Travel + Leisure
Three years ago, I sat on the wooden chair in the back of Randi Bjellands’ kitchen in Norway,
waiting. And waiting. A gentleman walked in and sat down. She quickly
emerged from the back room and greeted him in Norwegian with a plate of
food.
I don’t speak—or understand—Norwegian, and couldn’t
tell if she understood that I was hungry, too. Did she think I was
sitting here waiting for a travel companion to join me? Did she not
realize my feet were aching from winding up-and-down the San
Francisco-like streets of the Nordnes neighborhood, in Bergen, trying to
find Bjellands Kjøkken (Bjellands’ Kitchen) before she closed shop?
It was clear Randi wasn’t to be disturbed. I had
stumbled upon the recommendation online, stating that Bjellands, who is
in her late 70s, single-handedly ran the restaurant and had her own
methods.
When I first entered, all she said to me in broken
English—a bit brusquely—was: "You hungry? You want fish? Cod?" I had
nodded with every question and sat down, a good 20 minutes ago. She
hadn’t acknowledged me since, while several locals had entered and been
served immediately.
After another 15 minutes of clanking in the back,
she appeared in front of me with plate, piled high with battered cod,
potatoes, and slaw—and the heartiest grin on her face. Even though we
couldn’t carry on a conversation, her expression said it all. She wanted
to impress the one tourist—and only other female —in the room and had
gone out of her way to prepare my meal with an extra dose of care.
The beauty of solo travel is
the ability to immerse yourself in the community and to stumble upon
those moments of international connection organically on your own. But
as a woman, fears—sometimes innate—over the silliest things can spin
into overdrive, especially in a foreign environment.
While the destination you choose should be
somewhere you’ve always wanted to go, being in a safe location where
it’s easy to navigate both the transportation and culture alleviates
major worries and lets you focus on being present. And the more hotels,
activities, and sights you’re able to find in a centralized, accessible
area, the simpler it is to blend in, and allow yourself to experience
those special travel moments that you’ll remember for a lifetime. Here,
our list of the 17 best places in the world for women to travel alone.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is an extremely walkable city,
and you’re unlikely to get lost as long as you have a map of some kind.
In the city, you can window shop along Las Ramblas, stroll down the
beach boardwalk, and or wander through the Gaudi-designed Park Güell.
And the dining options are great for a solo traveler too—you can eat al
fresco at waterfront paella restaurants (people-watching is built-in
entertainment) or opt for a counter seat at one of the city’s many
incredible tapas bars.
Seattle
Thanks to the omnipresence of the Seattle’s coffee culture, a solo diner (or drinker) is commonplace in Seattle.
Plus, the profileration of cafes means there’s a rest stop around every
corner in between visits to Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, or the
funky EMP Museum. The compact downtown area made it easy for me to zip
between sights, restaurants, and shopping on foot—and anything that was
slightly farther was accessible by the easy-to-use Link light rail, which just expanded to stations in Capitol Hill and the University of Washington this month.
Munich, Germany
The jolly German mentality
shines in this Bavarian town, where on each of my visits, locals
welcomed tourists with a grin, whether it was at a small ma-and-pop
bakery or the touristy Olympiapark tower. The best way to immerse
yourself in the Munich lifestyle? Grab a pint at a local biergarten or
scour the aisles of the Christmas markets for a glühwein (hot mulled
wine) stand. Since a mug requires a deposit, Germans hang around the
stand, ready to chat (or give recommendations), while warming up over
the traditional drink.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
The rise in Croatian tourism
has improved the ease of travel, and the country’s low crime rating
heightens the appeal. One look at the oceanfront medieval city of Dubrovnik,
preserved by 6,365 feet of pristine walls, and all my worries vanished.
The cobblestone streets guided me through artisanal shops and local
eats, while a walk along the wall itself offered spectacular bird’s eye
views of the Adriatic coastline. Other great solo activities: there’s a
beach just a few minutes away from Old Town, with plenty of kayak and
snorkeling tours offered along the way.
Austin, Texas
Austin’s festival culture
makes it really easy to get pulled in multiple directions. But it’s
also a great way to meet new people. As soon as I arrived, I wandered
over to one of the many food truck trailer parks to line up for the
indulgent Gourdough’s doughnuts truck, which still had a long line well
after midnight. The next day, I juggled sessions at the ATX Television
Festival and concerts at the X Games Austin. When you do need a little
quiet time, head downtown for a walking tour, or find a spot to see the
Congress Avenue Bridge bats soar.
Salzburg, Austria
With the Hohensalzburg castle atop the hill and the Salzach River running through town, the storybook allure of Mozart’s hometown is as inviting as it is charming. After recreating The Sound of Music
by visiting the Mirabell Gardens and Nonnberg Abbey, relax with a
coffee on the terrace of Cafe Tomaselli or a pint in the 1,400-seat
outdoor garden of Austria’s biggest biergarten, Augustiner Bräu—I spent
hours people-watching at both. Bikers should take note: while the entire
city is walkable, Salzburg is also the country’s most bike-friendly city, with 106 miles of paths—which means you can pack way more into a day.
Taipei, Taiwan
The capital of Taiwan
is an ideal mix of history and modernity: it’s one part traditional
night markets (the perfect place to make a meal out of snacks while
shopping for accessories and souvenirs) and temples, and the other part
super high-tech buildings and malls. Taipei has the bustle of a major
Asian metropolis, as well as important urban comforts. Street signage
and public transportation all have names in English—and even though
crime is low in the country, the 20-year-old metro system has “Safe
Waiting Zone” boxes marked on the platforms, which are monitored closely
by video feed, specifically to protect female passengers at night.
