which are the best places to travel alone, whether it’s your first or four-hundredth time?
I’ve been doing that for about 10 years, and though this isn’t my first list of recommendations, my previous one focused solely on the best places for solo female travelers (it’s also great, and you should take a look regardless of your gender).
However, this list is written with everyone traveling solo in mind. While I can obviously only provide the female perspective, these places are great for solo travelers because they have a social aspect that attracts cool people, they are safe, and I found them easy to travel through.
Our Favorite Cheap Destinations Quicklist:
- Best Place to Travel for Food: Vietnam
- Best Place to Travel for Hiking: Switzerland
- Best Place to Travel On a Budget: Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Best Place to Travel for Surfing: Siargao, Philippines
- Best Place to Travel for the Friendliest Locals: Galway, Ireland
North America
1. Black Rock City, Nevada, USA
I can’t believe I never mentioned this spot before in my solo travel suggestions! Black Rock City must be the friendliest place on Planet Earth for the one week a year that it exists in its full glory — I’m speaking of the Burning Man festival. The Burning Man festival is a week-long event in the desert that celebrates community, art and self-expression, and is a great place to meet like-minded individuals from all over the world.
I put it on this list because it’s become such a special place to me. As I return year after year, I can’t help but look forward to how friendly and loving the environment is. One of my favorite things to do there is go off on my own and just see where the adventure takes me!
Check out this post for other awesome things to do in Nevada.
2. Moab, Utah, USA
I didn’t fully grasp the social nature of the camper #vanlife community until visiting Moab, in Utah. With so many Bureau of Land Management areas to free-camp, people will stay there for weeks or even months, bouldering, hiking, kayaking, and generally just enjoying the outdoor playground. You’ve also got several state parks and national parks all within the vicinity with plenty of trails where you can easily make new friends. I don’t know if there’s any other town that offers all of that! I made this part of my solo American Southwest road trip, but I’ve fantasized about returning for longer one day.
3. Canmore, Alberta, Canada
There’s a stereotype about Canadians being friendly. And you know what? It’s true. Plus, Alberta is absolutely stunning, so it’s a double win. I visited Canmore and nearby Banff in the winter and found it easy to chat with others in the restaurants, on the ski slopes, and in town. There are also so many activities, like skiing, ice climbing, and snowshoeing, that it’s almost impossible to get bored. Plus, Canada is one of the safest countries, which makes it that much nicer to travel through solo.
4. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Winnipeg perpetuates the Canadians-are-friendly stereotype. When I was traveling solo there, I just could not believe how nice and sweet people were. It put me in a better mood overall. I like the person I was in Winnipeg too. There’s a myth that there’s not much to do there, but I spent my days canoeing, road-tripping, and seeing the beluga whales up north in Churchill as well. Winnipeg is so underrated!
5. Tulum, Mexico
Over the years, friends had told me that Tulum was a cool place, but I never really understood until I visited for the first time and felt the vibe myself. The locals are friendly and outgoing, and the people who visit are cool too. It’s a laid-back place with a spiritual element. It’s no wonder the Mayans made it their sacred center — you can really feel it when you’re there. As such, you’ve got lots of yogis around and others who just want to chill out on the beach. It’s easy to find your bliss there.
South America
6. Cusco, Peru
Cusco is a popular destination to combine with a visit to Machu Picchu, and for good reason. This mountain town is the ideal jumping-off point for either a bunch of cool day tours, like the colorful salt mines, or multiday treks, like Salkantay or the Inca Trail. If you arrive alone, just join a hiking group on the Inca Trail or visit the Rainbow Mountain — you’ll have a built-in network of people to hang with!
7. El Chaltén, Argentina
Argentina’s trekking capital is a great place to meet people. Many of the treks in this area are day hikes, so people come back to town in the evenings to hang out. It’s also a starting point for rock climbers and those interested in exploring the Southern Patagonian Ice Field — the third largest frozen body of fresh water on earth. Out of all of the places I went in Patagonia, El Chaltén was the most social. There are also plenty of hostels if you’re looking for friendly budget accommodations.
Europe
8. Bologna, Italy
This university town is one of my favorites, mostly because the food is so good and I feel a bit less worried about pickpockets there than in some of other big towns in Italy. I also had a particularly good experience meeting a local on Couchsurfing and then becoming such good friends that I returned the following year and hung out with him again. If you visit Bologna, definitely look intoi the vibrant Couchsurfing community!
