5 Best Solo Travel Destinations: My Personal Top Picks
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If you are near to solo travel or thinking about solo travel, but have some apprehensions about it, all I can say to you is do it! I can’t even begin to express how travelling solo has changed me. Solo travel empowers you to experience the world in another way, meet new people, and make life-long connections that you would’ve never made if you hadn’t tried it. I have been traveling solo for about 12 years, and my only regret is that I didn’t try it sooner. So, whether you are thinking about solo travel or you are an expert solo traveler, I am excited to share some personal insights and tips on the best solo travel destinations that I have been to. So, let’s jump into it!
Introduction: Best Solo Travel Destinations
Traveling solo, particularly solo female travel, has become one of the fastest growing travel trends in the world, and rightfully so. Traveling the world solo opens your eyes to the world around you, empowers you to take in new experiences, and also you to meet amazing new people from around the world.
The purpose of this blog post is to inspire you if you are thinking about solo travelling, and to continue inspiring those who may be expert solo travelers and just need some travel destination inspo. From destinations that will give you a spiritual vibe to those who will give you amazing cultural experiences, I will share the best solo destinations that I have been to and share some of my unforgettable experiences that I had visiting them.
Ready to add some new destinations to your list?
1. Bali, Indonesia
Bali had always been a dream destination for me, and honestly, it was as magical as I thought it would be. It’s a great place for solitude, can be a great retreat or spiritual destination. Bali honestly has something for everyone regardless of the type of trip you want to experience.
Every morning, I would grab coffee, walk the beach, and find a place to just mediate and enjoy the sound of the ocean, and the serenity that Bali has to offer. The sunsets were equally as amazing, and you couldn’t help but feel a sense off calmness and relaxation just by being here.
I visited several temples in Bali and all of the locals were extremely welcoming. Bali is an extremely cultural and spiritual destination and is one of the best solo travel destinations that you could honestly visit.
Whether you on a wellness retreat, or yoga retreat, or wanting to relax on the beach and see some sites, Bali is a great destination for first solo travelers, or those looking for a cultural experience. Bali if a great mix of cultural, adventure and relaxation, and I highly recommend a visit or even a revisit to Bali!
2. Lisbon, Portugal
If Portugal is on your solo travel list, and it absolutely should be, then you need to make sure you spend time in Portugals’s capital, Lisbon. The streets are colorful, the rooftops have the iconic red tiles, and the laid-back vibe that the city has to offer makes it one of the best solo travel destinations that I have ever visited.
I spent about 4 days in Lisbon, and I was able to walk around very easily and safely. Lisbon is full of charm, amazing sites, and I absolutely cannot forget the amazing Portuguese tart, which I am pretty sure I ate them at least once a day.
Lisbon has amazing architecture, is loaded with charm, and is a safe and easy city to get around. There are lots of places where you can get amazing city views, and it’s just a welcoming and amazing city to add to your solo destination list.
3. Queenstown, New Zealand
If you are adventurous and enjoy the outdoors and a good thrill, then Queenstown, New Zealand is the place for you! Queenstown may very well be the adventure capital of the world where you go do anything from sky dive, bungee jump, canyoneering, or jumping off cliffs in a swing, which is what I did.
Queenstown is a great backpacker’s destination, is a great destination for solo travelers. On this trip, I rented a bike and rode around the lake, I went on a canyoneering expedition, which I had never done before. If you like adventure, then I highly recommend adding this excursion to the list. You can repel off the canyon walls, slide down waterfalls, and zipline across the canyon.
Another adventurous thrill-seeking excursion I did was the canyon swing, where I was secured to a plastic chair, which the called the chair of death, and I was pushed off a cliff into a gorge, where I swung back and forth and took in all of the amazing views. Full discloser, I was doing more screaming than viewing for most of it.
If you are into endless outdoor activities, like thrilling excursions, and countless adventures, then Queenstown is the place for you. I promise, you will not be bored!
4. Reykjavik, Iceland
Ah Iceland, such a beautiful place to visit year-round. The landscapes are spectacular, they city is charming and walkable, and the people are amazing. Iceland’s capital is a solo travelers dream, because it’s extremely safe, very accessible, and you have tons of options on things to do.
For my trip, I did a lot of walking throughout the city, I visited the Blue Lagoon, saw the black sand beaches and glaciers, and did some day trips. I visited in November, of course, you would think the Northern Stars would be on the list as well, right? Wrong! Well, it was on my list, but the entire 7 days I was there, I didn’t see them once! Remember, if you visit in the winer, hoping to see the Northern Lights, you should do an excursion that takes you out of the city lights for optimal viewing. However, Mother Nature also needs to cooperate, and unfortunately for me, so didn’t cooperate the entire week.
Regardless of what season you choose to visit Reykjavik, you will have an amazing experience and there is lots to see and do. The summer is filled with outdoor activities and events, and the winter is truly a magical winter wonderland.
5. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona, and Spain in general, was even more amazing than I could ever imagine. From the architecture to the different neighborhoods, to the amazing, food. Everything about Barcelona was incredible.
I explored this city on foot, on bike, and on a bus. One of my favorite areas to explore was the Gothic quarter. It’s conveniently located to many attractions, including La Sagrada Familia, and tons of restaurants. It’s very safe and walking around as a solo female traveler felt completely natural. I had amazing tapas, Paella (which I loved), and oyster shooters (which I hated).
Barcelona is a great city regardless of what you want to do. You can relax on the amazing black sand beaches, visit the museums and take in all of the amazing architecture, or enjoy the vibrant nightlife that Barcelona has to offer.
This city offers the best blend of everything and is truly an amazing solo travel destination for everyone.
My Best Tips for Solo Travelers
Flexable Schedule: If you are type A like me, then you probably have every second of your trip accounted for. But, after all of my solo travels, I am here to tell you to leave space of the unexpected. You learn so much on these trips and you want to have some flexibility to add something in that you may now have known about. So, don’t plan everything. Leave some free time to say “yes” to last minute adventures that may come up.
Stay Connected: Don’t be afraid to try some social meet-up up’s or Facebook groups on solo travel. It’s a great way to meet other solo travelers and meet them for dinner or at an excursion. Of course, be safe, and of course only meet people in very public places.
Stay Safe: Always make a copy of your passport and other important documents and put them in a few places. I also have a picture of my passport on my phone, just in case. Also, take a hotel business card so if you need to take a cab or Uber, you know exactly where you are staying. I also highly recommend sharing your location with family and friends while you are gone, so they know where you are and that you are safe.
Conclusion: Best Solo Travel Destinations
I know solo travel can feel intimating or you may be scared to think about planning that first trip. Trust me, we have all been there, and I was extremely nervous on my first solo trip. But honestly, after you get one trip under your belt, you will be hooked. I promise. There is a reason why solo travel is trending, and it’s most popular for female travelers. You will see the world, have incredible experiences, and it will open your eyes to a whole new world.
So, I am here to say, it’s ok to be scared. It’s ok to be nervous. But do it. Try it once, and I promise you will not regret it. You will be hooked! There hardest part is picking a destination, so I am hoping this solo travel destination guide will help you make a destination selection.
If you have visited one of these places, and have experiences to share, I would love to hear them!