After years of solo adventures across the globe, we’ve learned that the best solo travel destinations aren’t just beautiful—they’re welcoming, safe, easy to navigate, and full of opportunities to meet fellow travelers or simply enjoy your own company. These are our top picks for solo travel destinations this year, places we’ve personally explored and would fly back to in a heartbeat.
Whether you’re a first-time solo traveler or a seasoned wanderer looking for your next adventure, these destinations offer the perfect mix of culture, safety, walkability, and that intangible magic that makes traveling alone so transformative.
Why These Destinations Work for Solo Travelers
We chose these solo travel destinations based on real criteria that matter when you’re navigating a place on your own. Each city offers reliable public transport, a thriving hostel or guesthouse scene for meeting people, and neighborhoods safe enough to wander after dark.
What makes a destination truly solo-friendly goes beyond safety statistics. We looked for places with strong cafe cultures where sitting alone feels natural, walkable historic centers perfect for aimless exploration, and communities accustomed to independent travelers.
1. Lisbon, Portugal
Why Lisbon Tops Our Solo Travel List
Lisbon captured our hearts the moment we stepped off Tram 28 in the Alfama district. The city’s hills might challenge your calves, but they reward you with miradouros—viewpoints—where we spent countless golden hours watching the Tagus River shimmer below.
The neighborhoods each have distinct personalities perfect for solo exploration. We spent mornings in Belém admiring the Jerónimos Monastery, afternoons getting deliberately lost in Alfama’s Moorish alleyways, and evenings in Bairro Alto where solo diners are welcomed warmly at tiny tascas.
Portuguese people showed us exceptional kindness when we fumbled through our phrase book attempts. The city feels manageable at just the right scale—compact enough to navigate confidently, large enough to discover something new each day.
Our Favorite Solo Activity in Lisbon
Join a free walking tour on your first morning—we recommend the one that starts at Praça do Comércio at ten. You’ll learn the city layout, meet other solo travelers, and get restaurant recommendations from guides who actually live there.
After the tour, we always walked to Time Out Market for lunch. The communal seating makes solo dining effortless, and you can sample dishes from Lisbon’s best chefs under one roof.
2. Kyoto, Japan
Solo Travel in Japan’s Cultural Heart
Kyoto ranks among the safest cities we’ve ever explored solo, and the efficient bus and subway systems make navigation stress-free even if you don’t speak Japanese. We felt comfortable walking through Gion’s geisha district well past midnight, something we can’t say about many major cities.
The temple culture here is made for solo reflection. We spent an entire morning at Ryoan-ji sitting beside the famous rock garden, watching light shift across the stones while other visitors came and went in respectful silence.
Solo dining in Japan initially intimidated us until we discovered the counter-seating culture. Sitting at the counter of a small ramen shop in Pontocho Alley, watching the chef work, became one of our favorite solo travel experiences anywhere in the world.
Where Solo Travelers Connect in Kyoto
Book a stay in a traditional guesthouse in the Higashiyama district rather than a standard hotel. We stayed at a small machiya near Kiyomizu-dera where the owner hosted nightly tea ceremonies, creating natural opportunities to meet fellow travelers.
The Philosopher’s Path offers a perfect solo walk, especially during cherry blossom season in early April. The two-kilometer route along the canal connects multiple temples, and we loved setting our own pace without coordinating with anyone.
3. Edinburgh, Scotland
A Walkable City Made for Independent Exploration
Edinburgh’s compact Old Town and New Town are connected by ancient closes and modern bridges that we explored for days without needing transportation. The Royal Mile runs like a spine through the historic center, making orientation nearly impossible to lose.
Scottish pub culture welcomes solo travelers in ways that surprised us. At pubs like The Bow Bar on Victoria Street, we struck up conversations over single malts with locals who offered genuine recommendations, not tourist traps.
The city’s literary history means bookshops and cafes cater beautifully to solo visitors. We spent rainy afternoons at The Elephant House, where J.K. Rowling wrote early Harry Potter chapters, and no one blinked at us occupying a table for hours with just coffee and a notebook.
Solo Hiking from the City Center
Arthur’s Seat offers one of the best urban hikes we’ve tackled solo anywhere. The extinct volcano sits right in the city, and the moderately challenging climb takes about forty-five minutes from Holyrood Palace to the summit.
