The best places for solo female travel in 2026

🌎 Best for: seriously outdoorsy types

Renowned for its vast rainforests, paradisiacial beaches and diverse wildlife (we’re talking nearly 5 percent of species worldwide) Costa Rica should be on the radar of any nature-obsessed solo traveller. It’s a small but mighty country which caters well both to younger explorers gunning to follow well-trodden, established tourist paths, but also for those of us who are more experienced and keen to take a walk on the wild side. A stark contrast to the bustling Pacific Coast, the Caribbean side of the country has a laid-back charm. Think palm-fringed coasts, dense cloud forests, vibrant coral reefs and of course, an abundance of animals (sloths, howler monkeys, iguanas, and toucans are just some of the creatures I spotted during my last trip). For avid adventurers, the Pacuare River is a must-visit. Originating in the Talamanca Mountains and flowing east to the Caribbean Sea, this place is about as close as you’ll find to a real-life Jurassic Park. Oh, and it’s practically a crime to come here and not go white-water rafting.

📍 Check out what we thought of Costa Rica’s wild and remote Osa Peninsula

🌎 Best for: romanticising your life

The French capital, obviously best known as the City of Love, has long been lauded as the ultimate break for couples, but I’m here to make the case for it as a standout solo destination. Not only does Paris brag enough world-class art galleries to keep you entertained for days or even weeks, it’s a highly walkable city, ideal for meandering around without a particular destination in mind, and has a bistro and café culture which is second to none – you’ll feel like the chicest possible version of yourself enjoying a coffee or kir on your ones. For plenty of that quintessential French charm on a smaller, slightly friendlier scale, head to Annecy. The Lake is excellent if you’re after a solo adventure which is a little more active, and the Old Town is an unbelievably pretty and famously safe little hub to spend a couple of days. 

📍 Discover our roundup of the best places to visit in France

🌎 Best for: beach bums and island-hopping

One thing’s for sure: you’ll find plenty of other women travelling solo in the Philippines, a tried-and-tested stop on Southeast Asia’s backpacker trail. Island-hopping is the name of the game here, with fast, frequent and affordable ferries ready to drop you off on any one of the thousands of islands that make up this archipelagic paradise. In Bohol, you can marvel at chocolate hills and teeny-weeny tarsiers, an adorable bug-eyed primate native to the island. Palawan has jaw-dropping limestone karsts and sugar-sand beaches, while surfer’s paradise Siargao has boho shops and a tight-knit community of locals and transplants. Plus, accommodation for independent travellers, in the form of homestays or hostels, is easy to find and easy on the wallet. What’s not to love? 

📍 Discover our roundup of the world’s most beautiful places

🌎 Best for: a hit of whimsy

England’s vast, green countryside, easily accessible transport and charming small towns makes for an excellent addition to a solo woman travellers’s bucket list. While it’s absolutely advised to stay street smart in bigger cities like the capital, most spaces (even in London) feel quite safe, and even more so when exploring England’s diverse landscapes and national parks. Cycle in London’s Battersea Park, hike the Peak District, go punting in Cambridge, swim the seas of Cornwall, or kayak through the Lake District’s Derwentwater in Keswick before grabbing a bite and brew at The Fellpack. 

📍 Discover the best new things to do in the UK right now

🌎 Best for: a happy-go-lucky lifestyle

Home of meatballs, lingonberries, prinsesstårta (princess tortes) and IKEA, Sweden is a gem of a country to get lost in as a solo-travelling, whether you’re exploring its scenic Lapland or wandering the cosy-meets-contemporary neighbourhoods of Stockholm. Wander through the rich old town, Gamla Stan, and you’ll find indie shops, traditional restaurants and ‘fika’-inspired cafes like Kaffekoppen to warm you up during colder seasons. Ranked as the fourth happiest country in the world, Sweden thrives with a delicious, yet healthy cuisine, accessible healthcare and clean, reliable transportation. But if you happen to get lost, the majority of Swedes are bilingual – particularly in English – making the Nordic country an easy place to ask for help should you need it.

📍 Discover all our tips for summer travel in Sweden

🌎 Best for: newbie solo travellers

Japan is one of the safest destinations in the world, not just for solo travellers but for anyone who visits, thanks to its respectful culture, etiquette and traditions. Cities like Tokyo might feel a little overwhelming at first, but Japan has everything from female-only train carriages to women’s hotels to make you feel secure. Simple and efficient transport, like the superfast bullet train, can take you from volcanic hot springs and snow-capped mountains to white sand beaches and cascading rice terraces in one trip. Best of all, dining alone in Japan is considered completely normal!

📍 Discover the most underrated places in Japan

🌎 Best for: embracing your inner Donna Sheridan 

A solo trip to Greece is a real-life Mamma Mia movie waiting to happen. The country is a good beginner destination for those looking for sun, sand and a dose of history on their own. Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities, brimming with ancient wonders like the Acropolis, Parthenon and Panathenaic Stadium. Modern hotels and hostels mean you’ll travel in comfort and can dine out on Mediterranean cooking at affordable prices, plus the popular islands of Corfu, Kefalonia and Kos have the blue waters, beaches and pretty towns you’ve seen in the movies and are simple to reach by boat.

