Top 7 Best Places to Solo Travel
Why Should You Solo Travel?
Imagine standing in a brand new city with no one pulling you in another direction. No one is saying, “Don’t you think we should go here instead?”
That’s one of the greatest gifts of solo travel.
You get to follow your own curiosity. You eat when you’re hungry. You rest when you’re tired. You wander down the random street that looks interesting without having to justify it to anyone. There’s no judgment, no compromise, no tension — just you and the experience ahead of you.
One of my personal favorite parts of traveling alone? I can be as moody, annoyed, or exhausted as I need to be. Travel can get overwhelming with long walking days, heat, and overstimulation. When I feel burnt out, I don’t have to worry about ruining someone else’s trip. I can recharge without guilt.
And that freedom? It’s powerful.
How To Solo Travel?
Learning how to travel solo can feel terrifying at first.
You might worry about:
How will you afford everything
Whether you’ll be safe
What happens if you miss transportation
How you’ll handle emergencies
What to do if your card declines
How you’ll communicate if something goes wrong
Before my first solo adventure, I felt physically tense (and honestly, terrified). I imagined every worst-case scenario possible. I pictured myself stranded, lost, or stuck.
But once I arrived, I realized how much I had overthought everything. Solo travel was no different than group travel. I did all the same things — but this time, alone.
Preparation changes everything. I researched transportation. I downloaded maps. I saved emergency contacts. I carried backup payment methods. And once I saw how smoothly things actually worked, I relaxed.
That doesn’t mean I ignored safety. I stayed aware of my surroundings and trusted my instincts. But I also allowed myself to enjoy the experience instead of living in fear.
Once you take that first leap, you realize how capable you truly are.
Where Should You Solo Travel?
You’ll see people online recommend places like Thailand, Iceland, and Japan as the “best” solo destinations — and I’m sure they’re incredible (which is why they are also on my solo-travel bucket list).
But I only want to recommend places I’ve personally explored, and I find these to be some of the safest countries for solo female travelers.
Here are my top 7 best places to solo travel, based on cities I’ve actually experienced on my own.
Best Solo Travel Destinations in Europe & North America:
#1 Zürich
In 2019, Zürich became my first international trip. My aunt invited my brother and me to join her on a European adventure, and we explored new cities while visiting family in Germany.
To this day, Zürich remains one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited.
The city feels incredibly safe. The streets sparkle. Everything runs efficiently. And one of my favorite details? The endless public water fountains. We carried refillable bottles and filled them up all day — for free.
Public transportation impressed me the most. The trams, buses, and trains run on time, stay clean, and make navigating the city simple. One night, we fell asleep on a tram and missed our stop. Instead of panicking, we laughed, backtracked, and turned it into part of the adventure.
Yes — Switzerland has a reputation for being expensive. But when you travel solo, you control your spending. You choose where to eat. You decide which attractions matter most. You can skip expensive restaurants and enjoy a lakeside picnic instead.
And honestly? Some of my favorite memories there came from free activities — hiking, sitting by Lake Zürich, and people-watching in the old town.
Solo travel here feels peaceful, structured, and empowering.
#2 Amsterdam
I visited Amsterdam during that same Europe trip, and it immediately stood out as a solo-friendly city.
The public transportation works beautifully. English appears almost everywhere, which makes navigating easy and stress-free. The locals speak it fluently, so communication never felt intimidating.
Yes, Amsterdam can get pricey. But again, traveling solo gives you control over your budget.
The museums alone make this city worth visiting. Just make sure you book in advance. Popular spots like the Van Gogh Museum sell out quickly — sometimes weeks ahead.
One of the most fun parts of the city? The bikes. Coming from a car-centric area, watching thousands of people move around on bicycles felt surreal. The entire city flows differently.
And the people? Incredibly kind. I had wonderful conversations with hotel staff, restaurant workers, and other travelers. Solo travel opens space for connection, and Amsterdam made that easy.
