Here are the best destinations for solo travelers
A solo getaway offers the ideal opportunity to immerse oneself in the authentic culture, history, and expression of a particular destination. There are no limits to where inspiration may take you, nor should there be. Whether it’s a Michelin-starred meal or an adrenaline-inducing adventure, with some planning and expert advice, your next solo journey can reach new heights.
A walk on the Wilde side in Dublin
There may be no better combination than a pint and a good book—and no better destination to imbibe in said lager and literature than Oscar Wilde’s birthplace, Dublin, Ireland. Art and cultural historian Dr. Andrew Lear, a scholar of Wilde’s work, suggests a hotel with historical significance. “I highly recommend The Shelbourne, where Oscar Wilde stayed when on a speaking tour in Dublin,” says Lear.
Leave room in your suitcase for your literary conquests, whether they be budget-friendly used copies from Chapters Bookshop or one-of-a-kind finds at Ulysses Rare Books. Take your book to a pub with a snug (a private room or alcove), like those found at The Waterloo, featuring natural light and people-watching on Baggot Street. For an afternoon adventure, Lear suggests riding the local DART train along Dublin Bay to Dalkey (20 minutes) to visit the tower where much of James Joyce’s Ulysses takes place.
Big dreams fulfilled on Petit St. Vincent
If the idea of an all-inclusive resort sounds appealing but the throngs of guests not so much, consider a respite to the private island of Petit St. Vincent, located 40 miles south of St. Vincent. Getting there is an adventure, including a private flight from Barbados to Union Island and a boat transfer. The 115-acre island features secluded one- and two-bedroom cottages dotted throughout the grounds where visitors can get lost in the sound of gentle waves undulating toward the coastline.
Solo travelers can experience the turquoise water and coral reefs that surround Petit St. Vincent Resort, located on the southernmost private island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Photograph by Rory Doyle
Mini Mokes are the only motorized transportation used across the island of Petit St. Vincent. Photograph by Rory Doyle
The Petit St. Vincent Resort’s main dining room sits atop a tiny hill overlooking the water. Photograph by Rory Doyle
Alfresco Balinese-inspired spa treatments, yoga, and complimentary snorkeling gear make filling the day a breeze. For those seeking more adventure, utilize the on-site dive center or book a sailing adventure to a nearby island like Tobago Cays. Declared an official wildlife reserve in 2006, the marine park is a snorkeler’s dream, featuring a bounty of tropical fish, sea turtles, and coral reefs.
Scuba diving instructors provide training to resort guests before diving at the reefs near Petit St. Vincent Resort in the Grenadines. Photograph by Rory Doyle
(Related: Six things travel teaches you.)
Hygge hunting in Copenhagen
If “hygge”—the elusive Danish definition of well-being—is your idea of an enticing getaway, Copenhagen ranks high for its thoughtful aesthetic and design. Denmark’s capital is the ideal locale to spend an afternoon coffeehouse-hopping with a stack of design magazines or wandering along Jægersborggade, a small residential street that’s evolved into a cultural hub with art galleries, wine bars, and a seasonal flea market.
Nobody knows this better than Nikoline Dyrup Carlsen, architect and founder partner of the Copenhagen-based cross-disciplinary design and architecture studio SPACON & X, whose projects include two-starred Michelin restaurant AOC and contemporary Nordic brewery Folk Kombucha. “My personal hot spot in Copenhagen is Hart Bakery in Mærsehuset, Holmen,” says Carlsen. “I absolutely love this old maritime, red-stained house by the water! [It] has terraces on both sides, making it well-fitted for all times of day.”
Based in Copenhagen, The FRAMA Studio Store features its multi-disciplinary brand that encompasses furniture, lifestyle objects, self-care, and fragrances that encourage mindful living. With an emphasis on natural materials and uncompromising quality, FRAMA’s work celebrates craftsmanship, resulting in a timeless and honest aesthetic. Photograph courtesy FRAMA
Solo travelers can also visit the HAY House flagship store located in the heart of Copenhagen. The design brand, HAY creates high-quality furniture, lighting, and accessories that are long-lasting and affordable, in collaboration with the best designers from around the world. Photograph courtesy HAY
She can also spend hours at HAY House’s flagship store on Østergade. After checking out the top-floor showroom, Carlsen recommends visiting the roof terrace overlooking the city for peaceful contemplation. To bring a bit of hygge home, she visits the FRAMA Studio Store “as frequently as possible” to discover the latest Danish design.
