Best destinations for solo female travel

Solo female travel isn’t just a ‘moment’ anymore, this trend isn’t going anywhere – yes ladies, holidays are yet ANOTHER thing you don’t need a man for 💁‍♀️ So, for International Women’s Day – and the whole of Women’s History Month – we’re all about celebrating women who travel and are here to help you pick the perfect place that’s safe, sociable and a fave for going solo…

Booking.com’s research has said it – 54% of women plan to embark on a solo trip in 2025. So, maybe you’re a seasoned solo traveller that’s been saving up for that big trip to find yourself, or maybe you’ve never travelled alone before and are just thinking about a short and sweet city break to start with. Either way, we love to see it! While you’re still in the planning stage, here are a few tips for your trip for one:

Set your destination with intention – When it comes to picking your place, think about what you want to get out of your trip. Do you want to take yourself out of your comfort zone or challenge yourself with a new language? Do you want somewhere on a popular backpacking route to make meeting people a bit easier? There are things to consider even before you know where you’re going, and answering those questions can make the choice a bit easier – doing the research is part of the fun and what will make sure this trip is all about you.
Don’t plan too much – Okay, we know we just said to really think about it but thinking and doing too much beforehand is also a thing. You don’t want to set unrealistic expectations or let your mind spiral with fears of being alone (stop it…). Part of the fun is the unknown of going solo. You don’t want to have too much planned, so when you do meet someone or get a recommendation from a local, you’re free to do it.
Make the first day count – The first day sets the tone for the trip, so make sure you pick a hotel you love and maybe try to arrive in the daytime. Arriving at night can be a bit disorientating – you just check in and have to find somewhere close by for dinner or eat at the hotel because it’s quick and easy, then go to bed. If it’s still light, you can have a safe walk around straight away to see where you are, get settled and spy some of the sights you want to visit during your stay.
Fight the fear of eating alone – It’s actually a myth that solo travel means you have to eat alone. This is where cooking classes, supper clubs and dining experiences come in – make your mealtimes an activity. Or, embrace asking for a table for one – you might love it. Bring a book, pop your earphones in, or just people-watch and be pleasantly surprised at what good company you are!

Now, let’s get into our best destination recommendations for a solo female travel trip…

Check your pick’s score on the Solo Female Traveler’s Safety Index for some peace of mind – the lower the number, the safer the country.

Portugal – 1.5 safety score

With trending city breaks and world-class beaches, a solo trip to Portugal can go either way. Some capital cities can feel HUGE and when you’re on your own, they’re too overwhelming – not Lisbon… Sitting on the Tagus River, it’s got that calm, seaside feel. The streets are small and gorg, with cobbles and tiles, and open out to dreamy squares where cafés and bars spill out onto the pavement. There is plenty to see and do here, from the castle to the Santa Justa Lift, street art tours and daytrips are very manageable. Belem is just outside the city along the coast, where you can try the best pasteis de nata, or Sintra is stunning with its colourful castle. The public transport is super easy to use, with two main train stations – one with a line that goes up the coast and another that goes more inland – and you can buy a top-up card to pay as you go from the machines. Switch your Citymapper app to Portugal and it will be your best friend for getting around here.

Lisbon vs Porto is a big question when it comes to visiting Portugal and, annoyingly, Porto is also a great solo travel pick. If you love your wine tasting, then Porto has the Duoro Valley, which makes for some great tours and activities. You can visit a few vineyards and taste the local vinho verde, or in the city, check out one of the famous Port houses – they’re all on the south side of the river in Vila Nova de Gaia. From hop-on-hop-off bus tours to river cruises and full day tours, there are loads of First Choice Experiences you can book to see the sights with new groups of people. You can even join a group pub crawl if you fancy going out one evening. Nightlife is one part of travelling alone that women are probably most wary of, so going in a group can be a great option. You’ll have a local guide and the opportunity to make new friends to stay in touch with throughout your trip.

Read our guide for how to spend 48 hours in Lisbon to lock in some ideas for when you first arrive, or check out our article on Lisbon vs Porto if you’re still struggling to pick…

Stay here:

Inspira Liberdade Boutique Hotel, Lisbon – This hotel was designed with Feng Shui and has a spa for the ultimate bit of me-time. It’s the perfect, calming space to come back to that’s completely yours. Plus, you’re right by the Avenida da Liberdade – AKA Lisbon’s Champes-Elysees – and historic centre, so it’s a short and safe stroll to all the sights.