We hiked up for sunrise in June when the sun crept over the Firth of Forth at four-thirty in the morning. The early light on the city below, with Edinburgh Castle silhouetted to the west, made the sleep deprivation worthwhile.
4. Oaxaca, Mexico
Mexico’s Most Welcoming Solo Destination
Oaxaca City feels like Mexico at its most accessible for solo travelers. The colonial center radiates from the zĂłcalo in a perfect grid, and we never once needed to consult our phone for directions after the first day.
The food scene here revolves around markets and family-run restaurants where solo diners receive the same warm service as large groups. At Mercado 20 de Noviembre, we sat at communal grills where the woman cooking our tasajo asked about our travels while turning meat over mesquite coals.
Oaxaca’s mezcal culture creates natural social situations for solo travelers. At mezcalerĂas like In Situ, tastings happen at shared tables where conversations flow as easily as the smoky spirits.
Day Trips Perfect for Solo Travelers
The archaeological site of Monte Albán sits just twenty minutes from central Oaxaca, and the frequent colectivo vans make getting there independently simple. We preferred arriving right when the site opened at eight to explore the ancient Zapotec ruins before tour groups arrived.
Hierve el Agua, the petrified waterfall formations, requires more planning but rewards solo travelers with stunning natural beauty. We joined a small group tour from our hostel, which solved the tricky transportation while letting us explore at our own pace once there.
5. Reykjavik, Iceland
Solo Adventure in the Land of Fire and Ice
Iceland’s entire tourism infrastructure caters to independent travelers, making it exceptionally easy to explore solo. Reykjavik serves as the perfect base, small enough to walk everywhere yet cosmopolitan enough for excellent restaurants and nightlife.
We loved Iceland for solo road trips because the Ring Road is well-maintained, clearly marked, and dotted with guesthouses and campsites. Driving alone meant stopping whenever a waterfall or hot spring caught our eye without negotiating with travel companions.
The Blue Lagoon draws crowds, but we preferred smaller hot springs like Laugarvatn Fontana where we soaked alongside Icelandic families and struck up conversations with travelers from around the world. The communal bathing culture removes the awkwardness of doing activities alone.
Meeting People in Reykjavik
Join the pub crawl that leaves from Lækjargata every Friday and Saturday night. Before you dismiss this as too touristy, know that we met three people who became long-term travel friends on these crawls, and the guides know which bars welcome solo dancers versus which are better for conversation.
The city’s swimming pools, especially Sundhöllin, serve as social hubs where locals gather year-round. We followed the ritual of showering thoroughly before entering—Icelanders take this seriously—then joined the hot pot conversations that somehow always turned philosophical.
6. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Southeast Asia’s Solo Travel Hub
Chiang Mai has welcomed solo travelers for decades, and the infrastructure shows it. The Old City’s moat and square walls create clear boundaries that made navigation instinctive from day one, and the density of hostels, cafes, and coworking spaces means you’re never far from fellow travelers.
We spent three weeks in Chiang Mai and barely scratched the surface of cooking classes, temple visits, and hiking opportunities. The city rewards slow travel, letting solo visitors create routines—morning alms giving, afternoon cafe work, evening night market dinners—that make you feel like a temporary resident rather than a tourist.
The digital nomad scene here is massive, which means excellent wifi, comfortable workspaces, and travelers staying long enough to form real friendships. We attended Sunday dinners organized by various hostels where twenty people from fifteen countries shared vegetarian Thai food and travel stories.
Solo Activities Beyond the Tourist Trail
The monk chat program at Wat Suan Dok happens every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from five to seven in the evening. We sat on floor cushions asking questions about Buddhism and daily monastic life to young monks practicing their English, and the exchanges felt genuinely meaningful rather than performative.
For a solo day trip, we took a songthaew to Doi Suthep temple early in the morning, then hiked down through the forested trail instead of riding back down. The walk took about two hours through shaded jungle, and we encountered more langur monkeys than tourists.
Where to Eat
Solo dining becomes infinitely easier when you embrace lunch as your main meal. In Lisbon, we ate big seafood lunches at Ramiro where the bustling atmosphere made solo diners invisible. In Kyoto, the standing-room soba shops near train stations served delicious meals in minutes with zero awkwardness.
