Best destinations to travel solo in 2026: guide by profiles

Solo travel has gone from being a rarity to a category with sustained growth in recent years. Many hostels, restaurants with communal tables, small group tours and traveller meeting apps are designed today with the solo traveller in mind. The decision of where to go marks much of the experience.

This guide covers the best destinations to travel solo in 2026 organised by profile: first trip, adventure and nature, cities to meet people, wellness and introspection. At the end, practical safety tips and how to manage money when travelling without anyone to share expenses with.

What to consider when choosing a solo travel destination

Language and communication. A destination where you can communicate reasonably (through language skills or English prevalence in tourist zones) greatly reduces friction when you’re alone. On a first solo trip, it matters more than it seems.

Safety perception. Consult updated data from foreign affairs ministries (not forums or social media) and consider especially if you travel as a solo female, with additional criteria on night transport and specific areas.

Culture towards solo travellers. Some destinations have infrastructure designed for solo travel (hostels with events, communal dining, small group tours). Others are uncomfortable if you eat alone or seek casual conversation.

Budget and duration. A cheap destination allows longer trips with the same budget. An expensive one forces adjusting duration and style. Both are valid, but it’s worth deciding beforehand.

Purpose of the trip. Meeting people, disconnecting, learning something, working remotely: each objective has more suitable destinations. There’s no universal “best solo travel destination”.

Ideal destinations for the first solo trip

Portugal (Lisbon and Porto). Safe, affordable within Western Europe, heavily travelled by solo travellers and with hospitable culture towards visitors. Simple public transport, short distances, affordable food and a large international community especially in Lisbon.

Japan. World reference in safety and in culture towards the solo traveller. Extremely punctual transport, counter dining designed for single diners (ramen, sushi), clear signage in cities. Language barrier is offset by Google Translate and general hospitality. Medium-high budget but efficient.

Greece (islands and Athens). Relaxed atmosphere, hostels with events, long season, simple food in tavernas where eating alone doesn’t stand out. Combining Athens with one or two islands is a classic formula.

Iceland. Very high safety, society accustomed to tourism, accessible car rental to explore independently. High budget but offset by unique experiences and low need for intermediaries.

Destinations for adventure and nature

New Zealand (Southern Alps). Still world reference for solo travel focused on nature. Aoraki / Mount Cook, Fiordland, Queenstown as base for trekking and activities. Many hostels with backpacker atmosphere. High budget for accommodation and food, more manageable with campervan.

Patagonia (Chile and Argentina). Torres del Paine, El Chaltén, El Calafate. Iconic trekking routes with sufficient infrastructure to travel solo safely. Sections can be combined with organised groups (for more technical routes) and independent sections.

Scotland (Highlands). Coastal routes, whisky, castles, Isle of Skye. Frequent interurban buses, well-maintained hostels, culture accustomed to individual travellers. Good option for first solo trip in cold climate.

Georgia (Tbilisi and Svaneti). Combination of very affordable city, marked hospitality culture, spectacular mountains for trekking and very contained budget. Has gained weight as solo destination in recent years.

Cities to meet people

Berlin. Still reference for urban solo travel. Multicultural culture, famous nightlife, large international community. Hostels with almost daily events, contained prices for Western Europe. Ideal for those seeking dense social life and style freedom.

Mexico City. One of the most chosen destinations by digital nomads and solo travellers in recent years. Neighbourhoods like Roma, Condesa and Juárez concentrate a very active international community, excellent gastronomic offering and more accessible prices than equivalent European cities.

Medellín. Growing nomad community, El Poblado as usual landing area, warm atmosphere and contained prices. Requires usual precautions of any large Latin American city but is more accessible than many imagine.

Buenos Aires. With the current Argentine economic scenario, very competitive prices in euros. Café and bookshop culture, long nightlife, very conversational atmosphere. Palermo as typical first-stay area.

