7 Best Alternatives to Bali in 2026 (Safe & Budget-Friendly for Solo Female Travelers)
I almost booked Bali last year. Everyone was booking Bali. My feed was a waterfall of infinity pools, monkey selfies, and the same sunset at Tanah Lot… just with different faces in front of it.
Then I sat on my bedroom floor, overwhelmed by 87 open tabs, and thought: Wait. Do I actually want Bali? Or do I just want what Bali promised?
That question is exactly why I started this solo female travel blog to separate what looks good on Instagram from what actually feels good when you’re there alone.
In this guide to the best Bali alternatives for solo female travel in 2026, you’ll discover 7 underrated countries that are safer, quieter, and more affordable than Bali, plus exactly what I wish I knew before I went.
If you’re searching for quieter alternatives to Bali for solo female travelers, you’re not alone. Overtourism has changed the Bali experience, and many women are now choosing destinations that offer the same warmth and adventure without the crowds.
I wanted the Bali promise. Warmth. Adventure. Somewhere that didn’t feel like my office. Somewhere that didn’t already have 6 million visitors that year.
So I went looking for places that still feel like secrets. Places where the souvenir shops don’t all sell the same magnets and the locals smile at you because they’re curious, not because they’re selling something. Where solo female travelers are celebrated.
Bali has been one of the world’s most popular destinations for solo female travelers for years. But in 2026, many women are asking questions like “Is Bali still worth it?” and “Is Bali safe for solo female travelers?”
Here are the main reasons travelers are choosing quieter, more affordable alternatives:
🌍 Massive crowds and overtourism: Bali welcomed over 6.3 million international visitors in 202; even more than before the pandemic and numbers are still rising.
🚗 Traffic congestion and noise: Especially in hotspots like Canggu and Ubud, getting anywhere can eat half your day.
💸 Rising prices: Accommodation, tours, and even food have jumped as tourism continues to boom.
📸 Overtourism fatigue: Instagram-famous spots are packed, making “secret” experiences harder to find.
⚠️ Tourist scams and stress points: Upsold scooter rentals, taxi disputes, and inflated prices can quickly outweigh the fun.
But if you’re looking for warm weather, cafés with personality, adventure, spiritual experiences, and budget flexibility without the burnout. There are amazing alternatives.
On this solo female travel blog, I focus on places that still feel personal and not performative.
These seven underrated countries offer all that, with:
fewer tourists
stronger local culture
more authentic experiences
excellent safety for solo female travelers
…which is why they’re trending in 2026.
Here are the seven countries. It’s your year to skip the queue and go first.
Why These 7 Countries Belong on Every Solo Female Travel Bucket List
You might be wondering: “Is a solo adventure in Georgia really for me? Isn’t Greenland freezing? Wait… Cape Verde has WiFi?”
The answer is a YES.
These are places where tourism infrastructure exists, safety is genuinely high, and the secret hasn’t fully been found out yet. They’re trending in 2026 for a reason and that reason isn’t TikTok. It’s women like you, quietly searching for something real.
Let’s get into it.
Solo Female Travel 2026: 7 Underrated Countries
Solo travel doesn’t have to bankrupt you. I wrote Solo Female Travel Budget Tips after realizing I could do Bhutan and Greenland in one year on a normal salary.
🇬🇪 1. Georgia – The Anti-Tuscany
Instead of: Tuscany, French countryside, Croatian coast
Why Georgia is the Anti-Tuscany for Solo Travelers
You might be wondering: “Is a solo travel Georgia adventure really for me?” The answer is a YES. Imagine the endless bowls of khinkali (dumplings), sulfur baths under stars, and mountain roads that make you forget your own name. Georgia is where Europe meets Asia—and hospitality is a national sport.
Georgia Solo Travel: Key Facts
🛡️ Safety Score: 9/10 – Women consistently report feeling safer here than in Rome or Paris. Catcalling is rare; staring happens but it’s curiosity, not threat.
