20 Best Solo Travel Destinations in the World
Some of life’s boldest memories and most valuable lessons are learned through travel. Getting out of your comfort zone to experience new cultures, flavors, perspectives, and terrains can open up the mind and significantly enhance the travel experience. It makes sense why we tend to travel with friends, a partner, or in large groups—we want people to share these same memories. While we agree with that, it’s also selling short the notion that solo travel is less memorable or less important to pursue. On the contrary: Being alone way out there in the world, or even a few states over yonder, can teach you more about yourself than a trip logged with others.
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Seasoned wayfarers and adventures alike know how life-changing a solo journey can be, from offering ample time for self-reflection and personal grown to providing moments of introspection and awe amidst the world’s most wild and rugged landscapes. When you’re able to travel how you want, when you want, and where you want, something magical happens. A transformational shift in perspective ensues when you venture into the unknown, especially when you’re outside your comfort zone and immersed in deeper communion with nature and a culture different from your own.
Beyond that vital time for introspection, there’s the added requirement to put yourself out there when traveling solo—which pays you back in droves. You’ll be that much more encouraged to strike up a conversation with some wayfaring stranger at the bar. Heck, you’ll be that wayfaring stranger to someone else, too. And your story will be as interesting to them as theirs is to you.
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Regardless of your age or income, a solo adventure can feel daunting at the outset, especially for first-timers, but you’ll get your sea legs right quick. Before you go, there are a few things to keep in mind. Whether you prefer to travel solo for the entire journey or enjoy meeting up with like-minded travelers on group tours or in communal lodgings like hostels, it’s best to keep your family or close friends informed about your whereabouts. It’s also wise to learn a few phrases in the local language in order to ask for advice and connect with the culture.
Whether you seek to get off-the-grid in the windswept deserts of the Namib, the world’s oldest desert, on a private safari offering views of crashing ocean waves and cascading sand dunes, or prefer to hit the sun-soaked shores of Sri Lanka’s South Coast on a solo sojourn where your days are filled with made-fresh juices, surfing, and daily CrossFit classes, there’s an ideal solo adventure for you. Here are 20 places high on our list for you consider on your next—or first—solo odyssey.
Best Solo Destination Trips for Men Around the World
Few cities in the U.S. match San Francisco’s walkability (okay, ultra-hilly neighborhoods aside), along with the sheer number of postcard-ready sites to check off your list—like the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, and the Painted Ladies, to name a few. You can keep yourself plenty busy as a solo traveler in this town without ever feeling like a fish out of water. You can also pack a full long weekend in San Francisco with clusters of time spent in the Mission, Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park, Haight Ashbury, Russian Hill, North Beach, Chinatown, the Castro, Chrissy Field, and even touristy Fisherman’s Wharf.
There's also Alcatraz, Sausalito just across the bridge, day trips up into neighboring wine country, the East Bay towns of Oakland and Berkeley all at your fingertips. Plus, it’s so easy here to have tasty, quick-hit meals for one: A burrito in the Mission is a must (our vote is for La Taqueria), and grab-and-go pizza in Little Italy (a.k.a North Beach)—we suggest trying Golden Boy. And what we wouldn’t do for a morning and afternoon spent between the Embarcadero Farmer’s Market and Ocean Beach, grazing on brunch at Outerlands at the latter.
Between the history, recreation, food, and leisure, Crete is one of the easiest sells in terms of European travel. All the trappings are right there in one manageable stretch of Mediterranean rock—and easy to manage as a curious solo traveler, no less. But when it comes to solo luxury travel, few realize that Crete can give you far more bang for your buck compared to the nearby alternatives.
Look to Crete’s Elounda region in the central north, where you can start, end, or anchor your Cretan experience at one of the most luxurious resorts, Blue Palace Resort & Spa, with a jaw-dropping view of the Aegean blue and historic Spinalonga Island. Between their private-pool suites and villas, an exclusive beach, seven onsite restaurants and bars, and a sumptuous spa, you can luxuriate in your own awesomeness with a decade’s worth of bragging rights to your pals back home. Hot tip: Go in shoulder season to enjoy it with fewer guests, but still 88-degree, cloud-free days.
Brazil might have its reputation as a place to take extra precautions while visiting. Yeah, we’ll advise some extra vigilance in Rio de Janeiro especially. But to write off this country because of those kneejerk worries? Big mistake. The joie de vivre, the sprawling beaches, the one-too-many caipirinhas consumed on said beach sprawls… Brazil with its one-of-a-kind energy is simply not to be missed. In many ways, it's best absorbed solo.
