Solo travel can be intimidating, especially for women. Not to mention, 72 percent of solo travelers are female. Whether it’s globe-trotting or simply visiting a neighboring city, ensuring one feels safe and welcome during their independent trip is crucial. For those thinking about embarking on a freeing solo journey, we’ve rounded up eight destinations and boutique hotels worldwide for women to travel alone confidently.
Reykjavik, Iceland
While this Nordic nation is ensconced by dramatic landscapes from boiling volcanoes to bubbling geysers, Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, is a cultural hub that’s one of the safest places for solo travelers. Stroll through the city’s hip waterfront Grandi Harbour District for mouthwatering baked goods from Sandholt and trendy statement pieces from Kiosk.
Where to Stay: Sand Hotel Reykjavik is a contemporary hideaway on Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s buzzy thoroughfare. Sleek monochrome coloring and volcanic stone accents cover the 66 guestrooms and suites, creating a cozy urban oasis.
Tokyo, Japan
From its neon-lit skyscrapers of Tokyo Skytree to its sacred temples of Meiji Shinto Shrine, Tokyo is Japan’s cultural hub that blends ancient history with modern society. Tourists can frolic around the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden’s leafy haven by day and sip signature lemon sours at the Open Book bar by night. Plus, Japan was deemed the safest country for women traveling solo in 2023.
Where to Stay: Set inside a cleanly-styled traditional Japanese ryokan, HOSHINOYA Tokyo is an elevated stay amidst the capital’s bustling Otemachi Financial City complex. Its jet lag-curing hot spring, unique ceremonial tea lounge, and elegant bamboo-centric design make the pricey nightly rate worth it.
Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal’s coastal cosmopolitan capital, Lisbon, is an ultimate solo traveler destination with its inviting Azulejo-lined cobblestone streets, waterfront monuments, and renowned culinary scene. Tasting the city’s signature pastry, pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tarts) at one of its acclaimed pastry shops, such as Manteigaria, is a must when visiting.
Where to Stay: Situated in Lisbon’s Park of Nations area, Martinhal Lisbon Oriente is a family (and female) founded boutique hotel with 82 contemporary studio apartment-style flats ideal for solo tourists.
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Belo Horizonte — or “beautiful horizon” in Portuguese — is Brazil’s Minas Gerais’ state capital deemed one of Latin America’s safest cities to visit. Touring the Pampulha District — which hosts the prominent Mineirão Stadium and the architecturally-beautiful Church of Saint Francis of Assisi — is a must-see cultural site.
Where to Stay: Set in the chic Lourdes neighborhood, Fasano Belo Horizonte is a sophisticated stay that’s immersed in the high-end market area with trendy wine bars, including AA Wine Experience, tree-lined promenades, and historic plazas, such as the Praça da Liberdade (Liberty Square).
Auckland, New Zealand
Located on New Zealand’s North Island, Auckland is a sought-after destination for women traveling alone. Head to the trendy Ponsonby locale for an array of swanky restaurants and bars. (Note Gaja, Parade, and Okumandi on your must-try list.)
Where to Stay: An intimate 10-key stay housed in a refurbished Victorian-era home, Hotel Fitzroy is an industrial chic-style boutique hotel new to Auckland. Its proximity to Ponsonby Road’s energetic going-out scene makes it a luxurious respite after a night out.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
An authentic Old West mountain town, Jackson Hole is the perfect place for an outdoor-focused solo trip. The Town Square features Wild West watering holes, including the landmark Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Plus, it’s a stone’s throw away from the awe-striking Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
Where to Stay: Embodying Wyoming’s Western charm, The Virginian Lodge is a newly renovated alpine-chic resort with 165 design-forward guestrooms, a rowdy saloon, an all-season outdoor pool, and snug fire pits fit for winding down after a day of outdoor adventure.
Toronto, Canada
Canada’s largest city, Toronto, is a lively metropolis with soaring skyscrapers, bona fide neighborhoods, and a diverse art scene. Venture to the Toronto Little Portugal enclave off Dundas West Street for an eclectic atmosphere and traditional Portuguese and Iberian tapas at Salt Restaurant.
Where to Stay: Ace Hotel Toronto is a new and rather stylish stay in Downtown Toronto. Natural wood finishes and warm-toned furnishings dress the fashionable lobby and 123 guestrooms. The 16th-floor cocktail lounge, Evangeline, gives way to sweeping views of the lake and cityscape.
Jerusalem, Israel
Recognized as a religious and historical epicenter of the world, Jerusalem is an incredibly culturally-rich destination. Challenge yesteryear’s misogynist views here. Exploring the holy sites behind the Old City’s ancient walls — featuring the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Temple Mount, and the Western Wall (there’s a female-only side for prayer here). Eat your way through Mahane Yehuda Market.
Where to Stay: Cassia Jerusalem is a family-owned, refurbished art and wellness-centric escape from the Holy City’s bustling core. Its historic exterior, completed by established Israeli architect Yaacov Rechter, and refined neutral-toned interiors by Dannah Leitersdorf Studio provide an upscale stay integrated with the archaic Old City just steps from the hotel.
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