✨ Best for: Foodies, hikers, wine lovers, budget-conscious luxury seekers
🎭 The Vibe: Bohemian, chaotic, deeply generous
⏳ The Pace: Sip, don’t rush. Meals are three-hour affairs.
🏆 Solo-Friendly Score: 9.5/10
📅 Best time to visit: May–June or September–October for perfect hiking weather and grape harvest.
Georgia Solo Travel: I Wish I Knew Before Before
🚗 Don’t rent a car. Georgian driving is… expressive. Download Bolt or Yandex Go immediately. A 30-minute ride costs around €3.68 ($4).
💬 English isn’t widely spoken outside Tbilisi. Learn: “Madloba” (thank you) and point at menus with confidence.
🛏️ Guesthouses > hotels. You’ll be fed, adopted, and sent home with homemade jam.
Georgia Solo Travel: FAQ
🥟 Good for vegetarians? Surprisingly yes! Lentil stews (lobio), cheese bread (khachapuri without egg), and walnut everything. Just confirm “khortsi ar minda” (I don’t eat meat).
🏧 ATMs? Plentiful in cities. Carry cash in the mountains.
💧 Can I drink the water? In Tbilisi, yes. In remote areas, stick to bottled.
💸 Tipping expected? 10% is appreciated in restaurants; round up for taxis.
💰 Budget Reality: Guesthouse around €18–37 ($20–40), meal €9–14 ($10–15), daily total €41–55 ($45–60).
📌 Book Tours: I book small-group day tours through GetYourGuide because they’re solo-friendly and easy to cancel.
🇦🇲 2. Armenia – The Soulful Sister
Instead of: Jerusalem, Greek Islands, Georgia (if you want quieter)
Why Armenia Speaks to the Introverted Traveler
You might be wondering: “Is a solo travel Armenia adventure really for me?” The answer is a YES. Imagine the apricot sunsets over Mount Ararat, monasteries carved into cliffs, and coffee so thick you could stand a spoon in it. Armenia feels ancient in a way that settles your nervous system.
Armenia Solo Travel: Key Facts
🛡️ Safety Score: 9.5/10 – One of the safest countries in the Caucasus. Women walk alone in Yerevan at midnight.
✨ Best for: History lovers, introverts, travelers recovering from burnout
🏛️ The Vibe: Melancholic, poetic, deeply hospitable
⏳ The Pace: Slow coffee culture meets monastery-hopping
🏆 Solo-Friendly Score: 9/10
📅 Best time to visit: Late May–early June for wildflowers, or September–October for golden light and apricot season.
Armenia Solo Travel: I Wish I Knew Before
☕ Coffee is a ritual. You don’t take it to go. You sit. You chat. You stay.
🚐 Marshrutkas are life. These minibuses go everywhere and cost pennies. Flag them with confidence.
🍞 Armenian lavash > Georgian khachapuri? Controversial, but watch a woman pull this flatbread from a tonir oven and try not to cry. (Spoiler: you will cry. It’s beautiful.)
Armenia Solo Travel: FAQ
🥗 Good for vegetarians? Yes! Eech (bulgur salad), jengyalov hats (herb-stuffed flatbread), and endless fresh veggies.
🏧 ATMs? Easy in Yerevan; stock up before heading to Dilijan or Tatev.
💧 Can I drink the water? Yerevan tap water is drinkable and delicious (mountain-sourced).
💸 Tipping expected? 10% is kind, not mandatory.
💰 Budget Reality: Guesthouse €23–32 ($25–35), meal €7–11 ($8–12), daily total €32–46 ($35–50).
📌 Insure Smart: Here’s the thing about travel insurance… you don’t need it until you really need it. I use SafetyWing. So do most solo travelers I know.
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🇸🇮 3. Slovenia – All the Beauty, None of the Crowds
Instead of: Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, Santorini
Why Slovenia Outranks Switzerland (For Half the Price)
You might be wondering: “Is a solo travel Slovenia adventure really for me?” The answer is a YES. Imagine the Adriatic without the attitude, alpine lakes without the selfie sticks, and a capital city that feels like an open-air lounge. Slovenia is what Switzerland used to cost.
