Best Solo Travel Countries for Beginners: 9 Safe Destinations (From a Traveler with 62+ Countries)
You’re reading this because somewhere inside you, a voice is whispering: “What if I just went alone?”
I know that voice. I’ve heard it since 2010. I was afraid, but I also felt something I’d never felt before: freedom.
Since my first solo trip, I’ve traveled to over 62 countries, mostly solo. And now I help women do the same.
In this solo female travel guide, you will learn which countries are safe, beautiful, and beginner-friendly for first-time solo travelers, plus exactly how to plan your first trip without fear.
Your Solo Travel Roadmap
In this guide, you’ll discover:
1. 🧭 What makes each destination safe, fun, and beginner-friendly
2. 💸 Real budgets
3. 🍜 Solo dining, culture, and experiences that work when you’re alone
4. 📸 Inspiration if you want to document your journey
5. ❌ Countries to skip until you have more experience
Best Solo Travel Countries for Beginners (Safe Destinations for Women)
I’ve been traveling solo since 2010 and have visited 62+ countries. If you’re just here for the recommendations, here’s a quick breakdown:
| Category | Emoji | Country/Countries |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Best overall country | 🇵🇹 | Portugal |
| 🛡️ Safest countries | 🇮🇸 🇦🇱 | Iceland, Albania |
| 💰 Cheapest countries | 🇦🇱 🇹🇭 | Albania, Thailand |
| 🌿 Best countries for nature | 🇮🇸 🇳🇴 | Iceland, Norway |
| 🎭 Best countries for culture | 🇮🇹 🇪🇸 | Italy, Spain |
Why These 9 Countries For Solo Female Travelers ? My Criteria for Beginners
Not every “safe” country is good for first-time solo travelers. After 62+ countries, I only recommend a destination for beginners if it meets all 5 of these criteria:
Criteria | Why It Matters for Beginners |
✅ Low crime / high safety | You need to relax, not watch your back constantly |
✅ Good tourist infrastructure | Easy transport, English-friendly, clear signs |
✅ Solo-friendly culture | No stigma eating alone, welcoming locals |
✅ Varied pace options | Can be social or quiet. Your choice |
✅ Clear budget range | You can plan without surprises |
Every country below passes. Here’s how they compare:
| 🇨🇴 Country | 🛡️ Safety | 👤 Solo-Friendly | 💰 Budget (daily) | 🌟 Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇱 Albania | 9/10 | 9.5/10 | € | Hidden gem + beaches + mountains |
| 🇮🇸 Iceland | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 | €€€ | Nature + peace |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | 9/10 | 10/10 | € | Budget + charm |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 9/10 | 9/10 | € | Social + culture |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | € | Budget + adventure |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | €€ | Food + history |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | 9.5/10 | 9/10 | €€€€ | Hiking + solitude |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | € | Wellness + beaches |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | €€ | Variety + passion |
€ = under €60/day | €€ = $60-100 | €€€ = €100-150 | €€€€ = €150+
My honest take: If you’re really nervous, start with Italy or Portugal. And Albania is Europe’s best-kept secret… cheap, stunning, and welcoming to solo female travelers.. If you want social energy, pick Spain or Thailand. If you need nature therapy, choose Iceland.
Smart Solo Travelers Save Money on Flights
Before we dive into countries, here’s a tip that saves me hundreds of euro every year.
I’ve booked all my flights using Skyscanner. The trick? Set price alerts 2-3 months out and fly mid-week. Never book the first flight you see. Compare, wait 24 hours, then book.
Best Solo Travel Countries for Beginners
Italy Solo Travel Guide for Beginners
Italy is beautiful chaos… romantic, cinematic, and delicious.
Why Italy is a top solo travel destination for women
Yes, Italy works perfectly for a first solo trip. Wander beautiful colorful streets, get lost in Venice, and accidentally eat gelato three times a day. I’ll never forget getting lost in Venice for the first time.. No phone battery. No map. An old lady selling fruit helped me to find my way back to the hotel.. That’s Italy… chaotic, beautiful, and somehow always okay.
Italy Solo Travel: Key Facts
- 🧳 Best for: Culture, food, history lovers
- 🎭 Vibe: Romantic, lively, dramatic
- 🚶♀️ Pace: Medium to slow
- 🔐 Solo-friendly score: 8.5/10
Italy Solo Travel: Key Facts
- Get comfortable getting lost. In Rome and Venice, wrong turns lead to the best pasta.
- Every corner is a photo spot. Your camera will be busy.
- Every corner is a photo spot. Your camera will be busy.
