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10 of the Best Solo Travel Destinations for Women

From beaches to mountains to city escapes and more.

10 of the Best Solo Travel Destinations for Women
Hi, I'm Georgie!

Bali-based Georgie Darling is a freelance travel writer from London, UK, with bylines across The Guardian, Fodor's Travel, ELLE, VICE UK, and more. When she's not exploring new places, she's scuba diving, strength training, and helping hotels with their copywriting and social media presence.

Few things are quite so freeing as solo travel. Eating, exploring, and moving on to the next location according to nothing but your own schedule is the best way to ensure your vacation is spent exactly how you want, sans compromises.

And that's something more and more women are realizing, given that search traffic for the term “female solo travel” has increased by 62 percent over the last three years. But, if you've never traveled solo before, it can be a little intimidating to hop on a plane to a new country for the first time. Especially if you're a woman. With that in mind, here are some of the top travel destinations for solo female travelers you might want to consider.

1. Sweden

A woman looks out at pretty buildings in Sweden.
Take in the beautiful cityscape views of Stockholm, Sweden.Photo Credit: everst / Shutterstock

Progressive and picturesque.

Sweden often ranks highly as one of the safest destinations for women traveling solo thanks to its progressive culture and welcoming cities. This beautiful, serene archipelago is easy to explore via bus, boat, or train with plenty to see along the way. Chic Stockholm is a haven for delicious cuisine, intriguing art galleries, and unusual museums; meanwhile, take a boat farther into the country to hike mesmerizing mountains, swim in glass-like lakes, and camp in the wild.

2. Canada

People walk on a street lined with historic buildings in Quebec City.
Historic buildings and cobbled streets in Quebec City.Photo Credit: Rich Martello / Unsplash

Vast and varied.

Canada is home to some of the world's top rated safe cities for women including Toronto and Vancouver. Along with exploring Alberta's stunning Banff National Park and Toronto's ever-popular Niagara Falls, you can spend days—or even weeks—hiking through dramatic, mountain-backed landscapes, spotting whales on a boat tour, admiring Québec's old town, and ziplining your way through Whistler's wilderness. From thriving cities to picturesque nature, Canada has a little of everything.

3. Singapore

A woman walks a quiet street alone in Singapore.
Discover Singapore's fast-paced appeal.Photo Credit: surflover / Shutterstock

Small and safe.

Singapore's strict laws (you can even be fined for dropping chewing gum) ensure this island state is impressively safe for female travelers. This modern, greenery-filled city is a haven for nature despite its small size. Discover Singapore's fast-paced center via bike or take a cable car up to the top of Faber Peak to admire the cityscape’s twinkling lights. Then, head to the horticultural wonders of the Gardens by the Bay or dig into Singapore’s fusion of local cuisines including laksa, Hainanese rice, and chili crab at vibrant street food markets.

4. Germany

A solo woman traveler checks out a German city.
Explore the colorful streets of Germany.Photo Credit: Tomsickova Tatyana / Shutterstock

Culturally rich and delightfully efficient.

Germany's perpetual efficiency extends far past its impressive public transport system, so exploring this country as a solo female traveler is a breeze. Check out Berlin's colorful history and even more colorful street art; take a scenic coach ride through Munich’s gorgeous, riverside forests and its ancient castles; hop on a boat and cruise along the Rhine river; and venture deep into the Black Forest to see its misty mountains and views stretching for miles.

5. Italy

Girl friends share pizza on an Italian street.
Enjoy some delicious tastings in Italy.Photo Credit: Xavier Lorenzo / Shutterstock

Delicious food and even more delectable views.

Pasta, Aperol, pizza and pastries: need we say more? A dream of a destination with its unbeatable food scene, postcard-perfect views, and easy-to-navigate train network, Italy is a top choice for female travelers throughout the year. Take in Rome's ancient ruins, gaze in awe at the Vatican museums, sip wine on a vineyard in pastel-hued Tuscany, and snap photos of the colors of the Italian Riviera in the Cinque Terre.

6. Denmark

Boats line the Nyhavn harbor in Copenhagen.
Copenhagen's Nyhavn harbor during the holidays.Photo Credit: Nick Karvounis / Unsplash

Quiet and colorful.

Denmark is frequently crowned the happiest country in the world and its safety is a big part of that. Head to the cities of Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Aalborg to explore on foot or via bike, before venturing farther into the Danish countryside for a more peaceful, traditional setting. Denmark is all about bright architecture, great food, and pristine forests, which means at least some of your time here should be spent snapping photos of Nyhavn harbor, digging into a smorgasbord of local goods, and exploring the dense woodlands of the north.

7. Australia

The Palais Theatre at sunset in Melbourne.
The Palais Theatre in Melbourne's St. Kilda dates back to the 1920s.Photo Credit: Reki woo / Unsplash

Laid-back and welcoming.

Virtually everyone who visits Australia falls in love with this diverse country's perpetual sunshine, incredible beaches, and lighthearted way of life. This seriously friendly destination has plenty to offer solo female travelers, from surf trips, island tours, mountain treks, scuba diving adventures, and even snowboarding escapes. Australia is also one of the most popular destinations for solo travelers of all ages and is one of the easiest places to make friends throughout your travels.

8. Japan

A woman in Japan takes photos of the fall foliage.
Capture the beautiful and well-kept nature of Japan.Photo Credit: kitzcorner / Shutterstock

Lively and traditional.

Japan has everything a solo female traveler could want, from its respectful culture to its efficient infrastructure. And that's before you've even considered the vast number of places to go and things to see here. A top spot for foodies, culture fiends, historians, photographers, and explorers, you'll fall in love with Tokyo's art museums, Kyoto's cherry blossom trees, Osaka's incredible food scene, and Hiroshima's stunning castle.

9. New Zealand

A kayak on Lake Wanaka.
Lake Wanaka as seen from a kayak.Photo Credit: André Lergier / Unsplash

Accessible and entertaining.

Wellington is considered one of the safest cities in the world and New Zealand as a whole shares that same sentiment. Friendly and accessible, New Zealand is a top spot for nature lovers with stunning hiking trails crisscrossing both the North and South Islands. As well as being one of the best countries for active explorers, New Zealand’s also home to expansive wineries, picturesque wildlife reserves, and endless water-based adventures.

10. Uruguay

A sunny beach in Uruguay.
Lay on the long beaches of Uruguay.Photo Credit: Don Mammoser / Shutterstock

Beachy and beautiful.

Uruguay has the lowest crime rate of any country in South America and also ranks highly in terms of safety on the Global Peace Index. Rich heritage, beautiful long beaches, intriguing museums, and a growing art culture ensure you'll never run out of things to do while you're here. Spend your days here relaxing on the beaches of Punta del Este or Piriapolis or sip your way through the country's huge wine region, backed by rolling hills.

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