Where to grab a mellow meal in New Orleans
Bourbon Street isn’t exactly the quiet respite most travelers think of when considering a solo escape. Still, the Crescent City offers plenty of hidden gems that pay tribute to its culturally rich cuisine and cocktail culture. Cane and Table, located a few blocks east of bustling Jackson Square, offers historically inspired rum-centric drinks like the Hurricane & Table prepared with homemade Fassionola fruit syrup or a spicy Bloody Mary topped with a pile of vinegary chowchow.
At Cane & Table, Chef Alfredo Nogueira and staff serve up rum-based cocktails and seasonal menu items inspired by Caribbean flavors with Cuban influences. His culinary style fuses traditional Cuban cooking with the culinary traditions common to chefs in New Orleans. Photograph by Randy Schmidt, Cane and Table
For a refined dining setting that pays homage to the city’s historic taverns, Jewel of the South’s seasonal menu reimagines pub food where a solo traveler could slink into a cozy corner. (Leave the book at home as the dim lighting and potent cocktails make for better people-watching.)
Check into Blackbird Hotel for a serene night’s sleep just steps from the Garden District’s Magazine Street. This hotel offers 13 uniquely designed rooms, whether you’re looking for bright and airy or a deeply saturated enclave with the rustle of oak leaves outside your window.
(Related: 6 of the world’s most remote destinations to test your inner adventurer.)
Rail routes and Māori magic on New Zealand’s South Island
Ernest White II, executive producer and host of FLY BROTHER, has traveled to 70 countries—most of them solo—but his expedition to New Zealand’s South Island only fortified his belief that “every single human being simply wants to be seen, empowered, and loved.”
Traveling by rail offers solo adventure-seekers the opportunity to reach Aotearoa—the Indigenous Māori name for New Zealand. White recommends two one-day excursions: the Coastal Pacific train from the Marlborough wine region to Christchurch or the Tranzalpine trainthat bisects the island from Christchurch in the east to Greymouth on the wild West Coast.
Solo travelers looking to connect with local cultures have plenty of opportunities with Māori family-owned businesses like Whale Watch Kaikoura or a day with Te Rua & Sons Pounamu Tours to explore the West Coast and perhaps to find a pounamu keepsake, a jade-like stone indigenous to the region. Also in the West, White recommends Te Waonui Forest Retreat near Franz Josef Glacier for easy access to forest hikes or a thrilling helicopter ride to the glacier.
Street eats and city views in Mexico City
In Mexico City, Jen Tenzer, a travel specialist focusing on solo travel, found a new friend through Airbnb Experiences, where local guide Ricardo Lopez Nacif took her on a tour of his favorite taco spots, followed by a Lucha Libre match and late-night salsa dancing. “If I had joined Ricardo’s tour with friends, we likely would have ended his wonderful tour and gone about our day independently,” says Tenzer. “Instead, because I was alone, I was open to the possibility of a surprising new experience.”
For a stunning stay with views and easy access to the city’s historic center, consider Zócalo Central. In a bustling locale like Mexico City, Tenzer believes balance is key. “It’s important to plan at least one key activity each day so that your solo trip doesn’t become too lonely, curled up alone in your hotel room,” she says. Tenzer also suggests registering your trip with the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
For more solo-worthy discoveries, solo travelers should consider visiting MODO, a boutique museum collection of over 140,000 objects and ephemera dating back centuries, located in the Roma neighborhood.
A self-guided walk through ancient Japan
Travel to Japan has surged recently, fueled by an increased interest in winter sports and strong yen currency conversion. While hubs like Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka have plenty to offer, solo travelers may find a multi-day walking expedition more aligned with their crowd tolerance.
Walk Japan, which has been leading small group (maximum 12) and self-guided tours for more than 30 years, saw a 27 percent increase in solo travelers in 2024 compared to the previous year. Wayfarer self-guided tours provide logistical and route support for five- to seven-day journeys.
Longer walks like the Nakasendo Way, an 11-day journey along the ancient trade route from Kyoto to Edo (modern-day Tokyo), include stopovers in small postal towns at ryokans, which are traditional Japanese inns. Specialized, bilingual guides take the pressure off of navigating unfamiliar territory while facilitating an authentic cultural immersion.
(Related: Is the cruise industry ready for the rise in solo travel?)
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