- 🗺️ My go-to for solo tours in Italy
I always check reviews before booking tours. I use GetYourGuide because every review is from a real traveler. For solo beginners, skip-the-line tickets are a lifesaver. Standing alone in a 2-hour line at the Colosseum feels awkward.
Spain Solo Travel Guide for Beginners
Spain feels like a warm hug that also plays music at 2 AM.
Why beginners love Spain
Tapas hopping in Barcelona, flamenco in Seville, and sunsets that make you emotional for no reason. Spain is social, safe, and vibrant.
Spain Solo Travel: Key Facts
- 🧳 Best for: Culture, nightlife, beaches
- 🎭 Vibe: Vibrant, social, warm
- 🚶♀️ Pace: Relaxed
- 🔐 Solo-friendly score: 9/10
Spain Solo Travel Tips
- Eat late like a local. Dinner at 10 PM is normal.
- Combine cities and beaches. Barcelona + Valencia is a perfect mix.
- Let nightlife surprise you. Even solo, Spain makes you feel included.
- 🗺️ Solo-friendly tours in Spain
Flamenco shows and tapas crawls are better with a small group. I booked it through GetYourGuide. They have “solo traveler friendly” filters so you don’t feel like the odd one out. Important: Spain is safe overall. In Barcelona, just keep an eye on your stuff in busy spots like the metro and Las Ramblas. Pickpockets exist, but they’re more annoying than dangerous. Bag zipped, phone in your hand, you’re totally fine. Outside Barcelona (Seville, Valencia, Granada), it feels really chill and relaxed.
Iceland Solo Travel Guide for Beginners
Iceland feels like another planet with better WiFi than you expect.
Why Iceland is perfect for nature-loving solo travelers
Waterfalls bigger than buildings, black sand beaches, and northern lights dancing above you. Iceland is peaceful, safe, and surreal.
Iceland SoloTravel: Key Facts
- 🧳 Best for: Nature lovers, photographers
- 🎭 Vibe: Magical, peaceful, surreal
- 🚶♀️ Pace: Slow
- 🔐 Solo-friendly score: 9.5/10
Iceland Solo Travel Tips
Rent a car if possible. Public transport is limited outside Reykjavik.
Don’t skip geothermal pools. They’re nature’s spa.
Chase the Northern Lights. Yes, it’s worth the cold fingers.
Norway Solo Travel Guide for Beginners
Norway is nature to the next level!
Norway: a calm, scenic start for solo travelers
Fjords that look painted, midnight sun hikes, and cities so clean they feel fictional. Expensive but unforgettable.
Norway Solo Travel: Key Facts
🧳 Best for: Nature, hiking, calm travel
🎭 Vibe: Clean, peaceful, scenic
🚶♀️ Pace: Slow
🔐 Solo-friendly score: 9/10
Norway Solo Travel Tips
Trains are your best friend. Scenic routes are part of the experience.
Hiking is a national hobby. Beginners can enjoy easy trails.
- Yes, it’s expensive. Plan ahead. Check Numbeo’s Norway cost of living for realistic budgets.
Portugal Solo Travel Guide for Beginners
Portugal: Europe’s underrated superstar.
Portugal: the most underrated solo travel destination for women
Golden sunsets in Lisbon, historic tram rides, and ocean views in the Algarve. Also one of Western Europe’s most affordable countries.
Portugal Solo Travel: Key Facts
🧳 Best for: Budget travel, coastal vibes
🎭 Vibe: Chill, sunny, friendly
🚶♀️ Pace: Relaxed
🔐 Solo-friendly score: 10/10
Portugal Solo Travel Tips
Ride the iconic trams. They’re moving postcards.
Explore the coastline. The cliffs are unreal.
- Café culture is huge. Perfect for solo reflection or blogging.
Indonesia Solo Travel Guide for Beginners
Indonesia: where spirituality meets beautiful beaches.
Indonesia: Bali and beyond for solo adventurers
Rice terraces, beach cafes, and sunsets that feel fake but aren’t. The solo traveler community here is huge. You’ll never be alone in Bali, only if you really want to.
Indonesia Solo Travel: Key Facts
🧳 Best for: Nature, wellness, beaches
🎭 Vibe: Spiritual, tropical, relaxed
🚶 Pace: Flexible
🔐 Solo-friendly score: 8.5/10
Indonesia Solo Travel Tips
Try yoga or wellness retreats. Great for solo reset energy.
Island hop when possible. Every island feels different. I loved the Gili islands!
Street food is essential. Cheap and delicious. For health tips, see the CDC’s travel health page for Indonesia.
Albania Solo Travel Guide for Beginners
Albania is Europe’s best-kept secret and it’s perfect for first-time solo travelers.
