15 Best Destinations for Solo Travellers

Travelling alone is one of the most rewarding ways to see the world. You set the pace, follow your own curiosity down whichever alley looks interesting, and often connect more deeply with the people and places you encounter than you ever would in a group. The best solo destinations share three qualities. They are safe, they are easy to get around, and they are genuinely welcoming to travellers on their own. Here are 15 to consider for 2026.

We have grouped them by region, with a note on why each one works so well for solo travellers and a practical tip to help you settle in and feel at home quickly.

Asia

Japan

Famously safe, spotlessly clean, and effortless to navigate by its superb train network, Japan is a dream for first-time solo travellers. Crucially, eating and exploring alone is completely normal here and carries no stigma. Tip: Get a rail pass for affordable travel between cities and eat at the counter restaurants and noodle bars designed for solo diners.

Thailand

A long-standing favourite on the solo trail, with a well-worn travel route, famously friendly locals, low costs, and an easy social scene for meeting other travellers. Tip: Stay in sociable hostels or join an inexpensive day tour to meet fellow travellers within hours of arriving.

Vietnam

Affordable, scenic, and full of warm, friendly faces, with a strong backpacker network running the length of the country from the northern mountains to the southern delta. Tip: Travel end to end on the cheap, comfortable open-bus network, hopping off wherever takes your fancy.

South Korea

Safe, modern, and endlessly convenient, with world-class public transport, free wifi everywhere, and a vibrant cafe culture that is ideal for relaxed solo downtime. Tip: Seoul late-night transport and 24-hour cafes make solo evenings feel both easy and very safe.

Europe

Portugal

Warm, affordable by Western European standards, and very safe, with compact, walkable cities and a relaxed pace that suits unhurried solo exploration. Tip: Lisbon and Porto both have excellent, sociable hostels that make it easy to meet other solo travellers.

Slovenia

Compact, green, and consistently rated one of the safest countries in the world, with a laid-back capital and easy access to lakes, caves, and mountains. Tip: Base yourself in Ljubljana and take simple, well-organised day trips to Lake Bled and the Adriatic coast.

Ireland

Famed the world over for its friendliness, with welcoming pubs where striking up a conversation as a lone traveller is simply the norm rather than the exception. Tip: Pull up a seat at a pub with live traditional music and you will rarely stay a stranger for very long.

Iceland

Extremely safe and jaw-droppingly scenic, Iceland is ideal for solo road trips and small group adventures alike. Tip: Join a small-group glacier walk or northern-lights tour to share the most memorable experiences with others.

The Middle East and nearby

Oman

Safe, welcoming, and strikingly beautiful, Oman is one of the easiest and most rewarding solo destinations anywhere in the wider region, with locals known for their genuine hospitality. Tip: Self-drive the mountains and coastline, as the roads are excellent, quiet, and very straightforward.

Jordan

Friendly and very manageable on your own, Jordan packs in Petra, the desert majesty of Wadi Rum, and a float in the Dead Sea. Tip: The reliable JETT bus network and organised desert tours make solo travel here simple and stress-free.

Georgia

Affordable, deeply hospitable, and full of dramatic mountain scenery, with an easy-going, sociable traveller scene centred on the old town of Tbilisi. Tip: Stay in a family-run guesthouse to experience the famous Georgian hospitality and home cooking firsthand.

Beyond

New Zealand

Safe, English-speaking, and practically built for independent travel, with a strong network of hostels, tours, and a well-trodden backpacker route. Tip: A campervan gives you total freedom to roam the spectacular South Island entirely on your own schedule.

Canada

Friendly, safe, and spectacular, with vibrant cities and vast wilderness that are both easy and rewarding to navigate alone. Tip: Vancouver and Banff are especially welcoming and well-connected bases for solo outdoor adventures.

Costa Rica

Relaxed, safe by regional standards, and brimming with sociable hostels and adventure tours that make connecting with others effortless. Tip: Join group activities like surfing lessons, zip-lining, or volcano hikes to meet fellow travellers naturally.

Taiwan

One of Asia safest and most underrated destinations, with superb food, seamless transport, and dazzling night markets. Tip: Solo dining at the buzzing night markets is the easiest, tastiest, and most sociable way to eat alone.

Frequently asked questions

Which destinations are best for first-time solo travellers?

Japan, Portugal, Oman, and New Zealand are gentle introductions, thanks to safety, easy transport, and a welcoming attitude towards solo visitors.

How do solo travellers meet people on the road?

Social hostels, group day tours, walking tours, cooking classes, and shared transport are all natural ways to connect with other travellers and locals.

Is solo travel safe for women?

Many destinations on this list, including Japan, Oman, Portugal, and New Zealand, are widely considered very safe for solo women, though normal precautions and local research always apply.

Solo travel teaches you as much about yourself as about the world. Start with one of these welcoming, easy destinations, and you will quickly discover how freeing and confidence-building it is to explore entirely on your own terms.