If there’s one sprawl we suggest you visit, its tranquil-yet-bustling Trancoso in the middle of Bahia’s coastline. Think of Bahia like their Texas, and its shoreline the country’s most notorious and captivating. Trancoso welcomes solo travelers with open arms, since a buzzy community has popped up there—many of them hippy-dippy expats, digital nomads, or the like. Put yourself up at any of the pousadas in town, or better yet, at the chic UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa, and make friends easily at any of the cafes, beach resorts, and bars. Better yet, try to befriend a Brazilian or two, and then hitch a ride up and down the Bahian coastline. Each beach gives you something entirely different, and entirely unlike anything you could dream up.
There are many ways to do the Great American Road Trip, be it the Pacific Coast Highway, Route 66, or even Florida’s US 1. The best stretch though, if you ask us, is the upper Great Plains—specifically the northwest 2x2 of Montana-North Dakota-South Dakota-Wyoming. Between the Badlands, Yellowstone, American Safaris, Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments, Devil’s Tower, the Grand Tetons, Deadwood, Wall Drug, and more—this is Americana at its truest.
These states are too often written off as “the flyovers,” which makes them all the more enjoyable from the front seat of your car. If your family didn’t do this trek in your younger years, it’s not too late to toss a tent in your trunk, gas up the tank, and log your own version of the classic Kerouac story with your own healthier imprint.
If what you want is a mental and physical reprieve—and even a medical one—then we have to point you to UNESCO-honored spa town Baden-Baden, tucked into the Black Forest of southwest Germany. But we can’t do that without further narrowing in on Brenners Park-Hotel and Spa, which is essentially the destination within the destination. Aside from its world-class spa facilities that attract heads of state from around the globe, the resort beckons with extended stays revolving around life-changing medical programs that range from aesthetic dentistry to physiotherapy. Whether it’s burnout, weight loss, or detoxification, this is a place to do a hard reset on yourself—all with a pristine backdrop and 5-star hospitality. Call it an investment in your well-being.
In case you've forgotten, you’ve got one life to live—so why wait on your friends to book those top-spot, bucket-list experiences? When it comes to experiencing what's arguably Africa’s most picturesque savannah—not to mention, a place where you can see the everything from giraffes and elephants to leopards and Cape buffalo, plus witness the annual wildebeest migration—Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve is the place. And if you’re going to go solo, then book a stay that rounds out the experience full stop.
Angama Mara puts you up in one of its four ensuite tents, and gives you individualized attention throughout your stay to ensure that your bucket runneth over—with everything from private game drives and foot safaris to hot air balloon vantages and interaction with local Maasai tradition and residents. Don’t miss their winding, one-acre Shamba garden on your stay either. That’s where a lot of your meals are sourced, offering a direct window into the homegrown hospitality with which Angama wows its guests, honored soloists included.
At some point, every American should make that trek to Washington DC for a dive into our country’s relatively short but storied past. The district could keep you busy for a week with its museums alone. Heck just the Smithsonians could have you booked up, not to mention the International Spy Museum, Holocaust Memorial Museum, and a dozen or more monuments that benchmark the past few centuries. Book that White House tour ahead of time and don't miss the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site and the home of George Washington at Mount Vernon. From the Wizards and Capitals to the United, Mystics, and Commanders, there’s always a good game to catch in town too.
Paris—perhaps you’ve heard of it? While its reputation is one for l’amour, it’s also a brilliant place for self-l’amour and reflection, since it is so easily walkable, and each turn presents you with something curious and humbling. From the Louvre to L’Orangerie, you can encounter as many Monets, Picassos, and Modiglianis as your eyes can handle, and as many crepes and croissants as your tummy can devour.
Nothing clears the mind like a stroll through Père Lachaise cemetery, an aperitif on the river Seine, or a basking underneath the Eiffel Tower’s nightly shimmer. Take the day trip to Versailles. Order the champagne. Eat the cake. No matter how you do Paris, you’ll always see it differently the next time—and yet it stays the same. That’s because you’re the one evolving and changing, so why not juxtapose your solo self against all that grandeur?
Patagonia is rightfully atop many people’s bucket lists, but most people head as far south as possible to immerse themselves in all those glaciers, petrified forests, and penguins at the bottom of the world. If you’re flying all that way, why not drop down into the northern realms of those mountains—in Patagonia’s spectactular lake region? It’s here where you’ll have the reflective (literally) experience that one seeks as a solo traveler. Those waters sparkle in the sun, and you can rent your backroads cottage for the full fantasy, making friends with friendly roving pups, cooking fresh meals, sipping Mendoza-sourced Malbec, and paddling/swimming the world’s bluest lakes.