Slovenia Solo Travel: Key Facts
🛡️ Safety Score: 10/10 – Borderline boringly safe. You’ll forget your wallet somewhere and get it back.
✨ Best for: Nature lovers, cafe writers, “I just want to breathe” travelers
🎨 The Vibe: Green, quiet, effortlessly elegant
⏳ The Pace: Glacial. Welcome to it.
🏆 Solo-Friendly Score: 10/10
📅 Best time to visit: May–June for blooming meadows, or September–October for autumn colors and fewer tourists.
Slovenia Solo Travel: I Wish I Knew Before Before
🏖️ Izola > Piran. Everyone goes to Piran. Izola has the same Venetian architecture with 80% fewer people.
🚲 Ljubljana is made for cycling. Free bike share system. Download apps like the Ljubljana bike-share app (BicikeLJ) before you go.
🏔️ Triglav National Park requires booking. During peak summer season, some Triglav routes require advance hut bookings. Reserve early, especially for July and August.
Slovenia Solo Travel: FAQ
🥦 Good for vegetarians? Yes! Ljubljana was crowned European Green Capital 2016 and it’s only gotten greener since.
🏧 ATMs? Everywhere. Slovenia is fully integrated.
💧 Can I drink the water? Yes. It’s among the cleanest in Europe.
💸 Tipping expected? Round up or leave 5–10%.
💰 Budget Reality: Hostel €21–34 ($25–40), meal €10 -15 ($12–18), daily total €46-63 ($55–75).
📌 Pack Smart: I traveled Slovenia with my LARQ water bottle. Tap water everywhere, zero plastic guilt. Also great for airport hydration.
🇬🇱 4. Greenland – The 2026 Flex
Instead of: Iceland, Norwegian Fjords, Alaska cruises
Why Greenland is the Ultimate Reset Button
You might be wondering: “Is a solo travel Greenland adventure really for me?” The answer is a YES. Imagine the icebergs cracking like thunder, midnight sun that tricks your body clock, and silence so deep you hear your own heartbeat. This is a reset.
Greenland Solo Travel: Key Facts
🛡️ Safety Score: 9/10 – Remote but safe. The only real danger is underestimating the weather.
✨ Best for: Solo travelers who’ve “done” Europe and need a new challenge
❄️ The Vibe: Raw, humbling, utterly majestic
⏳ The Pace: Dictated by weather. Surrender to it.
🏆 Solo-Friendly Score: 8/10 (requires planning, but doable)
📅 Best time to visit: June–September for midnight sun, icebergs, and the only window when most fjords are accessible.
Greenland Solo Travel: I Wish I Knew Before Before
✈️ Book internal flights NOW. Air Greenland has limited seats between Nuuk and Ilulissat.
🍔 Bring snacks. A burger costs €27 ($30). The isolation tax is real.
☕ Kaffemik is everything. If a local invites you for coffee and cake, you go. This is how solo travelers become less solo.
Greenland Solo Travel: FAQ
🥬 Good for vegetarians? Challenging. Fish dominates. In Nuuk, try Cafe Esmeralda. Elsewhere, bring protein bars.
🏧 ATMs? Only in big towns. Card is widely accepted.
💧 Can I drink the water? Yes! Some of the purest on Earth. Tap or glacier.
💸 Tipping expected? No. It’s not part of the culture.
💰 Budget Reality: €74–110 ($80–120), meal€23–37 ($25–40), daily total €120–166 ($130–180).
📌 Budget Reality Check: This is the most expensive destination on this list. Read my Solo Female Travel Budget Tips before you book. I break down exactly how I funded Greenland and the Galapagos Islands in twelve months without selling a kidney.