Vincci Ponte de Ferro, Porto – Our Insider, @gracegrangetravel, stayed here when she visited Porto, so you can be confident it’s a great choice. Plus, you can check out her picks to help you plan what to do. The roof terrace is insane and looks right onto the Dom Luis I Bridge, with a pool and the Sky Bar for some sunset drinks.

Denmark – 1.6 safety score

You’ve already seen the style standards set by the women of Copenhagen and want to be them, so this is your chance. Denmark is considered one of the safest places in Europe for solo female travel, and its capital, Copenhagen, is one of the safest cities. It’s pretty small and walkable – most of the main sights and shopping areas are within a 20-minute walk of the city centre – but the metro is also 24/7 and you can invest in a Copenhagen Card for unlimited public transport.

Top tip – You can buy the DISCOVER Copenhagen Card to last for however long you need – 24, 48, 72 hours etc. – and it covers all your public transport around Copenhagen, including to and from the airport, and over 80 attractions. If you have any issues activating it, you can also visit the Copenhagen Visitor Service in town where the staff are super helpful and can help you in person.

The galleries and museums will have you busy for days, with the Design Museum and Glypotek being faves. Plus, the palaces, like Christiansborg and the Rosenborg Castle, are worth a visit to learn about the city’s royal history. A guided boat trip along the canal is also a shout to have a guide tell you about all the sights along the water and, when in doubt, seek out one of Copenhagen’s many, many amazing bakeries. Because Denmark is such a liberal country and everyone seems to have a solid sense of who they are, are unapologetic, open-minded and friendly, you really shouldn’t feel judged being on your own in this city. Be confident with it. It’s not unusual to see someone in a café just with their book, or there are plenty of restaurants with Chef’s counter seats – Slurp Ramen, Omegn og Venner, Seks – perfect for solo diners.

Read what I – your very own First Choice gal, Lily – got up to with 72 hours in Copenhagen for all the best recs.

Stay here:

Zoku Copenhagen – This hotel is specifically aimed at digital nomads who usually travel alone for work, with communal spaces for socialising. They don’t do rooms, they do lofts… so you can have your own kitchen, living and working space. Then, there’s the rooftop bar, a TV lounge and restaurant and café.

Wide Hotel – You’ll be right in the centre here, near most of the museums, Tivoli Gardens and the Vesterport metro station. The rooms are modern and stylish, there’s bike hire available to help you get around like a local, and Josephine’s Cocktail Bar downstairs is ideal for an easy drink. The staff known their stuff too and have a list of restaurants super close to the hotel if you don’t want to wander far.

Canada – 1.1 safety score

Canada is a haven for solo travellers. First up, the people there are some of the nicest in the world – the place has regularly made it into lists for being one of the top friendliest countries. In some parts, like Newfoundland, it’s super normal to hitch a ride with the locals – you don’t even need to put a thumb out, they just stop and offer – or at the very least, they’re always willing to help with directions and advice.

The public transport in cosmopolitan cities, like Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal is easy to use for getting around, and they’re all a perfect blend of urban life with lush lakes and outdoorsy daytrips. Montreal’s got acres of maple tree forest, national parks, rivers and freshwater lakes. You can go whale watching from Vancouver, Stanley Park is a big highlight and there’s an amazing cliff walk over the treetops in Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Of course, Niagara Falls is a big tick on anyone’s bucket list over here, too, so check out a tour from Toronto, where you can get lunch included and a boat ride to see the cascades up close. Canada is just ideal for nature lovers. So, if you’re someone that loves being outdoors and going on wild walks, it’s definitely the place for you. And, being able to stay in a city, you can still maintain that connection to major hubs and the flexibility to travel around.

Stay here:

Georgian Court Hotel, Vancouver – Okay, so in 2009, this hotel introduced an entire women-only floor – the Orchid floor – which you can book at no extra cost. All the rooms here come with bath smellies, yoga mats and wireless speaker phones but these Orchid rooms also have hair dryers, straighteners, bath salts and fashion magazines. Plus, there’s complimentary bike hire, a gym hot tub, and you’re right in the heart of downtown.

