The best destinations for solo travellers

Planning a solo adventure but not sure where to go? Choosing the right destination can make all the difference to your experience. You’ll want somewhere that’s welcoming, easy to get around, sociable and packed with things to see and do.

To help you decide, we’ve rounded up our top 10 destinations for solo travellers. Whether you’re dreaming of ziplining in Costa Rica, beach hopping in Thailand or exploring the sights of Japan, there’s a destination to suit everyone.

The 10 best destinations for solo travellers

Portugal

Portugal might be a popular choice for family holidays, but it’s also a great option if you’re travelling solo. Lisbon and Porto are especially good, with friendly locals and lively hostels where you can easily meet fellow travellers.

Both cities are compact enough to explore on foot, so you can spend a morning wandering through colourful neighbourhoods and stopping for a coffee whenever you fancy it. If you fancy a bit of company, you can also join a walking tour. And when you’re hungry, just pop into one of the food markets or casual cafes where it’s perfectly normal to turn up on your own.

Portugal is easy to explore beyond its two main cities, too. Trains and coaches connect many major destinations, so you don't need to hire a car. Places like Lagos in the Algarve are equally great for solo travellers, with beautiful beaches and a laid-back atmosphere. Hostels and plenty of activities along these coastal spots make socialising easy too.

Thailand

Thailand is synonymous with solo travel. It’s one of the most popular backpacking destinations in the world, with a sociable vibe and well-established travel routes.

Meeting other travellers is incredibly easy here. In fact, it’s hard not to. Hostels organise activities, cities offer walking tours and there’s always something to do, from cooking classes to snorkelling trips where you just naturally strike up conversation.  

Most backpackers follow similar routes, so it’s easy to meet people along the way and you can even find someone to travel with for a few days if you fancy it. Getting around is straightforward too. The Thai islands are well connected by ferry, while buses and trains offer a cheap and convenient way to travel between popular destinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pai.

And when it comes to food, Thailand makes solo dining easy. Markets are some of the best places to eat, so you can easily grab good on the go, whilst exploring temples, beaches and national parks, all at your own pace!

Japan

When it comes to travelling independently, Japan is hard to beat. It’s safe, well organised and no one bats an eyelid at you doing things alone. From exploring temples and museums to relaxing in an onsen, there’s plenty to keep you busy, and being solo means you can do it all at your own pace.

Getting around is easy too, with fast and reliable public transport connecting cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. English signs are common in major cities, making navigating on your own much less daunting.

Accommodation-wise, it’s also well suited to solo travellers. Take your pick from social hostels, capsule hotels with your own private pod or affordable business hotels with ensuites if you prefer a bit more privacy.

Solo dining is really common here, with many restaurants offering counter seating and individual booths. And you don’t need to worry about the language barrier either, with many places offering ticket vending machines or touchscreens where you order your food.

Vietnam

With friendly locals, affordable prices and a well-established route from north to south, Vietnam is a dream for solo travellers.

Like Thailand, the vibe is incredibly sociable. Whether you’re on a walking tour in Hanoi, taking a boat trip around Ha Long Bay or sat in a lantern-lit bar in Hoi An, it’s easy to meet fellow travellers. There are even dedicated backpacker streets, such as Bui Vien in Ho Chi Minh City and Ta Hien in Hanoi, where you’ll find plenty of other travellers in the same boat.

Vietnam also offers such an incredible variety of experiences, so there’s something for everyone. You could be cycling through rice paddies one day and relaxing on a sandy beach the next.

Getting around is straightforward too, with trains, sleeper buses and budget flights connecting the country’s key destinations. And with most backpackers heading from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll often bump into familiar faces along the way.

Costa Rica

Fancy a solo adventure in Central America? You’ll feel right at home in Costa Rica. It’s become a popular backpacking destination for young and old alike, with a mix of sociable accommodation, wellness retreats and group activities. You can make your trip to Costa Rica as social or as relaxing as you like.

And one of the reason’s it’s so popular is that there’s so much to do. From zip-lining through lush rainforests to soaking in thermal pools, spotting sloths in the wild and snorkelling in crystal-clear coves, there’s plenty to keep you busy, whether exploring alone or with fellow travellers.