Destinations for introspection and wellness

Bali (Ubud). Classic reference of yoga retreats, meditation and wellness community. Very travelled and with risk of overtourism in specific areas, but still works if seeking accommodations and communities outside the most crowded circuit.

Chiang Mai (Thailand). Combination of consolidated digital nomad community, meditation retreats in nearby Buddhist temples and very accessible prices. Alternative to Bali with quieter atmosphere.

Rishikesh (India). World reference of traditional yoga (on the banks of the Ganges). Retreats from two weeks to three months with very defined structure, international community and contained budgets.

Southern Portugal (Ericeira, Costa Vicentina). Combination of surf, international wellness community, contained prices and good connectivity with Lisbon. European alternative to Thai or Balinese destinations.

Practical safety tips for solo travel

Share itinerary and location. At least one trusted person should know where you are and have access to your real-time location (Google Maps, Find My iPhone or similar).

Duplicate documentation. Scan passport, visa, travel insurance and cards. Keep a copy in the cloud and a printed one separate from the original.

Adequate travel insurance. For trips of more than two weeks or destinations with expensive healthcare, insurance isn’t optional. SafetyWing, World Nomads or annual policies are common options depending on duration and destination.

Consult official alerts before booking. Foreign affairs ministries maintain updated information by country. Register as a national at the destination if you’ll be on long stays.

Specific precautions for solo female travellers. Research destination night transport, value female-only hostels if they give you more peace of mind, avoid displaying valuables and consider personal alarm bracelets if travelling to destinations with less infrastructure.

Connection from minute one. Contract an eSIM (Airalo, Holafly) that activates on landing. Don’t depend on hotel Wi-Fi to orient yourself the first minutes in a new country.

Verified accommodation with recent reviews. Book the first two nights with margin. Changing accommodation once you know the area is easier than arriving with nothing booked.

How to manage money when travelling solo

Solo travel has an important practical difference against group travel: there’s no one to split rent, taxis or dinner for two with. Per-day expenses tend to be higher per person. Plus, there’s no backup second card from a companion if yours is lost or blocked.

A practical approach combines two or three instruments. A Bitsa prepaid card as primary for daily expenses: it only holds the balance you top up, so an improper charge or phone theft doesn’t compromise your main account. Requested in minutes with passport or ID, Visa accepted globally and with associated IBAN in case someone needs to send you money during the trip. As backup, your traditional bank card kept separate from the phone. And some local cash in small amounts for transport and tips. The article on prepaid cards for digital nomads covers advanced uses for long-term travel combined with remote work.

Frequently asked questions about solo travel

What’s the best destination for the first solo trip?

Depends on your travel experience level and English. For those who’ve never travelled internationally alone, Portugal, Japan or Greece combine high safety, clear infrastructure and low friction. Portugal is the most accessible from Southern Europe by price, proximity and language.

Is it more expensive to travel solo than accompanied?

It usually is, yes. Private accommodations, taxis and some meals split badly for one. Staying in shared hostels, using public transport and joining small group tours partially compensates for the difference.

Is it safe to travel solo as a woman?

Yes, with adequate precautions, in most usual destinations. Portugal, Japan, Iceland, New Zealand or Greece are references in safety for solo female travellers. Cities like Marrakech, Istanbul or specific areas of Latin America require additional precautions but are also navigable. Consulting recent experiences from other female travellers (blogs, communities like Girls Love Travel) provides more useful information than general data.

How do I avoid feeling lonely during the trip?

Logistics help: hostels with events, small day group tours, classes (cooking, yoga, language) and traveller apps (Meetup, Couchsurfing, Bumble BFF with travel mode). Leaving accommodation before nightfall and sitting in cafés in busy areas also facilitates spontaneous conversations.

How long should a first solo trip last?

Between 7 and 14 days is usually a good range. Less than a week leaves little margin to adapt to solo travel rhythm; more than two weeks may be a lot for a first experience alone. Can be extended in subsequent trips once you know how it suits you.