Hotel Blu, Vancouver – This hotel is on the famous Robson Street in downtown Vancouver, with loads of sights in easy walking distance, and the Skytrain and aqua bus stations are also nearby for getting around the rest of the city. You can make the most of the indoor pool, hot tub and sauna, as well as bike hire.

Finland – 1.1 safety score

Another winner for outdoorsy travel, Finland is a wonderland of lakes, islands and Arctic Circle scenes. It’s consistently ranked as one of the world’s happiest countries, so you’re bound to love it. In the winter, the darkness unleashes the wonders of the Northern Lights and in summer, the days are so long the sun barely sets from May to August. Helsinki is the capital and full of everything that’s trending in the wellness world right now – hello waterside saunas…

There are over two million saunas in Finland and Helsinki takes them up a level – literally. The Helsinki Skywheel is like the London Eye, but all the pods are saunas. You can even add Champagne to your experience while you enjoy the panoramic city views. The waterfront in general is a big part of the city, so boat trips are also a popular pick, net-fresh seafood spots and the fresh coffee should be a win with even the worst coffee snobs. There are even 30 beaches for sunbathing in the warmer months here – the Helsinki archipelago is dotted with loads of secret coves and bays. And, for some more urban sights, the Oodi Helsinki Central Library is an iconic bit of architecture, as is the Temppeliaukio Church. The culture is super laidback, the city is fairly small and the transport is great, which are all big ticks for solo travellers. Any place that prioritises wellness is always going to be perfect for a trip to focus on yourself.

Stay here:

Marski by Scandic – This hotel has a ‘lifestyle concierge’ to make sure you get everything you want out of your trip and Marski’s bar is one of the city’s top cocktail spots. You can pick rooms with a sauna or big luxurious suites, plus there are free fitness classes for guests. Being right in the city centre, you can walk everywhere, too – the Allas Sea Pool and Design District are nearby.

Clarion Hotel Mestari – There are loads of room categories here, whether you’re travelling as a couple, group or solo! And the style is super chic and urban. Helsinki Central Station is a short walk away and there are loads of shops, bars and restaurants in this part of the city. There’s a 24-hour café, restaurant and bar, as well as a gym and sauna, ofc.

Sri Lanka – 2.6

For the bucket-list trip types, Sri Lanka is a dreamy pick. This teardrop-shaped island has beautiful beaches, lush mountains, amazing wildlife and great surf – what more could you want? Time Out have had it down as one of the best destinations for solo female travel and we deffo agree. It’s got a much slower pace and chill vibe to it than India, which makes it a great starting point if you’re keen to explore South Asia.

Inland, you’ve got UNESCO sites, like Dambulla’s Cave Temple, Sigirya Rock and the tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya. Then, along the south-west coast to the base of the island, beachy hotspots like Hikkaduwa, Weligama and Mirissa are all about yoga retreats and surf camps. You can swim with local turtles at Wijaya Beach and the safaris at Yala National Park and Udawalawa are amazing – expect to see leopards, elephants and water buffalo. Backpackers love Sri Lanka, so the chance of you NOT meeting fellow solo female travellers is seriously low. Beach bars put on live music nights, barbecues and sunset sessions that bring everyone together. And, if you fancy learning how to surf, booking a group session is a sociable way to do it.

Stay here:

Heritance Ahungalla – Ahungalla is a chilled beachy spot on Sri Lanka’s west coast and this hotel is primed for relaxing, right on the seafront. There are a couple of swimming pools with a pool bar, there’s a spa for treatments and if you’re feeling adventurous, hire a bike to take on the 15-kilometre cycle route that runs from the hotel, past paddy fields and cinnamon plantations. The hotel can also organise transport for you to Bentota, where you can try watersports, and the evening entertainment consists of post-dinner drinks and a Saturday club night.

Occidental Eden Beruwala – Also on the west coast, this hotel is right on the beach and hits that palm tree aesthetic. There’s a big outdoor pool with a swim-up bar, a trio of restaurants and a rooftop bar – just think of the sunsets. There’s also a watersports centre, a squash court and an Ayurvedic spa. You can practice yoga here and the live music sessions are great for bringing people together in the evenings.

You got this – browse our Solo Traveller holidays for some more inspo.

Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.

Author: Lily (she/her)
Last updated: 06/03/2025