Taking a trip by yourself is a wonderful opportunity for self-discovery and relaxation. Many women in particular have heralded the transformative power of solo travel.
And while “Eat Pray Love” might’ve put destinations like Rome and Bali on the map for would-be solo female travelers, there are plenty of other amazing places to discover.
Experts share the underrated solo female travel destinations they recommend.
Slovenia
“Slovenia is often overshadowed by its neighboring countries in Europe, but it offers a wealth of natural beauty, charming towns, and a safe and welcoming environment for solo female travelers,” said Kelly Kimple, CEO of Adventures in Good Company.
She touted the destination’s stunning landscapes with the picturesque Lake Bled, hiker-friendly Julian Alps and Triglav National Park, and the vibrant capital city of Ljubljana. Visitors can take a boat ride to the iconic island church, stroll charming streets, enjoy the local café culture and sample traditional dishes like the potica rolled pastry and dumplings known as štruklji.
“Slovenia is great for solo female travelers because it’s relatively compact and easy to navigate, meaning you can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time,” Kimple said. “The locals are friendly and English is widely spoken, making it easy to communicate and connect with people. Additionally, Slovenia has a reputation for being one of the safest countries in Europe, offering peace of mind for solo travelers.”
Seoul, South Korea
“Seoul is a majorly underrated solo travel destination,” said Meredith Carey, deputy editor of content at Tripadvisor. “It’s incredibly easy to get around, thanks to a great public transit system and trains that can connect you to cities across South Korea. There’s a bit of something for everyone, whether you’re a die-hard K-pop fan, a vintage shopper, a foodie or a spa lover, which means you can be supremely selfish in planning your itinerary to fit your passions ― and appetite.”
She recommended staying either in the young, hip enclave of Hongdae, or the shopping district of Myeongdong to wander around the many cafes and stores. “You can eat out at plenty of Seoul restaurants as a party of one ― dining solo is called ‘honbap’ here,” Carey added.
Dublin, Ireland
“Dublin tends to be overlooked as a destination for solo female travel, possibly because it has a colder climate and has lesser-known attractions ― as opposed to say Paris, Barcelona, or Rome,” said travel expert and author La Carmina. “However, I found Dublin to be the perfect place for me to travel alone. The English-speaking city is safe and relatively small, so I could easily walk around on my own and didn’t have to stress about logistics or communication.”
She felt comfortable taking in the art, architecture and cultural attractions like Trinity Library by herself and then enjoying the luxury accommodations at Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel, which overlooks the river.
“I recommend staying outside the crowded and raucous Temple Bar area, which attracts a lot of male partiers,” she added.
Ecuador
“Ecuador has a lot to offer solo travelers, with a good bus network which makes this corner of South America easy to navigate,” said Sue Cockell, a travel coach and founder of Sue Where? Why? What?.
In addition to visiting cities like Quito and Baños (be prepared for high altitudes), adventure-loving travelers can experience the Amazon Rainforest and the Galápagos Islands.
“If you enjoy hiking, Ecuador has a lot to offer,” Cockell said. “I spent a month there, and the highlight for me was taking three days to hike the Quilotoa Loop. The trail takes you through the lush valleys of Ecuadorian countryside, through villages where you can really get a flavor of local life. The walk ends when you arrive at the stunning crater lake of Laguna Quilotoa. Or for those who want something more challenging, then you can hike up Mount Cotopaxi, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.”
Japan
“Japan is an inviting destination for solo female travelers,” Ruiz said. “The culture is respectful and polite. You’ll immediately notice this when you take public transport and notice people lined up in an orderly manner on the escalator or while waiting to board the train.”
She recommended dining at a themed cafe, visiting Mount Fuji, attending a traditional tea ceremony, feeding the bowing deer of Nara and taking a kintsugi class to learn the Japanese art of mending broken objects with gold. And don’t forget to enjoy all the food, from ramen to takoyaki to wagyu beef.
“It is safe to walk around at night on your own throughout the major cities,” Ruiz added. “There are ample lodging options at all price points, though if you want to splurge, stay at a traditional ryokan with private onsen.”