Rent a car or schedule a bus between Bariloche (the core city for flights) and San Martín de los Andes—Telluride-type town tucked into the mountains. That road between the two is known as The Road of the Seven Lakes, and will showcase exactly that. It’s like seeing all the Great Lakes in one fell swoop. Maybe not quite as big as your Superiors and Hurons, but equally spectacular.
Everyone has their own reason for wanting to hike “el Camino,” short for Camino de Santiago. Historically, it’s a network of trails that all lead to Galicia’s Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela. But even if you’re not on a weeks-long Christian pilgrimage, you’ll be in good company among the many hikers who keep the path populated across Spain’s north.
Technically the routes aren’t just in Spain—so if you want to hike from Lisbon to Porto and north across the Atlantic coast, have at it. The common route for those who go all-in is from Oviedo to Galicia, a cool 193 miles spread over as many days as it takes to hike. The longest routes can be as many as 600-plus miles, should you find yourself funemployed and craving a real off-the-grid option. There are plenty of sites that offer outlines for planning, so that nothing comes as a surprise for you on the trek. An journey of slow and steady endurance, it's perfect for introspection, digital detox, and making many international friends along the way.
Skip the solo sojourn to Bali, and opt for an under-the-radar adventure to Sri Lanka’s low-key southern coast instead—where ethereal paddy fields and verdant jungle collide. Here you'll find the best surf in the country on the sandy shores of Ahangama, as well as plenty of remote bays and craggy outcrops to climb and explore.
Make PALM your base. It's a stilted hotel with two suites and six luxurious A-frame cabanas offering cool concrete interiors, open-air rainfall showers, and private patios replete with swinging hammocks. If you’re in need of a reset, the property makes it easy to prioritize wellness, with fresh juices and smoothies made in an all-day kitchen specializing in local dishes. Between surf sessions, swim laps at the property’s 45-foot pool, or join fellow travelers for workouts in the hotel’s CrossFit gym—fully equipped with medicine balls, kettlebells, and a wall of squat racks.
Tick off a bucket-list adventure during a journey to Churchill in the Manitoba province of Canada, a diminutive town situated on the southwestern shores of Hudson Bay. Known as the "Polar Bear Capital of the World," Churchill is the premier location to see the predators when they congregate in the area from July to November—spending their summers here until the water freezes.
Book a journey with Frontiers North Adventures. You'll board the Tundra Buggy Lodge, a remote, space-like compound situated on the Arctic tundra with fellow travelers. It’s equipped with camp-style bunk beds, a lounge cart for happy hour, and detachable all-terrain vehicles made for exploring the network of trails within the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. After you’ve spent ample time viewing Arctic wildlife in their natural environment, visit the new facility by Polar Bears International, where you can learn how the non-profit benefits polar bear preservation.
Situated on Mexico's central Pacific Coast, Zihuatanejo was once overlooked for bohemian enclaves like Tulum and Sayulita. But while these towns are rapidly changing due to overcrowding, Zihuatanejo remains a reprieve. Seek out its quaint beaches, like Troncones, a former fishing village with a three-mile-long stretch of sand nestled along the point where water from the Pacific Ocean meets the mountains of the Sierra Madre del Sur. Long beloved by in-the-know surfers from around the world, the sleepy beach town is home to Lo Sereno, a 10-suite design hotel featuring terraces, an infinity pool with an ocean view, and an open-air dining patio with a handcrafted pergola.
Explore nearby Mayan ruins at Xihuacan or hike to isolated jungle hot springs. For a solo wellness journey, opt for a stay at nearby Cala de Mar Ixtapa, an intimate property perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific. Choose to design your own wellness experience combining yoga, spa treatments, healthy eating workshops, and shaman-led temazcals, a pre-Hispanic healing ritual and sweat lodge ceremony for detoxification.
From learning cultural traditions of the semi-nomadic Himba tribe to glimpsing the striking horns of a lone Oryx in an endless sea of rolling sand dunes, Namibia enchants as one of Africa’s most extreme destinations. Embark on a solo journey with A2A Safaris to explore the Namib, the world’s oldest desert. Here, nature drives are about exploring landscapes where crashing ocean waves merge with a cascade of sand dunes and dead-tree valleys.
As one of the most otherworldly destinations on the planet, Namibia’s Skeleton Coast can’t be missed at outposts like Shipwreck Lodge, an iconic 10-room property constructed to resemble the shipwrecks that line the coast. Extend your stay at Serra Cafema, a luxurious camp set in the lunar-like wilds of northwestern Namibia, near the border of Angola, where you can rest in one of eight chalets set on the banks of the Kunene River. Or, venture to the all-new Our Habitas Namibia near Windhoek, the country’s capital. The conservation project is set in over 50,000 acres where you can partake in communal yoga and meditation classes and join fellow travelers on two daily game drives led by local San people.
