10 Best Solo Travel Destinations for 2026

Solo travel is booming. More people than ever are booking trips for one - and discovering that traveling alone doesn't mean being lonely. The right destination makes all the difference: you want somewhere safe, easy to navigate, with a social scene for travelers, and ideally affordable enough that your budget stretches further without a travel partner to split costs.

Best for First-Time Solo Travelers

1. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is the perfect first solo trip. The city is compact and walkable, incredibly safe, and the locals are famously welcoming to visitors. The hostel scene is one of Europe's best, with social hostels that organize pub crawls, cooking classes, and day trips to Sintra.

Spend your days riding the iconic Tram 28 through the narrow streets of Alfama, listening to haunting fado music in a tiny tavern, and eating pastel de nata until you lose count. A daily budget of $50-60 covers a great hostel, meals, and activities.

2. Tokyo, Japan

Japan is statistically one of the safest countries in the world, and Tokyo is a solo traveler's dream. The public transport is flawless, everything runs on time, and you'll never feel unsafe walking alone at any hour. The city's capsule hotels and manga cafes add unique accommodation options for solo visitors.

Eat your way through Shibuya's izakayas, find serenity at Meiji Shrine, explore the quirky neighborhoods of Shimokitazawa and Akihabara, and take a day trip to see Mount Fuji. Counter seating at ramen shops and sushi bars is designed for solo diners - you'll fit right in.

Best for Social Solo Travel

3. Medellin, Colombia

Medellin has transformed from its troubled past into one of South America's most exciting cities for travelers. The year-round spring climate (it's called the "City of Eternal Spring"), affordable cost of living, and massive digital nomad community make it incredibly easy to meet people. Co-working spaces and social hostels in El Poblado are full of solo travelers.

Take a free walking tour through Comuna 13 to see the city's remarkable transformation, ride the cable car for panoramic views, and join one of the many salsa or bachata classes offered around the city. Daily budget: $30-45.

4. Bali, Indonesia

Bali might be the world's best destination for solo travelers who want community. Canggu and Ubud are packed with yoga retreats, co-working spaces, and cafes designed for digital nomads and solo travelers. Within a day of arriving, you'll have a group of friends to explore with.

Join a sunrise hike up Mount Batur, take a surf lesson in Canggu, do a silent meditation retreat in Ubud, or simply work from a rice paddy-view cafe. The solo travel infrastructure here is unmatched.

5. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai combines Thai culture, incredible food, and one of the world's largest communities of long-term solo travelers and digital nomads. The old city is small enough to explore on foot or by bicycle, and the night markets are perfect for social solo dining - grab a plate and sit at a communal table.

Take a Thai cooking class (the best way to meet other travelers), visit an ethical elephant sanctuary, explore the 300+ temples, and hike to the stunning Doi Inthanon waterfalls. All of this on a budget of $25-35/day.

Best for Solo Female Travelers

6. New Zealand

New Zealand consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in the world, making it a top pick for solo female travelers. The country practically invented the working holiday, so you'll meet solo travelers from around the world at every turn. The backpacker bus networks (Kiwi Experience, Stray) are designed for solo travelers and make getting around easy.

From the glowworm caves of Waitomo to bungee jumping in Queenstown to the stunning Milford Sound cruise, New Zealand packs an incredible amount of adventure into a relatively small country. Rent a campervan for the ultimate solo road trip experience.

7. Iceland

Iceland is the safest country in the world according to the Global Peace Index, and its compact size makes it perfect for solo exploration. The entire Ring Road can be driven in 7-10 days, passing glaciers, volcanic black sand beaches, hot springs, and waterfalls along the way.

Iceland is more expensive than most destinations, but the trade-off is near-zero safety concerns and landscapes that look like another planet. Budget tip: rent a campervan and cook your own meals to keep costs manageable.

8. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is incredibly bike-friendly, safe at all hours, and has a warm social culture despite the cold weather. The concept of "hygge" (cozy togetherness) extends to solo visitors - cafes and restaurants are designed for lingering alone with a book and a coffee. Tivoli Gardens, the colorful Nyhavn harbor, and the free city of Christiania are all best explored at your own pace.

Best for Adventure Solo Travel

9. Colombia's Lost City Trek

The Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) trek in Colombia is one of the world's great multi-day hikes, and it's almost exclusively done in groups - making it perfect for solo travelers who want adventure with built-in company. The 4-day trek through jungle to a 1,200-year-old city predating Machu Picchu is challenging, remote, and unforgettable.

All treks are guided and include meals, accommodation in hammocks at jungle camps, and river crossings. You'll bond deeply with your trekking group over the 44km journey. Cost: approximately $250-300 all-inclusive.

10. Scotland

Scotland is a solo adventurer's paradise. The West Highland Way is one of Europe's most popular long-distance walks (154km over 5-8 days), the Scottish Highlands offer dramatic landscapes for road tripping, and Edinburgh is one of the most walkable and atmospheric cities in Europe.

Scottish hospitality is legendary - walk into any pub alone and you'll likely leave with new friends. The whisky distillery trail through Speyside gives structure to a solo road trip, and the Isle of Skye's fairy pools and dramatic cliffs are unforgettable.

Essential Solo Travel Tips

• Stay in social hostels - Even if you can afford hotels, hostels with common areas, bars, and organized events are the fastest way to meet other travelers
• Take group tours and classes - Cooking classes, walking tours, and day trips are natural social environments where solo travelers connect
• Share your itinerary - Always let someone at home know where you're going and check in regularly
• Trust your instincts - If a situation feels wrong, leave. Your gut feeling is your best safety tool
• Download offline maps - Google Maps works offline if you download the area in advance. Essential for navigating unfamiliar cities
• Use AI to plan flexibly - MyTripWish lets you describe your ideal solo trip and finds the best flight and hotel deals without locking you into rigid plans