Why Albania is a hidden gem for beginner solo women
Nervous about solo travel? Albania will hold your hand and feed you homemade Byrek. The Albanian Riviera has beaches like in Greece and the mountains look like Switzerland. The locals? They’ll adopt you and feed you with delicious food.
English is widely spoken in tourist areas. Because it’s less crowded than Italy or Spain, you’ll never feel overwhelmed.
Albania Solo Travel: Key Facts
🧳 Best for: Beaches, mountains, budget travel, culture
🎭 Vibe: Authentic, warm, adventurous
🚶♀️ Pace: Slow and flexible
- 🔐 Solo-friendly score: 9.5/10
Albania Solo Travel Tips
Visit the Albanian Riviera. Ksamil and Dhërmi have crystal-clear water and beach clubs that feel exclusive but cheap.
Hike in the Mountains. The Theth to Valbona hike is world-famous and doable solo with a guide or group.
- Use furgons (minibuses). They’re chaotic but cheap and connect everywhere. Ask your hostel for the schedule.
- Learn “Faleminderit” (thank you). Albanians light up when you try.
- 🗺️ My Albania solo tour rule
For the Theth-Valbona hike, I recommend booking through GetYourGuide or a local hostel. For everything else? Albania is so friendly you can just show up and ask locals for directions. They’ll probably invite you for coffee.
Thailand Solo Travel Guide for Beginners
Thailand is the classic first solo trip country… for good reason.
Thailand: where first-time solo travelers fall in love
Beach hopping, night markets, and coconut smoothies on every corner. Cheap, friendly, and built for solo travelers.
Thailand is the classic first solo trip country… for good reason.
Thailand: where first-time solo travelers fall in love
Beach hopping, night markets, and coconut smoothies on every corner. Cheap, friendly, and built for solo travelers.
Thailand Solo Travel: Key Facts
🧳 Best for: Budget, social travel, beaches
🎭 Vibe: Energetic, friendly, tropical
🚶♀️ Pace: Flexible
- 🔐 Solo-friendly score: 9.5/10
Thailand Solo Travel Tips
Use tuk-tuks for fun short rides… chaotic but unforgettable.
Night markets are a must. Food + shopping + chaos = perfection.
Island life is addictive. You might extend your trip accidentally.
Argentina Solo Travel Guide for Beginners
Argentina: passion, culture, and adventure in one country.
Argentina: bold, passionate, and surprisingly solo-friendly
Tango in Buenos Aires, glaciers in Patagonia, and cafés where you can sit for hours just watching life go by.
Argentina Solo Travel: Key Facts
🧳 Best for: Adventure, culture, food
🎭 Vibe: Passionate, dramatic, bold
🚶♀️ Pace: Varies by region
🔐 Solo-friendly score: 8.5/10
Argentina Solo Travel Tips
Experience tango culture, even watching feels emotional.
Try local steak if you eat meat. It’s a whole experience.
Don’t skip Patagonia. The nature here is unreal.
If you’re just starting out, I break everything down in detail on 15 Safe Countries Everyone Will Be Talking About.
Some Favorite Solo Travel Purchases
💧I used to buy plastic water bottles everywhere.
Now I travel with a self-cleaning water bottle. It kills 99% of bacteria with UV light—so I can fill up from any tap (even in Thailand or Indonesia where tap water isn’t drinkable). Saves money, saves the planet, saves my stomach.
🛡️ The One Thing I Never Skip Traveling Alone: Travel Insurance
After 62 countries, I’ve filed exactly 3 claims. All paid out.
I use SafetyWing because it’s built for solo travelers—you can buy it after you leave, and it covers things like hostel theft and delayed baggage. Most beginners skip insurance to save $50. Don’t be most beginners. One missed flight or lost bag pays for it twice over.
5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Solo Traveling (From 62+ Countries of Experience)
💸 Budget always takes longer than expected. Food, taxis, and “just one more activity” add up quickly. Check my blog about 7 hidden costs to learn more about it.
🧳 Overpacking is the enemy. You won’t need four pairs of jeans. You’ll regret them instantly.
😌 Loneliness comes in waves, not permanently. Some moments feel amazing, some quiet. Both are part of the story.
📶 Offline maps save lives. Always download before you explore. Google Maps offline mode works well.
🧠 The fear never fully disappears. You just get better at walking through it. Every solo traveler I know still feels a flutter before a new country. That’s not weakness!
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Solo Travel
🧳 Is solo travel actually safe for a woman alone?