On an adventure to northern Sardinia, Italy’s second-largest windswept island in the Mediterranean Sea, join fellow travelers on a hike of the Selvaggio Blu with Dolomite Mountains. This journey takes you along Orosei, the island’s eastern Mediterranean coastline, where narrow gorges, imposing chalk rocks, wide plateaus, and hidden canyons run in an uninterrupted stretch of natural beauty.
Marvel at archaeological sites and ancient villages while hiking along the famous Pedra Longa spire and limestone formations within the Grotta del Fico cave. Relax on a private yacht while savoring local wine and delicacies like rock lobster and local malloreddus and fregula pastas topped with heaps of freshly shaved pecorino cheese. An adventure for travelers who prefer challenging treks by day and lounging on remote beaches by afternoon, this trek is often regarded as one of the toughest in all of Italy.
Want to make a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to Antarctica even more spectacular? Book a fly-and-sail expedition with Antarctica21. Skip the perils of sailing through the Drake Passage—an eruption where sub-polar and polar waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans clash—and fly directly to Antarctica to board the brand’s Magellan Explorer, a modern expedition vessel built with suite-style cabins—some equipped with private balconies and lounge areas.
Antarctica is home to 90 percent of the Earth’s land ice, which plays host to some of the rarest wildlife species on the planet, from majestic black-browed albatross to white-bellied gentoo penguin. The knowledgeable crew will know you by name, accompanying guests on adventures to explore the continent’s incredible landscape—either while kayaking near leopard seals resting on icebergs or snowshoeing up remote mountaintops.
Jackson Hole, WY, is a magnet for visitors to the American West for a reason—or several, actually. Situated just down the road from Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, the town of Jackson (situated at the southern end of Jackson Hole valley) neighbors one of the world’s top ski resorts, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, boasting the longest continuous vertical rise of any ski area in the U.S.
Thanks to the recent opening of Cache House, Jackson is also host to its first high-design hostel, a convivial outpost featuring two shared living quarters with 50 bunks and a spacious lobby. Bunks have thoughtful details like ergonomic ladders, custom light fixtures, and outlets for your devices. Perfect for meeting up with fellow solo travelers, the property is the ideal base to partake in winter sports or guided summer hiking tours by Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures, where you can view elk, bison, wolves, and trumpeter swans in their natural habitat.
See the windswept steeps and snowcapped peaks of the ancient Silk Road of Central Asia on a 16-day adventure with Nomadic Expeditions, a perfect journey for solo travelers seeking to meet new people and get immersed in nature. Some trips are even led by a National Geographic photographer, who can provide tips on how to document your experience through dedicated photography lessons.
The adventure begins at Almaty and ends in Ashgabat, with countless stunning landscapes and unique cultural experiences along the way—from visits to traditional Uzbek villages on the outskirts of Samarkand to exploring a medieval site in Tajikistan filled with historic wall paintings and a Zoroastrian temple. The journey includes stays in eco-lodges and camps, and even a stop at the famous Palace of the Moon and Stars in Uzbekistan. The ornate residence was once the summer home of the last Emir of Bukhara.
Whether you prefer soaking in a hot tub with views of the massive Pacific waves on wild log-strewn beaches or hiking along a secluded scenic river, Oregon’s South Coast is an ideal oasis in the state’s "Banana Belt"—a relatively untouristed area known for its milder climates and natural, adventure-leaning locales.
Take a guided sea-kayaking adventure, where grey whales, seals, and birds of prey are common sights; or hike the 12-mile Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor to enjoy the stunning coastal landscapes along Oregon’s famed Highway 101. Stay at Bay Point Landing in Coos Bay, a contemporary camping resort that'll provide you with all the gear you need for seaside clamming and crabbing excursions.
Framed by the snowcapped peaks of the Andes mountains, Antioquia, Colombia, is an undiscovered region set near Medellín, a city known for its charming colonial buildings and year-round temperate climate. If you’re aiming to get off-the-beaten-path on a multisport adventure or birding expedition, True Colombia Travel offers custom tours for travelers seeking to explore the Andes mountains of Antioquia by way of hiking, mountain biking, canyoning, and paragliding.
Visit the coffee fields of Cocondo—the only certified-organic farm in Antioquia—for a tour of the farm, a tasting, and a swim in a waterfall-fed mountain spring near the property. Relax at Cannúa, a new boutique property with 10 rooms and eight private caba?as set in a protected forest near Arví Park, an ecological nature preserve with archeological sites set within the verdant slopes of Aburrá Valley.
