Planning my first solo trip took far longer than actually booking it. I spent weeks researching safety, transportation, and deliberating whether I’d actually enjoy traveling alone. Since then, I’ve traveled to more than 40 countries, many of them solo, and I’ve learned that some destinations simply make better introductions for solo female travelers than others.
For this list, I focused on places where I felt safe, could easily get around, and never ran out of things to do, qualities that can make a first solo trip feel exciting rather than overwhelming. From Europe to North Africa to Southeast Asia, here are eight of my favorite places for first-time solo female travelers.
Southwest Asia and North Africa
Dahab, Egypt
For first-time solo female travelers interested in visiting Egypt but apprehensive about navigating large, fast-paced cities like Cairo, head straight to the beach town of Dahab on the Sinai Peninsula. While this is certainly not the classic pyramids-and-museums experience many associate with Egypt, I love the laid-back, bohemian vibe.
The town is highly walkable, home to a lively waterfront promenade, cafes perched on the edge of the sea, and numerous dive shops and kitesurfing schools. Dahab ranks among my favorite places in the world to snorkel, with this stretch of the Red Sea featuring vibrant coral reefs just offshore and abundant marine life, from reef fish to eels.
Dahab is a very small community, and I felt safe here even walking alone at night. While this is a popular destination for Egyptian travelers as well as international visitors, the atmosphere is generally more relaxed than in other parts of the country. I felt comfortable wearing a bikini on the beach, though I still covered up while walking through town out of respect for local customs.
Antalya Region, Türkiye
If you’re looking for a relaxed introduction to Türkiye, I recommend heading to the Mediterranean coast around Antalya rather than starting in one of the country’s larger cities. I fell in love with this area while solo hiking the Lycian Way, the country’s premier long-distance trail.
This region is defined by charming villages, a variety of black-sand and white-pebble beaches, and rugged mountains. My favorite stop was Çirali, a laid-back beach town where you can spend the day swimming, explore the ruins of Ancient Olympos, and hike to the famous eternal flames of Chimera at sunset. Another standout was Kalkan, an upscale port village with whitewashed streets set into the hillside, a small beach, art galleries, and fine dining.
Because these towns are connected by public buses, it’s easy to explore the coast without renting a car or joining organized tours. For first-time solo female travelers, this is a well-established tourist region, and English is commonly spoken in restaurants and hotels. I felt very comfortable traveling throughout the coast and was blown away by the warmth of Turkish hospitality.
Southeast Asia
Siargao, Philippines
Siargao currently ranks as my favorite island in the world. This tiny, teardrop-shaped island located on the western edge of the Philippines honestly felt like paradise, with white sand beaches backed by swaying palm trees, gin-clear turquoise waters, and welcoming locals.
The most popular base for travelers is General Luna, offering a number of hostels, homestays, and swanky boutique hotels. Siargao draws surfers (myself included), and I especially like that, despite its small size, there are breaks suited to every ability, from true beginners to literal pros (the famous Cloud 9 break occasionally hosts WSL competitions).
This is a great spot for solo female travelers, as English is widely spoken across the Philippines and the island offers a ton of activities, even for non-surfers, from swimming holes in the jungle to island hopping tours. While many travelers rent scooters, tuk-tuks make it easy to get around General Luna and nearby attractions if you’d rather not drive. I spent two months in Siargao and felt extremely safe as a woman alone, and the thriving backpacker scene made it easy to connect with other solo travelers.
Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka
During my two months in Sri Lanka, Hiriketiya became my favorite place on the southern coast for solo travel thanks to its relaxed atmosphere, welcoming community, and compact size.
This itty bitty beach town sits on a small bay surrounded by jungle and draws fewer crowds than more popular hubs down the coast like Weligama, making it easier to get your bearings. Despite the intimate size, there’s plenty to do, and it’s easy to explore the surrounding area with a scooter, though tuk-tuks are also readily available if you’d rather not drive.
Hiriketiya is a great spot for solo female travelers, as the main tourist area surrounding the beach is small and there are plenty of activities to meet other people. From the family-style dinners at Rosie’s Kitchen to live music nights at Dots Bay House and (of course) surfing, I found it easy to connect with other travelers and make friends.
Kuta, Lombok
Indonesia was my first foray into solo travel in Southeast Asia, and Kuta will forever hold a special place in my heart. Located on Lombok, the next major island east of Bali, Kuta’s town center is compact and walkable.
I regularly walked between cafés, my hostel, and the beach without feeling uncomfortable, though having a scooter makes it easier to explore nearby beaches and transport a surfboard. I felt very safe exploring alone here, and also did a few solo trips into the interior of the island by scooter, though there are also private drivers available.
While the area has seen rapid development over the past few years (there were new restaurants popping up even during my eight-week stay), it still feels quieter and more laid-back than many of Bali’s busiest tourist hubs. I find that doing activities is a great way to meet people, and Kuta has plenty to offer, from surfskate lessons and yoga classes to ceramics workshops and pádel tournaments.
EUROPE
London, England
London is one of my favorite cities for solo travel because it’s easy to explore independently, with iconic museums, neighborhoods, and landmarks that are just as enjoyable alone as they are with company.
Using public transit like the Tube makes it easy to get around the city, from sightseeing in Trafalgar Square to browsing the boutiques and bookstores in Notting Hill. Visiting the markets is always a highlight for me, whether it’s strolling the floral-scented Shoreditch Flower Market on Sundays, perusing antiques at the Portobello Road Market, or sampling street food at the Borough Market.
Across three visits, I’ve always felt comfortable exploring on my own, including using the Tube during the day and evening. As with any major city, it’s worth keeping an eye on your belongings in crowded tourist areas, but I found London easy to navigate and never felt isolated. The city also offers accommodations for every budget, from social hostels to boutique hotels and Airbnbs.
Florence, Italy
Florence is the city that made me fall in love with solo travel. Straddling the Arno River, it’s packed with Renaissance art, incredible food, and stunning architecture. The historic center is easily discovered on foot, from admiring the towering marble facade of the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore in the Piazza del Duomo to taking in sunsets over the city at Piazzale Michelangelo. I spent four months here studying, and in addition to dinners and weekend excursions with friends, I spent a good chunk of time exploring the city alone.
Between museums like the Uffizi and the Accademia Gallery, stopping for gelato at La Carraia, and perusing local markets like Sant’Ambrogio, Florence offers much to see and do for women traveling solo. I felt extremely comfortable making my way through the city on my own, even late at night. Though I never experienced any issues with this, pickpocketing can be a problem in crowded tourist areas.
Mallorca, spain
The largest of the Balearic Islands off the eastern coast of Spain, Mallorca offers a host of outdoor activities for solo travelers, from lounging on sandy beaches to road biking and hiking.
The capital, Palma, is compact enough to explore on foot, home to museums, the fortress-like Palma Cathedral, and a blend of chic fusion restaurants and traditional tapas bars. The extensive train and bus systems make it easy to access the rest of the island without renting a car, from visiting the charming interior villages of Valldemossa and Sòller to hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana and lounging on the island’s eastern beaches.
I spent nine months in Palma teaching English at a secondary school and had plenty of time to explore alone on weekends — the public transit is easy to use, and Mallorquins are generally warm and welcoming. For solo female travelers, Palma is a great base, with hostels, hotels, and Airbnbs with easy access to the rest of the island from the Intermodal Station.
