11 Destinations Ideas for Solo Female Travelers
One of the first times I ever traveled by myself as a woman, I was in college studying abroad. I was dead-set on going to Morocco but couldn’t convince any friends to toss out their European travel plans and join me instead. I was about to give up and join a girlfriend in Barcelona when another friend advised “don’t not go somewhere just because you can’t find anyone to join you. Do what you have your heart set on. Stay in hostels. Couchsurf. Join a tour. You can always meet others along the way.”
He was right. Even though I was traveling solo, I wasn’t always alone and made friends along the way. The experience inspired me to keep traveling on my own, even as I grew older, got married, and friends became more willing to join me on my more far-flung adventures. My experience has also taught me that just about any destination can be great as a solo female traveler—so long as you approach it right. Spend a little extra time figuring out which area to stay in. Book a tour, opt for a hotel over an Airbnb, and make smart decisions along the way. If it’s a place you’d feel comfortable exploring with a friend, chances are, it’ll be fun on your own too.
That said, if you’re just looking for a little inspiration, here are 11 of my favorite places I’ve explored as a solo female traveler, along with tips for planning your own trip there.
1. Todos Santos, Mexico
Best for: solo surf retreats + beach getaways
I first visited Todos Santos, a small town on the southern part of Baja California, on a solo trip several years ago. I’ve been back a couple of times since (including this past winter) and despite some development, I love that it has remained a relaxed and relatively off-the-beaten-path part of Mexico.
Most travelers come here to surf in nearby Cerritos Beach and Pescadero (two areas a short drive south of Todos Santos town) or simply relax by the beach. I don’t surf, personally, so other highlights included mountain biking, watching volunteers release baby turtles into the sea at sunset, and hiking Punta Lobos for some unparalleled views of the ocean and desert. I also loved grabbing happy hour at the secret beach bar, The Green Room, and tacos at Barracuda Cantina.
If you’re on your own, I’d recommend staying at Perro Surfero, a hotel and digital nomad hub in town, or Tribu Pescadero / Tribu Todos Santos, a boutique hotel (with two locations) that sometimes hosts yoga retreats. Both are small and fairly social, and cater to a slightly older (re: not backpackers) crowd. However, if you’re looking for a splurge on a fun hotel with a lively pool scene, go for San Cristobal. Even if you don’t stay here, swing by for a drink after hiking nearby Punta Lobos.
Tip: Get all of my recommendations—plus notes—with my Todos Santos Google Map List you can quickly save to your app.
2. Japan
Best for: a mix of urban and outdoor adventures in a very safe country
Japan has a reputation as being one of the safest countries in the world—a common concern among solo travelers—while also being rich in cultural and outdoors activities. Although I’ve only explored Tokyo on my own, the hospitality and ease of travel I’ve experienced throughout the country has showed me that just about anywhere in Japan is a great option for women on their own. Outside of Tokyo, some of my favorite trips in Japan include hiking the Kumano Kodo (I went with my husband but would definitely feel comfortable going alone as an experienced hiker), biking and looking at art in Naoshima, Japan’s “art island”, and hanging out in Okinawa. Whether you’re sticking to an urban-centric journey around the “Golden Triangle” (Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo, and Fuji) or branching out somewhere more far flung, Japan is a welcoming place for intrepid individuals.
3. Penang, Malaysia
Best for: A budget-friendly, foodie destination
The region of Penang, and more specifically Georgetown, is known for being the food destination in Malaysia. It’s also super affordable, which meant I could book a really nice hotel, without feeling jipped by the solo travel tax (that is: paying the same hotel room rate for one person as you would for two). For this trip, I stayed at Cheong Fatt Tze (aka The Blue Mansion). It’s not social in the way a hostel would be, but there’s a very inviting bar, on-site restaurant, and a beautiful courtyard where they serve breakfast (included). It was such a cool experience to not just tour the mansion (it’s open to the public) but stay a few nights. Plus, it’s guarded 24/7.
I also joined a food tour with Heritage On a Plate, which served the dual purpose of introducing me to the city’s diverse culinary traditions and some very lovely dinner companions.
4. Singapore
Best for: an urban getaway in a safe, multi-cultural country
Like Japan, Singapore stands out as a really safe country for travelers. However, since English is an official language in Singapore, I found it a lot easier to be social—whether I was making small talk with a bartender or making new friends at the hotel—while traveling here.
I stayed in KeSa House during my solo trip to Singapore and would highly recommend it. They cater well to solo travelers with a good selection of single occupancy rooms (definitely splurge for one with a balcony) and are in a great location for bars, food, and as a jumping off point for seeing other neighborhoods in the city-state. But one of my best highlights while hanging out in Singapore on my own? Treating myself to a solo lunch at Michelin-star restaurant Candlenut, which specializes in Peranakan food, a type of cuisine that blends Chinese, Malay, Javanese, South Indian, and other influences and is unique to Singapore and its neighboring countries.
💡Solo travel tip: Fancy solo lunches are way less awkward than fancy solo dinners.
5. Paris, France
Best for: living la vie Parisienne
Sure, it might be one of the most romantic cities in the world—but I had a blast hanging out in Paris alone for two weeks this past fall. Like with most major urban centers, it’s multi-dimensional and has enough variety to meet just about anyone’s needs. It’s also a city that invites aimless strolls, pensive lunches with a book in hand, and evenings spent watching live music in cozy bars. Plus, dining out alone seemed to be pretty common—I never felt awkward—and I loved that being on my own meant that I wasn’t immediately perceived as a tourist.