📍 Discover our guide to the best Greek islands

🌎 Best for: unmatched variety 

Whether you choose the North or South Island or combine them both, New Zealand is one of the safest countries for solo female travel. You can self-drive or join tours while in the country, exploring fjords, mountains, glaciers and beaches. The wild landscapes are perfect for adventure and road trips, starting in Auckland, Queenstown or Christchurch, where hostels and hotels are concentrated. It’s an epic outdoor destination, so nature lovers are well set up for hiking, swimming and kayaking, while the slightly higher costs mean there are always other solo female travellers keen to buddy up.

📍 Discover Time Out’s roundup of all the best places to visit in New Zealand

🌎 Best for: touching grass

If you’re looking for a proper rural escape, there are plenty of seriously gorgeous and well-trodden trails to hike, such as Mweelrea in County Mayo on the Wild Atlantic Way, or Lugnaquilla in County Wicklow where, if you finish your walk in Glenmalure, you can make use of the little local sauna. But Irish cities are great solo-ventures, too: Dublin has lots of museums, lovely cinemas and free things to do, and is known as a safe city to explore, but Cork is a brilliant place for a pitstop and is very walkable, as is Galway, particularly in the summer months when you can make the most of the Salthill Promenade and the Blackrock Diving Tower. 

📍 Discover Ireland’s best hotels right now

🌎 Best for: well-trodden paths and outstanding food

When it comes to the safest destinations for women backpacking in Southeast Asia, Thailand and Vietnam still vie for the top spot – but Vietnam is a good place to start. With a well-trodden tourist route, stretching from the capital of Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh in the south, the country encompasses mountains, beaches, islands and ancient villages like Hoi An and Hue, plus some of the region’s best cuisine. Whether you make the journey by train, sleeper bus or scooter, thousands of other solo travellers will be making the same trip.

📍 Here’s our comprehensive guide to all things Vietnam

🌎 Best for: making like-minded friends

Portugal has made a name for itself as the perfect solo travel destination thanks to a growing number of digital nomads moving there. Amongst the Baroque castles and palaces, hiking trails and sweeping beaches, you can also find trendy backpacker hangouts and an increasing number of co-working spots and cute cafes for snacking on pastel de nata. The Douro Valley is home to rolling vineyards, Lisbon’s cobbled streets are packed with history, and in the southern Algarve, whale-watching and watersports await. Plus, it’s simple to navigate by car, train and bus. 

📍 Discover the very best things to do in Portugal

🌎 Best for: first-time solo travellers

The food is tasty, the drinks are cheap, and the cities are breathtakingly beautiful – what more could a solo female traveller want? In Czechia’s capital of Prague, visitors can wander the narrow streets, visiting the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle and the Old Town Square. For those who aren’t used to solo travel, walking and cycling tours of the city make it easy to meet people too. There’s low crime, major sights are walkable, and loads of dreamy day trips – have you seen the town of Český Krumlov?

📍 Discover the very best things to do in Prague

🌎 Best for: not breaking the bank

Central America is slowly catching up to an influx of independent travellers, and Guatemala has never been more popular with solo female travellers due to hostels and tour routes popping up everywhere, great infrastructure and affordable food and attractions. Meeting new friends is a breeze, as most people follow the same trail, visiting the stunning Lake Atitlán, the ancient pyramids at Tikal and sparkling blue falls at Semuc Champey. The colourful streets of Antigua are also the perfect base for attempting Guatemala’s famous hike up Acatenango to watch Volcano Fuego erupt at sunrise. 

📍 Discover the best new things to do in the world right now

🌎 Best for: type B travellers

Australia holds a major draw for independent travellers, thanks to the scenic tourist route along the East Coast and simple visa process, making it safe and uncomplicated to plan, particularly if it’s your first time down under. Sydney’s buzzing beaches, food scene and postcard-perfect landmarks, like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, are a dazzling introduction to the country, while further north, the Great Barrier Reef offers snorkelling cruises and jeep tours on Fraser Island. All of this comes with almost guaranteed sunshine, friendly Aussies and cute wildlife – just don’t think too much about the other critters.

📍 Discover the best attractions to visit in Australia

🌎 Best for: longer solo stints

The teardrop island of Sri Lanka is like India in miniature but with its own unique charm, making it the perfect first stop for female travellers wanting to dip into South Asia. It’s popular with backpackers and perfectly sized for a week or a month spent exploring the ancient Unesco-listed sites like Dambulla and Sigiriya or visiting tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya. And for some blissful downtime, the golden beaches of Arugam Bay, Mirissa and Hikkaduwa promise beachfront hostels, surfing and delicious local food.

📍 Discover our list of the greatest hotels in Sri Lanka