Check out this post for my best solo female travel tips when traveling Italy.
9. Galway, Ireland
I’m going to generalize again by saying that Irish people are really friendly and awesome to hang out with. Ireland is one of those countries where you can walk into a pub and make instant friends. I like Galway in particular because it’s an excellent jumping-off point for the middle part of the Wild Atlantic Way along the more remote Connemara coast. As a solo traveler, I tend to find small towns the friendliest, with the sweetest people, and that was true here as well.
10. Iceland
Absolutely anywhere in Iceland is great as a solo traveler. It’s the safest country on Earth, and it’s so stunning that whether you’re with other people or by yourself, it’s such a nice place to just soak in the views and become your own photographer. I could happily travel through the country without seeing another soul, because the landscape feels so alive. That said, it’s easy to meet people in Reykjavík, the capital, and find someone to do the Ring Road trip with or take day tours.
11. Madrid, Spain
Despite it being one of the most popular cities in Spain, Madrid is much safer than other destinations, such as Barcelona and Salamanca. It was even listed as one of the safest cities in the world by the Global Peace Index in 2023, so you can be confident that your trip will go smoothly.
But safety isn’t the only reason to visit Madrid. This Spanish city is full of history, culture, and delicious food. Which leads me to one of my favorite travel activities — joining a food tour! Spain is known for its incredible wine and tapas, so what better way to experience it? Other than staying in hostels, tours like this are a great way to meet new friends while traveling, so don’t be shy to sign up solo.
12. Slovenia
When you first picture Slovenia, you might not know what to expect. It’s a small country tucked away in Central Europe, and often overlooked by travelers. But I’m here to tell you that those who do visit are rewarded with charming towns and magnificent landscapes.
It’s hard not to love Slovenia (the word love is even in the country’s name, ha!). From the darling capital of Ljubljana (which also likely has “love” in its etymology) to the spectacular trails that run through Vintgar Gorge, this small but mighty destination is full of surprises. Plus, everywhere I went, the locals were friendly and welcoming, making me feel right at home.
Check out this post on why Slovenia is one of the best places to visit in Europe in Summer!
13. Stockholm, Sweden
While Sweden isn’t exactly easy on the wallet, it is an incredibly safe destination. This European capital, made up of a network of islands, has even been ranked by the Global Peace Index as one of the safest cities in the world. For this reason, solo travelers — and solo female travelers in particular — can feel comfortable walking around on their own without worry.
Winters can be especially cold (and dark) in Stockholm, so it’s one of the best European cities to visit in the summer. I recommend going in June for Midsommar, a traditional Swedish festival celebrating the solstice!
14. Switzerland
If you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, then you need to travel to Switzerland! From hiking the most scenic trails you’ve ever laid eyes on to chasing breathtaking waterfalls, it’s paradise for nature lovers. The best part? You can be as isolated or connected from other travelers as you want!
There’s an unlimited number of well-trodden trails on which you can meet like-minded adventurers, so making friends should be a breeze.
15. Zagreb, Croatia
Croatia has become incredibly popular over the last decade, especially among solo travelers! It’s not only beautiful, but the entire country is very safe, and English is pretty widely spoken. There are a number of cities where you’ll find it a bit easier to meet other travelers, though, the main one being the capital, Zagreb.
Croatia is also part of a great backpacking route through the Balkans, which includes other amazing destinations such as Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia.
Asia
16. Chengdu, China
As a solo traveler, I was surprised by how easy it was to find cool people in China. Even in remote areas, I was always meeting interesting expats and locals. However Chengdu was more social and friendly than all the rest. I ended up staying for almost three weeks, because I quickly got to know the expat community. I was also just so surprised by how cool and funky some of the bars were! Though Chengdu draws quite an international crowd, I loved the locals as well. I didn’t expect it to be such a gem, and I fondly remember that city.
17. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Backpackers, digital nomads, solo female travelers — you name it, they’re all in Thailand, a fantastic starter country for any traveler looking to dip their toes into the world of solo travel. With its welcoming culture, delicious food, amazing nightlife, and kind locals, it’s nearly impossible to have a bad time in Thailand.
