10 Best First-Time Solo Travel Destinations for Women
Plus a bonus destination you’ll love
If you’ve been dreaming about taking your first solo trip but aren’t quite sure where to go, you’re in the right place. Traveling alone as a woman can be life-changing — the kind of experience that stays with you long after you’re home again. But choosing the right destination matters. You want a place where you feel welcome, safe, supported, and able to navigate without stress.
The truth is, solo travel for women isn’t about being fearless. It’s about choosing destinations that make you feel confident. Cities with good transportation, safe neighborhoods, friendly environments, and plenty of things to do on your own. That’s where your first trip becomes not just possible — but unforgettable.
These are the 10 best destinations for first-time solo female travelers. Each one is safe, approachable, and perfect for building your confidence as a woman traveling alone. And at the end, you’ll find a surprise bonus destination that many first-timers overlook — but absolutely shouldn’t.
Let’s get you ready for your first adventure.
Would you rather watch than read? I’ve got you covered. Check out the video below.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is one of the easiest, warmest, and most welcoming cities for a first-time solo trip. The people are friendly, English is widely spoken, and the city is filled with bright colors, ocean views, safe neighborhoods, and walkable streets. It’s the kind of place where you can wander with a pastel de nata in hand and instantly feel at ease.
Safety Snapshot
Best neighborhoods to stay: Baixa, Chiado, Alfama
How to get around: Trams, metro, Uber/Bolt, or walking
Why it’s safe: Well-lit streets, tourist-friendly areas, calm atmosphere
Best for
Food lovers, scenic explorers, first-time Europe trips
Beginner-Friendly Tip
Use the metro — it’s clean, simple, and one of the safest ways to get around.
Confidence Booster
Take a sunset cruise on the Tagus River. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and a gentle way to enjoy solo time.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen feels safe the moment you arrive. It’s known for its low crime rates, polite culture, incredibly easy public transport, and walkable streets. Everything is organized, clean, and simple — the perfect environment if you’re worried about navigating a new place alone.
Safety Snapshot
Best neighborhoods to stay: Indre By, Vesterbro, Østerbro
How to get around: Metro, buses, bikes, walking
Why it’s safe: Extremely low crime, respectful culture, tourist infrastructure
Best for
Women who want calm, order, beauty, and cozy cafés
Beginner-Friendly Tip
Rent a bike only if you feel confident — bike culture is strong here.
Confidence Booster
Start your day at Nyhavn. The peaceful waterfront helps you ease into the flow of solo travel.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik repeatedly ranks as one of the safest cities in the world — and as a solo woman, you feel it instantly. Icelanders are respectful, English is widely spoken, and nature is just a short bus ride away. This is one of the easiest places to build solo travel confidence.
Safety Snapshot
Best neighborhoods to stay: Downtown, Old Harbour
How to get around: Walking, buses, tours
Why it’s safe: Extremely low crime, friendly locals, strong tourism culture
Best for
Nature lovers, introverts, hot spring seekers
Beginner-Friendly Tip
Join a small-group tour for day trips. It’s social without being overwhelming.
Confidence Booster
Visit the Sky Lagoon — the serene pools calm both nerves and jet lag.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo might look overwhelming on the map, but it is one of the safest and most orderly big cities in the world. Locals are respectful, the metro is extremely efficient, and the culture values politeness and personal space. As a solo woman, you can explore confidently at any time of day.
Safety Snapshot
Best neighborhoods to stay: Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza
How to get around: Metro, trains, walking
Why it’s safe: Polite culture, incredibly low crime, predictable systems
Best for
Women who love culture, food, and organized travel
Beginner-Friendly Tip
Get a Suica or Pasmo card. It makes the metro effortless.
Confidence Booster
Eat at a solo-friendly ramen counter — it’s normal and empowering.
Athens, Greece
Athens is an amazing first-time solo travel destination for women thanks to its warm culture, incredible history, walkable neighborhoods, and easy metro system. The city is lively and energetic, but also welcoming, with plenty of cafés, group tours, museums, and scenic viewpoints where you can explore comfortably on your own. As long as you stick to safe, well-known areas, Athens is a confidence-building place for a woman’s first solo trip.
Safety Snapshot
Best neighborhoods to stay: Plaka, Syntagma, Koukaki
How to get around: Metro, trams, buses, taxis, walking
Why it’s safe: Tourist-heavy areas, friendly locals, clear street layouts
(Use normal city awareness — especially at night.)
Best for
History lovers, food explorers, women who love sunny city breaks
Beginner-Friendly Tip
Stay near Plaka or Koukaki — you’ll be close to major sites, restaurants, and easy walking paths.
Confidence Booster
Visit the Acropolis early in the morning. Seeing the city wake up below you is a powerful solo travel moment.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is cozy, storybook-beautiful, and incredibly safe. It’s small enough to navigate easily but big enough to stay entertained. Locals are kind, English is spoken, and the city feels built for wandering.
