More than ever, travelers are not waiting for the right partner or group of friends to come into their lives to accompany them to live out their travel dreams – solo travel is where it’s at.
Whether you’re a seasoned solo globetrotter or considering venturing out alone for the first time, one of the most important aspects to consider is safety – and the best way to increase your chances of a successful trip is to choose a safe location to visit.
A new study conducted by Smoky Mountains, shows which popular solo travel destinations are regarded as the safest, taking into account the latest data on crime rates.
Time to start putting some pins in that map on the wall, here’s the top 10:
- 10. Naples, Florida
- 9. Reykjavik, Iceland
- 8. Santa Barbara, California
- 7. Prague, Czech Republic
6. Munich, Germany
It’s not the first time that the Bavarian capital of Munich has appeared on a list of this kind – this historic city is one of the safest destinations in an already pretty safe country.
Munich is not as expensive as you might imagine – the latest info from Lonely Planet estimates a basic hotel room for two comes out at less than $150 per night, while a bed in a hostel will be considerably cheaper.
Germany has excellent and affordable public transport, and this year could be a fantastic time to experience the country as it will host the UEFA Euro 2024 soccer competition – Munich’s Allianz Arena will host six matches.
5. Queenstown, New Zealand
This is possibly my personal favorite destination on this list – New Zealand is incredible as a solo traveler.
Queenstown, situated on the mountainous shores of Laka Waka Tipu, is a great pit stop while traveling around the rugged and beautiful wonders of New Zealand’s South Island.
It’s also a great destination in its own right for solo travelers, thanks to a young vibe, plenty of hostels and bars, and the opportunity to join countless guided tours and activities.
The only real downside to Queenstown is that it’s not the cheapest destination (nor is New Zealand as a whole) but trust me when I say it’s absolutely worth it at least once in your life.
4. Madeira, Portugal
Often referred to as ‘The Pearl of the Atlantic’ this Portuguese island is a destination we expect to see trending in 2024 thanks to its great safety record, unrivaled natural beauty, and relative affordability.
Our team of writers are big fans of Madeira, particularly as a digital nomad destination thanks to Portugal’s relatively accessible DN visa.
The island, which you can fly to nonstop from the U.S., offers you the chance to experience stunning sandy beaches, lush green forests, and imperious mountain peaks all in one day – just make sure you pack comfortable footwear.
3. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Watch this space – the lesser-known European nation of Slovenia is almost certain to become a trending solo travel destination in 2024.
The country recently reported that a record-breaking 6 million foreign tourists visited in 2023, with the capital city of Ljubljana seeing a year-on-year tourism increase of 20%.
Charming in a quiet and understated way, Ljubljana is home to a historic castle, a famous bridge crossing the Ljubljanica River, and green spaces on almost every corner.
It’s also an affordable city with hotel rooms featuring an average nightly rate of around $80 (often cheaper) – explore for a few days and then use it as a base to visit Slovenia’s vast natural beauty in its mountainous regions.
2. Kyoto, Japan
Speaking from a standpoint of both statistical data and personal experience, Japan is easily one of the safest countries you can visit as a solo traveler.
The country ranks 9th on the most recent Global Peace Index, and on my own solo travels I have only ever found Japanese citizens to be incredibly kind, generous, and accommodating towards foreign visitors.
Kyoto is one of the country’s top trending destinations and is the perfect place to sample all the incredible cuisine, rich history and tradition, and iconic landmarks that Japan has to offer.
Even the city’s train station is an attraction in itself, with a huge staircase that is often used for impressive light displays and a roof deck that affords wonderful views over the area.
1. Hoi An, Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia – it ranks below only Singapore and Malaysia in the most recent Global Peace Index – but to be honest, it feels just as safe as both of those.
One of the country’s dreamiest destinations is the picturesque coastal town of Hoi An, a place that provides great weather, affordable prices, and a more authentic experience of Vietnam.
This study showed that Hoi An had the lowest crime rate for solo travelers by some considerable distance.
Hoi An is also rated as one of the cheapest cities in Asia for digital nomads, costing on average less than $800 per month.
Safe and cheap? What’s not to like?
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