This post is for all my girls. It’s a post to tell you to plan that trip if it’s on your mind. And take that leap of faith… And Europe is the best place to start for any inspired female solo traveller with over 50+ countries to explore, and cultures varying drastically between countries.
Whether you are looking for a relaxing weekend or an adventure-filled week away from sightseeing, there are plenty of European destinations to choose from.
Also, read my guide to 2 weeks in Europe Itinerary which gives you tips and tricks on how to see five countries in 2 weeks by travelling through Europe by train.
Technically speaking, there is nowhere that is off-limits for an adventurous heart who has some experience and knowledge. Solo trips are one of the most exciting and life-affirming things that you can do for yourself. Here are a few places that come highly recommended for first-time solo travellers….
Contents
Top 18 Destinations for Solo Travel
- Reykjavik
- Malaysia
- Finland
- South Korea
- Panama
- London
- Scotland
- Singapore
- Montenegro
- Stockholm
- Berlin
- Jordan
- Romania
- Amsterdam
- Tokyo
- Nepal
- Switzerland
- Milan
- Ecuador
READ MORE: 25 Tips for Solo Female Travel in Europe
Reykjavik
Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, is the largest city in the country and home to a mirage of hotels, restaurants, historical tourist spots and the iconic Viking history. Hallgrimskirkja church and rotating Perlan glass dome offer incredible views of the city and the ocean and due to its volcanic activity, it is also home to one of the world’s most iconic tourist hot spots, the geothermal Blue Lagoon spa.
If you love photographs then Iceland is the place for you, as around every corner is another beautiful view. Most solo travellers like to hire a car and drive around the Ring Road or the Golden Circle, that’s what I did and it was the easiest way to get around. Most nordic countries support the idea of wild camping too but are careful in the winter months from October to April as it’s really blooming cold.
Highlights
- Hallgrímskirkja
- Harpa
- Golden Circle
- Whale Watching
- Road trip around Iceland
- The Sun Voyager
Read More: How to Spend 48 Hours in Iceland
Malaysia
Although Malaysia is a popular destination, it is often overlooked as a great solo destination. It is one of the most developed countries in Southeast Asian, and do to the enormous variety of cultures, it is a great place to get immersed in, especially the amazing Malay cuisine, which I believe is one of the best in the world. While you are traveling in Malaysia, you can communicate in English as most locals speak English too.
Highlights
- Langkawi
- Mount Kinabalu
- Perhentian
- Kinabatangan River
- Shopping in KL
- Sipidan Scuba Diving
- Penang
- Cameron Highlands
- East Coast Cities
- Taman Negara
Finland
If you love wintry landscapes, there’s no better place for you than Finland. Around Christmas, many families head to the north where Lapland is found. It’s a magical experience for families, but there’s much more to Finland than that. For example, Helsinki, the Finnish capital, makes a great city break destination. So if that’s the kind of trip you’re more interested in, Finland could serve you well. It’s a modern city and you can explore the rest of Scandinavia or even Russia from here. It often gets overlooked for the countries nearby but that shouldn’t be the case.
South Korea
Making up the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, South Korea is filled with stunning scenery, bustling cities and cultural sites. With historic attractions dating back centuries, you can explore the cultural evolution of the country and explore the towns and cities like a local. Some of the best things to do include Jeju-do, Seoul and the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the Gyeongbokgung Palace Seoraksan National Park and Busan. South Korea is great for travellers who want to experience a mix of attractions during their time in South Korea. You’ll want to ensure you take your Covid fit to fly test before you leave home, so you can be confident you won’t miss out on everything that’s on offer.
Panama
Central America doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves from travellers, but you’ll certainly have an adventure you won’t forget if you head to Panama. The tropical environment is simply beautiful. There are mountains, incredible beaches and a laid back and welcoming culture for you to enjoy and explore. It’s surprising that Panama isn’t visited by more people when you take into account everything it has to offer. But the fact that you can avoid any tourist traps might make it more appealing to you not less.
READ MORE: Solo Female Travel Tours Guide 2019
London
The British capital is one of the largest and most influential cities on the continent, and it has a wonderful variety and diversity that makes it a great destination. At its centre stand the imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower and Westminster Abbey, site of British monarch coronations. Across the Thames River, the London Eye observation wheel provides panoramic views of the South Bank and the city of London.
Highlights
- Tower Bridge
- London Eye
- Buckingham Palace
- Big Ben & Houses of Parliament
- Tower of London
- Camden Market
- St Paul’s Cathedral
- Harrods Department Store
- Trafalgar Square
- Madame Tussauds
Scotland
If you are a sucker for beautiful scenery, but like the idea of being able to get to the main cities without many issues, then Scotland has a lot to offer and is often overlooked. In Scotland, you’ve got the iconic cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness, as well as smaller towns and villages. You can head higher up the country to be closer to the mountains and drive down long stretches of road. And the coast between Aberdeen and Inverness has some stunning fishing villages that are great for a weekend away.
Highlights
- Edinburgh Castle
- Loch Ness
- Loch Lomond
- Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Urquhart Castle
- Ben Nevis
- Stirling Castle
- Arthur’s Seat
- Calton Hill
Singapore
Singapore is a modern country with a lot to offer. And the fact that it’s so small means that it’s relatively easy for you to take it all in and experience the best parts of it in one single visit. You can find a short term rental Singapore pretty easily and make this your base for the duration of your stay there. The nightlife is wonderful, the food is among the best you’ll find anywhere in Asia and the overall experience on offer won’t disappoint you.
Montenegro
If you’re looking for a location with a Mediterranean coastline and stunning beaches without the high prices, Montenegro is the destination for you. It offers everything you’re looking for and much more, so be sure to make the most of it. It often gets compared to Italy and that’s a fair comparison. If you’ve never been to Montenegro before, you might be surprised by what you find there. It’s definitely an underappreciated country and that’s probably going to change in the years ahead.