#3 Toronto
Toronto surprised me in the best way.
The public transit system makes getting around simple. You can explore downtown’s skyscrapers one moment, then hop on a ferry to the Toronto Islands for a quiet escape the next.
I love cities that balance energy and nature — and Toronto does that perfectly.
You get:
A vibrant food scene
Waterfront views along Lake Ontario
Beautiful parks
Cultural neighborhoods
Markets like Kensington Market
It feels like a “coastal” city, even though it sits on a Great Lake. The water adds such a calming element.
And just like many of the cities on this list, the people genuinely feel welcoming. I never felt out of place during my time here.
#4 New York City
My all-time favorite city. I’ve visited five times — and I’ll go back a hundred more.
New York rewards solo travelers.
You can walk almost everywhere. You’ll never run out of things to do. Broadway shows, museums, markets, restaurants, neighborhoods — the options feel endless.
NYC stands as one of the most diverse cities in the world. Around 800 languages are spoken there. You can experience a new culture simply by turning a corner. That kind of diversity energizes me.
And when you need quiet? You’ll find it.
Walk through Central Park.
Stroll along the High Line.
Browse the holiday market at Bryant Park during winter.
Despite its size, I’ve always felt safe there. Of course, stay aware — that applies anywhere — but I’ve never had a negative experience.
If you want stimulation, inspiration, and independence all at once, New York delivers.
#5 Budapest
Budapest offers one of the more affordable European solo travel options.
You’ll find:
Ruin bars and vibrant nightlife
Thermal baths
Beautiful markets
Cozy cafés
Danube river cruises
Underground go-karting (yes, really)
The hostel culture thrives here, which makes it easy to meet other solo travelers if you want connection — or to retreat when you need space.
The city balances fun and beauty so well. The architecture stuns you. The river divides Buda and Pest dramatically. And the prices feel manageable compared to Western Europe.
If you want a social solo experience, Budapest makes that easy.
(I dive deeper into this city in another blog post — be sure to check that out here!)
#6 Venice (& Verona)
Venice became my first true solo trip — and I couldn’t have picked a better place to start.
The city feels like a dream. No cars. Just canals, bridges, boats, and winding alleyways that encourage you to get lost (in the best way).
The trains run smoothly. Day trips feel simple. The food never disappoints.
From Venice, I took a day trip to Murano and Burano, where I watched glass-blowing demonstrations and admired colorful homes. Then I hopped on a train to Verona — one of the cutest Italian towns I’ve ever explored.
Verona gives you that slower, more intimate pace. It offers charming streets, historic architecture, and a refreshing contrast to Venice’s energy.
If you’re new to solo travel and want somewhere manageable, beautiful, and culturally rich, this pairing works perfectly.
You can read about part of my adventure through this blog: here
#7 Salzburg
I might be biased because I lived here for four months — but Salzburg truly stands out.
I never once felt unsafe. I walked alone at night. I explored freely. I trusted the environment.
The city blends music, history, mountains, and charm effortlessly.
Climb up to Fortress Hohensalzburg.
Hike Kapuzinerberg for breathtaking views.
Hop on a bus to Wolfgangsee for swimming, hiking, and peaceful lakeside moments.
Take a day trip to Hallstatt — touristy, yes, but absolutely stunning for a reason.
Jump into the canal and take a swim.
During my time there, I took a weekly painting class near Wolfgangsee. The 30–60 minute bus ride offered some of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen. Those quiet rides became some of my favorite memories.
Salzburg feels safe, scenic, and grounding — everything I want in a solo destination.
A Few More Thoughts on Solo Travel
If you’re considering solo travel — take this as your sign.
Start small if you need to, pick a city that feels manageable, and prepare well.
But don’t let fear stop you.
The world feels different when you explore it alone. You grow more confident. You learn how capable you are. You trust yourself more deeply.
And there is something incredibly beautiful about moving through a new place at your own pace — without compromise.
There’s a whole world waiting.
And you are more ready than you think.