Safety Snapshot
Best neighborhoods to stay: Old Town, New Town, Stockbridge
How to get around: Walking, buses, trams
Why it’s safe: Friendly locals, low crime, reliable public transport
Best for
Women who love history, castles, and calm city vibes
Beginner-Friendly Tip
The Royal Mile is touristy but perfect for your first day — everything feels easy there.
Confidence Booster
Take yourself to afternoon tea. It’s a warm, gentle solo experience.
Singapore
Singapore is one of the cleanest, safest, and most efficient places you can visit as a solo woman. It’s modern, multicultural, and incredibly easy to navigate. It also has one of the highest safety ratings for solo female travelers in the world. Although Singapore is a city-state, it functions exactly like a major city for travelers, making it perfect for first-time solo women.
Safety Snapshot
Best neighborhoods to stay: Marina Bay, Clarke Quay, Orchard
How to get around: MRT, buses, walking
Why it’s safe: Strict laws, excellent transportation, low crime
Best for
Women who want an easy, stress-free introduction to Asia
Beginner-Friendly Tip
Use the MRT — it’s simple, safe, and air-conditioned.
Confidence Booster
Enjoy the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay at night. It’s magical and safe even after dark.
Sydney, Australia
Sydney offers sunny weather, beaches, friendly locals, and a relaxed culture. It’s a great destination if you want a familiar Western feel but with outdoor beauty, easy transportation, and tons of activities for solo women.
Safety Snapshot
Best neighborhoods to stay: Circular Quay, Surry Hills, Bondi
How to get around: Trains, buses, ferries, walking
Why it’s safe: Low crime, English-speaking, outdoor-oriented
Best for
Beach lovers, warm-weather travelers, food and coffee fans
Beginner-Friendly Tip
Use ferries to get around — they’re scenic and stress-free.
Confidence Booster
Walk the Bondi to Coogee trail for an instant solo-travel rush.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna is elegant, peaceful, clean, and consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in Europe. It has world-class museums, beautiful architecture, and a calm, classy atmosphere that makes solo travel feel effortless.
Safety Snapshot
Best neighborhoods to stay: Innere Stadt, Leopoldstadt, Neubau
How to get around: Metro, trams, walking
Why it’s safe: Excellent transit, low crime, polite culture
Best for
Classical music lovers, art enthusiasts, slow travelers
Beginner-Friendly Tip
Buy a 24-hour or 48-hour transit pass — it keeps things simple.
Confidence Booster
Take yourself to a classical concert. It’s elegant and empowering.
Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is fast-paced but safe, modern, and incredibly solo-friendly. Cafés are everywhere, public transportation is world-class, and the city is full of women traveling alone for work, school, and leisure.
Safety Snapshot
Best neighborhoods to stay: Myeongdong, Hongdae, Itaewon
How to get around: Metro, buses, walking
Why it’s safe: Well-lit streets, extensive transit, low violent crime
Best for
Food lovers, culture seekers, K-beauty and K-drama fans
Beginner-Friendly Tip
Download Papago for translations — it’s better than Google in Korea.
Confidence Booster
Have a solo barbecue meal — it’s normal and empowering.
Bonus City: Cancun, Mexico
Cancun might surprise you as a beginner-friendly destination, but when done right, it’s simple, safe, and incredibly enjoyable for a first solo trip. Stay in safe, tourist-friendly areas, use official transportation, and follow simple planning tips — and you’ll have an easy, warm, beachy first solo adventure.
Safety Snapshot
Best neighborhoods to stay: Hotel Zone, Downtown Cancun (select areas)
How to get around: Buses, hotel shuttles, official taxis
Why it’s safe: Strong tourism presence, well-patrolled areas, straightforward logistics
(As always in Mexico, stay aware and choose reputable transportation.)
Best for
Beach lovers, relaxation seekers, all-inclusive fans
Beginner-Friendly Tip
Choose a reputable hotel in the Hotel Zone — it’s the easiest and safest area for first-timers.
Confidence Booster
Book a guided day trip to Isla Mujeres. It’s relaxing, beautiful, and solo-friendly.
Your First Solo Trip Starts with the Right Destination
Choosing a beginner-friendly destination sets the tone for your entire solo travel journey. You deserve a place where you feel safe, excited, supported, and able to explore freely. These cities will help you build confidence — one coffee shop, museum, or sunset walk at a time.
When you’re ready for your next step, you can learn how to choose the right destination, plan safely, and feel confident before you get on the plane inside my workshop:
A simple, friendly workshop that teaches you how to plan your first solo trip with clarity and confidence.
Love this post? Save one of these graphics to your Pinterest board for easy reference.
