Solo travel is one of those experiences that sounds intimidating until you do it, and then you wonder why you waited so long. There is a particular freedom in moving through the world on your own schedule — turning left when you feel like it, spending three hours in a museum that captivates you, skipping the attraction that does not, and eating dinner at 4 PM because you are hungry now.

But choosing the right destination for your first solo trip matters. You want somewhere safe enough that you are not constantly on edge, social enough that loneliness does not creep in, and interesting enough that you never feel like you are just killing time. These fifteen destinations deliver on all three counts.

The Top 15 Solo Travel Destinations

1. Japan

Safety: Exceptional | Social scene: Moderate | Cost: Moderate-High | English: Limited but navigable

Japan is the gold standard for solo travel. The country is so safe that people leave phones on cafe tables and wallets in back pockets. Trains run with seconds-level precision. Restaurants are designed for solo diners (ramen counters, conveyor-belt sushi, solo-friendly izakayas). And the cultural richness — temples, gardens, food, technology, pop culture — means you are never bored.

Why it works for solo travelers: Japan's entire dining culture accommodates solo guests without awkwardness. Counter seating is the norm, not the exception. The country is easy to navigate by train even without Japanese language skills — Google Maps and the Suica/Pasmo IC card system work flawlessly.

Best solo experiences: Wander Kyoto's bamboo groves and temple districts at dawn before the crowds; take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Hiroshima in four hours; get lost in Osaka's Dotonbori food streets; soak in a rural onsen town like Kurokawa.

Meeting people: Hostels like K's House and Nui have social common areas. Bar-hopping in Golden Gai (Tokyo) and Pontocho (Kyoto) puts you elbow-to-elbow with locals and fellow travelers.

2. Portugal

Safety: Excellent | Social scene: Strong | Cost: Low-Moderate | English: Widely spoken

Portugal combines everything a solo traveler needs: genuine warmth from locals, walkable cities, excellent and affordable food, a strong hostel scene, and weather that cooperates most of the year.

Why it works for solo travelers: The Portuguese are genuinely welcoming without being overwhelming. Lisbon and Porto both have vibrant hostel scenes with nightly events, free walking tours, and communal dinners. The country is compact — you can see Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve in two weeks without rushing.

Best solo experiences: Get lost in Lisbon's Alfama neighborhood, take a day trip to Sintra's fairy-tale palaces, do a port wine tasting in Porto's Vila Nova de Gaia, surf in Ericeira or Peniche, explore the Algarve's cliff-top beaches.

Meeting people: Lisbon's hostels (Yes! Lisbon, Home Lisbon, Goodmorning Hostel) are legendary for their social atmosphere. Free walking tours are excellent icebreakers.

3. New Zealand

Safety: Excellent | Social scene: Excellent | Cost: Moderate-High | English: Native

New Zealand is the ultimate solo adventure destination. The country is essentially built for independent travelers — well-maintained hiking trails, a comprehensive bus network, a culture of helpfulness, and some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet.

Why it works for solo travelers: The backpacker infrastructure is mature and social. Shared campervan parks, Great Walk hut systems, and adventure-sport operators create natural meeting points. Kiwis are genuinely friendly, and the small population means you bump into the same travelers repeatedly.

Best solo experiences: Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, bungee jump in Queenstown, kayak in Abel Tasman, drive the South Island's West Coast, explore Wellington's coffee and craft beer scene.

Meeting people: Stray or Kiwi Experience hop-on-hop-off buses are designed for solo travelers. DOC huts on the Great Walks create instant communities.

4. Thailand

Safety: Good | Social scene: Excellent | Cost: Very Low | English: Tourist areas good

Thailand has been the default first solo trip for decades, and for good reason. The backpacker infrastructure is unmatched, the cost of living is minimal, the food is extraordinary, and the social scene along the banana-pancake trail means loneliness is almost impossible.

Why it works for solo travelers: Everything is set up for independent travelers. Overnight trains, minivans, and ferries connect every destination. Street food means you never feel awkward eating alone — everyone eats on plastic stools on the sidewalk. And the famous Thai smile is genuine.

Best solo experiences: Explore Bangkok's temples and street food (Chinatown's Yaowarat Road after dark), take a cooking class in Chiang Mai, island-hop in the Andaman Sea (Koh Lanta for chill, Koh Phi Phi for social, Koh Lipe for remote), trek to hill-tribe villages in the north.

Meeting people: Thai hostels are some of the most social in the world. The Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan is the nuclear option for meeting people. Muay Thai gyms and diving courses create instant communities.

5. Iceland

Safety: Among the safest countries on Earth | Social scene: Moderate | Cost: High | English: Universal

Iceland is proof that solo travel does not have to mean social travel. This is the destination for the solo traveler who wants solitude, drama, and nature on an epic scale.

