Solo travel can be extremely eye-opening and rewarding. But the prospect of setting off by yourself can also be daunting, especially if you’ve never done it before.
One of the most important factors of solo travel is to make sure you choose the right country. Whether you’re planning a quick visit to a new city or dreaming of a long, multi-nation holiday, some destinations are more suited to solo travel than others.
The good news is that there are countless countries that are a joy to explore by yourself, whether you’re looking to visit an exotic country on the other side of the world, or one a bit closer to home.
So, to get you inspired, here are eight of the best countries for solo travellers.
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1. Guatemala
Guatemala has long been one of the most popular countries to visit on the Latin American backpacking trail – and for good reason.
As one of Central America’s most diverse countries, it’s colourful and captivating. You’ll find ancient Mayan temples, mist-shrouded volcanoes, breathtaking lakes, and an enthralling culture that stretches back centuries.
Because it’s a hotspot for backpackers, it’s one of the easiest places to solo travel. Plus, it’s very cheap, making it a top choice if you’re on a budget.
Despite its popularity with younger travellers, Guatemala attracts people of all ages. And if you’re looking to volunteer while you’re away or learn Spanish, there are dozens of opportunities you can get involved with in tourist hotspots like Antigua.
Another perk of Guatemala’s popularity is that it’s easy to meet other travellers. So, if you’re looking to travel independently but make some friends along the way, it’s a great place to visit.
There’s so much to do here too – from scaling volcanoes to trekking through jungles and visiting coffee farms – so you definitely won’t get bored by yourself.
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2. Ireland
If you’d rather stay a little closer to home for your first solo trip, or would prefer to visit a country where English is spoken, you might want to consider travelling to Ireland.
Known across the world for its charming, friendly locals, if you’re feeling a bit lonely here, all you have to do is wander into a pub, buy a pint of Guinness, and make conversation with the other punters.
Due to Ireland’s relatively small size, it’s also easy for solo travellers to explore. Dublin is a compact and walkable city, and there’s plenty to keep you occupied here. You can take a walking tour of the UNESCO City of Literature, browse Grafton Street’s lively shops, and learn about the world’s most famous stout at the Guinness Storehouse. Then, in the evenings, you can find a pub playing Irish folk music, and you’ll be sure to have a ball.
Outside of the capital, Galway is another city that’s ideal for solo travellers – and, from here, you’re perfectly placed to explore the remote west coast, where you’ll find many of the country’s most revered sites – like Skellig Michael and Croagh Patrick.
If you’re looking to sightsee but would enjoy being with other people, there are countless day trips you can join in Ireland too; from whisky tours in Cork to trips to the traditional Aran islands.
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3. Spain
If you’re looking to travel a little further afield but want to stay in Europe, Spain is an excellent destination for a solo trip.
As one of the most visited countries in the world, it has excellent tourism infrastructure, is easy to get around, and has something for every budget. Plus, because it’s so popular, you’re sure to meet other solo travellers while you’re there.
The beauty of Spain is that there’s something for everyone. Vibrant Barcelona is one of the world’s best cities to travel alone.
If you fancy people-watching, the countless cafes lining the leafy streets are perfect. And if you’re in the mood for some rest and relaxation, gorgeous beaches are easy to reach on public transport. If you don’t enjoy eating alone in restaurants, simply head to one of the city’s many cool bars instead, where you can nibble on tapas as you sip a cerveza.
Elsewhere, Madrid’s historical buildings, fascinating museums, and bustling food markets are also popular with solo travellers.
And if you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, you’ll be spoilt for choice. The country’s diverse landscape and open-minded attitudes make it a playground for solo travellers, from the dramatic Sierra Nevada mountain range to the gorgeous beaches on the Mediterranean coast.
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4. Indonesia
Indonesia – especially Bali – is another top destination for solo travellers, particularly for women.
Its low cost of living, thriving nomad community, acceptance of foreigners, and focus on health and wellness make it a go-to spot. And because tourism is so prevalent here, you’re sure to meet other like-minded people as you journey around.
Ubud, Bali’s spiritual centre, has long been popular with people looking to rest, relax, and reflect – Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir, Eat, Pray, Love, was even published here!
This laidback town is packed with yoga studios, meditation centres, and plant-based cafes – and past the emerald rice fields and mist-shrouded mountains, there are countless health retreats you can check into to unwind.
The neighbouring island of Lombok is also becoming increasingly popular with solo travellers, particularly those who want to spend time surfing, snorkelling, and diving.
The Gili Islands, off Lombok’s north coast, are also great spots to visit solo. While Gili Trawangan is known as somewhat of a party island, Gilo Meno and Gili Air are very relaxed and great places to recharge your batteries.
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5. New Zealand
New Zealand regularly tops lists of the most desirable travel destinations. And this beautiful country is ideal for solo travellers – particularly those who are feeling a bit nervous about travelling alone.
