I’ve been to 89 countries — these are the 7 best places for solo travellers

The harbour on Hvar, one of Croatia’s most popular Adriatic islands (Picture: Shutterstock)

A country with no traffic lights, a mountainous village that looks like ‘little Manhattan’ and a rose-coloured desert without any tourists.

These are some of the destinations recommended for solo travellers by Kate McCulley aka Adventurous Kate, an American blogger living in Prague who has been travelling professionally for the past 15 years.

Some are a long-haul flight away, but many are right on the UK’s doorstep. All are safe and actively welcome tourists, at a time when several destinations are pushing back against visitors.

Solo travel is having its moment, with a growing number jetting off on holiday alone. As well as being named as a top travel trend for 2025 by a litany of travel experts, studies show women are becoming more interested in exploring by themselves.

Here are the 7 best places for solo travellers, according to a woman who has been to 89 countries so far.

1. Iceland

Iceland’s astonishing natural beauty has been attracting tourists for decades, and Kate says it’s a great choice for anyone heading off alone for the first time.

The ‘land of fire and ice’ regularly tops rankings of the world’s safest countries, has world-class roads and English is widely spoken.

The downside? It can be wildly expensive, but Kate says there are ways to save money once you’re there.

‘You’re looking at paying a lot more than usual for hotels, but if you’re willing to downgrade to a hostel or somewhere with a shared bathroom, you’ll save a lot,’ she explains.

On a recent trip, Kate decided to ‘drop down’ a level from what she would typically spend to make her budget stretch further. That means booking a two-star hotel room rather than a three, or taking the bus instead of a taxi.

‘I think that’s a good rule for when you’re travelling in an expensive country,’ she adds.

Another way to cut costs in Iceland is on food. ‘Iceland is not famous for its cuisine, and honestly, I was happy eating hot dogs and soup of the day with bread,’ Kate says.

Plus, many of the country’s most popular attractions, including waterfalls,black sand beaches and some natural hot springs, are free to visit.

Who is it right for: Everyone, including first-time solo travellers.

Flight time to UK: Three hours.

2. Croatia

Kate is a huge fan of Croatia, particularly for first-time female solo travellers.

‘It’s very safe, and I personally love Croatia as a road trip. The roads are in excellent condition, which isn’t the case everywhere in the Balkans,’ she says.

While she usually recommends starting with a destination where English is the first language, Kate says everyone who works in tourism and hospitality in Croatia is as good as fluent.

Along with ancient history and spectacular natural parks such as Plitvice, there are 1,244 islands to explore along the dazzling Adriatic Coast (though only 49 are permanently habited).

Hvar, Korcula and Brac have long been tourist darlings, but there are still some hidden gems. Šolta, just a short ferry ride from the mainland city of Split, has charming villages and zero crowds.

Who is it right for: Everyone, including first-time solo travellers.

Flight time to UK: Between two-and-a-half and three hours.

3. Jordan

With ancient ruins, rich culture and otherworldly landscapes, it’s hard to imagine a bigger tourist magnet than Jordan.

This is a small country that goes big on hospitality, but its tourism industry is suffering due to what’s happening in neighbouring Israel and Palestine.

From afar, Jordan is often shunned by wary travellers, but Kate says this is a peaceful and fascinating destination that shouldn’t be missed.

‘Through no fault of their own, they’re really struggling,’ she says.

‘It’s a very safe country, safe for women too, and it’s practically empty right now. They’re crying out for visitors.’

In November, hotels in popular tourist sites were forced to cut pay and ask staff to take unpaid leave in a bid to stay open.

Jordan’s landscapes are otherworldly (Picture: SWNS)

Iconic sites such as Petra and Wadi Rum have been drawing visitors for decades, more than one million a year before the war in Gaza.

But in Petra, the city carved from rock, businesses are now boarded up.

Flight bookings to Jordan, which is not involved in the conflict, were down 35% year-on-year, data from travel intelligence firm ForwardKeys shows. The UK Foreign Office advises against travel to within 3km of the border with Syria.

Kate says there is no reason to avoid the rest of the country. She recalls incredible memories from her most recent trip.

‘Out in the desert at Wadi Rum, just taking in the majesty of the place, like this is where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed you know? It’s spectacular.’

Who is it right for: Seasoned travellers, ‘not because it’s unsafe, but because the transport networks are a little hairy,’ says Kate.

Flight time to UK: Between five and seven hours, depending on the route.

4. Thailand

Thailand has long been one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, and Kate says the infrastructure and well-connected transport network make it a great choice for novice solo travellers.

‘Thailand is phenomenally safe, and I think it’s the best country to introduce yourself to Asia,’ she says.

Kate has travelled the length and breadth of Thailand by bus, train and plane, and has experienced everything the South East Asian nation has to offer all budgets.

‘You’ve got this wide spectrum from hyper budget to extreme luxury, there’s something for everyone,’ she explains.

In recent years, Thailand’s government has been pushing hard to promote Thai culture and draw visitors to lesser-known locations.

The government recently announced ambitious plans to attract 40 million tourists in 2025 – up considerably from the 35.54 million it welcomed last year – after the Covid-related drought.