Why it works for solo travelers: Iceland is small, safe, and navigable. The Ring Road circuit is a well-established self-drive route. The landscapes — glaciers, volcanoes, geysers, waterfalls, black sand beaches — are so visually arresting that being alone feels like a feature, not a limitation.

Best solo experiences: Drive the Ring Road over 7-10 days, hike Landmannalaugar's rainbow mountains, snorkel between tectonic plates at Silfra, watch the Northern Lights (September to March), soak in a natural hot spring.

Meeting people: Reykjavik's bar scene on Laugavegur Street is lively on weekends. Guesthouses in smaller towns are communal by necessity. Guided group tours (glacier hikes, ice cave tours) are natural icebreakers.

6. Colombia

Safety: Good (tourist areas) | Social scene: Excellent | Cost: Very Low | English: Limited but improving

Colombia may surprise people on this list, but the backpacker circuit — Cartagena, Medellin, the Coffee Triangle, Bogota — is safe, social, and incredibly affordable.

Why it works for solo travelers: Colombians are among the most hospitable people in the Americas. The hostel scene is vibrant, salsa dancing breaks down barriers faster than any language, and the cost of living means you can live well on very little.

Best solo experiences: Take salsa lessons in Cali or Medellin, hike the Cocora Valley's wax palms, explore Cartagena's walled city at sunset, trek to the Lost City (a 4-day guided hike that creates instant friendships).

Meeting people: The Lost City trek is essentially a 4-day group bonding experience. Free walking tours in Medellin and Bogota are excellent. Hostel events and pub crawls are easy to join.

7. Scotland

Safety: Excellent | Social scene: Strong | Cost: Moderate | English: Native

Scotland combines dramatic scenery with a pub culture that makes meeting people effortless. A pint at a bar in Edinburgh or a Highland pub is an invitation to conversation.

Why it works for solo travelers: No language barrier, excellent public transport to the Highlands, and a hostel network (including characterful SYHA hostels in castles and historic buildings) that caters to independent travelers. The Scots are famously warm once you get past the initial reserve.

Best solo experiences: Walk the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, hike Ben Nevis or the West Highland Way, take the train to the Isle of Skye, tour a distillery on Islay, explore the Orkney Islands' Neolithic sites.

Meeting people: Edinburgh's pubs are natural social hubs. Highland hostels have communal kitchens where cooking together is the norm. Whisky tastings attract friendly crowds.

8. Vietnam

Safety: Good | Social scene: Excellent | Cost: Very Low | English: Tourist areas decent

Vietnam offers the sensory overload that makes solo travel exciting. The food is phenomenal, the scenery is diverse (karst mountains, rice terraces, tropical beaches, Mekong Delta waterways), and the north-to-south (or south-to-north) route is a natural journey with built-in variety.

Why it works for solo travelers: Vietnam's tourist trail is well-established and linear — Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (or reverse) with stops along the way. Sleeper buses and trains make overnight transport easy. Street food culture means you are never eating alone in an awkward way.

Best solo experiences: Motorbike the Ha Giang loop (rent a bike or ride pillion with an easy rider guide), cruise Ha Long Bay, explore Hoi An's lantern-lit streets, eat your way through Hanoi's Old Quarter, take a cooking class in Hue.

Meeting people: Overnight buses and trains create natural connections. Hostels in Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City are very social. Group tours for Ha Long Bay and the Ha Giang loop are essentially built-in friend groups.

9. Croatia

Safety: Excellent | Social scene: Strong (summer) | Cost: Moderate | English: Widely spoken

Croatia's Adriatic coastline is stunning, the food is underrated, and the country is compact enough to cover in 10-14 days. In summer, it has a lively social scene driven by the festival circuit and island-hopping culture.

Why it works for solo travelers: Croatia is safe, well-connected by bus and ferry, and the locals speak excellent English. The coast draws a young, social crowd in summer, and the combination of walled cities, island beaches, and national parks provides endless variety.

Best solo experiences: Walk Dubrovnik's city walls, island-hop to Hvar and Korcula, swim in Krka National Park's waterfalls, explore Split's Diocletian's Palace, hike Plitvice Lakes.

Meeting people: Hvar's beach clubs and Dubrovnik's bar scene are social by nature. Sailing trips between islands bring small groups together. Hostels in Split and Dubrovnik run group activities.

10. Mexico

Safety: Good (tourist areas) | Social scene: Excellent | Cost: Low | English: Variable

Mexico's diversity is its strength. You can spend weeks moving between colonial cities, Pacific surf towns, Caribbean beaches, indigenous villages, and megacity nightlife without repeating yourself.

Why it works for solo travelers: The food is world-class and inherently communal — taquerias, mercados, and street stalls are shared spaces. The hostel scene is strong in Oaxaca, San Cristobal de las Casas, Puerto Escondido, and Tulum. Language schools are cheap and social.