Stockholm
Sweden’s capital city Stockholm is a cultural hub for solo female travellers. The Swedish capital is located across three main islands, with lots of things to do throughout the city, and many historical things to see. The old town is beautiful with narrow cobbled streets, and a visit to the world-famous Royal Stockholm Palace and Drottningholm is a must when you visit. Of course, being a city based on the water, there are also lots of museums and maritime history which you can now visit on the restored warship at the Vasa Museum.
Highlights
- Sip a hot chocolate in Stockholm’s oldest square
- Catch a ferry to the city’s greenest island, Djurgården
- Rummage the vintage stores in creative Södermalm
- Taste Sweden’s national dish at a meatballs restaurant
- Get naked at Hellasgården’s lakeside sauna
Read More: How to Spend 48 Hours in Stockholm
Berlin
Germany is a wonderful country with a complex and varied past, but the capital city of Germany Berlin is modern and up and coming offering solo female travellers the opportunity to explore. The city is fairly small so getting around is relatively easy on public transport. There are lots of things to do in Berlin including museums, tours and boar rides. You can also find many reminders of the cities turbulent 20th-century history include its Holocaust memorial and the Berlin Wall remains. Also make a stop off at the 18th-century Brandenburg Gate which has become a symbol of reunification over the years.
Highlights
- Brandenburg Gate
- Reichstag Building
- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
- East Side Gallery
- Museum Island
- Berlin Wall Memorial
- Berliner Fernsehturm
- Berlin Cathedral
- Checkpoint Charlie
Jordan
Jordan is a true highlight of the middle each. There are so much history and so many beautiful landscapes to appreciate here, and you certainly won’t be disappointed by what you experience on your visit. You can go Scuba Diving in the Red Sea before taking a camel across the desert sands. Then there’s the abundance of UNESCO World Heritage sites to visit across Jordan. The iconic Petra is one you’ll certainly want to see for yourself up close. There’s simply so much to see and discover, so don’t miss out.
Romania
Romania is Eastern Europe’s best-kept secret. It has a range of stunning cities and so much to love about it, but it hasn’t really taken off as a tourist destination in the way that some other locations in that part of Europe have, but maybe that’s about to change in the near future. There are lots of medieval towns that are simply beautiful and full of history. And you don’t have to contend with the crowds of tourists you find in similar countries like the Czech Republic.
Amsterdam
This city of canals is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and the centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is also one of my favourite cities in the world. The relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals make it a great place to unwind. Known for its heritage, canal system and beautiful narrow houses, built across the city in the 17th-century Golden Age. Make sure you dedicate a day to museums, as there are so many to choose from in the Museum District, including the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Stedelijk.
Highlights
- Exploring the 165 canals
- The Rijksmuseum
- The Begijnhof
- Brown Cafés
- Anne Frank House
- Vondelpark
- Oude Kerk (Old Church)
- Waterlooplein
Read More: How to Spend 48 Hours in Amsterdam
Tokyo
If you are looking for clean, safe, and well-organized then Japan has got your name on it. There are so many places that you can go to soak up the culture of the area, and of course, sample as much of the delicious cuisine as you can. You will likely run into some language barriers here but have the Google Translate app to hand and learn some key phrases beforehand. Japan is known for being a friendly place, so you can get by easy and in restaurants and shops, simply point to the menu item that you want if you are unable to read Japanese. Tokyo is famous for Anime, electronics, manga, and video games. Japan is something to be seen once the sun goes down when the city really comes alive. There are millions of lights in the sky from buildings, screens and much more.
Highlights
- Tokyo Skytree
- Sensō-ji
- Tokyo Tower
- Meiji Jingu
- Odaiba
- Imperial Palace
- Ueno Park
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Tsukiji Market
Nepal
Anyone looking for a spiritual experience should head to Nepal, there’s no doubt about that. It’s found in between China and India, and its position up in the clouds atop the Himalayan mountains only adds to the sense of wonder you get when you visit. There are Buddhist pilgrimage sites found across Nepal and that’s reason enough to pay a visit to the country. The Chitwan National Park is also a major highlight for visitors looking to see the wildlife living here.
Switzerland
Of all the places you might think of visiting in Europe, Switzerland is maybe not very close to the top of the list. It has a reputation for being a pretty expensive place to visit, and that’s true. But some things are worth paying for and that’s certainly the case with Switzerland. Lake Geneva, Zurich and the Alps are just some of the reasons why you should head to and explore this country if you never have before. It really does have so much to offer and you won’t want to miss out in its many natural and manmade highlights.
Milan
Highlights
- Milan Cathedral
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Sforzesco Castle
- Teatro alla Scala
- Santa Maria delle Grazie
- Sempione Park
- Brera ‘s picture gallery
- Piazza del Duomo
- Monumental Cemetery
Ecuador
Ecuador is not as popular among tourists as its neighbours such as Peru, but that’s not particularly fair. The coastlines and beaches in Ecuador are beautiful, the landscapes are diverse and the people are very welcoming. The colourful architecture is a particular highlight and you should definitely explore the cities of Ecuador for this reason alone. There are many reasons to love Ecuador, so if you love South America but have never been here before, now is the time to change that by paying a visit.
Each of these countries has something unique and special to offer, so make the most of each of them. Hopefully, the options above have given you some inspiration regarding where to head to next. They might not be blockbuster locations but they’re all unappreciated and underrated in terms of what they have to offer visitors.
Which is your favourite? Let me know in the comments!
Solo travelling is something beautiful, and it allows you to uncover spots that you will go back to time and again and feel right at home.
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Thank you for reading and as always happy adventuring!
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Sophie X
