When I first started solo traveling back in 2012, I was chasing extremes—motorbiking across Southeast Asia, trekking through Patagonia, free diving in the Gilis. But after over 65 countries solo, what moves me now are the quiet moments.
A steaming cup of tea in the Alps. The stillness of a mountain lake at sunrise. A place where I can hear myself think.
This type of travel is having a moment—called “quiet life travel.” It’s slower, softer, and deeply intentional. And if you ask me, it’s the kind of travel that changes you.
Here are 15 destinations I’ve visited that embody this quiet life feeling—most of which I’ve written about on Be My Travel Muse, and all rooted in real, soul-filling solo experiences:
1. Stryn & Loen, Norway
While most tourists rush to Geiranger, I headed to Stryn and Loen for quiet glacier lakes and panoramic mountaintop views—with barely another traveler in sight. The Loen Skylift took me to views I still dream about, and I had a cozy mountain-top lunch surrounded by fall colors and nothing but silence.
2. Kawaguchiko, Japan
Swap the city hustle for Mt. Fuji views and misty mornings at a lakeside ryokan. I loved waking up to the iconic volcano just outside my window, soaking in an onsen at sunset, and walking quiet forest trails with only the rustling leaves for company. Read my full Kawaguchiko itinerary here.
3. Pai, Thailand
A sleepy town nestled in the northern Thai mountains where life moves at the pace of a river float. I’ve spent entire days here doing nothing more than swinging in a hammock and watching the sky change colors over the canyon.
→ Best places to visit in Thailand
4. Azores, Portugal
São Miguel is pure magic—rolling green hills, steaming hot springs, and hydrangea-lined roads. I spent days road tripping through misty volcanic craters with no cell service and only cows for company. It was the kind of solitude that heals you.
5. Lombok, Indonesia
Quieter and wilder than Bali, Lombok is where I unplugged completely. I stayed in a bamboo hut on the beach, read by candlelight, and listened to the waves lull me to sleep. It’s raw, real, and free(er) of the crowds.
→ Why I loved Lombok more than Bali
6. The Dolomites, Italy
Jagged peaks, alpine lakes, and trails where you can hike for hours in near silence. I spent a week road-tripping here and found that the more remote the trailhead, the deeper the peace. Nothing hits quite like a post-hike speck sandwich with mountain views.
→ Dolomites road trip itinerary
7. Luang Prabang, Laos
Early mornings here begin with monks silently collecting alms, and the spiritual vibe lingers all day. I spent long afternoons in quiet cafés journaling and watching boats glide down the Mekong. This place just slows you down in the best way.
→ Things to do in Luang Prabang
8. Grand Staircase Escalante, Utah
This wild desert feels untouched, even in high season, provided you’ve got the vehicle to go down the washboard roads and are willing to camp off the grid under the stars. To me, there’s no better kind of solo trip – say goodbye to cell signal and embrace the utter quiet of the desert and be truly alone.
-> 75 awesome things to do in Utah
9. Tuscany, Italy (but rural)
Avoid the crowds by staying in a rustic agriturismo outside towns like Pienza or Montefioralle. I learned to make pasta from a local nona, wandered vineyards at golden hour, and spent evenings sipping wine with no plans and nowhere to be.
10. Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Southwest Germany is full of quiet charm—vineyards, castles, forest walks, the best Christmas markets, and spa towns. I based myself in Stuttgart and did day trips to medieval towns and fairytale villages that felt worlds away from the rush. There’s something so restorative about a place that doesn’t try too hard.
→ 10 Easy Day Trips from Stuttgart
11. Isle of Skye, Scotland
Dramatic cliffs, endless walking paths, and a landscape that makes you want to whisper. I spent my days hiking in silence and my evenings sipping whisky by the fire. The quiet here doesn’t ask anything of you—it just lets you be.
→ Scotland itinerary for solo travel
12. Chiang Rai, Thailand
This northern Thai town is often skipped—but the temples here are works of art, and the vibe is mellow. I stayed in a quiet guesthouse where the owner made me herbal tea and we watched the rain from her porch. I didn’t want to leave.
13. Hokkaido, Japan (Winter)
A snow-blanketed dreamscape where hot springs meet ski slopes and the quiet is almost sacred. Stay in a small ryokan where the only agenda is slow walks through the snow and long soaks in outdoor onsens. It’s peaceful with a capital P.
14. Isle of Eigg, Scotland
Remote and unhurried, this little Hebridean island doesn’t even have cars. I spent my time walking through sheep-filled meadows, watching waves crash on black sand beaches, and realizing I hadn’t checked my phone in days. Bliss.
→ Best remote islands in Europe
15. Pontresina, Switzerland
Tucked next to flashy St. Moritz, Pontresina is the quieter, more soulful sibling. I hiked under golden larches, stayed in a 19th-century hotel with original murals, and soaked in the spa as the snow started to fall. It’s elegant and low-key.
→ Grand Hotel Kronenhof review
Quiet Doesn’t Mean Boring
If you’re craving a trip that soothes instead of stimulates, that lets you feel present instead of pulled in all directions, the quiet life trend might be calling you too.
Solo travel doesn’t always have to be about bucket lists or proving something. Sometimes, it’s just about breathing deeper, going slower, and finally hearing yourself again.
Here’s to the quiet.
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