This year, more people than ever are taking trips by themselves: 71 percent of respondents to a recent survey by travel website Skyscanner said they believe taking a trip alone will improve their mental health. From sightseeing in London to surfing in Costa Rica, here are the nine best places to travel solo.
All of our recommendations are made with safety, single-friendly hotels, and fun solo activities in mind. Even if you’re already looking forward to your next journey without them, you’re guaranteed to return home from every adventure with stories to tell.
London
The British capital is a fantastic international stop for lone travellers because to its efficient public transportation system, friendly pub culture, and wealth of free museums and galleries including the Tate Modern and the British Museum. When you travel alone, you can score excellent deals on last-minute West End theatre tickets and, no matter how hip the restaurant, you can always find a spot at the bar. This is especially helpful for restaurants that do not take bookings, such as 40 Maltby Street, a wine bar with small plates whose knowledgeable and personable wait staff ensures that you won’t feel left out if you don’t bring a large party.
When it’s time to turn in for the night, London’s hotels are teeming with thoughtful options for single travellers who would rather save money on lodging and splurge on experiences: The Pilgrm, near Paddington Station, Mama Shelter, near great bars in Bethnal Green and Hackney, and the newest outpost of the London-born Hoxton chain, which has rooms cheekily (and honestly) described as Shoebox, Snug, and Cosy, are among the best.
Reykjavík, Iceland
The Icelandic capital is so small that it has the sense of a little town despite being consistently regarded as one of the safest cities in the world. You’ll see the same group of travellers, tourists, and natives as you make your way around the city’s major attractions, including as the Hallgrimskirkja church, the Harpa Concert Hall, and the world-famous Baejarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog stand. Making fast friends is rather simple. The Kex Hostel, housed in a repurposed biscuit factory, is a great option because it provides both shared bunk dorms and private rooms at reasonable prices. The barbershop, pop-up bar and book-filled lounge are all great amenities, but what really sets this place apart is its emphasis on community.
Of course, solo travel is also a great way to escape the daily grind and immerse yourself in Iceland’s near-mythical natural splendour, such as the mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon, the hexahedral basalt columns of Reynisfjara Beach, and the geological wonders of the Golden Circle Route.
Melbourne, Australia
While Sydney is where you go to party with your friends on Bondi Beach, Melbourne caters to your inner thinker. The National Gallery of Victoria is a great place to spend the day, as is seeing a modern production by the Melbourne Theatre Company at the Southbank Theatre or renting a car to travel to the Yarra Valley wineries. Studio rooms at the new Lyf Collingwood hotel cost around $100 per night, and guests have access to a shared kitchen, a coworking area, and a washing facility with a Ms. Pac-Man to pass the time while they wait. It’s conveniently close to Smith Street, which Time Out just voted the greatest street in the world for its eclectic mix of boisterous music venues, refined wine bars, and eccentric record stores and vintage shops. Melbourne is a great destination for digital nomads to set up shop and get some work done thanks to its thriving coffee shop culture, which is among the best in the world. Industry Beans Fitzroy, with its bright living wall, and Mr Tulk, located in the same 19th-century structure as the State Library of Victoria, are just two of the many inviting cafés in the area.
Tokyo
At first, Tokyo, Japan’s metropolis, can seem intimidating due to its rapid pace. It won’t take long for you to realise that you’re safe here as a solitary traveller. A kind greeting is guaranteed if you express even the slightest curiosity about the Michelin-starred ramen at Nakiryu or the artisan cocktails at the eight-seat Bar Gen Yamamoto. If you want to save money without sacrificing comfort, consider staying in a capsule hotel in Japan, where the idea was developed. Popular options include Nine Hours Otemachi and The Millennials Shibuya. And with the world-famous bullet train system, day trips to places like Shizuoka, with its Mount Fuji views and Sumpu Castle Park, Hakone, with its geothermal hot springs, and Kamakura, an ancient village dotted with Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, are all within a day’s ride.
José Ignacio, Uruguay
While Uruguay may not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a dream vacation in South America, it is ranked as the safest on the continent by the 2022 Global Peace Index. The boho-chic José Ignacio beach resort, a once quiet fishing community that was thrust onto the international stage when Argentine chef Francis Mallman founded a restaurant here in the ’70s, is a prime example of why this is the case. Parador La Huella, where chef Vanessa González prepares a menu of wood-fired and raw fish, is now the best restaurant in the area, ranking at number 25 on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
To the luxurious Estancia VIK, where you can take private polo lessons or join a gaucho on a horseback ride across the pampas; José Ignacio has a wide variety of places to stay, from the laid-back Posada Arenas de José Ignacio, where the warm owners make solo travellers feel like part of the family. If you prefer books to beaches, you may want to check out the recently opened Rizoma, a bookshop, café, ceramics studio and four-room hotel all in one. Experience the tranquilly of “Skyspace Ta Khut,” an art installation by James Turrell on the Posada Ayana resort’s grounds, before you leave.
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Quebec City
Quebec City is similar to riding a bike with training wheels for people who want to take their first trip abroad without a companion. (And although though French is the official language, you won’t have any trouble communicating in English.) The best part is that tucked away in its labyrinth of 17th-century cobblestone streets are enough bistros, fromageries, and patisseries to fill an entire Parisian arrondissement. Restaurant Le Clan, a fine dining establishment housed in a 17th-century building with a whimsical touch (mounted jackalope heads, a cartoon “Last Supper” painting), and Restaurant Alentours, where only three ingredients (salt, milk, and yeast) come from more than 93 miles away. La Monastère des Augustines is a spa resort set in a former monastery that served as North America’s first hospital north of Mexico, dating back to 1639. Spa services are available at the hotel, but if you’re in the area, you should check out one of the city’s many Nordic spas, such Sibéria, which is nestled in a quiet woodland on the outskirts of town.
CONCLUSION
Are you tired of spending your time coordinating with friends or family to plan a trip? Why not try solo travel and explore the world on your own terms? From glaciers in Iceland to beaches in Uruguay, there are plenty of destinations waiting for you to uncover. Iceland boasts hot springs, waterfalls, and stunning Northern Lights to witness. Uruguay, on the other hand, offers some of the most beautiful beaches in South America, as well as lively cities like Montevideo and historic treasures like Colonia del Sacramento. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, going solo can be a rewarding experience. So why not take the plunge and book that flight to a new destination?