🇧🇹 5. Bhutan – The Cost Barrier is the Crowd Barrier
Instead of: Nepal, Northern India, Tibet
Why Bhutan Still Feels Sacred
You might be wondering: “Is a solo travel Bhutan adventure really for me?” The answer is a YES. Imagine the prayer flags snapping in the wind, Tiger’s Nest Monastery clinging to a cliff, and a government that literally measures Gross National Happiness. Bhutan is expensive on purpose. That’s why it still feels sacred.
Bhutan Solo Travel: Key Facts
🛡️ Safety Score: 10/10 – Ranked 13th globally on the Peace Index.
✨ Best for: Meditators, culture purists, travelers seeking silence
🧘 The Vibe: Spiritual, protected, profoundly peaceful
⏳ The Pace: Monastic. No rush. No stress.
🏆 Solo-Friendly Score: 8/10 (visa rules require planning)
📅 Best time to visit: March–May for blooming rhododendrons, or September–November for clear Himalayan views.
Bhutan Solo Travel: I Wish I Knew Before Before
🛂 Indian passport holders? You win. No SDF fee. You can backpack freely.
🌍 Western passport holders? You must book via a licensed tour operator and pay the SDF (Sustainable Development Fee), which is $100 USD (around €92) per night. It sounds crazy. It is. But this fee funds free healthcare, free education, and keeps overtourism out. Think of it as paying to protect the last good place.
📅 Book 6 months out. 2026 demand is growing.
Bhutan Solo Travel: FAQ
🥕 Good for vegetarians? Yes! Buddhism promotes vegetarianism. Ema datshi (chili cheese) is the national dish.
🏧 ATMs? Limited. Bring enough USD or INR.
💧 Can I drink the water? Stick to bottled to be safe.
💸 Tipping expected? Yes, for guides and drivers. €9–14/day ($10–15) is standard.
💰 Budget Reality: €95/day ($100/day) + tour package €75–110/day ($80–120/day) = €170–205/day total ($180–220/day). Not budget, but worth it.
📌 The full breakdown: I wrote a guide on exactly how Bhutan works for solo female travelers… permits, budget tips, and packing.
🇦🇱 6. Albania – Europe's Most Underrated Gem
Instead of: Croatian coast, Greek Islands, Amalfi Coast
Why Albania is Where Your Budget Goes to Therapy
You might be wondering: “Is a solo travel Albania adventure really for me?” The answer is a YES. Imagine the Ionian Sea in jewel tones, mountain trails with zero queues, and coffee that costs €0.80. Albania is where your travel budget goes to therapy.
Albania Solo Travel: Key Facts
🛡️ Safety Score: 8.5/10 – Violent crime against tourists is rare. Road safety is the real concern.
✨ Best for: Beach bums, hikers, budget queens
🏖️ The Vibe: Raw, authentic, “wait this is Europe?”
⏳ The Pace: Flexible as hell. Beach today, mountains tomorrow.
🏆 Solo-Friendly Score: 8.5/10
📅 Best time to visit: May–June for wildflowers and empty beaches, or September for warm seas without August crowds.
Albania Solo Travel: I Wish I Knew Before Before
🚌 Furgons > buses. These shared vans leave when full. Ask your hostel where the furgon stop is.
🥾 The Albanian Alps at 7am. By 9am, you’ll have the trail to yourself. By 10am, the tour groups arrive.
💙 Besa is real. It’s the Albanian code of honor. Locals will help you, refuse payment, and wave you off with a smile.
Albania Solo Travel: FAQ
🥗 Good for vegetarians? Improving. Stuffed peppers, salads, cheese. Specify “pa mish” (no meat).
🏧 ATMs? In Tirana and Sarandë, yes. Carry cash for the mountains.
💧 Can I drink the water? In Tirana, yes. Elsewhere, buy bottles or pack a filtered bottle and thank yourself later.
💸 Tipping expected? 10% in restaurants, small change for guides.
💰 Budget Reality: Hostel €13-21 ($15–25), meal €7-10 ($8–12), daily total €29 -42 ($35–50).
📌 Read Next: Albania actually made it to my Best Solo Travel Destinations 2026 list. It’s sitting comfortably next to Argentina and – Canada. Yes, it’s that good.
