As solo travel gains more popularity, many women are jumping on the bandwagon. However, the lingering question remains: where are the safest places for women to travel to alone? While the obvious universal notions of using street smarts, respecting local customs, and not walking alone at night remain intact, some countries are just inherently safer for women to travel to alone. Some might be obvious, and some might come as a surprise. Check out this list and start planning your next getaway, party-of-one.
DISCLAIMER: This list is not exclusive, and everyone’s experience is subject to be different from those of the author’s.
10 Iceland
Sometimes labeling countries as “safe” or “dangerous” doesn’t do much else than further stereotypes, particularly from the Western world. However, if there’s one country where there’s seldom an argument regarding its pure and utter safety, that award would have to go to Iceland. Iceland is so safe; it’s alleged to have more horses than police officers because crime is just that low. Women and LGBTQIA+ travelers alike will seldom have if any at all, issues traveling throughout this Mars-like continent alone. Safety aside, Iceland is worth a visit for several reasons. The nature, including the several volcanoes and the decent chance of catching the Northern Lights, the surprisingly delicious food, and the never-ending access to fresh water, to name a few. Iceland, whether a solo female traveler or not, should be on everyone’s bucket list for its unfathomable landscapes and its incredibly safe atmosphere.
9 New Zealand
New Zealand is the Iceland of the Southern Hemisphere. Like Iceland, its unreal landscape will have you questioning if you’re still on this planet. Even more like Iceland, New Zealand is statistically safe. The locals of New Zealand, better known as Kiwis, are inherently, overall, polite and helpful. Of course, there will always be an exception here and there, but if you’re a woman looking to travel alone to the other ends of the earth, New Zealand is a fabulous option. The best way to get around is by renting a car. Go big or go home; rent a camper van and sleep at one of New Zealand’s many campgrounds. Camping alone in a foreign country might sound like a typically scary or dangerous situation, but in New Zealand, have no fear. You’re likely to meet plenty of other women travelers driving around on the left side of the street right along with you. If you want to up the adrenaline game by an even further notch, try bungee-jumping, skydiving, or even riding the world’s largest swing, The Nevis Swing, in Queenstown, the adrenaline capital of the world. What better way to shatter the stereotypes that women can’t travel alone than by living out of a van and tackling an extreme sport all by yourself in a foreign country?
8 Finland
Constantly ranked as the happiest country in the world, one starts to wonder what Finland’s secret is. Though many factors contribute to its seemingly giddy population, their race to create a gender-equal world certainly holds some weight. Having a female prime minister, Finland’s reputation is one that’s welcoming and accepting of independent, strong women, including all of you, solo female travelers out there. Enjoy a night out on the town in Helsinki, where dive bars, live music, cocktail hours, and insanely delicious food awaits you. Head up to meet Santa Claus for all of your childhood dreams to come true in Rovaniemi. Chat with some locals and let your guard down just a little, knowing you’re in a country that takes women’s safety and well-being seriously.
7 Indonesia
What avid traveler hasn’t at least considered the prospect of relaxing in the tropical oasis of Bali? Indonesia, Bali specifically, has seen an increased tourism boom that seldom other places have in recent years. Popular is an understatement. Perhaps Eat-Pray-Love can be thanked or blamed, depending on how you look at it. Though Western influences have changed Bali from what it once was, one thing has stayed consistent: it is one of the safest places in the world for women to travel solo to. Many solo female bloggers will tell you they’ve visited Bali many times, seldom with issues. If you do decide to head to Indonesia, it’s strongly encouraged to give time to other islands, and not just the ever-so-popular Bali. Try Jakarta for a less laid-back vibe. Head to Komodo Island, the only place in the world where you can see real Komodo dragons, and receive bragging rights that you’ve been to one of the natural wonders of the world… alone.
6 Peru
Are you equally obsessed with trying new food when you travel, as well as seeing otherworldly nature? Insert Peru, a South American nation that’s known to have the best of both worlds. Most flights will lead you to Lima, the culinary capital of South America. Try one of the three Lima-based restaurants that recently made The World’s 50th Best Restaurant List Mayta at number 32, Maido at number 11, and Central at number 2. When you’re ready to get out of the city, explore some of the unreal nature, Peru has to offer. If you’re feeling adventurous, take the 4-day trek of the Inca Trail. The trail ends at Machu Picchu, one of the 7 wonders of the world. Alpaca Expeditions is known to hire women, so you can support the local ladies while you do so. Rainbow Mountain is a hike that’s well worth the views. Hire a tour group, and you might even make a friend along the way.
