The 10 Best Solo Travel Destinations

Traveling is fun, but do you know what’s even better? I am traveling alone. It could appear frightening, but trust me. I lived abroad for a few years and know that solo travel provides the greatest sensation of independence. There are no timetables to coordinate. There are no other people’s preferences to consider. You’re doing things at your leisure. (I also believe it makes it much easier to make new acquaintances because you’re not isolated in your own social bubble.) I’ve compiled a list of 14 of the finest solo travel places based on PureWow editors’ own travel experiences.For each destination, I took into account safety, accessibility, activities and accommodations, asking my fellow travelers for their recommendations. From Paris to Taipei, here are some of our favorite spots. Bon voyage

Best International Solo Travel Destinations

1. Paris, France

• Where to Stay: Plaza Athénée (from $1,968/night), Le Meurice (from $2,392/night), Paris 11ème Studio (from $78/night, sleeps 2)
• Things to Do: Bouillon Pigalle, Jardin des Plantes, Musée de la Vie Romantique

I am a lifetime francophile who lived in France for two years, so believe me when I say Paris is one of the best solo travel places. (I have always felt safe traveling alone there.) Even now, despite living in New York, Paris is the first location that comes to mind—I’m writing this from here. Obviously, you could spend a lifetime here, but if you only have a week, there’s plenty to do, even alone. For a literary experience, I recommend The Red Wheelbarrow Bookstore (rather than Shakespeare & Co.) for author events and a chance to meet new people. Next door, Trieze au Jardin offers Southern comfort food across from the Luxembourg Gardens.

When it comes to gardens, my particular favorite is the neglected Jardin des Plantes, which has two stunning cherry blossom trees that bloom in the spring. Skip the Louvre and instead visit the Musée de la Vie Romantique—an unassuming (pink!) mansion at the foot of Montmartre—to learn about the lives and works of George Sand, Ary Scheffer, and Ernest Renan. (Note: It will be closed until 2026 for restorations, therefore in the interim, I propose other tiny museums such as Musée Bourdelle, Musée Rodin, and Musée Picasso, among many others that are overshadowed by the D’Orsay.)

Finally, in my opinion, you must do two things before leaving: eat a three-course supper at Bouillion Pigalle (the French version of an American diner) and visit Officine de Buly on rue Bonaparte. The latter is a traditional apothecary, complete with honeycomb tiles, ancient wood cabinets, and everything from perfume to lotion in milk glass bottles with engraved brass crowns. Swoon.

2. Grindelwald, Switzerland

• Where to Stay: Sunstar Grindelwald (from $672/night), Hotel Belvedere (from $729/night), Eiger North Face Studio (from $111/night, sleeps 2)
• Things to Do: Grindelwald First gondola, cliff walk, eat Swiss fondue

“Grindelwald is a super small village in the Alps that feels unreal in its beauty, but it’s easily accessible from bigger cities via train,” explains PureWow Associate Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera. “Everything is completely walkable. I only stayed one night at Sunstar Grindelwald, but I immediately wished I had booked at least one or two more. It was extremely comfortable and offered the best outside views, plus a nice bar area that was ideal for unwinding at the end of the day.There are many outdoor activities available, but I chose to take the gondola up to Grindelwald First to do the cliff walk, which was bit daunting, but I ended up meeting some other visitors and doing it with them to make it less scary! In terms of food, I would highly recommend trying some Swiss fondue at one of the town’s lovely eateries. Everything was incredibly dog-friendly (including the gondola ride, restaurants, and train), which I really liked.”

