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The rise of women traveling solo has transformed how many of us see the world—and ourselves. Whether you’re catching a sunset over the terracotta roofs of Lisbon, experiencing the natural wine scene in Buenos Aires, tackling North Africa’s three highest peaks, or enjoying the quiet ceremony of Kyoto’s teahouses, the best solo adventures can offer both a newfound sense of confidence and community.
Knowing where to begin as a solo traveler isn’t always easy, though, especially when considering personal comfort levels, factors like transportation and walkability, the experiences to prioritize, finding community, and, of course, how to get there. To help you start planning, we’ve rounded up some of the best solo travel destinations around the world for women. From the bike lanes of Amsterdam to the rooftops of Oaxaca, they are all places where safety, culture, and connection intersect—and all suggested by well-traveled women within our network.
And if you’re looking for a solo travel destination closer to home, head to our tried-and-true list of places to visit across the US afterwards.
Our top picks:
Overlooking Kyoto’s city and tower with autumn trees in Japan.
Getty ImagesKyoto, Japan
In Kyoto, centuries-old temples and modern design live side by side in harmony. With a rich culture of solo dining (there’s even a Japanese term for it: ohitorisama), this is a city that celebrates solitude. Experience a dose of it at traditional teahouses like Toka, Fumie Okumura’s intimate six seat counter-style tearoom located in a 100-year-old Kyoto town house. Although there are just a few across the city, you can also seek out woman-owned accommodations such as the elegant Maana Homes. Travelers will find deep respect for privacy and personal space, making solo exploration feel not just accepted but embraced. And with Japan’s reputation for safety and impeccable transit, Kyoto is an ideal gateway into Asia for women exploring on their own.
A sunlit view of monument of the Two Congresses with the Palace of Congress on Congressional Plaza in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Pablo Camacho/Getty ImagesBuenos Aires, Argentina
“It is easy to fall in love with Buenos Aires,” says travel consultant Paige Nichols. It doesn’t matter the barrio, the day of the week, or the time of day—few cities are as vibrant and accessible as this one.” With sidewalk DJ sets, bilingual book clubs, and pop-up dinners, Argentina’s capital pulses with creativity. The city is full of entrepreneurial women driving its cultural revival, making it a great place to plug in solo: Nichols suggests following Mich di Bastiano for her suggested daily agendas with a curated mix of art, music, food, and other events, with a few parties thrown in for good measure. “Locals are friendly and hospitable, eager to bring visitors into the fold with a warm welcome,” says Nichols. Plus, it’s walkable, full of charm, and filled with welcoming wine bars like Pain et Vin, which hosts regular tastings where you can connect with likeminded oenophiles, and social clubs like Las Argies, which hosts art tours around the city.
A sunny evening looking out towards Belem Tower alongside Jacaranda blooming trees in Lisbon, Portugal.
Getty ImagesLisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is one of the most-visited cities in Europe, thanks to its historic cobbled streets and thriving arts and culture scenes. In historic Alfama, visit Sé de Lisboa Cathedral and Castelo de São Jorge with all the tourists before ditching the map and getting lost among the narrow medieval streets with stunning lookout points, beautifully tiled buildings, and a soundtrack of Fado, the popular Portuguese music genre that was born in the streets of Lisbon. (You’ll hear it soulfully performed in professional fado houses or in many traditional Portuguese restaurants.) “My deep relationship with Lisbon began with a solo move rather than traditional solo travel. While it hits all the key points that make a city great for exploring alone—it’s walkable, culturally rich, safe, and the people are wonderfully welcoming—the truly compelling part for me, especially as a creative, is the sheer density of sensory input every time I step outside,” says creative director Jessica Sarkodie. “When you’re navigating a city on your own, you’re observing more deeply. Lisbon has so many sights, sounds, scents, and textures, making it an incredibly rich place to experience on your own terms.” Catch the sunset across the terracotta tiled rooftops at one of the many lookout points called miradouros—favorites include Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Miradouro Das Portas do Sol.
Along one of the many canals in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Alexander Spatari/Getty ImagesAmsterdam, Netherlands
With KLM Royal Dutch Airlines serving 15 major US travel hubs coast-to-coast, Europe is an accessible solo trip destination year round. Consider the airline’s hometown of Amsterdam as a launch point for an adventure across the continent, although make sure to linger there for a few days first. The Dutch capital is famously bikeable, with a robust network of museums, cozy cafes, and boutique shops lining the canals, the city is built for wandering and relaxing. Check out The Offline Club for digital-free events that encourage deeper connection, from offline cafe hangouts to phone-free dinners with strangers—perfect for the solo traveler looking for a digital detox and IRL community. Dutch culture is notably progressive, with a wealth of women-owned businesses to spend your tourist dollars at, like Esra, a stylish eatery celebrating Selin Kiazim’s Turkish-Cypriot heritage alongside Mediterranean small plates and rare Turkish wines. Don’t miss De Pijp, the city’s vibrant Latin Quarter—book a solo dinner at Michelin-starred Sinne and take a quiet stroll through the tucked-away Sarphatipark.
In Oaxaca, Mexico, the townscape against Teotitlan del Valle.
