Solo female travel is booming - these are the places to visit
The benefits of solo female travel are seemingly endless. Not only do you get to experience complete freedom – deciding where you stay, go, eat and explore – you also get the chance to reflect, make friends or simply trust yourself to take control of your own plans.
What's more, solo female travel is rapidly growing with travel companies reporting the huge increase. Intrepid tells us there's been such a book that it's fuelled their growth as a business, with 46 per cent of its customer base being solo travellers and 72 per cent of them identifying as female. Plus, they've seen a 22 per cent rise in midlife solo female travellers booking since the pandemic.
Meanwhile, luxury and experiential travel company Virtuoso reports that 71 per cent of its solo travellers are women, with 47 per cent of them divorced, separated or widowed, highlighting a surge in post-partner or family-raising travel.
It's not only single women who are travelling though as more and more females in couples are opting to travel without their partners, often due to unshared interests in destinations or travel types.
While romantic holidays or city breaks with friends or family can be great, they're unlikely to be as life-changing as taking the plunge and setting off on a solo adventure. Near or far, the effects are the same; you might want to jet off on a long-awaited journey to a long-haul, bucket-list destination like Japan, fully immersing yourself into a completely different culture.
Or, you might want to stick to more familiar ground in Europe, with well-known destinations in France and Italy offering great choices for solo female travel destinations. If you have a favourite destination, it can be eye-opening to revisit it by yourself and see an entirely new side of a place without other wishes and whims to think about.
Then there are the slightly more unexpected choices, including Iceland, a popular spot for women travelling alone, or Morocco. While the latter isn't the most obvious spot for a solo voyage, it turns out there is much to be found beyond Marrakech (although we love this timeless city) and, increasingly, the more rural parts are becoming something of a hotspot for solo female travellers.
Read on for all the inspiration you need to make the dream of travelling solo a reality...
Morocco
We know Morocco might not seem like the most obvious choice as a solo female travel destination, but there is a way to feel safe and have a transformative trip to the country: a women-only adventure. There are impossibly beautiful landscapes and no end to vibrant culture to be discovered when you choose a unique journey to Marrakech and beyond.
Red's women-only immersive tour of Morocco is led by the first female guide in the region. You and a group of like-minded women will hike through the breathtakingly beautiful but rarely visited M'Goun Valley. Here, locals will welcome you and share their traditions, from couscous cooking to rug weaving. You'll also visit the UNESCO-protected Ait Benhaddou and spend the day in the bustling Medina of Marrakech.
Puglia
Europe will always be a great choice for solo female travel, especially Italy, where you can live out Eat Pray Love fantasies and focus on the important things in life – food, culture and la dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing). Puglia is the perfect place to indulge in all three, with a whole world of culinary and cultural pleasure to explore.
On Red Escapes' gourmet tour of Puglia, you'll explore the region in the best way possible – through its food, with trips to vineyards, olive farms, bakeries and more. Eating at the best local restaurants, taking cooking and pasta-making classes, and joining olive oil tastings will give you an authentic taste of this southern Italian gem. Other highlights include trips to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Matera and Alberobello, where you'll discover traditional trulli (stone houses).
Slovenia
Sustainable tourism practices mean that Slovenia is now widely considered one of the world's most eco-friendly destinations. But it's also a great spot for solo female travel, with high safety rankings, strong transport links and widely spoken English. Then there's the incredible scenery, vibrant culture and food scene, and endless opportunities for outdoor pursuits – making it an ideal spot for active travellers.
Red Escapes' five-night trip to Slovenia is the ideal introduction to this unique, increasingly popular country. The journey starts in Ljubljana, the charming cobbled capital, before moving onto the medieval town of Kamnik, Lake Bled and the Julian Alps. Exploring the bucolic green hills, Triglav National Park and the Vipava Valley, you'll stay active and taste delicious delicacies including truffle hunting and wine tasting.
Japan
Visiting Japan for the first time is an unforgettable experience; its fascinating culture and surreal scenery envelopes you, as does the warm welcome of locals. Travelling solo means you can fully immerse yourself in this land of incredible contrasts, from the bustling metropolises like Tokyo to havens of serenity like Kyoto, while also appreciating the safe, respectful culture (there are even women-only train carriages and hotels).
You'll get to explore both of these on the Country Living tour of Japan, which includes the thrill of riding the bullet train from Hakone to Hiroshima and from Kyoto to Tokyo. From a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto to shopping in Ginza and gazing at shrines, temples and more, this 13-day adventure will give you a full sense of this magnificent country. Exploring it alone can be a little daunting, which is why this guided tour is the ideal option.
Iceland
As safe as it is stunning, Iceland often tops lists for the best destinations for solo female travellers. And with good reason – there's a strong focus on gender equality and tourists' safety in the country, not to mention a host of bucket-list activities to enjoy on a solo trip here.
You might well catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, and in any case are guaranteed to see otherworldly landscapes including soaring mountains, dramatic glaciers, black sand beaches, ice-studded lagoons and steaming geysers. Then there's the charming city of Reykjavik, a walkable haven full of colourful streets and modernist structures. You'll also want to check out the Golden Circle, Iceland’s most popular sightseeing trail and a surefire way to check off many of the country's most famous spots.
Thailand
From the vibrant bustle of cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai to the idyllic islands of Koh Phangan and Krabi, Thailand is considered one of the best places for solo female travel – especially for those who want to meet people along the way. The great thing about visiting popular tourist spots is that there are always friendly faces and new people to get to know.
You could start a trip in Bangkok, Thailand's capital, which is known for ornate shrines and temples as well as buzzy street life – the contrast creating an intriguing city break. From here, you could travel to Phuket, another fascinating city, before island hopping around nearby Krabi and Koh Samui. Here, you'll discover some of the world's most idyllic beaches.
Portugal
There are seemingly endless hotspots to visit in Portugal, from the culture-filled charm of Lisbon to the scenic Douro Valley, buzzy Porto, or the beachy bliss of the Algarve. And, increasingly, this country is a great place to head to on solo journeys, with a growing number of digital nomads from all over the world flocking here.
There's also the fact that it's conveniently close to the UK, and easy to navigate by train, bus or car once you get there. You can see Baroque castles and other historic sites, hike along scenic trails, visit world-class museums, dine around in trendy restaurants and relax in stylish coffee shops and cafes. And who could forget the delicious taste of freshly baked pastel de nata – more than enough to merit a trip here alone.
Australia
The ease of a shared language and simple visa process are just two of the many reasons Australia makes a great destination for solo female travel. There's also the world-famous cities, including Sydney, with its buzzy beach life and famous landmarks, and Melbourne, the country's arty, cultural capital, which is famous for its excellent food and drinks scene.
You might want to embrace the country's outdoorsy side, perhaps exploring the Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Island or the sprawling Outback. There's no end of wildlife to spot and landscapes to explore. And who could forget the fact that you'll be almost guaranteed sunshine throughout?
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