Getting around is easy too, with organised excursions and tourist shuttles connecting popular destinations. La Fortuna is a favourite for its volcanic landscapes and thermal pools, while Tamarindo offers surfing and a lively beach scene. For something more laid-back, head to Santa Teresa, where yoga retreats, boutique accommodation and a bohemian atmosphere make it ideal for a slower-paced solo escape.

Indonesia

Indonesia is another of Asia’s top solo travel destinations. It’s budget-friendly, sociable and packed with experiences, with Bali and Lombok especially popular with solo travellers.

In Bali, Ubud is perfect for culture and wellness, while Canggu and Uluwatu are known for their cafés, bars and surf scenes. The nearby Nusa Islands — Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan — offer dramatic scenery and a more relaxed atmosphere. Meanwhile, over in Lombok, the Gili Islands are another solo-travel favourite. Gili Trawangan is the liveliest, with buzzing beach bars and social hostels, while Gili Air is more laid-back, with yoga, sunset bars and relaxed restaurants.

The best thing about Indonesia is that you can make your trip as social or as peaceful as you like - Explore independently and have a quiet relaxing getaway or enjoy a social trip, mingling with other travellers in hostels, on boat trips or in bars.

Getting around isn’t an issue either. Regular ferries connect the mainland with the islands so you can easily explore more than one place.

New Zealand

If you’re looking for incredible outdoor adventures and equally incredible scenery, you don’t get much better than New Zealand. And the best part? It’s perfect for solo travellers. A safe and welcoming atmosphere, sociable hostels and well-established travel routes make it easy to explore independently but with the option to meet plenty of people along the way.

It’s easy to explore the country too, with regular ferries connecting the North and South Islands and buses and coaches linking key destinations. Popular stops for solo travellers include Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua, Christchurch and Queenstown, all of which have plenty of hostels to choose from. Group tours and buses such as Kiwi Experience offer activities ranging from stargazing and bungee jumping to glacier hikes and boat trips.

When you’re not getting an adrenaline kick, New Zealand’s compact cities and towns are easy to navigate on foot. Spend the morning wandering around, stop for a coffee or some food from a market stall, then head off for your next adventure.

Peru

For a South American solo adventure, Peru makes a great shout. With a popular backpacking trail, easy transport and lively hostels, it’s convenient and sociable.  

Cusco is one of the most popular stops, with a compact historic centre that’s easy to explore independently. It’s also the gateway to Machu Picchu, so there are plenty of tours and treks where you can meet fellow travellers along the way. Arequipa is another popular stop, particularly for excursions to Colca Canyon, while Lima is worth a visit for its food scene and neighbourhoods like Barranco, with its cosy bars and bohemian atmosphere.

Getting around is relatively straightforward, with intercity coaches connecting the main destinations. And with so many tours and excursions on offer, it’s easy to explore the region’s amazing landscapes and ancient sites whilst also meet like-minded people.

Australia

English-speaking, established travel routes and sociable accommodation make Australia an easy choice for solo travellers. With great transport links, the popular east-coast route is especially good if you’re travelling independently. If you want to meet new people, then we’d recommend travelling on buses like the Greyhound where you can meet like-minded travellers.

The hostel scene is excellent too, with many offering organised activities and social events. And there are plenty of opportunities to meet people outside your accommodation, from sailing trips around the Whitsundays to camping on K’gari and surfing in Byron Bay. With so many people travelling the country solo, you’ll never feel alone here.

One of the great things about Australia is that there’s such a variety of experiences on offer, whether that’s exploring bustling cities, relaxing on beaches or trekking through rainforests.

Mexico

An amazing foodie scene, vibrant culture and beautiful landscapes make Mexico a must on any traveller’s list. But solo travellers will especially love it here, thanks to its lively hostel scene, affordable accommodation and warm hospitality.

Mexico City is a great place to start. Explore world-class museums, admire the architecture and wander through trendy neighbourhoods like Roma Norte, stopping at cafés and galleries along the way. Food lovers can’t miss Oaxaca City too, with food markets ideal for easy solo dining and cooking classes perfect for meeting other travellers. Places like Puerto Escondido, on the Pacific coast, are also popular, with a laid-back atmosphere, cool surfing scene and vibrant nightlife. And getting between destinations is relatively easy and affordable, with long-distance buses a popular choice for travellers.

Whether you’re after a solo city break in Portugal or a longer backpacking adventure through Vietnam, there are plenty of destinations to choose from. For more travel inspiration, take a look at our blog and Instagram.