3. Oaxaca, Mexico

• Where to Stay: Grand Fiesta Americana (from $271/night), Hotel Boutique Na’ura Centro (from $117/night), Oaxaca Loft (from $84/night, sleeps 2)
• Things to Do: Casa Oaxaca, La Mezcalerita, walking around Zocalo

“Being a New Yorker who doesn’t drive, I spent most of my time in Oaxaca on foot,” explains PureWow Senior Commerce Editor Stephanie Maida. “I felt very at ease strolling around alone, both day and night. Even after dark, there are many people out and about, including families and groups of friends, particularly in the Zocalo, which serves as the town plaza. This location was crowded with large crowds, shop stands, and performers. Rarely did I come across a silent, empty street. I discovered excellent restaurants in the region, including the Michelin-starred Casa Oaxaca, and then went to a few bars, including the rooftop hotspot La Mezcalerita, where the staff was really friendly and obliging, even explaining their cocktails and ingredients.”

4. Taipei, Taiwan

• Where to Stay: Via Hotel (rrom $92/night), Pacific Business Hotel (from $245/night), Kiwa (from $122/night, sleeps 5)
• Things to Do: day trip to Jiufen, thrifting, Placebo Bar

Prior to 2023, I hadn’t traveled to Asia in literally 20 years, and I was pleasantly pleased by how much I enjoyed it. My mother’s family is from Taiwan, and I have visited Taipei twice in the last few years. First things first: the food. You may have heard of the famed Asian idea of the night market, and I can assure you that everything you saw in Crazy Rich Asians is accurate. These frenetic bazaars serve every form of street food you can think of, from stinky tofu (spoiler: it stinks) to fried chicken and squid, as well as congee (rice porridge) and my new favorite, dan bing—a Taiwanese breakfast burrito.The majority of food is served in paper or plastic bags with skewers for on-the-go eating, but there are lots of sit-down eateries as well. Surprisingly, Taipei Main Station (where the light and commuter rail lines meet) is a mammoth with an enormous food court. Whatever you decide, you can’t go wrong. (Though I definitely recommend getting mochi doughnuts from Mister Donut—they’re just over $2.

Taipei 101 is the ultimate location for luxury shopping (and gastronomy). My family also zipped up to the observation deck at the summit for breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. If you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars at Prada, Taipei has a strong vintage and thrift scene—there’s a 2nd Street Vintage on almost every block, and there’s less traffic than in New York City, where it feels like you’re competing for a pair of Thom Browne boots. On my most recent trip, I purchased a Chloé Drew bag from 2019 for $400 that was practically brand new.

Elephant Mountain is also nearby, and many of people travel here to view the fireworks launch from Taipei 101. The hike is easy, but there are a lot of steps. If you’re searching for a nightcap, I took my brother to Placebo Bar, which has ’70s Hong Kong vibes and an inventive cocktail menu.

Taiwan is a small island, thus there are numerous viable day trip choices. I’ve completed two. Tamsui is a coastal village accessible by public transportation, with a “fisherman’s wharf” brimming with restaurants and souvenir shops. Gozen Kamicha, a matcha establishment just close to the train station, serves soft serve; do yourself a favor and order it. Jiufen, a little mountain village on the eastern coast about an hour from the city, was another place I enjoyed.Jiufen Old Street is packed with shops selling specialty teas, Taiwan nougat and shaved ice. Here’s my little secret: at 197 Jishan Street, there’s an award-winning jade stamp maker, who carves everything by hand. In Taiwan, it’s customary to have a personalized stamp for official documents as it functions like your signature. I got one just for fun—they’re true works of art.

I’ll admit that English isn’t as common in Taiwan—even in a huge city like Taipei—but as someone who doesn’t know Mandarin or Taiwanese, I got by rather well with hand signals, a limited smattering of food words, and a translation software. (So did the numerous foreigners I saw there, mostly from Europe.) While many people do not speak English fluently, many items are translated, including street signs, public transit announcements, and menus. Last word: While credit cards are accepted at major establishments such as Taipei 101, cash is king, so keep it on hand.