Counter seating saves solo travelers everywhere. In Edinburgh, we claimed spots at the bar at The Gardener’s Cottage where we could watch the open kitchen and chat with staff between courses. In Oaxaca, the bar seats at Los Danzantes offered prime people-watching over mezcal and mole negro.
Food markets solve the solo dinner challenge beautifully. Reykjavik’s Grandi Mathöll, a collection of food stalls in the harbor district, lets you graze across multiple vendors while sitting at communal tables. In Chiang Mai, the Saturday Walking Street transforms the Old City into a massive outdoor feast where everyone eats on curbs and temple steps.
Where to Stay
We recommend social hostels for first-time solo travelers, even if you’re past backpacker age. In Lisbon, places like The Independente Hostel and Suites offer private rooms with hotel comfort plus common areas where meeting people happens naturally. The same goes for Lub d Hostel in Chiang Mai, where the rooftop bar hosts nightly gatherings.
For travelers who prefer privacy, small guesthouses in residential neighborhoods provide local flavor without isolation. We loved staying in family-run pensions in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge neighborhood where the owners offered insider tips and the streets felt genuinely residential.
Consider location over luxury when booking accommodation. A basic but central room in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district beats a fancy hotel near the station because walkability matters immensely when traveling solo. We prioritized stays within twenty minutes walk of major sights and dining areas in every destination.
How to Get There
Lisbon’s Portela Airport sits just seven kilometers from the city center, and the metro red line connects directly to downtown stations. We always took the metro rather than taxis, saving money while getting our first taste of the city from local commuters.
Kyoto lacks its own major airport, so most visitors fly into Osaka’s Kansai International Airport. The JR Haruka Express train reaches Kyoto Station in seventy-five minutes, and we found the journey pleasant enough to work or watch the countryside pass.
Edinburgh Airport has frequent buses to the city center running every ten minutes during daytime. The Airlink 100 drops you right on Princes Street, and the ride takes about thirty minutes depending on traffic.
For Oaxaca, most international travelers connect through Mexico City. The direct flight from Mexico City to Oaxaca takes just one hour, though we also bused it once, an eight-hour overnight journey that saved a hotel night while showing us rural Mexico at dawn.
Costs
| Destination | Daily Budget | Mid-Range Budget | Splurge Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | 45-60 EUR | 80-120 EUR | 150+ EUR |
| Kyoto | 6000-8000 JPY | 12000-18000 JPY | 25000+ JPY |
| Edinburgh | 50-70 GBP | 100-140 GBP | 180+ GBP |
| Oaxaca | 600-900 MXN | 1200-1800 MXN | 2500+ MXN |
| Reykjavik | 12000-15000 ISK | 20000-28000 ISK | 40000+ ISK |
| Chiang Mai | 800-1200 THB | 1800-2500 THB | 3500+ THB |
These estimates include accommodation, meals, local transport, and one or two activities per day. Solo travelers often spend slightly more than half of what couples spend because you can’t split accommodation costs, though hostels help level that difference.
We saved money in expensive destinations like Reykjavik and Edinburgh by cooking some meals in hostel kitchens and prioritizing free activities like hiking. In cheaper destinations like Chiang Mai and Oaxaca, we splurged on cooking classes and guided tours that made the experiences richer.
Best Time to Visit
Lisbon shines brightest in spring from March through May when jacaranda trees bloom purple across the city and temperatures hover in the low twenties Celsius. We also loved September and October when summer crowds thin but the weather stays warm enough for evening passeios along the river.
Kyoto’s cherry blossom season in early April and autumn colors in November are spectacular but also the most crowded and expensive times to visit. We actually preferred June despite occasional rain because the hydrangea temples bloom brilliantly and accommodation costs drop by half.
Edinburgh becomes festival central in August with the Fringe transforming every available venue into a performance space. Solo travelers thrive during festival season because the entire city feels like a party, though book accommodation months in advance. We preferred May when the weather improves but crowds haven’t arrived.
Oaxaca’s DĂa de los Muertos celebrations at the end of October create an unforgettable cultural experience, and the festivities naturally include strangers in processions and cemetery vigils. The dry season from November through April offers the most reliable weather for day trips to archaeological sites.
