Nothing beats galivanting around the globe on your own, the surrounding sound of liberation, and self-will is what makes solo travels the best. By traveling on your own, you become the sole organizer of your entire trip, you get to pick the pace and the duration for which you want your travels to last. If you wish to embark on a solo venture but don’t know where to start, then dearest reader, you have landed in the right place. In this article we will be talking about the best places to travel to solo, so stick around till the end to find your ultimate solo venture destination.
Best Places to Travel to Solo – A Quick Glance
Solo Travels
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, our eyes have been opened to the fickleness of life. Therefore, when we came out of the pandemic restrictions, all of us wanted to do what we were either afraid or hesitant to do pre-pendamic, and “life is too short” became the motto for all of us. And since then, traveling solo has gained much popularity. The only beneficial thing that came out of COVID was that we were able to kick our reservations aside, gaining control of not only our life, but also getting the courage to do what we always wanted to do, but were too scared to do it.
Once you venture into the realm of solo travel you realize that the world has such an abundance of places that beckon solo travelers to explore them. Therefore, we did a little venturing and researching of our own to curate a list that harbors the best places to travel solo in order to share the joy we felt when we embarked on solo adventures to these destinations.
Best Places to Travel to Solo – An Overview
1. Iceland – The Most Enchanting among the Best Places to Travel to Solo
Deemed the land of fire and ice, Iceland is like a beacon for nature fanatics, and due to it being one of the safest countries in Iceland is one of the best places to travel solo. The enchaining land of Iceland is home to an abundance of caves, black-sand beaches, caverns, volcanos, geysers, and waterfalls all of which offer unique adventures of their own, enough to keep you occupied during your stay. The scope and landscape of this Nordic Island are second to none, the memories of which will stay with you for years to come.
To surround yourself with fellow humans and buzzing activity, a trip to Reykjavik, the charming capital of the equally charming country, that is jam-packed with activity, is a must. While you are there, don’t forget to venture into the realm of relaxation by visiting the Blue Lagoon and the Laugarvatn Fontana. Iceland is also an ideal place for solo female travelers as the country has been named time and time again as one of the safest places on earth for travelers. The country has very low crime rates and harbors a society that is very accepting.
Where to Base Yourself When on a Solo trip to Iceland?
If it is your first time traveling to Iceland solo and you don’t plan on renting a car, it is best to base yourself in the county’s capital Reykjavik. The reason for this is that you can easily do day trip tours from the capital and most of the county’s popular and coveted attractions lie only 1 to 3 hours away from Reykjavik. Moreover, from downtown Reykjavik, you will also have access to incredible restaurants and bars. Given below is a list of the best hotels and hostels that you can opt for during your solo venture to Iceland.
Renting an Apartment – When in Iceland, you can opt to stay at a rental apartment. The renting price normally starts from $100 a night and you get the entire space to yourself. You can even cook meals if you don’t feel like going out. If renting an entire apartment is not in the cards, you can rent a room in an Airbnb for about $80 per night.
Guesthouse – Eric the Red Guesthouse is one of the best guesthouses in the Icelandic capital. It lies at a perfect location in Reykjavik and costs only $160 a night.
Hostel – Staying at a hostel when solo traveling is good a choice as it allows you to meet other solo travelers. Two of the very best hostels that are housed in Reykjavik are Kex Hostel and Loft HI Hostel and Bar.
Boutique Hotel – If you desire room service and housekeeping, then opt for a stay at the Alda Hotel the price of which starts from $300 per night.
Luxury Hotel – In case you want to treat yourself, opt for a stay at Tower Suites Reykjavik, which is the epitome of luxury and is widely known for its stunning views and comfort.
2. Australia – The Most Epic among the Best Places to Travel to Solo
Being one of the best places to travel to solo, Australia is on the bucket list of many lone travelers. Its tropical climates, laid-back beachy lifestyle, wildlife, and many other aspects, make Australia an immensely coveted destination. When in Australia you can sail the beautiful Whitsunday Islands, explore Fraser Island, scuba dive or snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef, hangout in Melbourne or Sydney, skydive, and of course tour the surf town of Byron Bay.