5. Nice, France

• Where to Stay: Hotel Beau Rivage (from $580/night), Hôtel Khla (from $224/night), Place Massena Apartment (from $117/night)
• Things to Do: walk the Quai des États-Unis, Old Nice farmer’s market, Parc de la Colline du Château

LaBarbera rates Nice as one of the greatest solo travel places, adding, “I felt very safe exploring everything from the farmer’s market in Old Nice to shopping in the city center, strolling the Quai des Étas-Unis, and walking around the Parc de la Colline du Château.” The château boasts some breathtaking vistas and a spectacular waterfall. I also like that there are several restaurants along the beach that offer chaise couches so you can sit in the sun all day while ordering food and beverages right there. Le Temps D’Un Été was my favorite, as well as my dog’s.

6. Burgundy, France

• Where to Stay: Grand Hotel La Cloche (from $321/night), Hôtel Particulier Maison Jazey (from $210/night, sleeps 4), Apartment Lafayette (from $65/night, sleeps 2)
• Things to Do: Beaujolais Nouveau, Dijon Musée des Beaux-Arts, Semur-en-Auxois medieval festival

France is well-known for its several wine and spirit-producing regions, including the Loire Valley, Cognac, Alsace-Lorraine, Champagne, and, of course, Burgundy. While I’ve visited a few, Burgundy is the region I keep returning to. I have three favorite cities/towns: Dijon, the capital; Beaune, and Semur-en-Auxois.

Dijon was the historical seat of the Dukes of Burgundy and now has an excellent museum of fine arts. As the name implies, it is also the birthplace of Dijon mustard; myself, I like the gritty variety or none at all. Climbing the Tour Philippe le Bon is a terrific way to gain a view of the city, as it shows you a swath of classic tiled rooftops that are truly works of art in their own right.

Take a 40-minute train travel south to Beaune. I’ve gone there three times in the winter and fall, the latter being great time. In November, the town celebrates Beaujolais Nouveau, the first red wine of the season. (I had my first taste of frog legs here at a street market.) You can also attend a culinary class at The Cook’s Atelier. But the true hidden gem is found at the Hôtel-Dieu des Hospices de Beaune—aside from some traditional Burgundian architecture (including those magnificent roof tiles), Dijon was the ancient seat of the Dukes of Burgundy and now houses an excellent collection of fine arts. As the name implies, it’s also the home of Dijon mustard—personallythis is the home of Belgian painter Rogier van der Weyden’s “The Last Judgement” triptych, otherwise known as the Beane Alterpiece. It’s a key piece of artwork in Western art history, and I almost screamed when I saw it. I make a point to pay a visit every time I’m in town.

An hour west (two by public transportation) of Dijon is a storybook town called Semur-en-Auxois. I first stumbled upon it during a road trip from Paris to Provence. The fortressed village, surrounded by a river, is tucked away in the hills so that the citadel rises up as you crest into the valley, and disappears after you’ve driven away. It’s the home of an annual medieval festival, which regularly sees crowds of over 30,000.

7. Beacon, New York

• Where to Stay: The Beacon Hotel (from $140/night), Fishkill Creek Home (from $169/night, sleeps 4), Main Street Loft (from $103/night, sleeps 2)
• Things to Do: Bannerman Castle, The Roundhouse, Dia Beacon

“I did a solo getaway to Beacon and it felt like I was living on the set of a Hallmark movie,” says PureWow Associate Editor of News and Entertainment Nakeisha Campbell. “There’s a wonderful little town with a strip of little stores, museums, and restaurants down Main Street, and I couldn’t get over how tranquil and picturesque everything looked. I recommend trekking or taking a tour to Bannerman’s Castle on the Hudson River. It’s a great spot to relax and clear your mind.”

Other must-see attractions in this Hudson Valley hamlet include Dia Beacon, a contemporary art exhibition venue housed in a former Nabisco box-printing factory constructed in 1929. The collection focuses on artwork created from the 1960s onward. Once on the Victorian-style Main Street, make sure to visit Zakka Joy for gifts and stationery, Estilo Y Vino Wine Bar for live jazz, and The Roundhouse for waterfall views.

