12 best solo travel destinations with tips and personal experiences

Discover the best solo travel destinations around the world. Personal experiences, safety tips and inspiration to plan your next solo trip.

Table of contents hide

1 Why are some countries better for solo travelers?

2 The best solo travel destinations

3 A personal note

4 Read more about solo travel

Why are some countries better for solo travelers?

Not every country is equally suitable for a solo trip. When I took my first solo journey to Costa Rica, I loved how safe and convenient it felt, with good hostels and easy transportation. That experience gave me the confidence to later explore bigger countries like Australia and Peru on my own.

Machu Picchu_ the iconic end of the Inca Trail _ Travelogue Peru #10

For me, the best solo travel destinations are places where you feel safe, where public transportation is reliable, and where it’s easy to meet other travelers. Activities and tours also make a big difference, because they naturally create opportunities to connect with people. Of course your budget and personal interests play a role too, but the most important thing is choosing a destination where you feel comfortable.

The best solo travel destinations

Which destinations are especially fun and easy to visit on your own? These are, in my experience, some of the best solo travel destinations.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is, in my opinion, one of the very best countries for solo travel. It was my first solo destination, and I couldn’t have wished for a better one. The nature is stunning and diverse, and the people are incredibly friendly.

If you love beautiful beaches, a jungle full of fascinating wildlife, and adventurous activities like ziplining or rafting, Costa Rica is the place to be. There are plenty of affordable and fun hostels, and it’s very easy and cheap to get around by bus.

Australia

Australia is perhaps the most well-known destination for solo travelers, so it cannot be missed on this list of best destinations for solo travelers. The country had been at the top of my bucket list for a long time and it truly became a dream trip! I saw so much wildlife, visited fun cities and met super nice people.

Australia is really all set up for solo travelers, brimming with hostels, you can do tours everywhere and transportation by bus is easily arranged. Almost all the other travelers you meet are also traveling alone, so you quickly connect. It is one of the most expensive destinations to visit alone, though. In the hostels you meet people of all ages, and there is always someone with whom you click.

Australia itself is of course huge, so whether you take a trip of a few weeks or a few months, there is always plenty to do.

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Spain

Spain is one of my favorite countries for solo travel. I’ve been there several times on my own and always felt safe and welcome. The country is incredibly diverse: from vibrant cities like Barcelona and Seville to the peaceful Camino de Santiago, where as a solo traveler you’re never really alone.

Getting around Spain is very easy thanks to the excellent train network and numerous buses. There are also plenty of hostels and affordable hotels, which makes meeting other travelers simple. And of course, the delicious food and sunny climate are part of what makes Spain such a joy to explore.

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The Philippines

Many young solo travelers choose Southeast Asia for their first trip because it’s affordable and very easy to travel around. I often heard that Thailand and Cambodia are especially popular with younger backpackers who like to party. I personally wanted a more relaxed trip, so I decided to go to the Philippines.

That turned out to be an excellent choice. Traveling in the Philippines is also very easy, whether by plane, boat, or bus, and there are plenty of tours that make it simple to meet people. At the hostel where I stayed in El Nido (Spin Designer Hostel, highly recommended), I met travelers of all ages. If you love palm-fringed beaches, island hopping, and lush rainforests, I can highly recommend the Philippines as a solo travel destination.

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Portugal

Portugal is one of the most relaxing countries to travel through solo. I visit every year and always feel right at home. The people are friendly, the country feels safe, and the compact distances make it easy to combine several places, such as Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve.

The Algarve is especially perfect if you want to combine nature and coast, with hikes like the Fishermen’s Trail. You’ll also find plenty of hostels and guesthouses where it’s easy to connect with other travelers.

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Mexico

Although I only spent a week in Mexico, I found it to be a great country for solo travel, especially in the Yucatán region. Buses go just about everywhere, there are plenty of hostels, and many hotels offer very affordable single rooms.

In most places you can easily join a tour, which makes meeting new people simple. Mexico truly has something for everyone: beautiful nature, stunning beaches, vibrant street art, and impressive ancient temples. It’s impossible to get bored here. I especially loved Isla Holbox, where I relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings.

Switzerland

Switzerland is a paradise for solo travelers who love nature and hiking. I always felt very safe there, and with the excellent public transportation system it’s easy to travel from one mountain valley to the next.

The country is of course known to be expensive, but there are ways to keep it affordable, such as buying train passes or staying at campsites and simple hostels. I often stay in hostels where I can cook my own meals, which makes a huge difference in cost. In the end, the experience and the views you get in return are worth every euro: towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and picturesque villages.

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Peru

Peru is perhaps my favorite on this list of the best solo travel destinations. It’s a stunning country with a culture all its own: colorful traditional clothing, alpacas everywhere, an impressive history, and endless opportunities for hiking in the Andes.

Traveling around Peru on your own is surprisingly easy. There are countless hostels for every budget and age group, plenty of tours to join, and transportation is cheap and straightforward, buying a bus ticket is never a problem. With delicious food and so much to see and do, Peru is a perfect destination if you’re traveling solo for the first time.

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Japan

Japan is high on my list of destinations I still want to visit. My brother has been there and told me how special the country is: modern and traditional at the same time, with bustling cities and serene temples. During my Camino I walked a lot with a Japanese pilgrim, and the stories he shared made me even more curious about this country.

From everything I’ve heard, Japan is safe, well organized, and therefore very suitable for solo travel. Public transportation is excellent, hostels and guesthouses are high quality, and the culture is welcoming, although the language can sometimes be a challenge. Altogether, Japan sounds like a place where you can have a truly unique experience as a solo traveler.

Slovakia

Slovakia is one of my most surprising solo travel destinations. I recently went there on my own and discovered beautiful natural areas, such as the High Tatras, which are perfect for hiking. The country is affordable, safe, and far less touristy than neighboring Austria or the Czech Republic.

In cities like Bratislava you can easily spend a few days exploring, while in the mountains you’ll find peace and quiet. Public transportation is reliable and cheap, which makes getting around very easy.

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Bali (Indonesia)

Bali is a popular destination for solo travelers, and it’s easy to see why. The island has a unique mix of culture, nature, and relaxation. You’ll find beautiful rice terraces, impressive temples, and plenty of beaches to unwind on.

I only visited Bali briefly, but I immediately noticed how easy it is to meet other travelers. In hostels, at surf schools, or during a yoga retreat, you quickly make connections. With a scooter you have the freedom to explore the island at your own pace. I definitely hope to return one day!

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is a fantastic choice for solo travelers. It’s one of the safest and easiest countries to explore on your own, with excellent public transportation and English spoken almost everywhere. That makes it stress-free to get around, whether you’re visiting big cities or smaller towns.

Despite its small size, the Netherlands offers a lot of variety. You can wander through lively cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht, explore beautiful national parks, or take a trip to the Wadden Islands in the north. With historic towns, iconic windmills, and a friendly atmosphere, the Netherlands is a destination that has something for every solo traveler.

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A personal note

It took me a while before I dared to travel solo for the first time. I took my first trip alone to Costa Rica when I was 29. I quickly got the hang of it there, and since then I actually prefer to travel on my own.

At the destinations I mentioned above, I never felt unsafe as a woman. I also always met plenty of people my own age, which was reassuring and fun. Solo travel is definitely not just for people in their twenties, it can be just as rewarding at any age.

12 best solo travel destinations with tips and personal experiences

Why are some countries better for solo travelers?