Then again, part of the reason I enjoyed Paris so much won’t apply to everyone: it’s just way easier to practice French when you don’t have a travel partner giving away your anglophone roots right off the bat. Which is to say, if you’re trying to improve a foreign language, travel somewhere you can practice it… and don’t bring a friend.
6. Alsace, France
Best for: cycling and wine tasting
If you prefer to explore a smaller, quainter side of France, head to the Alsace region, which shares a border, as well as many cultural and culinary traditions, with Germany. It’s also home to several incredibly cute small towns (officially called “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” or, “the most beautiful villages in France”), the most famous of which is probably Colmar. It’s known for its colorful Renaissance buildings but also happens to be a great jumping off point for cycling around the surrounding countryside. I found it very easy to rent an electric bike from self-service rental company, Le Vélo Libre, (tip: they have a map of all their recommended bike routes on the wall, along with QR codes) and spend a day cycling through nearby medieval towns, and tasting my way through the region’s wines.
Although I spent my solo weekend staying at Hotel Les Haras in Strasbourg (the region’s capital), if I were to plan the trip again, I would choose to stay in Colmar instead. La Maison des Têtes comes highly recommended.
7. Malta
Best for: a history-filled Mediterranean getaway
Since I studied abroad for a year in Malta, I’ve spent plenty of time exploring the tiny island nation on my own. I found it really easy to get around (even without a car) and since English is an official language, make friends. Though located in the Mediterranean, don’t expect a sandy, beach-filled getaway. Instead, expect to spend your time exploring the many, many historic sites of Malta as well as its dramatic cliffs and landscapes on its sister island, Gozo.
If you only have a short amount of time, post up in Valletta, the capital city. In addition to being a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site and a site worth visiting in its own right, it’s also very central. Staying here will allow you to easily reach all of the country’s main attractions during the day, and walk to some of the country’s best restaurants and bars in the evening.
Tip: Check out my more in-depth guides on the best time to go to Malta, where to stay, what to do, and download the Malta Google Map List for instant access to all of my recommendations on your Google Map app.
8. Sonoma, California
Best for: a quick wine-filled getaway
When I'm looking for a quick solo retreat near my home in San Francisco, Sonoma County is my go-to. I'm especially partial to Guerneville, since there are a couple of hotels with great spa programs (Boon hotel + spa, Dawn Ranch, and The Stavrand), a lovely, safe hiking area (Armstrong Woods), and plenty of wine tasting opportunities—which is always a good solo activity choice if you're in the mood for a bit of chatting. Healdsburg is another excellent small town in this area to stay in, though hotels here are typically more expensive and I find it hard to stomach a $500/night room when I’m by myself.
Related: Beautiful Boutique Hotels in California Worth Booking a Trip Around
9. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Best for: an activity-filled getaway in a charming small town
One of the things I look for when choosing a solo travel destination is having enough activities to do, that are just as fun without friends. Santa Fe definitely delivered in that regard. Highlights included hiking the popular (re: not alone) Tent Rocks trail at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (above), enjoying a spa day and Japanese lunch at Ten Thousand Waves, and immersing in art at Meow Wolf (the OG). On top of that, I found people here to be friendly and helpful (shout out to the man who, totally unprompted, helped me navigate the tightest parking job of my life). On this trip, I stayed at El Rey Court which was cheap and cheerful. But if I were to do it again, I would absolutely splurge on a stay at Ten Thousand Waves—the property is so tranquil and peaceful.
10. New Orleans, Louisiana
Best for: a party scene where making friends comes easy
Barely 30 minutes after landing in New Orleans, my Uber driver was giving me the whole dang low-down on New Orleans hospitality. “If you see someone, don’t matter if you know them. Say hi!” For this reason—New Orleans’ welcome-all, don’t be shy, join the party kind of attitude—it was downright hard to have a bad time, even alone. Safety was a bit of a concern but, like most places, I dealt with this by staying fairly sober, splurging on rideshares at night, and really paying attention to my hotel location. I stayed at Columns Hotel though um, it was only after the fact that I learned it’s haunted (and I probably wouldn’t have the guts to stay here alone now that I know!). The Chloe is another great, though splurgy option, as is The Pontchartrain Hotel.
If you can, I’d highly recommend trying to get a reservation at Mosquito Supper Club. This social, communal-table dinner is both delicious and an excellent situation for solo travelers who are looking for a bit of conviviality.
Related: 5 Non-Touristy Things to Do in New Orleans
11. Costa Rica
Best for: exploring a biodiverse corner of the world
If you're looking for beautiful nature and outdoor adventure, Costa Rica is an easy and relatively safe Central American destination for solo travelers. It's also a fairly approachable destination if you haven't traveled internationally much on your own, while also offering the chance to explore some truly unique ecosystems. I lived here for 6 months after college and traveled a bunch on my own, but most recently came back last year to explore the remote Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park. Like Japan, most of Costa Rica's main attractions are just as fun on your own as they are as part of a group—especially considering that some (like an overnight trek in Corcovado) require you to join a tour anyways. It’s also a popular place to learn to surf, particularly on the Pacific side.
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