My Top 10 Solo Holidays and Tips – Solo Travel Guide

From guided group tours to independent solo trips, luxury wellness breaks to hostel holidays, check out my top 10 solo holidays and solo travel tips.

Solo travel and solo holidays are more popular than ever, with more people embracing the freedom and adventure of exploring the world on their own. Regardless of your motivation, travelling solo is one of the best ways to push beyond your comfort zone and discover new things, both about yourself and the world that you might never experience when travelling with others.

6 Reasons to Travel Solo

I have been very fortunate to enjoy some amazing holidays with my family, but there is something liberating about travelling alone. There are lots of reasons why you should try solo holidays, I’ve got six here to start with:

 

1. There is no Stigma Attached to Solo Travel

Think back to five or ten years ago: If your friend or partner said they wanted to travel solo you would probably have been surprised, you may have thought it strange, possibly even rude, depending on the situation.

What was once a travel trend for the young, free and single, solo travel is now popular with couples or friends who have different interests, separated couples, and couples who want to travel without their children but need one parent to stay home. Your first solo travel adventure is the perfect opportunity to discover new places, meet new people, and build your confidence.

2. There is a Wide Variety of Solo Holidays Available

Whether you want to climb Kilimanjaro, live out the Eat Pray Love fantasy, or want to explore a city alone, there has never been a wider selection of solo holidays available.

Fitness camps and wellness breaks are extremely popular, as are walking and cycling holidays. If you want to travel solo but not alone, there are numerous guided group tours available that have a large number of solo travellers – see more on this below.

Read: 12 Solo Travel Deals – City Breaks, Beach Holidays and Guided Tours

3. Airport Bliss

The best part start at the airport for me. I love being able to wander around Duty Free without kids in tow, sampling new perfumes, and eyeing up the latest cosmetics.

Its the little things – like being able to browse Duty Free at my own pace, without someone telling me that we need to go to the gate. And, when I finally get on that plane, I can watch all the movies I never get to see at home, while enjoying a few glasses of wine at the same time! 

4. Freedom

It is not possible to have the same level of freedom travelling with a friend or partner that you have when travelling solo. You don’t need to consider anyone else’s wishes. You have planned the trip you want, or not planned if that’s your travel style. If you don’t want to spend hours in a destination’s main attraction, you don’t have to!

 
Once you get to your destination, you won’t have the Spanish inquisition about where you want to go for dinner – you can dine where you want, when you want.

Want to spend two hours shopping in your favourite department store? Go for it! Maybe there is a day trip you want to try, or a spa day is badly needed  – you don’t need to consult with anyone, you can just go on your own.

5. Meet New People

Solo travel is not only a reason to travel alone, it is also a easy way to meet new friends. Solo friendly hotels or hostels are a great way to meet like minded people, as are guided group trips.

Some cruise lines have dedicated solo cabins with a solo lounge, and luxury resorts in the Caribbean have dedicated months for solo travellers – more on that below.  

6. Growth

You will be surprised at how much you learn about yourself, and how much more independent you will become when you travel solo. Solo holidays build your confidence, give you valuable ‘Me Time’ and provide a great sense of achievement. 

Top 10 Solo Travel Tips

1. Confidence is Key

The hardest part of solo travel is actually deciding to go. It’s all those running thoughts and “what ifs” spinning around in your head. But here’s the thing, ask yourself why. Why do I want to solo travel? Get clear on your reason, and you’ll quickly realise how much you actually want to do it.

Nobody to go with? Cool, own it! Go explore at your own pace. If you love it, amazing. If you don’t? At least you tried, and that’s more than most people can say. As soon as your arrive at your destination is when the confidence kicks in your there to enjoy yourself so don’t forget your why.

Read: The Ultimate Guide on How to Travel for a Year

2. Choose the Right Accommodation

Adult-only hotels or hostels are a great way to meet solo travellers. If it is your first time to travel solo, choose a hotel or apartment with cooking facilities. While I recommend getting outside your comfort zone and dining in a restaurant alone, if you want a night in, a kitchen can be handy. The best time for your first solo adventure depends on your destination, but travelling off-season can help you save money and avoid major crowds with fewer people around.

3. Check Local Events

Follow tourist boards and local blogs on social media, they usually have an event guide so you can see what’s on at the time of your trip. Even if you are not staying in a Hostel, it is a good idea to find the local one, they usually organise meet ups and events for travellers.

