More and more women are globetrotting solo – but for those who are keen but haven’t yet struck out on their own, deciding where to go can be daunting. With this group of solo-travellers-in-waiting in mind, Condé Nast Traveller has compiled a compendium of 16 top destinations ideally suited for exploring sans companion.
The list, put together with the help of experienced solo travellers, spans the globe, from corner to corner.
There’s a spot with a ‘rugged coastline dotted with charming fishing villages’ and a city with ‘golden beaches’.
CN Traveller also suggests a Spanish island that’s now ‘one of the world’s premier wellbeing destinations’, a fairytale region of Germany and a nation in South America where the people are just ‘so nice’.
The magazine says: ‘While there are lots of data-fuelled consensuses out there about the “safest” places for women to go alone, some of the most beloved spots for a solo getaway are places that might not cross the radar of those big-city rankings, yet boast welcoming locals, walkable old towns, and vibrant food and art scenes.
‘To help you start planning that first solo trip, we tapped experienced solo travellers for their tips.’ Scroll down and get ready for your wanderlust to be ignited.
GRANADA, NICARAGUA: Granada (pictured) is recommended by Katalina Mayorga, co-founder of El Camino Travel and Granada’s Casa Violeta hotel. She tells CN Traveller: ‘Not only is it welcoming, but it has everything Costa Rica has plus more, and at a much more accessible price point’
WEST CORK, IRELAND: ‘For intrepid, road-tripping solo female travellers, West Cork has some of the most richly rewarding scenery in Europe,’ says CN Traveller, which adds: ‘Dramatic, rugged coastline is dotted with charming fishing villages and a mixed community where hotshot interior designers and local fishermen all drink at the same pub’
PERTH, AUSTRALIA: The city’s ‘golden beaches, vibrant street-art scene, world-class restaurants and affordable places to stay’ are why CN Traveller suggests booking a solo trip here
OSAKA, JAPAN: CN Traveller says the city is ‘Japan’s most exciting foodie destination’, adding that ‘lone diners can take comfort in the fact they’ll be joining plenty of other solitary office workers’ no matter what kind of restaurant they’re in. The magazine remarks: ‘There is zero self-consciousness in turning up alone, whether at a ramen restaurant, a karaoke bar or a Michelin-starred brasserie’
IBIZA: The Spanish island has long been known for its nightlife but, thanks to yoga centres and meditation retreats, it’s now ‘one of the world’s premier wellbeing destinations’, says CN Traveller, which adds: ‘For solo female travellers in search of a friendly community of fellow wellness-seekers (or simply sun-seekers, vintage-clothing seekers and cocktail-seekers) the hippy spirit is alive and kicking on la isla bonita, welcoming barefoot bohemians from across the globe’
BAVARIA, GERMANY: Solo travellers will find themselves in ‘storybook Germany’ here, with ‘ridiculously picturesque medieval walled towns, wildflower-strewn meadows, soaring castles and traditional beer halls’ to ‘sustain them’ as they drive, cycle or walk through. CN Traveller adds: ‘Germany is blessedly hassle-free and safe; most Bavarians would be mortified if any visitor was made to feel unwelcome or self-conscious on their watch’
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA: While CN Traveller admits this isn’t a cheap destination, the travel magazine says it’s ‘wealthy, welcoming and pleasingly progressive’ with an ‘abundance of stylish, luxurious boutique hotels with poolside cocktail bars’. It adds that the U.S city is ‘best explored by bike’
LUANG PRABANG, LAOS: Jessica Nabongo, the first black woman to have visited every country in the world, says Luang Prabang ‘was very easy to navigate by riding a bike, and you get there and this spirit of zen just comes over you’
CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA: Jessica describes this port city as ‘an easy place to do solo’, because it’s small enough to navigate by foot on your own, it ‘felt safe’ and the people are ‘so nice’
PORTO, PORTUGAL: ‘Lone travellers with the right attitude will rapidly feel welcome at any terrace bar, port lodge or open-air food market’ here, says CN Traveller. The magazine guide adds that the city is small enough to explore in two or three days, and best discovered on foot
SINGAPORE: CN Traveller recommends the Asian country for solo travellers due to its ‘eclectic’ skyline, as well as the fact that English is the main language spoken, ‘making it easy to connect with Singaporeans, renowned for their kindness, generosity and openness’
PORTLAND, OREGON: Rock climber and photographer Nikki Smith recommends a visit to the U.S. city for its ‘famous food scene’ and Forest Park, which ‘has over 80 miles of beautiful trails’
RED ROCK CANYON, LAS VEGAS: Rather than heading to Vegas’s famous strip, Nikki suggests a solo trip to this national conservation area nearby for ‘miles of amazing hiking, biking, and running trails, as well as world-class rock climbing’. She recommends staying in the Summerlin area, which is ‘quieter than downtown’
ISTANBUL, TURKEY: Condé Nast Traveller contributing editor and Nomadness Travel Tribe founder Evita Robinson was ‘immediately sucked in’ by ‘the people, the energy, the food, and the favourable conversion rate’ when she visited the Turkish capital on her own. She adds: ‘Turkey has been one of my most fulfilling and safe solo trips’
AMSTERDAM: Martinique Lewis, a diversity in travel consultant and president of Black Travel Alliance, recommends the ‘super safe’ Netherlands city for solo travellers. She tells CN Traveller: ‘Even though you come alone, you leave with a whole community of people who welcomed you’
DOMINICA, CARIBBEAN: For a solo trip to the Caribbean Islands, where you ‘won’t feel out of place’ surrounded by ‘honeymoon-oriented beach resorts’, CN Traveller recommends Dominica. The travel magazine praises the English-speaking island’s ‘traditional charm, independent B&Bs’, ‘locally owned luxury lodges and a dazzling list of thrilling adventures in the jungle interior’