🇨🇻 7. Cape Verde – Africa's Island Secret
Instead of: Canary Islands, Caribbean, Zanzibar
Why Cape Verde Feels Like a Secret Worth Keeping
You might be wondering: “Is a solo travel Cape Verde adventure really for me?” The answer is a YES. Imagine the volcanic beaches, morna music that sounds like saudade, and a pace so slow you forget what day it is.
Cape Verde Solo Travel: Key Facts
🛡️ Safety Score: 9/10 – Welcoming locals, low violent crime. Avoid isolated beaches after dark.
✨ Best for: Music lovers, beach hoppers, “I need to disappear” travelers
🎶 The Vibe: Laid-back, colorful, drowsy in the best way
⏳ The Pace: Melancholic and slow. You adjust.
🏆 Solo-Friendly Score: 9/10
📅 Best time to visit: November–June to avoid rainy season and catch the best trade winds.
Cape Verde Solo Travel: I Wish I Knew Before Before
⛴️ Island hop by ferry. Sal → São Vicente → Fogo. Each island has a distinct personality.
🎸 Mindelo at night. Live music every single night. Solo travelers are welcomed, not questioned.
💸 Cape Verdean escudo is fixed to the euro. Do your math before you pay. Quick tip: remove two zeros and you’re close enough. 1000 CVE? About €9 ($11). 5000 CVE? That’s about €45 ($54).
Cape Verde Solo Travel: FAQ
🐟 Good for vegetarians?Tough. Seafood is king. Sal has more options; Mindelo requires hunting.
🏧 ATMs? On main islands. Withdraw before remote beaches.
💧 Can I drink the water? Bottled only.
💸 Tipping expected? 10% in nice restaurants; rounding up is fine elsewhere.
💰 Budget Reality: Guesthouse €25 – 42 ($30–50), meal €8- 13 ($10–15), daily total €42-60 ($50–70).
📌 Flight Reality: Cape Verde is far. You’re looking at at least one connection, possibly two. I wrote Long-Haul Flight Tips for Solo Female Travelers after a long journey because I arrived looking like I’d been in a washing machine.
Before You Go: The Essentials for Solo Female Travelers
1. Don’t skip travel insurance.
I use SafetyWing. It’s built for digital nomads and long-term travelers. One hospital visit in one trip paid for itself three times over.2. Hydrate smarter.
My LARQ bottle has been through Greenland, Georgia, and Galápagos. UV self-cleaning = no weird bottle smell after 48 hours in a hot van.3. Book day tours, not cruises.
Especially in Albania. GetYourGuide has solo-friendly group options where you meet people without the “couples only” vibe.
The Secret is Out But Not Everywhere (Only for Solo Female Travelers)
Here’s what I’ve learned: Underrated doesn’t last.
Georgia is already at 4.3 million visitors. Albania is on every 2026 trend list. Greenland flight routes are expanding as we speak.
The window for “I went before it was cool” is closing. But 2026 is still the year you can go and feel like an explorer, not a tourist.
That’s what this solo female travel blog is about… helping you travel boldly, wisely, and slightly ahead of the crowd.
You don’t need to wait for someone to go with you. You don’t need to save for five years. You don’t need to be a “certain type” of traveler. You just need to pick one.
Final Thoughts – Last Stop Before Takeoff!
I get it. Seven countries. “Wait, which one has good vegetarian food again?”
Here’s my offer: I host 1:1 mentoring sessions where I sit down with you (virtually, coffee in hand) and plan your entire solo trip. Not a generic itinerary… your itinerary.
We cover:
🗺️ Which destination actually fits your personality (not just your Pinterest board)
🛡️ Safety tips specific to that country, not copy-paste advice
💸 Where to splurge and where to save
🏡 The exact guesthouses/hostels I’ve stayed in
🎒 What I packed and what I left behind
Because solo travel shouldn’t feel like a solo project.
Book a mentoring session for solo female travelers now.
Adventure on, I’ll see you on the road!
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