Solo travel is on the rise, with more and more people deciding to make plans on their own rather than wait for others – and women are leading the pack.
Solo travel gives you the opportunity to create your own itinerary, have complete freedom over what you do and see, and step out of your comfort zone.
Although many people think traveling solo is lonely, it’s actually a great way to meet like-minded people and create unforgettable experiences.
Being a solo traveler can come with obstacles, though, especially for women.
Although many factors affect the decision on where to travel, female travelers have to seriously consider things like safety and gender discrimination as well.
Travel insurance company InsureMyTrip recently analyzed multiple resources to come up with the best cities for solo female travelers.
Using various studies like the Global Gender Gap Report as well as user-based information from Google Reviews and even TikTok, they compared 65 cities around the world to find your next solo travel destination.
InsureMyTrip compared the cities based on four categories: safety, tourism, equality, and cost.
These were the criteria for each category:
Safety
- Feeling safe walking alone at night
- Absence of worry about attacks based on gender
Tourism
- Quality of things to do
- TikTok popularity
Equality
- Gender equality
- Absence of discrimination
Cost
Here are the 5 cities with the best overall scores after analyzing all the data:
1. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Coming in at number one overall is Dubai, up seven spots from last year’s rankings.
With a perfect 10 in popularity, it also took the number one spot in tourism.
Although it didn’t fare well in daily travel costs, it was 3rd place in safety (just barely behind the number 2 spot), making it an overall great destination for women travelers to both feel comfortable and have plenty of amazing things to do.
With spectacles like the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa, miles of gorgeous beaches, desert excursions, and incredible dining and shopping, it’s no wonder that travelers are so interested in everything Dubai has to offer.
2. Madrid, Spain
Madrid ranked quite high in multiple categories, giving it plenty of reasons to come in as the second-best overall destination.
It was one of the higher scores for equality, tying with its fellow Spanish city Barcelona with a score of 9.78 out of 10.
With parks, museums, and plazas galore, it’s a fantastic city for walking around and getting lost.
During your day of sightseeing, you’ll find plenty of open-air cafes and restaurants to relax and enjoy people-watching while trying out some tapas and local wine.
3. Chiang Mai, Thailand
The most budget-friendly so far, Chiang Mai is in the top 5 for the lowest daily travel costs.
And with a 2nd place ranking in safety, this could be a clear top contender for the solo female traveler who wants to have a carefree vacation while watching her wallet.
Surprisingly, its tourism score was pretty low on this particular chart, but the hidden waterfalls, amazing cuisine, and intricate temples could convince you otherwise.
Jungle hikes and night markets are a few more of the attractions bringing tourists to the city, as well as various festivals throughout the year, including the Chiang Mai Flower Festival.
4. Antalya, Turkiye
Antalya is another budget-friendly city that did well across categories.
It ranked 3rd place for daily cost, even beating out Chiang Mai.
Although it was lower in the equality category, it is one of the safer cities on the list.
The quaint Old Town with cobblestone streets and ancient city walls makes you feel as if you’re strolling through a small European city, but without the price tag.
The streets are lined with carpet shops, pubs, and cafes leading down to the main attraction – Kaleiçi Harbor.
A sunset sail through the Mediterranean on one of the many majestic sailboats is a must for visitors to this seaside town, as is trying some stuffed mussels and other seafood along the shore.
5. Munich, Germany
Taking the 5th spot in the overall best city for solo female travelers is Munich.
With a perfect 10 score in gender equality, it has the highest score on this list in that category.
Female travelers also reported feeling safe walking alone at night (although standard safety precautions should always be taken).
Munich is one of the more expensive cities on the list, but there are lots of things to do during your stay, including visiting museums, parks and gardens, and even castles.
And don’t forget to drop into one of Munich’s beer halls for some Bavarian cuisine and brews.
