11 First Time Solo Female Travel Destinations

I’ve been solo traveling for over twenty years, and I feel like I’m only just getting started. My first solo trip was on a whim when I lived in Atlanta, and I took off to London for a week by myself. Though it’s hard for me to remember the details of all of it, I had my camera and my independence, and I set off on an adventure I still remember fondly. That trip gave me confidence I didn’t know I needed. I fell in love with myself a little bit more. And I realized that choosing a good destination gave me the ability to relax enough to do that. Now, as a more experienced traveler, I know many people who travel solo - either completely alone or with a group trip for solo travelers. It’s a secret club that I’m proud to be part of, and I love sharing my stories and feelings about it. If you’re thinking of doing some solo travels yourself, you’re in the right place.

When I travel solo, I am typically completely by myself on trips. I don’t do a lot of group solo travel (though I love the idea for others and have done it myself), as I love my own company and take it as sacred and precious time for myself…with myself. After you start going on trips alone and realize how enjoyable it is, you rarely want to deal with the logistics of other people. At least I don’t! Speaking of logistics, though, you do have to embrace that every decision is on you, and your safety is also in your hands. It’s important to choose your destinations with care and confidence so you’re not worrying 24/7 only on that. It takes away from the trip if that’s all you can focus on. Going back to group solo travel, you have a leader who creates an itinerary. And you can do as much or as little as you want on the trip. It’s a nice compromise and great choice if you don’t want to have to plan every single moment of your time by yourself. Something to consider when you’re interested in a destination.

On the Ferry to Diamond Island from Portland, Maine

Traveling alone as a woman comes with considerations that are often difficult for others to fully understand. As solo female travelers, we have to have our wits about us at all times. It’s imperative to stay aware and alert. Not on edge, but alert. I’ve got some tips for you when you do take your solo trip, whether you’re a first time solo traveler or one that could use some dusting off. I want you to feel your most confident and feel like you’re in control as much as possible. There are always situations that we cannot control. But it’s good to be as prepared as possible.

• Trust Yourself and Your Intuition

The more I tap into my intuition as a female, the more I know it’s my KNOWING. I don’t need a lot of external information to know when I know something, and I trust myself implicitly. It’s a gift I give to myself. And when you’re traveling alone, I encourage you to do the same.

• Book a Hotel or Accommodation You Know is Safe

I’ve got strong feelings about this one. I only stay at hotels where the front desk can know my comings and goings so they know if I don’t return. AirBnBs are out of the question, but B&Bs are not. My resounding need is to be spotted by someone sometime during the day. Please do the same when you travel by yourself.

• Be a Woman with a Plan

When you arrive in your city of choice, have a plan (even a loose one) so you’re not fumbling around. Sometimes mine involves an immediate massage. Other times it’s lunch. And in the best of circumstances, it’s a shower and a nap if I can check into my hotel when I arrive. By this stage of solo travel, I know what I’m doing and can tell you it’s worth it to map out ahead of time.

• Embrace Wanderlust

Wandering is so underrated. It’s really my favorite thing to do when I go to a city. My advice for more nervous or less experienced travelers is to plan at least one thing per day, like a food tour or a lunch somewhere, and then to just wander around. Your confidence will come in figuring things out. And it will give you boosts of dopamine you can’t get anywhere else.

Heidelberg for the Christmas Markets

• Proceed with Confidence

When embarking on your trip of solo travel, make sure you look like you know what you’re doing, particularly in an unfamiliar city. Even if you have no idea, fake it. Being approached by unwelcome people is most uncomfortable, and I know this from experience. You may look like a tourist some of the time, but be confident about it. Walk and talk with purpose.

• Share Your Location with People at Home

A couple of my friends and I share our locations so we can track each other anytime. I have zero qualms about them knowing my location 24/7. And it makes me feel safe. Anytime I travel, they can see where I am if they need to. However, I have my social media location turned off so creeps don’t stalk me. You just never know who’s lurking.

• Pack Lightly

If you can, and please, please try, take a carry-on bag only. My most recent trip got cut short because I overpacked and struggled with the on-and-off of the trains in Europe. It was a nightmare that resulted in tears, and this is coming from someone who travels solo all the time. It happens, but keep it light. No one cares about your outfits in any of the travel destinations you choose.

• Nightlife

At home, I am in bed at 8:30 pm. When I travel, somehow I have the energy of my 21 year old self. That makes me want to be out at night. Most of the places I travel are totally safe to go out in the evening. I never drink much, and if I walk, I am not with my face in the phone because I choose to stay alert and aware the whole walk, with an occasional check of Google maps to be sure I’m going in the right direction. Be careful at night, and don’t over drink.