Best solo experiences: Explore Oaxaca's markets and mezcalerias, surf in Puerto Escondido, dive in the cenotes near Tulum, wander San Miguel de Allende's colonial streets, eat tacos al pastor at 2 AM in Mexico City.

Meeting people: Spanish school in Oaxaca or San Cristobal. Surf hostels on the Pacific coast. Free walking tours in Mexico City and Guanajuato.

11. South Korea

Safety: Excellent | Social scene: Moderate | Cost: Moderate | English: Moderate

South Korea is an underrated solo destination. The public transport is world-class, the street food scene rivals Thailand, and the mix of ultra-modern cities with traditional temples and countryside creates constant contrast.

Best solo experiences: Seoul's neighborhoods each have a distinct personality (Hongdae for nightlife, Insadong for tradition, Gangnam for modernity), Busan's beaches and temple stays, DMZ tour, hiking in Seoraksan National Park.

12. Ireland

Safety: Excellent | Social scene: Excellent | Cost: Moderate-High | English: Native

The Irish pub is the world's greatest social invention for solo travelers. Sit at a bar in Galway, Cork, or a rural village, and conversation happens naturally. Add the Wild Atlantic Way driving route and you have a solo road trip for the ages.

13. Slovenia

Safety: Excellent | Social scene: Moderate | Cost: Low-Moderate | English: Widely spoken

Slovenia is Europe's most underrated country. Ljubljana is a compact, walkable, car-free capital. Lake Bled is postcard-perfect. The Soca Valley offers emerald-green river adventures. And the whole country can be covered in a week.

14. Taiwan

Safety: Exceptional | Social scene: Moderate | Cost: Low | English: Limited but navigable

Taiwan has the safety of Japan, the street food of Southeast Asia, and a fraction of the crowds. Night markets are solo-dining paradise — dozens of stalls, communal tables, no judgment. The country's hot spring culture, temple scene, and Taroko Gorge hiking are excellent for independent travelers.

15. Georgia (the country)

Safety: Good | Social scene: Growing | Cost: Very Low | English: Variable

Georgia is the dark horse on this list. Tbilisi is a fascinating city where ancient churches sit next to avant-garde architecture. The wine (the oldest wine-producing tradition in the world), the food (khinkali dumplings, khachapuri cheese bread), and the Caucasus Mountain scenery are all superb. The cost of living is rock-bottom — full restaurant meals for $5, excellent wine for $2 a bottle.

Tips for Solo Travel Success

Meeting People

Stay in hostels with social common areas — not private rooms in Airbnbs. The common room is where friendships form.
Join free walking tours on your first day in a new city. They orient you geographically and introduce you to other travelers.
Take group activities: cooking classes, diving courses, multi-day treks, and pub crawls are designed to bring strangers together.
Sit at the bar, not a table, when eating or drinking alone. Bar seating invites conversation.
Use travel apps: Meetup, Couchsurfing hangouts, and Hostelworld's social features connect solo travelers.

Staying Safe

Share your itinerary with someone at home. Check in regularly.
Trust your instincts. If a situation feels wrong, leave. Your gut is your best safety tool.
Keep copies of important documents in cloud storage and email.
Arrive in new cities during daylight when possible, especially in less-developed countries.
Research neighborhoods before booking accommodation. A few blocks can make a significant difference in safety.
Limit alcohol consumption, especially in the first few days in a new place.

Dining Alone

Eating alone feels awkward for about one meal. Then it becomes one of solo travel's great pleasures.

Bring a book or journal if you need a security blanket at first. Most solo diners quickly abandon them.
Eat at the bar or counter — it is more social and feels less conspicuous.
Embrace street food and market cultures — Bangkok, Taipei, Marrakech, and Mexico City are cities where solo dining is the default.
Try omakase or tasting menus — chef's choice meals are designed for individual diners.
Lunch is easier than dinner if you are easing into solo dining. Work up to dinner.

Embracing Solitude

Solo travel is not about being surrounded by people at all times. The best moments are often the quiet ones — watching a sunset from a temple wall, journaling in a cafe, walking a trail at your own pace.

Leave space in your itinerary for unplanned wandering. Over-scheduling defeats the purpose of traveling alone.
Practice being present without reaching for your phone. Solo travel is a rare opportunity to be fully attentive to your surroundings.
Journal or photograph intentionally. Processing experiences through writing or photography deepens them.
Be comfortable with your own company. This is the real gift of solo travel — learning that you are good company.

Planning Your First Solo Trip

The best first solo trip is somewhere that stretches you slightly without overwhelming you. If you have never traveled alone, start with a destination where the language, infrastructure, and safety level match your comfort zone, then expand from there.

TripGenie can build a solo-optimized itinerary that accounts for hostel availability, walkability, social activities, and safety — so your first solo adventure is memorable for the right reasons.

Plan your solo trip with TripGenie →

Best Solo Travel Destinations for First-Timers: Safe, Social, and Unforgettable