Top 10 best destinations for first-time solo travellers
- Aug 30, 2025
- 12 min read
Updated: May 25
I have written multiple posts already about solo travelling, from practical tips to dining alone, I have shared my top tips. And in this post it is time I share some of my favourite locations for a first-time solo traveller. From city breaks to dreamy beach destinations, I would say these are the places where I felt very comfortable travelling alone.
If you’re currently planning your first solo trip and feeling slightly overwhelmed by where to start, this guide should help make the decision easier. From European city breaks to slower beach destinations, these are some of the best destinations for first-time solo travellers based on my own experiences travelling alone. I focused on places that feel relatively safe, easy to navigate, welcoming for solo female travellers, and enjoyable without needing a packed itinerary. I have to remind you that this is my own experience, and when I travel alone I stick to touristy spots, even in underrated areas/places.
Before we begin, I’d love to share something that’s become part of my own travel rhythm, my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder.
It’s filled with mindful rituals, grounding practices, and gentle prompts that help you reconnect with yourself while exploring the world. There’s even a printable checklist to bring more ease and flow to your travels.
Wherever you go next, may it help you feel more present, peaceful, and at home, no matter how far you wander.
Before the list: what actually makes a destination good for first-time solo travel?
I think when people first start thinking about solo travel, they often assume they need to be “brave enough” to throw themselves into somewhere extremely adventurous straight away. But honestly, I don’t think that’s necessary at all. I actually think the best first solo trips are the ones where you feel comfortable enough to enjoy your own company without constantly feeling stressed or overwhelmed by logistics. For me personally, that usually means destinations that are relatively easy to navigate, have good tourist infrastructure, feel walkable, and naturally have other travellers around. That way, you still get the excitement and independence of solo travel without every small thing turning into a challenge.
Solo travel does not have to look extreme
I also think social media sometimes makes solo travel feel much more intimidating than it actually is. You do not need to backpack across remote islands or stay in party hostels to call yourself a solo traveller. Some of my favourite solo trips have honestly just been slower city breaks where I spent most of my time walking around, finding cafés, visiting museums, or sitting near the sea with a coffee and no real plans for the day. Especially for a first solo trip, I think choosing somewhere that feels enjoyable rather than overly challenging makes such a difference to your overall experience.
Why I actually think underrated destinations can work even better for first-time solo travel
Interestingly, some of the places where I’ve felt most comfortable travelling alone have not necessarily been the huge “bucket list” destinations everyone talks about online. While popular cities definitely have their advantages, I’ve personally found that slightly more underrated destinations can sometimes feel much calmer and less overwhelming, especially for a first solo trip. You often avoid the intensity of huge crowds, overly busy tourist centres, and the pressure to constantly rush between attractions. Instead, the experience feels slower, easier, and a bit more natural overall. That being said, I still always prioritise safety when choosing where to travel alone. Even if a place is underrated, I usually research areas carefully beforehand, stay somewhere central, and stick to destinations that already have some tourism infrastructure in place. I think solo travel feels most enjoyable when you find that balance between somewhere interesting and somewhere that still feels comfortable to navigate independently. I actually wrote a full post about some of my favourite underrated European destinations for solo female travellers as well, because I genuinely think smaller or less obvious cities can sometimes make much better first solo trips than the busiest tourist hotspots everyone automatically recommends.
The confidence you gain from your first solo trip stays with you
One thing I didn’t expect when I first started travelling alone was how much confidence it gives you outside of travel too. Once you realise you can navigate airports alone, figure things out independently, eat alone in restaurants, and spend days in your own company, other things in life start feeling less intimidating too. I think that’s why choosing the right first destination matters so much. A good first solo trip makes you excited to keep travelling alone again rather than feeling completely exhausted or daunted by the experience.
Some destinations simply feel easier to travel alone to
Over time, I’ve realised that certain destinations just naturally suit solo travel better than others. Usually it’s places where life happens quite publicly, where people spend time outside, where cafés feel relaxed rather than rushed, and where walking around alone doesn’t attract attention. I seem to have found found a correlaton between solo and slow travel destinations. Those are always the places where I personally end up feeling most comfortable travelling solo. A lot of the destinations in this list have that exact atmosphere, where being alone feels normal rather than noticeable, which I think makes a huge difference when you’re still getting used to solo travel.
Best destinations for first-time solo travellers
Spain solo travel for beginners: relaxed cities & easy travel
I’ve been to Spain so many times now, often solo, so it’s probably one of the first countries that comes to mind when I recommended destinations to first-time solo travellers. It’s such a diverse and culturally rich country, pretty much everyone can find something they love, so it’s a perfect start. I have explored many places alone including Valencia (even lived here for a few months) Sevilla and Madrid (also stayed here for about a month). Spain has always welcomed me with open arms, and you’ll find that knowing a little bit of Spanish can actually go a long way.