Salem, MA

• Decide Your Boundaries

On my very first solo trip to London, I met a guy. We met (I can’t even remember where), decided to hang out, do some shopping, go out for wine. He knew where my hotel was because he walked me back after a night out, but he was not invited upstairs with me. That’s where I drew the line. Use your best judgment, but I encourage you to be very careful and have boundaries for yourself so you keep yourself safe.

• Choose Your Destination Wisely

My choices for solo travel have kind of been random. I know enough about myself that I’m not going to sit on a Greek Island alone on a beach, or hike in a national park alone because…men and bears. There are so many countries in the world from which to choose, and cities on top of that. Make sure to do your research about them and pick one that fits your personality and interests.

• Prepare for the Waterworks

No matter how many times I travel alone, I catch my own feelings and end up in tears. The trip I took when my divorce was ending were shedding old memories tears, and my Paris solo trips have I-can’t-believe-this-is-my-life tears almost every time. One way or another, prepare yourself for some emotional moments. They come almost every time.

The list I’m going to give you are all places I’ve personally traveled to. They aren’t all the trendy ones like chasing Northern Lights or hitting the Isle of Skye or doing yoga in Bali or sitting in hot springs in Iceland, but they are solid choices. Even I get hung up on where to go at times, but what I realize is that all destinations can be worth seeing in their own way. Rarely have I gone anywhere and wished I had not gone, so let’s dive into my favorite places to travel, especially solo.

Paris, France

Paris is my soul city. It’s a city I’ve been to numerous times with others and mostly solo, though I now have a full community there since I’ve gone so many times. It’s a place I’ll eventually live, even for just a period of time. When I say this is my favorite solo destination, I am not kidding. Sure, some language barriers can be a little intimidating, but learn some phrases and you’ll be just fine. The whole city is a museum, and there’s nothing like romanticizing your own life in the most romantic city on earth. Each time I go, I fall more in love with my own life. Pinch-me moments are frequent, and I am usually planning my next visit before I leave. Regarding safety, you may be wondering is Paris safe for a solo female traveler. I share in detail my experience, and yes, it is.

London, England

London is just fun. It was my first solo trip ever, and I’ll always go back, even if it’s as a quick visit before taking the Eurostar to Paris. From being able to take public transport easily to numerous attractions, it’s one of my favorite cities in the whole world. There is zero language difference if you’re coming from the US or speak English (though the accents can be a little tough to understand, but charming). London is where I saw my first Broadway show, The Lion King, and the ABBA Experience. It has everything you could want, and it’s so full of people that no one will notice if you’re alone. As a solo traveler, you are going to feel very safe in London, even at night.

Vienna, Austria

I’ve been to Vienna a few times, and I like it more each time I go. Admittedly, I have not gone as a solo traveler because I was with a group of solo female travelers together, but I did venture off alone much of the time and felt incredibly safe. Vienna is an elegant city, and one that is easy to navigate as an English speaker. You can go on tours of castles or eat delicious foods, as the city has everything to offer in a solo travel destination. I’m eager to go back to Vienna, and I have a feeling it won’t be long before I’m there again.

Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg was part of a Christmas market tour I took myself on, and while it wasn’t my favorite market destination, I loved the city itself. It’s been French and German and back to French I don’t know how many times, but it’s in the Alsace region and utterly beautiful. The Alsatian food has its own flair, and it’s delicious. Wandering the perimeter of the city was my absolute favorite. Popping into a church where there was an organ playing was a bonus. Going to a highly rated bar and enjoying a couple of drinks while people watching was perfection. I very much enjoyed Strasbourg and its beauty, and know I’ll return to it.

German Christmas Market Cities

My solo Christmas market trip that I took was by far one of the most surreal trips I’ve ever been on. Read my full Christmas market breakdown here. All I can tell you is that I had to stop at one point and document with video how utterly fortunate I felt to be there. I was 44 years old, walking through a park in Neuremberg, wondering how my life got to be so rich in all the ways (and I’m not talking financially). That trip is one that I would love to re-create, though you can never do something twice and have it be exactly the same. It was a bucket list trip that I did, and I’ll never forget it. The feelings I had were immense, and ones that I only wish I could share with others. Unless you’re a fellow solo traveler, it’s hard to put into words.