Traveling solo in Australia is not only an unforgettable but also an easy venture, which makes the Land Down Under a haven for solo travelers. Moreover, Australia is also an ideal solo travel destination for female solo travelers. This is because the country is not only home to some of the most welcoming and friendly people on earth, but it is also safe to travel and explore.
Where to Base Yourself When on a Solo Trip to Australia?
When traveling to Australia, you won’t have to worry about accommodations. The country offers its guests tons of options from hostels to hotels, that suit the budget of all kinds of travelers. Given below is a list of accommodations that you can find in Australia:
Hostels – When traveling solo, the best accommodation that you can opt for is hostels that are budget-friendly and a hub for you to meet fellow travelers. One of the most common hostel chains in the county is “Base” the stay at which starts from $68. ‘Gilligan’s Backpacker and Hostel Resort’ in Cairns and ‘Wake Up’ in Sydney are also excellent, slightly more upscale hostel options.
Hotels – Australia is home to some of the best hotels in the world that offer a range of different prices. If you are willing to splurge a little, then opt for a stay at PARKROYAL in Melbourne, which is a high-quality hotel, promising comfort and luxury at a price starting from $215. When in Sydney, you can stay at Shangri-La which is one of the best luxury hotels in Australia.
Rental Apartments – Solo travelers can also opt for a stay at rental apartments, that are peppered throughout the country. Plus, Airbnbs are also available.
3. Botswana – Most Wondrous among the Best Places to Travel to Solo
For solo travelers, wishing to explore the vast wonders of Africa, Botswana is the best place to be. With nearly 40 percent of its land devoted to national parks, Botswana harbors a wealth of wildlife that travelers can observe and appreciate. The Kalahari Desert, Chobe National Park, and Okavango Delta are some of the world-renowned safari spots and are home to everything from rhinos to giraffes. Moreover, Botswana is one of the best places to travel solo as not only is it an economically and politically steady nation, but it also ranks highly in safety indexes for African countries.
Moreover, Botswanans also speak English, which makes it easy for solo travelers to communicate with the locals and navigate the destination. When in Botswana make sure to opt for a guided safari tour to witness its wildlife and national parks.
Where to Base Yourself When on a Solo Trip to Botswana?
When in Botswana, you will find a plethora of accommodation options with varying prices. Being one of the best travel destinations, Botswana harbors hotels and hostels that suit the needs of different kinds of travelers. From luxurious to low-key you will be able to find everything in this wild safari.
Hostels – A renowned hostel in Botswana is the Elephant Trial Guesthouse and Backpackers which provides its guests with comfort and a plethora of amenities. At this hostel, you will have access to an outdoor pool, Wi-Fi, and coffee in the common area. The parking is free and there is also an airport shuttle service available. Another great hostel for solo travelers is Chaixara Backpackers where guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, a TV in the common room, an outdoor pool, and free parking.
Hotels – Botswana also harbors a wealth of hotels that offer comfortable lodgings and a variety of amenities. Ngoma Safari Lodge is one of the most renowned hotels in Botswana and offers incredible services with scrumptious food in remarkable surroundings. The hotel exudes rustic elegance and harbors a very warm and welcoming management and staff that sees to the needs of guests. Another great hotel option is the Qorokwe concession which lies in a spectacular wild-life dense area of the Okavango Delta, overlooking a lagoon. Qorokwe Concession is a safari camp that is stylish and sleek and harbors excellent service. It is also home to a large swimming pool, and there are yoga mats and weights in the villas.
4. Canada – Widely Coveted among the among the Best Places to Travel to Solo
When it comes to solo travel the name that is thrown around the most is Canada. It is widely known that Canada is home to some of the friendliest people and also harbors everything that one might expect from a top-notch travel destination. From incredible off-the-grid adventure opportunities such as visiting the Rockies, Banff National Park, and Niagara Falls to visiting the very Europe-like Old Quebec and the catfish capital of the world Selkirk, the vast land of Canada offers plenty to see for globetrotters.