Chiang Mai’s cool season from November through February brings the best weather, though December and January see the highest tourist numbers. We visited in November when temperatures dropped to comfortable levels but the crowds hadn’t fully arrived, making it perfect for solo exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel alone to these destinations?
We felt completely safe in all six destinations using common sense precautions. We avoided poorly lit areas late at night, kept valuables secure, and trusted our instincts when situations felt uncomfortable. The biggest risks we encountered were pickpockets in crowded tourist areas of Lisbon and Edinburgh, easily avoided by keeping phones and wallets in front pockets.
Solo female travelers might appreciate that all these cities have active online communities sharing real-time safety information. We connected with local women through Couchsurfing and Facebook groups who offered neighborhood-specific advice that guidebooks miss.
How do I meet people when traveling solo?
Stay in social hostels with common areas and organized activities. We met more travelers over hostel-organized dinners and pub crawls than anywhere else. Free walking tours attract solo travelers and create natural opportunities for post-tour meals or drinks with people from your group.
Apps like Meetup and Couchsurfing host regular gatherings in all these cities, from language exchanges to hiking groups. We attended a Tuesday night board game meetup in Reykjavik and a Friday conversation exchange in Kyoto, both filled with friendly locals and travelers.
Should I book everything in advance or plan as I go?
Book your first two or three nights of accommodation in advance so you arrive with a secure base. We learned this after landing exhausted in Chiang Mai and spending our first afternoon hunting for rooms instead of exploring. After that, we preferred booking just a few days ahead to maintain flexibility.
Activities like Edinburgh Castle or popular cooking classes in Chiang Mai should be booked ahead, but leave room for spontaneity. Some of our best experiences came from random invitations—a monk invited us to a temple ceremony in Kyoto, a local showed us hidden murals in Oaxaca—that we could only accept because our schedules stayed loose.
What’s the biggest challenge of solo travel?
Loneliness hits harder than we expected, usually around day four or five when the initial excitement fades. We combated this by building routines that included regular human interaction—morning coffee at the same cafe, evening walks through busy neighborhoods, joining group activities every few days.
Solo dining bothered us initially, especially at dinner. We solved this by eating at bars and counters where watching the action felt natural, bringing books or journals to occupy ourselves, and reframing dinner as a chance to people-watch rather than socialize.
How much more expensive is solo travel?
Solo travelers spend roughly sixty to seventy percent of what couples spend daily because accommodation represents the biggest non-shareable cost. We offset this by staying in hostels when possible, choosing destinations where single supplements are minimal, and splurging on experiences rather than fancy rooms.
Food costs actually decrease when traveling alone because you can eat street food and market meals without coordinating with a partner’s preferences. We spent less per day on food in Oaxaca and Chiang Mai solo than we did traveling those places with companions.
What should I do if I get sick while traveling alone?
We always traveled with basic medications and international health insurance that covered medical evacuation. When we caught food poisoning in Chiang Mai, our hostel staff helped us find a clinic, accompanied us there, and checked on us throughout the day—hospitality that reminded us solo doesn’t mean unsupported.
Research medical facilities before you go and keep your embassy contact information saved. In Reykjavik, we visited a clinic for a minor issue and found the process straightforward despite the language difference because nearly everyone spoke excellent English.
Our Travel Resources
We plan all our solo trips using a combination of general booking platforms for comparing accommodation options and direct booking when we find places we trust. Reading recent reviews from other solo travelers helps us identify which places genuinely welcome single guests versus those that make you feel like an afterthought.
For flights, we set price alerts months in advance and book when fares drop rather than waiting for perfect dates. Flexibility with travel dates saves hundreds on international tickets, especially to expensive destinations like Reykjavik and Edinburgh.
Travel insurance matters even more when traveling solo since you lack a companion to help if things go wrong. We never skip comprehensive coverage that includes medical evacuation and trip interruption, viewing it as essential rather than optional.
We rely on offline map applications that work without data, essential for navigation in neighborhoods where wifi disappears. Having addresses and key locations saved before we leave our accommodation means we explore confidently even in cities where we don’t speak the language. For more detailed packing and planning advice, check out our comprehensive solo travel preparation guide on sunonourskin.com.
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