4. Book a Group Trip or Tour

If staying in a city, local food or walking tours are a great idea, especially on your first day. If you are in a holiday resort, check out local boat trips, excursions or exercise sessions. Your hotel should be able to advise you if there are any morning yoga sessions or group hikes.

Not only are these a great way to meet people, but you can ask the tour guide for safe solo travel destinations, they are likely to have some good recommendations – hence doing tours on the first day of your trip are a good idea.

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5. Pack The Essentials

A Crossbody or bumbag are both ideal for keeping your money and valuables sale. Bring a portable charger so your phone never dies in case of emergency or getting lost. Bring some cash and carry a backup bank card, as ATMs abroad are known to occasionally swallow cards.

If you feel anxious dining alone, having a good book to read can take away any uneasy feeling. A scarf is not only handy if the weather turns against you, but they can be used as a shawl for entering religious venues.

Read: My Top Travel Essentials – Travel Must Haves

6. Be Safety Smart

This post highlights the many benefits of solo travel, but it’s important to remember that your safety should always come first. Avoid walking alone in poorly lit or high-risk areas, and stay aware of your surroundings. Protect your belongings, be cautious of taxi scams, always keep someone informed of your whereabouts, and don’t forget to arrange travel insurance.

Read: 10 things to watch out for on holidays

7. Use Helpful Apps and Websites

If you’re travelling outside the EU, make sure to check roaming rates beforehand and consider pre-purchasing an eSIM or a local SIM card to stay connected. It’s also a good idea to download offline Google maps, as mobile service can be unreliable at times and the last thing you want is to get lost while exploring solo. Always share you live location with family either on Snapchat or find my Iphone.

8. Don’t Forget The Small Things

It’s worth learning a few basic phrases in the local language or having Google Translate handy if you need it. Knowing the local police number and having your hostel or hotel details written down is also a good idea, in case your phone battery runs low. Have a dummy wallet in case of pickpockets and wear a wedding ring (even a fake one) if it makes you feel safer.

9. Do Your Research Before You Go

Check everything before you travel, like local scams, how to get around, the safest areas to stay, the local police number, and any other information that might help you. Have a rough plan of what you want to do and see, and organise your days accordingly. My favourite tools for research are YouTube and TikTok, I always check these before a trip to see if anyone has shared tips, advice, or personal experiences from the destination. It’s a great way to get honest and real-time information.

10. Trust Your Gut

You know you best so always trust your gut! Don’t overshare your plans with strangers and always let your hotel or hostel know you’re alone. If the hotel staff announces your room number out loud, ask for a different room. If someone seems dodgy, trust your instincts and stay clear. Learn to say no firmly and confidently.

Top 10 Solo Holidays

There are many different ways to enjoy solo travel, and hopefully my list of top ten solo holidays will inspire you to plan your next trip away.

1. City Breaks

City breaks are the best choice if you just fancy a few days away. If it is your first solo trip and you are a little anxious, go to a city that you have been to before. You will definitely feel comfortable walking around on your own. If you’re new to solo travel, a long weekend getaway is the perfect way to ease into it, explore like a local by using public transport, and discover hidden gems by booking tours with experienced local guides.

Read: 20 Cheap European City Breaks for an Affordable Getaway

Start with somewhere close to home or somewhere you visited before. Choose somewhere that is compact and easy to navigate.

These are the most walkable cities in Europe:

• Edinburgh, Scotland
• Florence, Italy
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Paris, France
• Barcelona, Spain
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Prague, Czech Republic
• Dubrovnik, Croatia
• Vienna, Austria
• Bruges, Belgium

.

 
Despite being France’s fourth largest city, Toulouse feels like a small town. It is just a short distance from the airport and very easy to navigate on foot. I loved wandering around its colourful streets on my own.

Read: Toulouse travel guide – why you should visit and what to do when you get there

Porto and Lisbon are both great options. Lisbon is, of course, the larger city with much more to explore, but Porto’s compact size makes it easy to see the main highlights in just a couple of days.

Read: Top 10 things to do in Lisbon

Read: Why you need to choose Porto for your next city break

I visited Malaga city for the first time last year, this is another great choice for a city break, and you have the added advantage of being able to enjoy some beach time too!