5 The Maldives
What’s classically known as a honeymoon destination doesn’t necessarily have to be. One might assume the Maldives can only properly be enjoyed with a partner. Those crystal clear blue waters with floating breakfasts and into-the-ocean slides might seem like they’d be better enjoyed if shared. However, don’t make assumptions. The Maldives can be a perfect place for a solo traveler, and a safe one at that. The Maldivian locals are some of the friendliest in the world. They’re used to an influx of tourists and are happy to have them. Why not treat yourself and book a honeymoon vacation or party for one? It’s easy to meet folks on tours, on dive trips, and even in your resort. If you want the real experience, stay on a local island, and give your money directly to Maldivian residents at one of the many delicious eateries, cafes, and shops. Even as a woman alone, you can roam the beach at night worry-free in the Maldives. How’s that for breaking stereotypes?
4 Portugal
Do you want to explore Western Europe but are afraid a city like Paris might be too overwhelming? Maybe you’re nervous because you heard the men aggressively catcall in Italy. Perhaps you’ve read about too many muggings in Las Ramblas in Barcelona. If Western Europe is an itch you want to scratch, look no further than Portugal. The street art in the hilly city of Lisbon will keep you aesthetically pleased, and the city’s cuisine will keep you happy and full. Head down to Porto for some of the world’s best wines in the nearby Duoro Valley. Portugal is also statistically safe to go out at night, though always carry extra precautions. Sip on some vinho Verde or some port and watch live Fado dancing. If your time allows for it, head out to The Azores, a cluster of islands claimed as Portugal’s in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. No matter where you end up, Portugal has stunning views, mouthwatering eats, copious amounts of great wine, and is overall a safe, friendly place for women travelers. It doesn’t hurt that it won’t break the bank, too.
3 Jordan
Fewer regions around the globe get the worst reputation in media than the Middle East. The majority of populations consider The Middle East to be nothing but war-torn zones, and that couldn’t be further from the truth. The Middle East has plenty of places that are not only safe but above and beyond hospitable, friendly, beautiful, and even affordable. Narrowing an entire region down to one place regarding safety is not the easiest of tasks, but if there’s one nation that stands out, it’s Jordan. Flaunting one of the new wonders of the world at Petra, Jordan is a country the size of Connecticut, offering an entire world’s worth of historical beauty. Solo female travelers won’t have to constantly check their backs to see who’s watching them or following them because it’s just not common normality in Jordan. The most annoying thing is, if you’re a woman traveling alone, you might be asked if you’re married a minimum of fifty times a day, but so long as you can brush it off to cultural differences, you have nothing to worry about while exploring this vivid nation.
2 Turkey
Türkiye (formerly known as Turkey) is a large nation with the unique feature of being split by two continents; it is technically part of both Asia and Europe. Despite its political conflicts often making negative waves in Western media, Tûrkiye is a fantastic choice for solo female travelers. The city of Istanbul is one of the most vibrant, bustling, and energetic cities on this planet. It is worth noting that when you’re near popular tourist spots such as The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia, you are likely to get catcalled or approached by men asking where you’re from in an attempt to sneak into a long conversation. Your best options if this is to happen are to completely ignore them or be as polite as possible. Türkiye, of course, is much more than just Istanbul, though you could easily spend a week or more in the city. Head down to Cappadocia, the infamous town where early morning hot-air balloons fill the sky at sunrise. Pamukkale, directly translated to “cotton castle,” is a town where you can soak up minerally-rich water in one of its many natural hot springs. If you’re looking for a proper beach getaway, make sure to stop in Bodrum or Antalya. Don’t let a few bad actors in politics deter you from seeing the world. Türkiye gets a bad rep, but it’s a beautiful and affordable country with extremely friendly, hospitable people.
1 Tanzania
Narrowing down one country on the African continent for the solo female travelers is a tough feat. Africa has a total of 54 nations, and though they all offer something significant and unique, Tanzania tops the list of the safest for solo female travelers. Tanzanian locals are amongst the happiest and friendliest in the world. You could bet money that every single person you meet will have a grin from ear to ear, welcoming you with open arms to their beautiful Eastern African nation. Tanzania’s landscape is rich, from the pristine beaches of Zanzibar to the bustling city of Dar es Salaam, to the wildlife in the Serengeti, and of course, to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. Tanzania has an adventure awaiting every type of traveler. Africa, in general, gets a bad reputation as dangerous, but calling an entire continent dangerous is ignorant, at best. Change your perception of what you’ve been told, and head to Tanzania for a perfect solo getaway.