I also think Spain works especially well if, like me, you enjoy slower travel rather than constantly trying to tick attractions off your list. Life feels calm and peaceful here, even in big cities like Madrid, people stay out late, cafés are always full, and there’s something very comforting about how social everyday life feels. Even sitting alone for tapas or a glass of wine never feels awkward, which makes it such an easy country to enjoy solo. Public transport between cities is also very straightforward, so even if you want to combine multiple destinations in one trip (like Madrid-Valencia via train), it never feels overly stressful to organise alone. If you are interested in exploring Spain, I have written a detailed travel guide for both, Madrid and Valencia, make you you check them out.
Why Portugal is perfect for first-time solo travellers
Another top country to visit, even if you’re planning to go solo. Lisbon especially is such a vibrant and diverse city, you will quickly fall in love with it and feel right at home. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can also go to Madeira, one of the most beautiful islands on planet (okay, this is my opinion). I also visited other places like Porto and Algarve with friends and family, and while I can’t speak of these spots from a solo traveller perspective, I would happily go back to these places solo. Portugal in general feels very safe and comfortable for solo female travel. Ubers are very accessible in case you want to take one instead of walking around alone, which makes it even more comfortable for travelling alone. You won't have to think about massively budgeting for a taxi to get out of a situation.
One thing I really love about Portugal for solo travel is that it somehow manages to feel both exciting and relaxing at the same time. Lisbon has so much going on, but it still feels slower and calmer than many other European capitals. I also found that solo dining felt very natural there, especially in cafés and wine bars where people tend to linger for hours rather than rush through meals. Portugal in general also feels very manageable for a first solo trip because distances between destinations are relatively short and transport is easy to figure out. My favourite part is how affordable Uber is, even for longer distances, compared to other capitals. But for city hopping between Lisbon, Porto or Faro, you can also use long distance buses that are reliable and affordable. If you are interested, make sure you check my other Portugal focused posts, Lisbon solo travel guide, the best beaches near Lisbon and Algarve.
Why the UAE feels so safe for solo travel
I went to visit friends in Dubai when I first visited the UAE, but ended up exploring on my own too, and I have to say, it does feel very safe. Dubai especially, constantly ranks high on solo female travel safety rankings, so if you’re looking for a place to start with, this may be it. I think Dubai especially works well for first-time solo travel because everything feels very organised and convenient. Whether you’re taking the metro, ordering a taxi, or walking around shopping areas, things generally feel very smooth and easy to navigate. Of course, it’s a very modern and polished type of travel experience, so if you’re looking for somewhere chaotic or extremely cultural this may not be the destination for you, but in terms of comfort and safety it’s definitely one of the easiest places I’ve travelled alone. This could be a good starting point if you are just about to embark on your first solo trip.
Why Vietnam is one of the friendliest countries for solo travellers
I have spent time in Vietnam both alone and with others, and I can tell you, safety and comfort wise there was absolutely no difference. In fact, I find Vietnam to be one of the warmest and friendliest countries I have ever travelled to. If you need help everyone is likely to do their best to assist you and make sure you have the best experience possible. You might have to use Google translate at times, but generally speaking locals will always try to help you. If you don't feel comfortable walking alone, you can always call a Grab (either bike or car), which is very low cost and also makes your trip even more solo travel friendly.
Vietnam also works really well if you’re trying to balance solo travel with budget travel. Accommodation, food, transport, and coffee are all relatively affordable compared to many other destinations, which makes it much easier to travel at a slower pace without constantly worrying about spending too much. I also found that there’s a very strong café culture in many places across Vietnam, which naturally makes solo travel feel more comfortable because you always have somewhere easy to sit, slow down, and recharge between exploring. If you are thinking abut exploring Vietnam, make sure you read my blog posts about it, a slow travel guide to Hoi An, and 7 of my favourite experiences to do that are suitable for solo female travel.
Why Sri Lanka is perfect for slower solo travel
I spent about a month travelling solo in Sri Lanka and I had the best experience. I was staying in Galle and took lots of day trips to explore more of this beautiful country. You can always call a tuk-tuk wherever you are pretty much, so it’s very comfortable and feels safe to explore alone. Hosts, waiters and drivers are very friendly wherever you go and try to help you have the best possible experience.