Dublin, Ireland

It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Ireland, but a place where I have never felt quite so safe. I feel like Irish people couldn’t hurt a cockroach. Dublin is such an easy plane ride from pretty much anywhere in the United States, and there are many direct flights. This is a very walkable city, and one that you can get some of the best beer (the Guinness actually tastes different because it’s so fresh) and seafood chowder. Each place I went was better than the last. Venturing outside of Dublin is also an option, and if you can get used to driving on the opposite side of the road, a road trip is well worth it. For a first international solo trip, Dublin would be more than ideal. Zero language barrier and close-ish to the US - I call winner.

Sitting on the Screen Porch in Ocean Springs

Portland, Maine

There was a point in my life where I wanted to live in New England, and Portland was the city I had my eye on. I went there one year for my birthday, just after separating from my husband, and spent a week there. The first two days were spent crying, wondering what on earth I had done to myself by going on a trip alone for my birthday. It ended up being one of the biggest growth weeks of my life. Learning that I love my own company more than ever, I am capable of making myself happy, and external factors are not allowed to dictate for long periods of time is what I took away from this trip. One of the nights between hotels (because I stayed at two), I went to Diamond Island by ferry. It was a serendipitous 24 hours. I got upgraded to a big suite, and I ran into a person from New Orleans who gave me a tour of the whole island. The most amazing things happen when we are open to them, and particularly when we are brave enough to travel solo.

Salem, Massachusetts

Traveling in the United States is a priority for me, as we have so many great places to visit. While I love Europe, I also love the US. A city that caught my eye in a time of solo travel need was Salem, MA. You can read my blog on my solo trip there here. With a pit stop in Boston for the night to visit a friend and have dinner, I moved on to Salem by train (my favorite way to travel) and made it there in no time. The first order of business was getting a massage, which ended up being awesome and much needed. I putzed around Salem with no real agenda, except to see the Peabody Essex Museum. This is where I met a friend that I am still friends with today. I asked her to take my photo, she did, we got to talking, and found out we were on the same tour that evening. Risa and I met up before and did the tour together, only to have dinner afterwards together. From there, we have stayed friends. Magic happens even in the city of witchcraft. This is a great two or three day trip. I went the weekend after Halloween and it was absolutely perfect.

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

My little home away from home is Ocean Springs. I have a two day itinerary that can be used loosely depending on how long you go for. Ocean Springs has been my refuge after a hurricane, and a solo travel destination I go back again and again. I’ve stayed in most of the major hotels there, though they are all boutique and special. Everything feels very small town and artisan, whether it’s boutique shops or restaurants. It’s an artist community, and I love shopping for art while I’m there, as well as taking photographs for my own collection. Walter Anderson is the most famous artist from there, and his family has perpetuated the arts in many ways, whether pottery or tattoo artistry. It’s a quick train ride or drive from New Orleans where I live, and it’s truly one of the most special places I go.

San Diego, California

I didn’t forget you, west coast! My love for San Diego has run deep since my first visit at 25 years old with my company. For many years, it was my goal to live there, but life took over and I re-routed to other places. I continue to go back when I can and enjoy the perfect weather, the beach, and the outstanding Mexican food. One of the most amazing things you can do as a solo traveler is to stay at the Hotel Del Coronado on Coronado island. It’s an historic hotel that is stunning from the outside and charming on the inside. You’ll feel like you’re in an old movie. As I write this, it’s making me want to book my next trip there - I really can’t imagine a more perfect relaxing solo trip.

New Orleans, Louisiana

You didn’t think I would leave out my very own home town, did you? New Orleans solo travel is a thing, and yes, it’s safe enough to come by yourself as long as you take the same precautions as you would in most major US cities. I have loads of blogs I’ve written about New Orleans with things to do, and as a solo traveler, you’ll fit right in. Even living here, I tend to do a lot by myself because it’s my nature. Never do I feel uncomfortable or awkward. My list of hotels I recommend is perfect for people like you and me, offering a great scene to relax and walk around our beautiful city. Spring and fall are my favorite times, so plan accordingly. But please, do come, and do tell me so we can meet up!

This is a wide list of places I recommend as first, second, or eightieth solo trips. Some of them I have gone many times, and some I want to go back. Every destination on this list is somewhere I’ve personally traveled, which is one of my biggest requirements in myself as a writer and someone who makes recommendations to others. I can vouch for each and every city on this list. While there are plenty more, these are the ones I think are most appropriate to recommend to you as a first time solo traveler. Start small and near if you are just venturing out and a bit nervous, and know you have a huge community of other solo female travelers waiting to hear about your victory for your first trip. I hope wherever you go, you go with an open heart and mind. Roam with confidence and pride, my friend.

If you liked this blog, you might also enjoy: the necessity of taking a solo trip or my travel packing list for women.

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