Saba, Caribbean
The
Netherlands-owned five-square-mile island is only a 15-minute flight
from St. Maarten. Within hours of my arrival, the tight-knit diving and
hiking community made me feel right at home. Even though I’m scared of
fish (seriously), they convinced me to try scuba diving, and I was so
glad I did. The Dutch Caribbean island
has the most translucent waters, where I spotted turtles and schools of
fish among the untouched reefs. Another highlight: I challenged myself
to summit the 2,877-foot peak, Mount Scenery—aptly named for the
stunning views.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen’s quirkiness
caters toward parties of one. From my single room at the Hotel Bethel, I
was right on top of Nyhavn, the iconic canal lined with multicolored
houses. My commute to embark on the canal tour,
as well as to enjoy fine dining at Cap Horn, was less than 100
footsteps. Solo dining was encouraged at the Torvehallerne KBH food hall
down the street, and at the Church Of Our Savor, other single travelers
and I traded cameras to snap each other’s shots at the top of the spire
overlooking the city.
Melbourne, Australia
The Australian metropolis continues to hold the crown as the Most Livable City, according to the Economist Intelligent Unit. Throw in a free tourist tram
that reaches the major sights, including the Melbourne Star Observation
Wheel, Carlton Gardens, and Federation Square, and Melbourne’s got the
simplicity and safety all rolled up in one.
Stockholm, Sweden
After joining two separate free walking tours in Stockholm and staying in artsy Story Hotel’s single twin room, it was clear this stylish Swedish city
has a gift for attracting single travelers—especially women. The
cobblestoned streets of Old Town, or Gamla Stan, with coffee shops,
restaurants, stores, and even a castle, provided hours of endless
adventures, while the modern areas surrounding it are easy to navigate
through its string of metro stations, which double as art exhibits. And
the hospitality caters toward solo females I was doted on by the wait
staff at the Riche restaurant as I indulged in—what else? —Swedish
meatballs.
Okinawa, Japan
For a
taste of Japan without the overwhelming hustle, head to Naha, the
capital of the Okinawa islands. The monorail is super accessible—it
links the airport to the city center as well as the popular Shuri Castle.
And within walking distance of the city center are the Naminoue city
beach, Tsuboya pottery district, and Makishi Public Market, where the
pull-up-a-chair stands are perfect for solo dining. Lastly, the Japanese
hospitality mixed with the American influence—due to the area’s U.S.
military base—provides familiarity among the foreignness of the Asian
island.
Norway’s Fjords
There’s no better time to think than while sailing through the soothing blue-and-green canvas of the Norwegian fjords. I opted for the Norway in a Nutshell
self-guided itinerary, which included all my transfers between Bergen
and Oslo, with step-by-step directions. In Bergen, I rode up
the Fløibanen furnicular and enjoyed local hubs like Bjellands Kjøkken's
homecooking, then started a daylong journey ride on the Bergen Railway
to Voss. Afterward, I took a bus ride to Gudvangen, where I hopped on
the cruise through Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord. Equally impressive as
the waterfalls-at-every-glance boat ride was the Flam Railway trip, with
climate zones changing outside the window from sea level to snow-capped
mountains.
Washington, D.C.
The manageable size and easy layout of the nation’s capital makes it a simple solo stomping ground. In between exploring the iconic memorials
along the National Mall, take in the exhibits at your own whim at the
17 Smithsonian museums (plus the zoo!), all with free admission—for more
free things to do in D.C., click here.
The 6,184 docks of the Capital Bikeshare stretch into Arlington,
Alexandria, and Montgomery County, as do the 91 stations of the DC
Metro, making day trips into the nearby areas accessible. And if public
transportation doesn’t get you to your destination, book an Uber:
D.C. was one of Uber’s first cities, and I’ve never had a canceled or
unreliable driver in the area during any of my many annual visits.
Kripalu Center in the Berkshires, Massachusetts
Escape to the nestled sanctuary of this 300-acre all-inclusive center tucked in the Berkshire
Mountains between the forest and peaceful Lake Mahkeenac. While the
40-year-old nonprofit is technically a yoga and health retreat, the true
focus is on self-discovery, whether through guided kayak trips, walks
through the meditation labyrinth, or solitary hikes in the woods. The
structured programs make it an easy getaway for first-time single
travelers, while the R&R Retreat option offers just as many
activities a la carte. During my summer weekend there, I was paired with
another female traveler in a double room, and also ventured out to
catch the Boston Symphony Orchestra playing under the stars at
Tanglewood music center across the street.
London, England
For European charm without culture shock or a language barrier, ease into big city solo travel in the British capital
by spending days roaming along the River Thames, winding through the
4.5 acres of Harrods department store, and snacking in the 1,000-year
old Borough Market. And at night,
grab a seat at the bar alongside locals at a pub or catch a show on the
West End, topped off with a late-night bite at nearby Chinatown. The
endless sights and entertainment are easily connected via the 250 miles
of the London Underground. On my last solo visit, I lived out my Notting
Hill fantasy by scoring a reasonably priced twin single room on a cozy
residential block. (Sadly, no Hugh Grant run-in included.)
Iceland
On my
drive between waterfalls and glaciers on the southern edge of Iceland’s
Ring Road, it was common to go half an hour without seeing another
human in the sprawling panoramic landscape. But when one did appear, it
was often a female backpacker or cyclist traveling on her own with
solitary miles enveloping her in every direction. And it’s no wonder: Iceland
snagged the top spot on both the Institute for Economics and Peace’s
Global Peace Index and the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap last
year, so safety and gender equality are non-issues in this beautiful destination.
Tags
Travel