Planning to go on a holiday by your own sweet self? These amazing destinations are your golden ticket to an exciting solo adventure.
Hello, fellow solo traveller! It doesn’t matter if you’re embarking on your first alone trip (we’re proud of you) or you’re a frequent flyer secretly planning your next big adventure. Want to know how to travel solo successfully? This list of solo travel destinations ought to be on your bucket list.
Best destinations for every type of solo traveller
1. To make unique memories
Not new to solo travel? Try unconventional travel itineraries. You’ll be immersed in history and culture, and have some great stories to take home (including tales about that time you visited a poison garden)!
Dark tourism spots are about exploring the macabre, acknowledging atrocities in history, and learning something new. These monuments and places of interest are ideal for solo travellers because you can fully immerse yourself in your surroundings. Destinations range from the Cambodia Landmine Museum to the Catacombs of Paris.
2. To get your heart racing
Need to feel the adrenaline pumping through your veins on your next getaway? No problem. Some of you may come with hearts of steel and need a matching holiday itinerary to get you excited. Hop on a plane and tumble through the jungles of Costa Rica!
You can zipline through the towering trees of Monteverde Cloud Forest, go white water rafting through rushing rivers, and bathe under sparkling waterfalls. If you’re feeling brave, go further in Ecuador with a hike up glacial lagoons and around the rim of volcanoes. It’ll make a gorgeous photo op as long as you don’t fall in!
Or, take things up a notch and get up close with saltwater crocodiles in the land down under. Known as the Cage of Death in Darwin, Australia, this experience allows you to feed magnificent salties and witness their infamous bite force. Just make sure you follow the instructions of the staff closely to avoid losing your fingers…
3. To steep in history and culture
Strap on your trusty backpack and make your way to these cities. They’re well-connected, safe even at night and have a lot to offer. Montreal, Canada might be freezing for us tropical folks, but with its riverfront Old Port, 17th-century architecture, museums and old French restaurants, it’s on the culture-rich list.
Usual suspects for good ol’ cultural steeping include Melbourne, Australia and Berlin, Germany. While Melbourne is celebrated for its live music scene, galleries, theatres and Victorian-era structure (and the beaches!), Germany’s eventful history, resilient spirit and remarkable reputation make it alluring.
We can’t talk about world history without mentioning the United Kingdom. Sure, you can do a lot in London. But if you appreciate art, you might want to check out Edinburgh between July and August for the annual and widely popular art festival.
4. To bask in the beauty of nature
So you’ve always dreamed of chasing the northern lights? We hear it’s a divine experience and a stellar destination choice for solo travel. Generally speaking, the Scandinavian countries are famously popular with nature-loving solo travellers. We recommend Svalbard – during winter, there’s no daylight. That means you can spend every hour of your day aurora chasing.
Oh, those cosmic lights, picturesque landscapes, pristine fjords and lush wilderness waiting to be explored! What’s not to love? If you’re up there, give skiing a go. The ski resorts in the Swedish towns of Ramundberget and Are (not a typo, it’s pronounced ‘Aura’), and Norway’s Trysil and Stranda, are top-notch.
Beach bums, are we? Head over to Palawan in the Philippines. Enjoy views of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, the Coron Islands, Kayangan Lake and limestone cliffs. You’ll never want to leave this dreamy tropical paradise. Bonus points as the locals are said to be friendly and kind.
If you’re looking to go further, the land that gave us Guinness and U2 – Ireland – is a safe tourist destination for solo travel. The picture-perfect landscape and cliff-side views are straight out of a storybook.
5. To rejuvenate the body and soul
Book a ticket to Iceland and unwind in healing hot springs. Apart from the Northern Lights, glaciers and frozen lakes, this paradise has several geothermal pools, hot springs and crisp pure air. Treat yo’self to a spa and wellness retreat in gorgeous cities and towns like Reykjavik, Akureyri, Hofn and more.
If the thought of Iceland makes you shiver, spend a summer in Italy. There’s more to it than high-end fashion labels, beauty brands and architecture. A geologically active country, it has several hot springs and a booming wellness culture. For instance, Tuscany is filled with spas and retreats where you can vegetate in a thermal bath, soak in the goodness at a hot spring and just pamper yourself silly.
Only have a short weekend to spare? Head to Indonesia and check in to a lush wellness and spiritual retreat in Bali or Lombok. Both are considered rather safe places for solo travel. Be sure to subscribe to Honeycombers Bali to be in the know of all that’s happening on the lovely island!
6. To shop, eat and party
If you need a quick weekend getaway for retail therapy, you know Bangkok, Seoul and Hong Kong will do you good. You can wander around these big cities alone and in peace – just steer clear of back alleys (duh!).
In Bangkok, make your way to Khao San Road for late-night drinks with fellow travellers, Ari for a dose of hipster goodness and Rod Fai Market if you’re into vintage collectables. As for Hong Kong and Seoul, it’s easy to see why so many of us flock there every year – night markets, fancy malls and all kinds of delectable food. Just bring your wallet and stretchy pants.
For the ultimate Euro trip, count on the safest cities on that continent: Amsterdam and Stockholm. Unlike the “anything goes” city of Amsterdam, Stockholm does have some rules (no drinking in public!). But nothing stops these two cosmopolitan places from being a party slash shopping paradise. Solo travellers who need a massive shopping haul can hit up the many luxury stores and vintage boutiques.
Then there’s Andorra – a tiny country (smaller than Singapore) wedged between France and Spain in the Pyrenees mountains with a very low crime rate. Its sole purpose in life is to be the greatest duty-free shopping haven on the planet. Plus, it’s home to a bunch of ski resorts, so you know when to visit!
It’s a big world, but with our handy guide on how to travel solo successfully, you can get out there and explore these amazing destinations on your next adventure alone.
7. To go off-the-beaten-path
For a meaningful adventure, we recommend skipping all of that hoo-hah and going in a unique direction. Book your tickets to Japan, but strike Tokyo off your list.
Instead, explore the Nakasendo Way – an ancient highway that was once crowded with samurai, pilgrims and merchants of the past. And of course, make sure you stay in a traditional inn along your way. If you need a little help with the itinerary, try one of Walk Japan‘s self-guided tours that’s perfect for solo travel.
If you can’t get enough of spectacular views, consider a solo road trip across New Zealand! There are plenty of spectacular hidden spots scattered across this gorgeous country. Take a drive down to Orokawa Bay, far from the crowds, and dip your toes in its white sandy beaches.
Or, head to the region of Paradise in Glenorchy for jaw-dropping views that’ll leave you wondering if you’re really in heaven on earth. We hear you can visit some filming locations from Lord of the Rings too! Check out the peaks around Glenorchy and you just might be reminded of the Misty Mountains.
[This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2024 by Ashe Liao.]