What I loved most about Sri Lanka was how easy it felt to slow down there. Days naturally became centred around little routines like morning coffees, train rides, beach walks, or stopping for fresh fruit along the road. I also think Sri Lanka is one of those countries where people genuinely try to look after visitors and make them feel welcome, which makes a huge difference when travelling alone. It felt adventurous enough to stay exciting, but still comfortable enough that I rarely felt overwhelmed. If you are interested, I created a whole travel guide, you can read it here.
Why Greece is one of the best countries for solo female travel
Another location where I have lived for a while, and visited many places solo, including Athens, Santorini and Meteora. The only thing I would say about comfort in Greece is that be prepared that some people (not just men) are very likely to stare. Even if you’re just on the bus or tram, minding your own business, people may keep looking at you like there was something on your face. Don’t worry about it, but be prepared for it. Other than that, Greece feels just as safe for solo travel as western European countries. In touristy areas everyone speaks at least a little bit of English (most speak very well), so you are not likely to feel alienated.
I also think Greece suits solo travellers particularly well because there are so many different types of trips you can create there. You can have a slower island trip, a city break in Athens, a wellness-focused escape, or something much more historical and cultural. Even after spending quite a bit of time there, I still feel like Greece is one of those countries I could continue returning to over and over again because every area feels slightly different. And despite being such a popular tourist destination, it still manages to feel very local and lived-in once you step slightly away from the busiest areas. If Greece is on your mind make sure you checkout my Athens solo travel guide, best food spots in the capital and some underrated destinations that are worth visiting.
Why Slovenia is an underrated gem for solo travel
This little, still kind of hidden gem from overseas tourists is a very solo friendly and welcoming country. It’s safe, peaceful, easy to navigate, and full of that kind of natural beauty and calm that make it ideal for slow and mindful travel. It’s the kind of place where you can move at your own pace, connect with nature, and feel genuinely welcome.
I think Slovenia is one of those countries people often overlook simply because it’s smaller and quieter than some of its neighbouring countries, but I think that’s part of what makes it so enjoyable for solo travel. It never felt chaotic or overly crowded, and there’s a softness to the pace of life there that makes travelling alone feel very peaceful rather than intimidating. If you enjoy nature, slower mornings, and destinations that feel calm rather than overstimulating, Slovenia is such a good choice.
Why Malta is perfect for a first solo trip in Europe
Another country that may not be on everyone's radar, but is a true gem! Malta is one of the safest and most compact countries in Europe, you can cross the main island in under an hour. You won't struggle with language barriers as English is an official language here, public transport is straightforward, and locals are friendly and helpful. It's giving Mediterranean vibes without the overwhelm, making it perfect for first-time solo travellers.
I think Malta works really well if you want a Mediterranean-style solo trip without needing to organise something overly complicated. Because the country is so compact, you can base yourself in one area and still explore quite a lot very easily. It’s also one of those places where English-speaking travellers tend to feel comfortable very quickly, which removes a lot of the stress that can sometimes come with a first solo trip. The combination of seaside towns, cafés, historic streets, and slower island energy makes it a very easy destination to settle into.
Why Singapore is one of the easiest countries for solo travel
One of my favourite places on Earth, and another country that constantly ranks really high as best solo travel destinations for first-time travellers. If you want to explore the world alone, but safety concerns, you I would recommend Singapore to be one of the first places you visit. It’s so futuristic, modern and well-kept, you are likely to have a wonderful experience. Locals are nice and welcoming, always happy to help with directions or other information.
One thing I really appreciated about Singapore was how stress-free everyday life felt there. Public transport is incredibly efficient, the city feels exceptionally clean and organised, and even late in the evening I generally felt very comfortable walking around alone. It’s also a great introduction to solo travel in Asia because you still get the excitement of being somewhere culturally different while having a very high level of comfort and convenience at the same time. Food courts, cafés, and shopping areas also make solo dining feel completely normal and easy.
Why Switzerland feels so comfortable for solo female travellers
Another country I visited to see friends, but also ended up exploring solo (Basel). Switzerland is also a country that is considered very safe for solo female travel, and my experience only seconds that. Public transport systems are reliable, locals and generally helpful and speak English well, so it’s easy to navigate.
Switzerland is definitely one of the more expensive countries on this list, but in terms of comfort, organisation, and safety it really is hard to fault. Everything feels very efficient, from trains arriving exactly on time to cities feeling extremely clean and calm. I also found it very easy to explore independently because signage, transport systems, and general infrastructure are all so straightforward to navigate. If you’re someone who feels anxious about solo travel logistics, Switzerland can feel very reassuring because things simply tend to work the way they’re supposed to.
I hope that with this list and insights you have gained more confidence to travel solo. As I always say, it is one of the most reflective and liberating things that you can do for yourself, but in order to have the best first time experience you have to be careful about picking the location.