🧳 Yes, but “safe” doesn’t mean the same as traveling with someone else. I’ve never had a serious safety issue in any of the countries listed. But I always trust my gut, avoid walking alone late at night, and know how to get back to my accommodation. Safety is a practice, not a destination. Check my Free Safety Checklist wieh tips, tools and insights.
🚫 What countries should I avoid as a first-time solo woman?
🚫 Save these for later trips when you have more experience: Ecuador, Egypt, Morocco, Brazil. They are incredible places, but they require advanced awareness like handling aggressive touts and reading situations quickly. Go there for trip #10, not trip #1.
✈️💸 Where to find cheap flights?
I usually start with Skyscanner. It compares airlines and shows the cheapest dates using the “whole month” view.
Quick tips:
• Be flexible with dates
• Fly mid-week if possible
• Try nearby airports
• Search in incognito mode
Most cheap deals come from playing around with dates and routes, not the first search.
💔 Will I be lonely? What if I cry in my hostel room?
💔 Yes, it can happen. Loneliness comes in waves, not all the time. Some days feel magical, others feel quiet. That’s normal. The trick is to join a walking tour or stay in a social hostel early in your trip. And yes, crying is okay.
🧭 How do I tell my parents or partner I’m traveling alone?
🧭 Be clear and confident. Say: “I love you, I’ve done my research, here’s my itinerary, I’ll share my location and check in daily. This matters to me and I need your trust.” Preparation reduces their fear more than anything else.
🛡️ Do I need travel insurance?
🛡️ Yes, always! I use SafetyWing for most of my trips. It’s affordable, made for solo travelers, and covers the basics if anything goes wrong.
🚨 What if a man bothers me while traveling alone?
🚨 This is one of the most important questions. What works in real life:
- Wear a fake wedding ring (surprisingly effective)
- Say “my husband is waiting for me”
- Enter a hotel, café, or busy shop if you feel uncomfortable
- Learn simple phrases like “no thank you” or “leave me alone” in the local language
🌍 Is Europe safe for solo female travel?
🌍 Yes, most of Europe is very safe for solo female travelers. Countries like Portugal, Spain, Italy, Iceland, and Albania are especially beginner-friendly. Just use normal travel awareness in busy tourist areas.
🧊 What is the safest country in Europe for solo travel?
🧊 Iceland is widely considered the safest due to extremely low crime rates. Albania is also surprisingly safe and extremely welcoming for solo female travelers.
✈️ Where should I go for my first solo trip?
✈️ The best beginner destinations are Portugal, Italy, or Thailand. They have strong infrastructure, friendly locals, and are easy to navigate even if it’s your first time traveling alone.
💸 What is the cheapest solo travel destination?
💸 Albania, Thailand, and Indonesia are the most budget-friendly options. You can travel comfortably on a low daily budget without sacrificing experience.
👗 Do I need to dress differently as a solo woman?
👗 In most European countries (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Iceland, Norway), you can dress normally. In Thailand temples and rural Indonesia, cover shoulders and knees. In Albania rural areas, modest dress is respectful. In cities like Argentina, fashion is more stylish and modern.
🤝 What’s the best way to meet other solo female travelers?
🤝 The easiest ways:
Free walking tours in every major city
Female-only hostel dorms
Group day tours (GetYourGuide / Viator)
Facebook groups like “Solo Female Travelers”
Bumble BFF in big cities
📅 How many days should my first solo trip be?
📅 Start with 5–10 days. That’s the sweet spot. Long enough to feel like a real adventure, but not overwhelming for a first solo experience. Portugal, Albania, or Thailand are especially good for this length because they’re easy to navigate and very beginner-friendly.
💳 Are ATMs easy to find?
💳 Yes, almost everywhere on this list. In cities like Tirana, Bangkok, and Buenos Aires they are very common. In rural or remote areas, always carry some cash just in case.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Final Thoughts – Last Stop Before Takeoff!
I still remember my hands shaking as I booked that first ticket.
Sixteen years and sixty-two countries later, I’m not special. I’m not braver than you. I just said “yes” before my fear could say “no.”
These countries I’ve recommended? I’ve tested them. Grown in them. Eaten alone in them and left with friends. You don’t need to be ready. You just need to start. Your first solo trip won’t be perfect. But it will be yours. And that changes everything.
Adventure on, I’ll see you on the road!
Want More Personal Help?
P.S. Still nervous? I get it. I offer 1:1 solo travel mentoring where I help you plan everything step by step and share real insights so you feel fully ready to go.
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Feven is a solo female travel mentor who has visited 62 countries, 7 continents and helps women travel with confidence. She creates resources to help women overcome fear and plan their first solo trip. Follow her adventures on Instagram.