While it’s, admittedly, on the other side of the globe, it’s also one of the most peaceful countries in the world – and the fact that it’s an English-speaking country with friendly locals is another plus.
New Zealand is incredibly popular with outdoorsy travellers thanks to its forests, mountains, lakes, beaches, and fjords. And if you plan on hiking, kayaking, skydiving, or whitewater rafting, you’ve come to the right place!
Plus, there are great group tours you can join to make meeting people easy, and the country’s excellent hostels are popular with travellers of all ages.
While public transport in New Zealand is good, some of its most beautiful and popular attractions – like Milford Sound and Franz Josef Glacier – can be tricky to reach without a car. But the good news is that New Zealand is one of the best countries in the world for a solo road trip. Car hire can be inexpensive, navigation is easy, and if you ever get lost, you won’t be short of friendly locals happy to help you out.
For more ideas and inspiration, why not read our articles 9 reasons why New Zealand is the perfect holiday destination for nature lovers and 8 of the best places to visit in New Zealand?
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6. Thailand
Thailand is regularly recommended as one of the world’s top destinations for solo travel because it’s cheap, beautiful, safe, and friendly. Plus, as one of the most popular stops on the global travel trail, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll meet lots of other people while you’re here.
With its gorgeous beaches and sensational landscape, Thailand’s southern islands are ideal for a singles holiday packed with rest and relaxation. Whether you head to the Gulf coast on the east or the Andaman coast on the west, you can feel confident that you’ll receive a warm welcome and kind hospitality wherever you are; Thailand isn’t known as the ‘Land of Smiles’ for nothing.
Another top destination – especially for foodies – is Chiang Mai, the capital of northern Thailand. This relaxed and friendly city is packed with culture and history, and is also known for being a gastronomic hotspot.
Aside from countless night markets, cafes, and restaurants, Chiang Mai is home to dozens of cooking schools. Here, you can learn how to make delicious Thai food and meet plenty of new people.
7. Denmark
Regularly ranked one of the most liveable and happy nations on earth, Denmark’s allure draws visitors from all over the world.
This is a country of fairytale castles, colourful townhouses, and fascinating Scandi culture. The importance of hygge – which means creating a cosy and comfortable atmosphere – is another reason why it’s such a brilliant destination for anyone booking a singles holiday.
The laidback capital city of Copenhagen is pretty easy for solo travellers to tackle. Compact, it’s ideal for traversing on foot – but thanks to the prevalence of cycle paths here, it’s a joy to explore by bike too.
There are also lovely cafes on the canals that are perfect to people-watch in, fantastic museums, and gorgeous gardens to stroll through – not to mention the beauty of the historic Nyhavn district, with its iconic wooden ships.
Other sites solo travellers may want to visit (particularly if you’re a Shakespeare fan) include Kronborg Castle (which inspired Elsinore Castle in Hamlet), Frederiksborg Castle, and the Danish Museum of National History in Hillerød. Thanks to the reliable and easy-to-use rail network, these destinations are all easy to get to from Copenhagen.
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8. Japan
If you’d like to visit somewhere that’s very different to the UK, but are also worried about feeling comfortable, Japan is a wise choice.
This is a country where you can experience the thrill of being ‘culture shocked’ while knowing you’re travelling through an extremely clean and safe country. Locals are polite and friendly and crime, scams, and harassment are very rare.
What’s more, while Japan isn’t cheap and English isn’t always widely spoken, the locals’ kindness and eagerness to help mean that the language barrier isn’t usually stressful.
Tokyo is a must-visit for those on a singles holiday. Whether you’d like to feast upon steaming bowls of ramen, enjoy strolling through beautiful gardens, or ride to the top of one of the tallest towers in the world, you can spend weeks in this city and barely scratch the surface.
Thanks to its unusually safe environment and women-only overnight buses, Tokyo is especially popular with solo female travellers.
Outside the two main cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan remains largely undiscovered by tourists – and if you’d really like to get away from it all, Hokkaidō is one of the best places in the country to hike, ski, and birdwatch in pristine scenery.
Final thoughts…
There are many reasons why solo travel is so popular. You might want to embark upon a spiritual journey and explore different countries on your own terms, or you just may not have anyone to travel with right now.
Whatever your reasons for thinking about solo travel, you can feel confident that it’ll probably be one of the most rewarding and meaningful things you do.
While much of the world can be explored independently, if you’re a first-time solo traveller, some destinations may be better suited than others. From countries with such low crime rates that you’ll always feel safe and secure, to destinations where you’re sure to meet other people and countries with no language barrier, these are our top picks for those looking to set off by themselves.
To find out more, you might be interested in our guide to solo travel, which includes tips and ideas for travelling alone. Alternatively, for more inspiration, head over to the travel section of our website.
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Have you travelled by yourself before? Or do you have your own recommendations for the best countries for solo travellers to visit? We’d love to hear about your travel experiences in the comments below.