Read: Malaga travel guide – top things to do and where to stay

Once you get used to solo holidays you will be surprised how much easier it becomes. You will then happily hop on a plane to a new city for your next solo holiday.

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2. Wellness Holidays : Relax, Unwind and Enjoy

Wellness breaks are becoming more and more popular for solo holidays, while fitness boot-camps and walking holidays are now the norm. 

There are many ways to book a wellness break. You can opt for a familiar beach resort and book a flight and hotel with a spa, or opt for a retreat. There are so many resorts to choose from whether you fancy a European break in Portugal or Spain or fancy a really nice treat in the Carribean.

Read: The Best Wellness Holidays To Take in 2025

Read: Where to stay in the Algarve, my ultimate guide to the top holiday resorts

 
The Body Holiday in St Lucia is super popular and they dedicate the month of September for solo travellers. You can enjoy a personalised schedule of spa treatments, fitness classes and water sports with fitness trainers and dancers, as well as meals and premium drinks – all included in the cost of your holiday. Activities include abseiling down a river gorge in the morning, spa treatment in the afternoon, and sipping champagne at sunset. Where else would you find all this included in the cost of your stay?

Here are some other resorts to check out:

• 5* Gran Tacande Wellness & Relax, Tenerife, Canary Islands
• 5* Cascade Wellness Resort, Algarve, Portugal
• 4* Hotel Capricho and Spa, Majorca, Spain
    

3. Try a Cruise!

It may surprise you to learn that cruises are a great choice for solo holidays. There are so many dining options to choose from, and meals are included in the cost of your cruise. In many cases food is available 24/7, so it is not unusual to see people popping down to the buffet alone for something to eat.

Read: My Review of Norwegian Aqua

There are theatre shows on every evening as well as live music in the bars, so there are plenty of options to keep you entertained. The fact that you stop off in many different ports also allows for lots of different experiences – it is virtually impossible to get bored on a cruise!

 
Many cruise lines have dedicated areas for solo travellers but I was really impressed with the studio cabins on Norwegian Encore. They are all located in one designated area on the ship and have a private bar and lounge area. This is an ideal place to meet people and plan activities.  I would quite happily spend a week travelling solo on a cruise.

Read: My review of Norwegian Encore

4. Guided Group Tours

A small group tour is the perfect way to enjoy a solo trip for the first time. They are particularly handy if there is a bucket list trip you want to take, but don’t necessarily feel comfortable travelling alone.

South America, Vietnam, Costa Rica and Jordan are the perfect destination for solo group tours, but there are also plenty of group tours in European destinations too, including yoga, photography and walking holidays.

 
Irish owned Travel Department and TD Active offer guided tours for groups and solo travellers. I love that their website shows the single supplement clearly for each departure date. I have chosen some of my favourite destinations in these posts, or you can get prices directly via the links below. Use these promo codes if booking for extra discounts!

TTE25 – €25pp off holidays of 6 nights or less

TTE50 -€50pp off holidays of 7 nights

TTE75 €75pp off holidays of 8 nights or more

Read: Top 10 escorted tours from Ireland

Read: Top 10 adventure holidays for active travellers
 
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Travel Department

5. Beach Holidays 

Beach holidays are a great option for solo travellers looking to unwind and recharge. Sometimes, all it takes is a short flight, a nice hotel, and some well-deserved ‘Me Time’. Whether you prefer a budget-friendly apartment or five-star luxury, coastal getaways offer the perfect mix of relaxation and value. Resorts in destinations like the Algarve, Costa del Sol, or the Greek Islands are ideal for solo holidays, with plenty of sandy beaches, nice restaurants, and excursions to keep you entertained. Plus, luxury hotels often offer excellent off-season deals, with indoor pools and spas making them a perfect escape all year round.

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6.  The Ultimate Retreat – Ubud, Bali

Yoga, pilates and meditation gave Ubud its global status as one of the world’s best wellness locations, so if you are looking for the ultimate retreat, Ubud is the place to go. You will certainly be wowed by its beauty, you may possibly be taken in by its spirituality, and who knows you might even meet the love of your life, like Julia Roberts did in Eat Pray Love. Check out the famous Yoga Barn in Ubud here.