While I consider most places in Thailand to be safe and good for solo travelers, Chiang Mai is my top pick. There is so much to do there, and because it is such a budget-friendly destination, it’s super easy to make friends and find travel buddies here.
18. Lombok, Indonesia
I’ve been talking a lot about Lombok lately, because I’m slowly but surely (okay, quickly and certainly) falling in love with this island. It’s everything I wanted Bali to be and more. There’s cove after cove, with hilltops overlooking the beaches. There are so many waterfalls too, not to mention the Rinjani volcano trek. I’ve met really cool people every time I’ve gone — while hiking, in the cafés, at my accommodation, or on the Gili Islands.
19. Nusa Islands, Indonesia
Previously, I wasn’t a big Bali fan, because I found it too touristy and crowded. But that all changed when I visited the trio of Nusa Islands. They are reachable by speed boat off the southern coast of Bali, and each one has its own unique beauty.
Nusa Lembongan is the most developed, Nusa Ceningan is the smallest, with absolutely stunning blue water, and Nusa Penida was my favorite, because of its welcoming locals, calm and relaxed vibe, and cliffs over the sea. I found meeting people to be easy there, thanks to the promise of snorkeling with manta rays and excellent surf.
20. Siargao, Philippines
Siargao is the surf spot in the Philippines. When there’s an activity that tends to draw people in, like surfing, you’re bound to get a lot of solo travelers. There’s also a laid-back vibe that always accompanies surf areas. Thankfully, even if you’re not a surfer, there’s so much to do on the island that doesn’t involve it that it draws in lots of people with varied interests, both local and foreign.
Go on a day tour of Sugba Lagoon, or hit up some of the islands off the coast, or jump on your motorbike and explore!
21. Singapore
If you want to visit Southeast Asia and are looking for a place that is extremely (and I mean extremely) safe for solo travel, then pack your bags for Singapore! Seriously, this city could not be any more perfect. It’s clean, efficient, and English-speaking, plus it’s incredibly easy to navigate and has plenty of things to see and do.
Singapore is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in the world, which is great news if you’re traveling solo for the first time. The only real downside is the cost, but there are lots of things to do in Singapore that are totally free, so you can still have an amazing time without breaking the bank.
22. Vietnam
Traveling to Vietnam on your own, especially as an American, can feel a little daunting, given the history between the two countries. I’ll admit that I felt that way before my first visit, but once I touched down there, I was met with smiles and an unspoken agreement: the past is the past.
Vietnam is a country like no other. With it’s otherworldly landscapes, sandy beaches, ancient towns, and tasty cuisine, it’s no surprise why this Southeast Asian country has become a top destination for travelers. It’s also remarkably affordable to travel here, making it a dream for solo adventurers on a budget.
Australia
23. Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is one of my favorite cities, because of the fun and alternative culture it provides. There’s so much interesting stuff going on! I also love that I feel safe there. Plus I tend to find Australians outgoing, which I realize is a generalization, but during my time there, I found it easy to talk to people and make friends.
Also, if you’re looking for a place to escape the cold winter, Australia is one of the best destinations to visit in January!
Africa
24. Swakopmund, Namibia
Swakopmund is an adventure junkie’s dream. In contrast to some of the other spots mentioned on this list, this is a desert paradise all about about making use of the sand dunes. You can sandboard, ATV, and even skydive. And while I don’t like the myth that “Africa is dangerous,” it’s worth pointing out that Namibia is one of the safer countries on the continent.
Check out my essential guide for solo female travel in Africa.
25. Zanzibar, Tanzania
Although Zanzibar can be a romantic destination, it’s also got such a unique history and culture, especially in Stone Town, whose vibe I loved (people are out playing soccer in the evenings). The architecture is interesting, and it’s got a great mix of cultures too. Then you’ve got the beach areas, with activities like scuba diving. Although I do meet couples there, I’ve also met former Peace Corps volunteers finishing their service and going on vacation, and the occasional solo traveler as well. It’s a social place with friendly locals.
Before visiting Zanzibar, check out this post on what to wear while there.
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While those are some of the best places to travel alone that I’ve discovered so far, I can’t wait to keep exploring and making more lists like these. Cool spots are popping up all the time, and as we become a more connected world, they only become easier to access and enjoy.
So where would you like to go?
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