Getty ImagesOaxaca, Mexico
“One of my favorite places to travel solo in Mexico is Oaxaca,” shares Luisa Navarro, author of the soon-to-be-released book Mexico’s Day of the Dead. “The people are incredibly friendly and there are quite a few hotel options that specifically cater to solo travelers.” Accommodations like Casa de las Bugambilias or Casa Rosamate offer easy access to murals, museums, and markets. “Once you arrive in the city, almost all of the restaurants and shops are conveniently located within a 10 to 15 minute walk from most hotels,” says Navarro. “As a solo female traveler, I appreciate that I always feel safe walking to and from dinner at night.” Navarro recommends starting your day in the charming neighborhood of Jalatlaco with guava pastries from Santa Hierba and ending with rooftop mezcalito at Los Amantes, which offers a beautiful view of Santo Domingo Church.
A colorful canal is buzzy with small boats in Copenhagen, Denmark
Getty ImagesCopenhagen, Denmark
With plenty of direct flight routes from the US, design-forward, hyper-organized, and refreshingly egalitarian, Copenhagen is the kind of place that makes solo travel feel effortless. Public transport is reliable, and the biking culture means you’ll never feel stranded, with 239 miles of routes to explore. (Condé Nast Traveler’s Arati Menon, who took her first solo trip to the Danish city in 2021, says “the bus is my favorite way to move around Copenhagen, but you really can’t go wrong with any mode of public transportation”). Women-run restaurants and shops abound, especially in artsy neighborhoods like Vesterbro and Nørrebro. After a visit to Designmuseum Denmark—led by the inspiring Anne-Louise Sommer—a dip in a harbor sauna, brunch at Cadence, or a relaxing visit to Aire Ancient Baths, which houses a collection of hot and cold plunge pools in a restored 1881 building, you’ll begin to understand why Denmark consistently ranks among the world’s happiest countries.
Houses within a small village are dwarfed by the looming presence of a volcanic mountain, Rwanda,
Edwin Remsberg/Getty ImagesKigali & Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Begin your solo Rwanda trip in Kigali, a capital known for its majority-women parliament, vibrant arts scene, and powerful historical sites like the Kigali Genocide Memorial—a moving tribute to the nearly one million lives lost during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. The museum offers critical context for understanding Rwanda’s past and its remarkable path to healing. “I spent five days in Kigali and it quickly became one of my favorite cities—the food, fashion, and arts scenes are so dynamic, and from the famous milk bars to the coffeeshops, people are warm and welcoming,” says Traveler contributor Sarah Khan. “Add to that the fact that it’s famously one of the cleanest, safest cities on the continent, which gives it all the ingredients you need for a solo adventure.” Just three hours away lies Volcanoes National Park, where lush, mist-covered slopes of the Virunga range shelter golden monkeys and nearly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Stay at Virunga Lodge by Volcanoes Safaris, a pioneer in community and conservation-based tourism, with sweeping views over the mountains and twin lakes. Trek to see gorillas in the wild, then visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to deepen your understanding of primate conservation and celebrate Fossey’s legacy as an inspiring female primatologist and conservationist.
A sprawling view of the High Atlas Mountains from Skoura, Morocco.
Getty ImagesHigh Atlas Mountains, Morocco
For solo women seeking high-altitude adventure, Morocco’s Three Peak Challenge is an unforgettable journey. Over the course of a week, summit North Africa’s three highest peaks—Mgoun (4,068m), Ouanoukrim (4,089m), and Mt. Toubkal (4,167m)—on a guided trek with operators like Imlil Morocco Explorers through Berber villages, fossil-strewn ridges, and alpine lakes. Evenings bring camaraderie around campfires and cozy refuge stays, and with local guides, outfitters tailored for solo travelers, and group support available, the region is a great adventure for first-time high-altitude trekkers looking to push their limits. The challenge begins and ends in Marrakech, giving you time to explore the medina, unwind in a traditional hammam and stay at the city’s first Black woman-owned hotel, Jnane Tamsna, founded by Meryanne Loum-Martin, who was honored on this year’s Women Who Travel Power List for her dedication to fostering an environment where, in her words, “it feels like you’ve been invited to someone’s home for the weekend.”
Looking out towards the Bridge of Peace over Kura river in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Getty ImagesTbilisi, Georgia
Georgia is fast emerging as a solo destination, thanks to its affordability for US travelers, rugged natural beauty, and vast network of hiking trails, and famously warm hospitality. “Georgia has an unparalleled hosting culture that will go over and beyond to make you feel welcomed and taken care of—especially if you’re seen traveling alone,” says Polina Chesnakova, author of the upcoming cookbook Chesnock, which features 100 regional recipes from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, offering a personal portrait of the Soviet diaspora through food. “No trip to Georgia is complete without experiencing its world-renown food and drink,” she says. “Don’t sleep on the khinkali (soup dumplings), khachapuri (cheese bread), and badrijani nigvzit (eggplant rolls with walnuts)—or a pickle plate featuring the unusual jonjoli (bladdernut)! Wash it all down with a punchy Rkatsiteli amber wine aged in qvevri (buried amphora) or a bold Saparavi red. And if you’re feeling something more fiery, a shot of chacha, or Georgian grappa, will do.” Chesnakova recommends starting in Tbilisi, the capital, known for its art cafes, historic bathhouses, and cobbled lanes. “Head to Pictograma for the best khinkali in town or post up at Stamba—a Soviet-era publishing house turned internationally-acclaimed hotel—for an afternoon of people-watching and khachapuri,” she recommends. From Tbilisi, head to walkable cities like Batumi and Kutaisi, where it’s easy to tap into the country’s rich culture and history. From wine tasting in Kakheti and trekking the Transcaucasian Trail to sunning on the Black Sea or skiing in Svaneti, Georgia offers something for every kind of traveler—and at a fraction of the cost of Western Europe.
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