 
There are numerous ways to experience Ubud. Many choose to combine it with some beach time in Uluwatu or the Gili Islands, but for the ultimate in relaxation, book a spa hotel or retreat.

Read: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Ubud

If you’re not into yoga and wellness, don’t worry! Bali is a fantastic place for beaches, island hopping, and adventurous activities like hiking, snorkelling, surfing, and exploring waterfalls or volcanoes. Whether you want to relax by the ocean or get your adrenaline pumping, there’s something for everyone.

Read: The Ultimate Bali Bucket List: Top Things to do in North, South & East Bali

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7. A Touch of Luxury in Greece 

There is something about Greece that conjures up images of solo travel. I recall Shirley Valentine going to Mykonos in 1989 (seriously feeling old now), and how I couldn’t wait to visit. The constant images on Instagram of Santorini’s white-washed towns and Zakynthos’ famous Shipwreck Beach are persuading everyone to pack their bags and travel to Greece.

The Mistral Hotel in Crete is one of the rare boutique hotels worldwide designed exclusively for solo travellers, boasting over 500 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor. It features single-occupancy rooms for the best value and a set dining time, making it easy for guests to enjoy meals together and socialise.

Another great choice would be the fabulous 5* Kontokali Bay Resort in Corfu. Its the perfect setting for a holiday of pure relaxation. Located in a beautiful spot with breathtaking views over the Ionian Sea towards Corfu Town. There is a sandy beach and plenty of water sports such as water-skiing and paragliding. Or if you prefer something a little more laid-back, take the opportunity to feel thoroughly pampered, refreshed and revitalised with a treatment or two in the excellent spa. This resort has it all.

Read: 20+ of the Best Luxury Holidays in Greece for Adults

Read: 20 Top Tips For Island Hopping in Greece

8. Independent Travel & Backpacking with Hostelworld 

Hostelworld is a great choice for solo holidays. Not only are staying in hostels more affordable, but you are bound to meet lots of solo travellers on your journey, and who knows you you may end up changing your plans and travelling with them instead.

Independent travel is ideal in certain parts of the world, like South East Asia, where you can book a one-way flight and let your plans unfold with ease. Thailand, Bali, and Vietnam come to mind for this kind of solo adventure, as you’ll meet plenty of like-minded travellers to team up with. These countries are easy to navigate, with loads of resources available online, and by staying in hostels, you’ll quickly hear about countless cool places to explore and routes to take while you’re there.

Read: The Most Beautiful Islands in Thailand – Guide to Choosing The Best Thai Islands.

Many hostels are like hotels now – en-suite private rooms are the norm just like hotel rooms, you don’t have to stay in a dormitory. Hostelworld has a great app with a chat function, so you can chat to fellow travellers who are staying in your hostel, or in another hostel nearby, before you travel and while you are there. 

 
Hostels usually organise group events too, including city tours and pub crawls, so you don’t have to go out alone. These are a great option if you happen to be travelling solo for a long duration.

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9. Road Trip: Route 66 

Maybe you turned 50 and bought yourself a motor bike, or maybe you just like road trips…. If you want to take off on your own unique experience, it doesn’t get much better than driving two thousand miles, across eight United states. Driving Route 66 is arguably the most iconic road trip in the world, and one that is sure to be full of soul searching, joy and adrenaline.

 
Drive through the Grand Canyon National Park, stand on a corner in Winslow Arizona, and finish off your trip on Santa Monica pier – this is an adventure like no other, and a solo trip you will never forget. 

Read: 21 Great Things to Do in Las Vegas: The Ultimate Guide to Vegas Experiences

Read: Our California Road Trip – The Ultimate Guide to Driving the Pacific Coast Highway

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10. Nature Lovers: Iceland

Iceland is one the world’s safest countries, so if you are worried about travelling solo, this is a great place to start. There is so much to do in Iceland especially if you like nature and the elements.

You can travel during the summer time and experience the midnight sun, or wait until winter time and chase the Northern Lights. Regardless of when you travel, take a trip around the Golden Circle and book a swim in the Blue Lagoon. 

Read: Top things to do in Iceland

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Prices are correct at the time of issue but are subject to change. Note some of the links in this post are affiliate links where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you.

I hope this post on solo holidays will inspire you to travel solo this year. Let me know if you have any favourite solo holidays, but commenting below.