Its wonderful cities like Toronto, known as one of the world’s most multicultural cities, and Vancouver which is famed for its unique urban designs, offer travelers some unique experiences that they will remember till the end of time.
Where to Base Yourself When on a Solo Trip to Canada?
Canada is an excellent city for sparking the temptation of wanderlust in the hearts of travelers. It is also one of the best places to travel, solo as it harbors safe, bustling cities, budgetary accommodations, and a well developed transportation system. Given below are some accommodations you can opt for on your solo trip to Canada:
Hostels – We said this before and we are saying it again, hostels are some of the best accommodations that you can opt for on solo travels, offering an excellent opportunity to make connections and save on food and accommodations. From dormitories to private rooms, hostels offer lodgings that suit the needs and wants of all kinds of travelers.
One of the best hostels in Canada that locals and tourists swear by is M Montreal. M Montreal is a place that resonates with a cool and stylish feel and is absolutely massive, harboring everything one might need during their stay in Montreal. The hostel also offers free breakfast and has a 24-hour reception to lend a helping hand to its guests.
The Clarence Park in Toronto is also a top-notch hostel in Canada one that comes with luggage storage, laundry facilities, and a café. The building looks over one of the city’s most beautiful parks, offering stunning views to its guests.
Hotels – Hostels are great, but hotels carry their own charm, not to mention room service. In the heart of Vancouver, you will come across a gorgeous hotel, the Rosewood Hotel Georgia. This hotel resides in a prime location in Vancouver surrounded by many dining, and shopping options, lying just a walking distance away from the waterfront. Here solo travelers will never run out of things to do. After touring the city during the day, visit the hotel’s classy rooftop bar, Reflections, in the evening, that comes alive when the sun goes down, and is frequented by locals and tourists alike.
Airbnb and Apartment Rental – Of course, if you want a place completely to yourself without paying loads of money, you can always rent out an apartment or room via Airbnb.
5. Vietnam – Uniquely Beautiful among the Best Places to Travel to Solo
Among the best places to travel solo, Vietnam is the one that resonates with a unique beauty and harbors a complicated history, making it one of the most compelling travel destinations, especially for those who are traveling alone. In recent years, the county grew into a popular traveling hotspot that has led to a thriving social scene, allowing like-minded travelers to share travel ideas and also journey alongside each other.
Three of Vietnam’s tourist highlights, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and the Ha Giang Loop are a must-visit, as they offer an experience that is equal parts awe-striking and memorable. Apart from harboring some of the best vacation spots in the world, Vietnam is also quite budget-friendly, has a great transportation network, and is full of hostels, which makes it one of the best places to travel solo.
Where to Base Yourself When on a Solo Trip to Vietnam?
Vietnam also known as Backpacker Central is a major destination on every solo traveler’s and backpacker’s southeast Asia itinerary. Filled with epic landscapes waiting to be discovered, friendly people, incredible road trips, and a whole lot of street food, it comes as no surprise that Vietnam is frequented by hoarders of travelers and tourists. Due to its immense popularity among globetrotters, the country is home to many hotels and hostels that suit the budget and needs of all kinds of travelers.
Hostels – One great accommodation option that you will find nestled in a little alley in Hue is the Hue Happy Homestay. The Hue Happy Homestay offers its guests free breakfast, laundry facilities, and security lockers. The hostel also lies in a prime location, close to all the good eateries, bars, and evening markets in town.
While staying at Hue Happy Homestay you can easily venture over to the river to see the Imperial City and then return at night to sleep safely and soundly in the calm and cozy dorm. The hosts of the hostel will also help you find a good place to rent a bike and arrange tours so that you can see all the sites around the city.
If going cheap and budget-friendly is on your agenda, then you should opt for a stay at Hanoi City Backpackers which is the cheapest hostel in Vietnam. Despite being cheap, the hostel is neither tacky nor shabby and lies in an amazing location, right in the middle of the action of the Old Quarter. The hostel is surrounded by bars, street food, and the buzz of local life. Moreover, the Hanoi City Backpacker is immaculately clean, and modern and offers its guests a big helping of free stuff. When you stay here, not only will get a big free breakfast but will also be blessed with free beer and free bike hire.
