8 Best Places for Women Traveling Solo in 2026, According to Solo Female Travelers

8 Places Solo Women Travelers Keep Recommending to Each Other

Updated October 2026

Solo trips are freeing, and choosing where to go first is the hard part. We read r/solofemaletravellers and r/traveladvice and checked official US travel advisories so you can pick with confidence.

Intro

Going solo is the best travel decision a lot of women ever make. You eat when you want, nap when you want, and nobody vetoes the third museum.

But the first question is always “where is easy and safe enough to start?” Here’s what women who’ve done it say, plus the official advisory level for each place.

How we picked: Destinations were recommended by solo travelers in public Reddit threads. Opinions are paraphrased. Advisory levels come from the US State Department and can change at any time. No destination is risk free; normal precautions always apply. This is not safety advice for your specific situation.

1. Japan

The hook: The first solo trip everyone recommends.

In an r/traveladvice thread, travelers suggested Japan as the classic first solo trip, citing how easy it is to navigate. Japan is at Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) on the State Department scale.

What travelers rave about: Trains, solo dining culture, calm streets.

Honest complaints: Language can be tricky outside the big cities.

Best For: First-timers.

Where to stay: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku

2. Portugal

The hook: Relaxed and social.

The same thread described Portugal as relaxed and easy for meeting people. It’s a Level 1 country, though petty theft is a known issue, especially on Lisbon’s famous tram 28.

What travelers rave about: Friendly people, hostels and walking tours.

Honest complaints: Pickpockets in tourist hotspots.

Best For: Social solo travelers.

Where to stay: The Lumiares Hotel and Spa

3. Slovenia

The hook: Fairytale and manageable.

Ljubljana to Lake Bled is an easy day trip. Slovenia is Level 1, though the State Department advises against hiking alone in the Julian Alps.

What travelers rave about: Small, walkable capital, gorgeous lakes.

Honest complaints: Quiet nightlife.

Best For: Nature lovers.

Where to stay: Vander Urbani Resort

4. South Korea

The hook: A bit more intense, in a good way.

In the r/traveladvice thread, South Korea came up as a more intense alternative to Japan.

What travelers rave about: Cafés, skincare shopping, great transit.

Honest complaints: Fast-paced and busy.

Best For: City lovers.

Where to stay: Lotte Hotel Seoul

5. New Zealand

The hook: Adventure with an easy social scene.

New Zealand is a regular in r/solofemaletravellers recommendations, with English-speaking ease and tours where solo travelers mix.

What travelers rave about: Hikes, road trips, hostels.

Honest complaints: Long flights and pricey.

Best For: Outdoorsy solo travelers.

Where to stay: Eichardt’s Private Hotel

6. Iceland

The hook: Tour it if you don’t want to drive alone.

Iceland is often mentioned for its safety reputation, and day tours make it easy without a car.

What travelers rave about: Landscapes, easy tours.

Honest complaints: Expensive and weather changes fast.

Best For: Short, epic trips.

Where to stay: Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre

7. Ireland

The hook: Easy chat, easy pubs.

What travelers rave about: English-speaking, friendly, great bus tours.

Honest complaints: Rain.

Best For: Nervous first-timers.

Where to stay: The Shelbourne

8. Copenhagen, Denmark

The hook: Bikes and pastries.

What travelers rave about: Bike-friendly, safe-feeling streets.

Honest complaints: Pricey.

Best For: City breaks.

Where to stay: Hotel Sanders

Solo Safety Basics

Share your itinerary with someone at home, enroll in your government’s traveler program (STEP for US citizens), and check the advisory again right before you fly.

Details checked in October 2026. Where we could not verify a price, we link to current listings instead of quoting one. Prices, schedules and offers change, so check the official site before you go. Some links are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This article is general travel information, not medical or safety advice.