Visitor numbers are now soaring, but concerns have been raised about overcrowding, and whether mass tourism can co-exist with sustainable travel.

Experts have warned that major destinations like Phuket and Pattaya are on the verge of overtourism, and tourist taxes similar to those on the Greek islands of Santorini and Mykonos have been proposed.

To travel ethically, Kate recommends heading straight to the north of the country, to places like Pai and Chang Mai which are much less crowded than the islands in the south.

‘It’s cheaper, and also just a wonderful place to visit,’ she says.

Her under-the-radar recommendation is Khao Sok National Park, home to imposing limestone mountains and the oldest evergreen rainforest on Earth.

‘it makes a nice change from all the beaches,’ Kate adds. ‘I was there when it was raining but it didn’t even matter, we were hiking through caves, really it’s an incredible place.’

Who is it right for: Everyone, including first-time solo travellers.

Flight time to UK: 11 hours and 40 minutes.

5. Georgia

From its subtropical Black Sea Coast to ancient, cave-hewn monasteries, Georgia is full of surprises.

The list of activities is as varied as its geography, from wilderness hikes and sulfur baths to wine-tasting in one of the many rolling vineyards.

That’s without mentioning the cuisine or the cobblestoned quirky capital, Tbilisi.

‘Tbilisi is wild, funky and wonderful,’ says Kate. ‘And once you have food in Georgia, you won’t understand why there aren’t Georgian restaurants everywhere.’

It’s unlikely to stay so undiscovered for long. Airlines such as British Airways and easyJet have just launched direct routes to Tbilisi for the first time, and Georgia was namechecked in many of the most prestigious travel lists for 2025.

If the capital is already too crowded for your taste, Kate advises heading for Svaneti, a mountainous region in the northwest. Its crown jewel is Ushguli, a Unesco heritage site full of ancient stone towers.

‘It’s sort of like a little baby Manhattan,’ Kate laughs. ‘The road is horrific, but very much worth it.’

In November last year, Tbilisi was rocked by weeks of protests, triggered by citizens’ rage at the new government’s plan to pause EU accession talks.

Police were pelted with fireworks and responded with tear gas and water cannons. The demonstrations calmed before Christmas, but not before more than 300 people were arrested.

Who is it right for: Seasoned travellers.

Flight time to UK: Five hours and 30 minutes. British Airways and easyJet have just launched new direct routes, cutting the journey time by almost half.

6. Bhutan

Metro‘s Gergana Krasteva recently wrote that of the 10 countries she visited in 2024, Bhutan trumped them all.

Kate agrees that the isolated Himalayan kingdom is unlike anywhere else on Earth. She recommends it for seasoned travellers.

‘It’s one of the most impressive places I’ve been in a long time,’ she says. ‘It genuinely feels like you’ve gone back in time.’

It’s easy to see why. Bhutan is the only country in the world without traffic lights, first allowed television in the 1990s, and prioritises gross domestic happiness over gross domestic product.

Landlocked between India and China, tiny Bhutan – with its cliff-hanging monasteries, verdant valleys and eastern mysticism – is a playground for eco-conscious travellers. The world’s first carbon-negative country, Bhutan’s constitution requires at least 60% of the country to be covered with forest; plastic has been banned since 1999.

Metro’s Gergana Krasteva spent a week in Bhutan in 2024 (Picture: Gergana Krasteva)

A holiday in Bhutan is expensive; there’s a daily tourist tax of $100 (£82) and that’s before you’ve paid for a guide, which is mandatory outside the capital, Thimphu, and the surrounding Paro Valley. Hotels are staggeringly priced, with five-star resorts in the capital charging £1,815 per night.

‘The environment is pristine, and that’s because of these tourist quotas, and because so few people go there,’ Kate explains.

Kate recommends a week in Bhutan, and beyond the flights and tourist levy, she says you’ll spend less than you think.

Who is it right for: Seasoned travellers with experience in inaccessible places.

Flight time to UK: 13 hours 45 minutes.

7. Argentina

Argentina is one of Latin America’s most diverse countries, with spectacular landscapes and a charming capital influenced by European sensibilities.

Kate has been three times, and recommends it for all levels of solo traveller.

In sexy Buenos Aires, you’ll find world-class restaurants at reasonable prices. ‘The exchange rate is quite volatile, but it makes it affordable, most of the time,’ she says.

Metro‘s Audience Director Sofia Delgado grew up in the Argentinian capital. Her locals’ only guide to eating in the city is Amador, for vegetarians, Sacro, for vegans, and Don Julio Parrilla for anyone after a classic Argentinian steak.

And, if you’re desperate to tick another country off the bucket list, you can even take a day-trip by boat to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay.

‘It makes a nice contrast to Buenos Aires, just to get a break from the bustle,’ Kate adds.

Further south, Patagonia is embroidered with snowcapped mountains and jaw-dropping lakes. Kate recommends El Chalten for hiking, and says you can’t miss El Calafate, a giant glacier.

Mendoza is wine country, but it also boasts a wealth of adventure sports, from mountain climbing to white-water rafting.

Who is it right for: Everyone, including first-time solo travellers.

Flight time to UK: Between 15 and 20 hours.