If you’re looking to travel the world as a solo female traveller, some places might be more intimidating than others, especially if you’re new to solo travel. I’ve travelled around the world on my own, with friends, and on small group tours, so I’ve had a feel for different kinds of travel.
However, there are a few spots that I’ve truly loved visiting on my own, so here are the best places I’ve travelled as a solo female traveller.
New Zealand
First of all, New Zealand is hands-down one of the most incredible places I’ve ever been. I’ve been lucky enough to go twice, once on my own and once for work. The public transport network around the country (mostly buses) is really great, so if you’re not comfortable hiring a car or campervan to travel around, you don’t necessarily need to join a tour.
Some of my favourite spots in New Zealand include:
- Auckland
- Mount Maunganui
- Taupo
- Wellington
- Tekapo/Aoraki Mount Cook
- Queenstown
It doesn’t matter if you love incredible food, amazing wine, hiking, cycling, wandering around cities, or just embracing nature; New Zealand is an amazing place. While it’s not the cheapest, there are plenty of chain hostels around the country that are worth checking out, and you can get flights from the UK with Chinese airlines for as low as £650 return now (depending on the time of year).
I’ve always felt pretty safe in New Zealand, even walking around Auckland at night after rugby games. Of course, be sensible, the same as you would in any major city, but by and large, it’s a friendly country for solo travellers.
Where I stayed: JW Marriott Auckland, Tasman Holiday Parks – Papamoa Beach, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown
Bologna, Italy
The foodie capital of Italy needs little introduction, but Bologna is one of the most incredible starting points for solo travellers in Italy. As it’s home to one of the oldest universities in the world, there’s definitely an international feel to the city. Budget flights are available to Bologna from across Europe, and you can get return flights (without baggage, of course) for around £50 from Manchester.
Once you’re there, the city is highly walkable. Realistically, you only need public transport if you’re coming from the airport (there’s a speedy monorail direct to the central train station), or if you’re jumping on the train for a day trip to Modena or further afield to Florence or Verona. It’s also super popular for cyclists, so you can hire bikes and take advantage of the miles of cycle paths around the city.
The reason I love Bologna so much is that it’s incredibly easy to just wander around somewhat aimlessly. When I’m on my own, I like to explore and just go whichever way takes my fancy. The iconic porticos and side streets of Bologna are perfect for that, and there’s always incredible food at the end.
Where I stayed: Combo Hostel
Copenhagen, Denmark
If you want a perfect introduction to solo travel, but you’re not particularly on a budget, Copenhagen is great. The Danish capital isn’t the cheapest, and I was lucky enough to stay with a friend when I went there to keep costs low. However, I was exploring the city largely solo as he had lectures.
Copenhagen is definitely walkable, although for speed, you can join the locals on bikes. There’s also a really efficient metro service that goes directly to the airport and out to the beaches (who knew Copenhagen had beaches?).
Again, this is a small city, so it’s ideal for meandering. You can visit Christiania or the Carlsberg Factory, or explore Nyhavn on foot with ease. There are also tons of coffee shops and bakeries to stop off at and get refreshments and a sweet treat, which is a definite highlight of the Copenhagen food scene.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Another relatively expensive capital city, Reykjavik, has long been one of the best places for female solo travellers. The Icelandic capital is cosy, warm, and inviting, and is full of intriguing museums, shops, and cafes. Of course, you end up joining a few tours to go to the Golden Circle or to chase the Northern Lights, if you’re not comfortable driving overseas or in wintry conditions (depending on the time of year).
Getting from the airport to the capital is really easy with direct buses that you can book in advance. Once you’re in Reykjavik, it’s easy to walk everywhere. I went in November, so it was dark early, but I never felt unsafe walking around downtown and exploring the incredible food and bar scene here.
On the whole, everyone I met there was super friendly, and there are a few great hostels with female-only dorms, if you want that extra peace of mind.
Where I stayed: KEX Hostel
Vancouver, Canada
Heading to the other side of the world, Vancouver in Canada felt pretty great for a solo female traveller. While there were areas around the bus station where I didn’t feel super safe (much like bus stations around the world, generally), on the whole, I felt pretty safe and secure.
Vancouver is such an international city with a ton of different cultures and expats, so there’s a real vibe and buzz to the place. It’s also reasonably walkable, given the size of the city. I also did a 5-hour bike tour, which was really great for getting my bearings and learning about the local history and culture.
For public transport, you have the SkyTrain, which connects out to the airport, as well as around the suburbs. You also have ferry services over to Granville Island, which has an incredible market and brewery, as well as cool art galleries and cafes.
Where I stayed: Cambie Hostel, Gastown
Tarragona, Spain
One of my more recent and underrated trips took me to the small Roman city of Tarragona. It’s around an hour’s train south of Barcelona, and it’s a great spot if you’re a solo female traveller, looking for a quieter city with tons of history.
Tarragona was the first Roman city in Spain, and as a result, it has an amphitheater, forum, and circus to explore, as well as an incredible Archeological Museum. It’s also on the Mediterranean Sea, so you can walk to soft, sandy beaches or get some incredible seafood. Further inland, you’re close to amazing vineyards and wineries, brought over by the Romans and then cultivated by the French throughout history.
There aren’t many hostels here, but there are really affordable budget hotels in the center. It’s easy to walk around Tarragona and wander the alleys of the Old Town. It’s also a short bus ride from Gaudi’s home city, Reus, where you’ll also find the closest airport, served by budget carriers. You can also get direct trains to Barcelona and Valencia from the central train station in Tarragona.
Where I stayed: B&B Hotel Tarragona Centro Urbis
Oban and The Inner Hebrides, Scotland
Finally, a spot closer to home, but one of the best places I’ve travelled as a solo female traveller. Oban is a port town in Western Scotland and serves as the gateway to the islands, most specifically the Hebrides. The Hebrides are split into inner and outer due to their proximity to the mainland, and on this occasion, I only had time to visit the Inner Hebrides; however, I’m hoping to rectify that soon!
I’ll caveat this by saying that while it’s a great spot for solo female travellers, it takes more planning than some of the options on this list. That’s because it requires comparing ferry schedules from CalMac ferries. These are seasonal, so make sure you have the timetable with the correct dates, and book in advance to avoid disappointment, especially in summer.
During my visit, I went to:
- Oban Distillery
- Lismore
- Staffa
- Isle of Mull
- Iona
I cannot recommend these places enough. The beaches of Iona literally look like the Caribbean with clear waters and white sand. Just remember, the water temperature will not be quite so tropical. Oban itself is pretty small with a ton of great seafood restaurants and cafes (The Green Shack by the ferry terminal is a cult classic, and a must-visit).
Make time to visit McCaig’s Tower & Battery Hill, which sits atop Oban and gives you incredible views out across the islands and the town below. It’s a really peaceful spot with beautiful architecture, so sit and stay a while.
Where I stayed: Oban Backpackers Hostel