8. Austin, Texas

• Where to Stay: The LINE (from $191/night), Fairmont Austin (from $231/night), The Bouldin Bungalow (from $110/night, sleeps 2)
• Things to Do: catch the live music scene, The Salt Lick BBQ, SXSW

“I’ve visited this lovely Texas hub multiple times, including during the SXSW festival when I spent most of my time there riding solo,” Maida tells me. “It’s a bustling, extremely walkable city, which I appreciate as a non-driver.” I was able to get around rather easy (though I did splurge on Uber late at night). Because I was there during this city-wide event, it was rather crowded, so I felt relatively comfortable strolling around alone surrounded by so many people. During that solo visit, I stayed at a hostel.which I would NOT recommend—the following time I returned, I booked an Airbnb in a luxury condo building, and the experience was far superior. Aside from that, expect plenty of friendly locals. One of my Uber drivers offered to take ‘the long way’ to my destination and give me a tour of some notable locations, which was really lovely.”

Even if you aren’t in town during the huge festival, there is much to do all year. Live music is an important element of the city’s social fabric, and venues such as The Roosevelt Room, Meanwhile Brewing Co., and Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar all host performances. If you’re prepared to go 45 minutes outside of the city, you’ll be rewarded with The Salt Lick BBQ, a well-known establishment that has been serving up the best cuts of pork since 1967. And if you go in the spring, you might just see the stunning fields of blue bonnets in Hill Country.

9. New York, New York

• Where to Stay: The Plaza Hotel (from $1,300/night), Warren Street Hotel (from $825/night), The Marlton Hotel (from $419/night)
• Things to Do: Frick Madison Museum, The Polo Bar, gallery hopping in Chelsea

It’s an excellent single trip destination (or, in some situations, a staycation). After living here for over three years, the most exciting thing for me right now is the recent reopening of the Frick Madison, which has undergone substantial repairs. It is well-known for its Old Master paintings, European sculptures, and decorative arts. Another thing I enjoy is visiting art galleries in Chelsea. Every spring, it also hosts the Affordable Art Fair, which features modern art priced from $100 to $12,000.

When it comes to dining, you can find me pretending I’m in a Wes Anderson film at Soho Diner or enjoying Romanian small plates with friends at Oti. For an authentic New York experience, book a reservation at The Polo Bar, an extension of the Ralph Lauren boutique.

“Every time I visit, I’m reminded of why the greatest city in the world has that label—because it’s thrumming along on more creativity, ambition, and just plain moxie.” And it feels extremely safe, as long as you remember not to flash any bling and keep an eye on your purse. (I have had my handbag stolen in Buenos Aires and Washington, D.C., but never in New York City.) A wonderful trip to New York for me includes seeing a Broadway production, visiting MOMA and/or the Whitney, dining at the latest hot restaurant, and drinking at Bemelman’s Bar uptown. And if it is July.

10. San Diego, California

• Where to Stay: The Lafayette Hotel and Club (from $404/night), The Pearl (from $234/night), Mike’s Cottage (from $150/night, sleeps 2)
• Things to Do: Mitch’s Seafood, La Jolla Sea Caves, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

“I like to escape to San Diego for a getaway, but not the downtown Gaslamp District of San Diego proper,” writes Dickey. “That would be enjoyable if I was looking for cocktails and hangouts with a group of girlfriends. But when I’m alone, I prefer small neighborhood retreats like Point Loma, where the beautiful rebuilt hotel The Pearl preserves cozy little rooms and an enhanced in-house dining experience where you nosh around the classic kidney-shaped pool.It’s a short walk to the ocean, and you can hire a kayak to visit the La Jolla Sea Caves or go for a trek at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve before earning your batter-fried fish taco at Mitch’s Seafood. After a few hours here, the combination of warm air, nice surfer dudes, and swinging palms allows me to relax like a local.”