- Part 1
- 5 of 10 destinations
- Best for
- Your first (or next) solo trip
- In every guide
- Why go, don’t miss, Val’s tip
- Written by
- Val, from experience
Choosing where to go on your first solo trip can feel almost as overwhelming as deciding to actually book it.
You want somewhere exciting, but not so complicated that you spend the whole trip stressed. You want to feel comfortable exploring alone, but you also want enough things happening around you that you never feel completely isolated. And ideally, you want a destination where meeting people feels natural too.
I remember how many questions I had before I started travelling solo.
- Is it safe?
- Will I get bored?
- Will I feel awkward eating alone?
- Will I actually meet anyone?
The funny thing is, once you do it, you realise there is no single perfect solo travel destination. It really depends on what kind of traveller you are.
Maybe your dream trip means beaches and warm weather. Maybe you want mountains, culture, food, nightlife or somewhere that just feels really easy for your first time alone.
So I put together 10 destinations that I think work especially well for solo travellers, all for slightly different reasons. This is Part 1, with the first five. The other five are in Part 2. Some I love because they are incredibly easy to explore. Others because they are naturally social. And some because they are the kind of places where being alone actually feels like part of the experience.
Let’s find yours. ✈️💖
Iceland, for the girl who wants nature and peace
If your dream solo trip involves dramatic landscapes, waterfalls, hot springs and that feeling of being completely surrounded by nature, Iceland is hard to beat.
It is one of those destinations where travelling alone does not feel strange at all. There are so many tours and excursions that you can easily spend your days exploring without needing to rent a car or figure everything out yourself.
Why go? Iceland is calm, organised and incredibly beautiful. It is especially good if you like nature but still want the comfort of having tours and activities available.
Don’t miss: The Golden Circle, waterfalls like Gullfoss and Skógafoss, a geothermal lagoon and, depending on the season, either the Northern Lights or those ridiculously long summer days.
Good to know: Iceland can be expensive, especially when it comes to accommodation, food and transportation. If you are travelling on a budget, this is definitely somewhere I would plan a little more carefully before arriving.
Best time to go: Summer is lovely for road trips, hiking and long days. For the Northern Lights, consider September to April, when the nights are dark enough. Sightings depend on cloud cover and solar activity, so they are never guaranteed.
Japan, for culture, food and discovery
Japan is one of those places that can feel intimidating before you arrive and surprisingly easy once you are there.
Everything feels different, from the food and the language to the trains, the tiny restaurants and the temples, and that is exactly what makes it so exciting.
I also LOVE Japan for solo travel because doing things alone feels completely normal there. Eating alone? Normal. Exploring alone? Normal. Sitting in a tiny ramen restaurant by yourself? Also completely normal.
Why go? The transportation is excellent, although it can take a little time to understand at first. If you have a compatible iPhone, consider setting up Welcome Suica Mobile before you arrive. Otherwise, look into a physical IC card. Check device compatibility with JR East, and remember that some journeys need separate tickets. Google Maps is still useful, but Japanese stations can be huge, so figuring out the right train, platform or station exit can sometimes be the real adventure. 😅
There is SO much to see and the culture is completely fascinating. You can have huge, energetic cities and then find yourself somewhere peaceful and traditional a few hours later.
Don’t miss: Tokyo, Kyoto, an onsen experience, the temples, the food and at least one moment where you simply wander without a plan and see what you find.
And you know me, I love the beach, so you could also consider Okinawa or Yoron Island. Summer brings heat and humidity, and typhoons can disrupt flights and ferries, so leave some flexibility in your plans.
Good to know: English is not spoken everywhere, especially once you move away from the main tourist areas. But translation apps make things so much easier now, and people are usually very helpful and friendly.
Best time to go: Spring and autumn are beautiful and generally comfortable for exploring. Just keep in mind that the most famous seasonal periods can also get very busy. And when I say busy, think BUSY! 😅
Portugal, for an easy European escape
If you want somewhere that feels beautiful, relaxed and relatively easy to navigate, Portugal is a great choice.
You can spend a few days wandering around Lisbon, head to Sintra, continue north to Porto or add some beach time depending on the season. If you want to do that, the Algarve is a great option, and Faro can be a convenient starting point.
It is also one of those destinations where you can build very different trips depending on what you like.
Why go? Beautiful cities, great food, beaches and plenty of things you can enjoy on your own. Trains and buses connect the main cities, but smaller coastal stops may need extra planning. Costs vary by season and location, especially for accommodation.
Don’t miss: Lisbon, Porto, Sintra and, if you have more time, some of the smaller coastal towns or the Algarve.
Good to know: Those gorgeous streets in Lisbon are also very steep. Cute shoes are wonderful until you are halfway up a hill regretting every decision you have ever made. 😂
Comfortable shoes, girl. Trust me!
Best time to go: Late spring and early autumn are probably my favourite periods because you still get beautiful weather without the peak summer crowds.
Thailand, for beaches, food and easy adventure
Thailand is one of those countries where you can have almost every type of trip.
And yeah, it is also my favourite place on earth! 😻 So it is hard for me to be objective here. Lol.
You can start in Bangkok, spend time around temples and markets, head north for nature and culture, and then finish somewhere surrounded by turquoise water and palm trees. And yes, Thailand is also one of those places where meeting other travellers happens very naturally.
Why go? It is affordable compared with many other major travel destinations, there is an incredible amount to do and tourism is very established, which makes moving around relatively easy.
Don’t miss: For city life, Bangkok. For culture and temples, head to northern Thailand. And please give yourself at least a few days by the sea.
- Koh Tao
- Koh Samui
- Koh Lipe
- Koh Lanta
- …and the list goes on and on
Good to know: Thailand is hot and humid for much of the year, and the weather varies depending on which part of the country you are visiting. My recommendation is to check the season for your specific destination rather than looking at Thailand as a whole.
And for booking trains, ferries, buses or transfers, I always use 12Go. It makes moving around Thailand SO much easier. And try the local food. Seriously. Some of your best meals will probably cost less than the coffee you buy at home.
Best time to go: It depends on the region, so always check the specific islands or cities you are planning to visit.
New Zealand, for the girl who wants adventure
New Zealand is basically one huge outdoor playground.
Mountains, lakes, hiking trails, road trips, kayaking, geothermal landscapes, tiny towns and scenery that constantly makes you want to stop the car. If you love nature and being active, this one deserves a very high place on your list.
Why go? It is organised, people are friendly and there are endless outdoor experiences.
Don’t miss: Queenstown, Milford Sound, Rotorua and at least one proper hiking day.
These places are spread across both islands, so think of them as ideas to choose from, not a short checklist to complete. For a shorter trip, I would focus on one island.
And yes, Hobbiton if you grew up loving The Lord of the Rings. Millennial girl here! Lol. 😂
Good to know: The biggest challenge is distance. Things look close on a map and then suddenly you realise you have been driving for five hours.
If you do not want to drive alone, there are plenty of tours and organised options that make things easier.
Best time to go: Their summer, from roughly December through February, is beautiful for outdoor activities. Spring and autumn can also be amazing with fewer crowds.
Mountain weather can change quickly even in summer. Check the forecast and current track conditions before setting out.
And if you already know where you are going, come tell us. Join more than 122,000 women in Travel Girls Club, share your plans and connect with girls who might be planning the exact same trip. See you in Part 2! 💕
She started Travel Girls Club in 2022 and plans and hosts every group trip.