Hotels – In Hanoi, you will find a hotel, Capella Hanoi, that speaks a language of luxury and waltzes to a refreshingly different beat, away from the cliché straight-lined and beige hotel designs that seem to predominate in the rest of the world. Capella Hanoi features ornate hand-painted wallpapers, lush and comfy rooms, jewel-hued textiles, and a jumble of mirrors and marble that make the rest of the hotels turn green with envy. At the Capella Hanoi, guests are treated like royalty and are given top-notch amenities that make their stay in Hanoi a fascinating one.
Another hotel in Vietnam that is bedecked in luxury and can be found on the warm tropical coastline of southern Vietnam is the Anantara Mui Ne Resort. The resort peaks form under the cover of sleek luxury and offer its guests supremely comfortable beachfront stays. Most of its rooms that are decked in modern decor and subtle Vietnamese accents can be found in the ministry wing. One- or two-bedroom pool villas also dot its lush tranquil gardens, which speak a unique language of grandeur and comfort.
6. Portugal – Award-Wining among the Best Places to Travel to Solo
Portugal is a famous travel destination with many of its spots frequently picking up travel awards and plaudits. From Lisbon, a backpacker’s dream, to Porto with its dreamlike beauty, Portugal is home to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world that attract wide-eyed travellers and adventurers from all over the globe. Packed with stunning sights and spots, this European treasure is home to 800km of coastline that acts as a magnet, attracting surfers from all over the world.
Where to Base Yourself When on a Solo Trip to Portugal?
Countless hostels, hotels, and Airbnb dot the beautiful exanpse of Portugal, providing travellers with a plethora of accommodation options.
Hostels – The city of Lisbon is home to some of the best hostels in Portugal that offer lots of comfort, as well as socialization opportunities. The best of the best hostels in Lisbon, one which is ideal for travelers wishing to make new friends is Good Morning Lisbon. The hostel was designed with socialization in mind and offers ample opportunities to socialize such as free happy hours every night, complimentary walking tours, and themed group dinners.
For affordable privacy, you can opt for a stay at Selina Secret Garden where the prices are reasonable, and guests always have access to free Wi-Fi. Despite being cheap, Selina is a great hostel that takes cute to another level and is also one of the most photogenic places in Lisbon.
Hotels – Mama Shelter Lisboa is a popular hotel in Lisbon that opened its doors to the public in 2021. Attractively set in the center of Lisbon, the hotel features a restaurant, a terrace, air-conditioned rooms, a bar and free Wi-Fi. All the rooms at the hotel come equipped with a desk, flat screen TV and have their own private bathroom with shower, a hairdryer, and free toiletries.
Tips for Solo Travelers
Traveling solo for the first time can be overwhelming. Therefore, before embarking on your joinery make sure to be prepared for anything and to do your research on the destinations that you are traveling to. Given below are some tips that will help you as you embark on your journey of solo traveling:
- When traveling solo, always mark your phone map with the place you are staying at to avoid getting lost.
- Traveling solo can sometimes bring up feelings of loneliness. Therefore, make sure to know where the best pubs and clubs are as they are the easiest ways to meet people.
- When traveling solo, make sure to keep an emergency fund of cash on you at all times, as there are some places that don’t accept cards.
- Before venturing on your solo travelers, make sure to practice some solo activities and get the feel of the ‘solo travel’ idea. Grab a bite alone and take solo weekend or day trips to get comfortable doing things alone.
- Remember that while traveling your accommodation will be your temporary home. Therefore, before booking a place make sure to check its reviews. Also, don’t book an accommodation that is in a sketchy neighborhood or gives you a bad vibe. Keep on thing in mind that when traveling alone, always trust your gut.
- In an ideal world, traveling solo would be a walk in the park, but we don’t live in an ideal world, and anything can go wrong. Therefore, it is best to be prepared with travel insurance that can help cover those not-so-enjoyable travel moments.
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