Booked that overseas ticket for one and wondering where to head first? Take a look at these awesome places that have all the friendly people, delicious food and incredible experiences to make your solo trip one to remember.
1. Spain
Hola! Welcome to Spain. This is a great place for the food-loving solo traveller, with fresh seafood, tapas and delicious paella on every corner. While you’re here, don't forget to make the most of the free tapas with a beer or wine, places offering this are dotted around every city, but head to Granada for the best experience.
Spain’s culture is rich and vibrant, and there’s plenty to see and do for the solo traveller, whichever city you choose to stop in. It's hard to miss bustling Barcelona, with a great hostel environment and party atmosphere for meeting fellow travellers, or if you’re after something a little more laid back, Seville is a pretty place to spend a few days.
2. Greek Islands
Famous for their incredible beauty and awesome party vibes, the Greek Islands are the ideal place to meet new people and try new things! You’re guaranteed to link up with fellow ravers in Ios, meet other backpackers in sun-kissed Santorini or find new friends in beautiful Crete.
Each island has something different to offer so no matter what your travelling style, you’re bound to find the perfect place for you. Try Naxos for great beaches, Ios and Mykonos for a good time, and Santorini or Antiparos for some luxury.
There’s a solid hostel environment on each island, and prices are low if you shop around. Food’s affordable too if you stick with souvlaki from street vendors.
Tip: try chips inside your wrap – you’ll thank us later.
3. Thailand
Firmly on the backpacker trail, Thailand is a quintessential destination for the solo traveller. The people here are full of smiles and are truly welcoming to tourists, and you’re sure to meet fellow travellers in the many hostels. It’s dirt cheap, you can find a $1 Pad Thai from a street vendor or a $10 room for the night.
Plus, there’s more to do here than down vodka buckets at a full moon party. It’s best heading off the main tourist route and delving into something a little more authentic. There's Pai and Chiang Rai in the north, Chiang Mai, offering temple action and bike rides or Kanchanaburi for war history and the River Kwai. If beaches and islands are more your thing (after all this is Thailand we’re talking about), then head spots like Krabi, Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta for sea, sand and sun.
4. Ireland
Known for having some of the friendliest people in the world, arriving in Ireland can feel like being welcomed home by old friends. Grab a pint in the nearest pub, settle in and get ready to make some new friends! Meeting people and breaking the ice is never difficult here.
No matter what your travelling style, you’ll find some magic in Ireland with plenty of great outdoor activities or warm, cosy pubs to enjoy. You can’t go past the stunning landscapes either, nor the secluded islands, incredible walks and fun live music.
5. Taiwan
Cheap dorms, great public transport and delicious food... Taiwan is an underrated destination that makes a jackpot for the solo traveller.
People here are non-stop smiley and generally speak good English, which can make adjusting that little bit simpler. You might not meet a whole heap of other travellers, but connecting with locals can be just as rewarding!
Taiwan is also an easy place to travel… somehow everything is fast and convenient. An efficient MRT train system makes getting around a breeze, and of course, it’s cheap to use. Easy travel but doesn’t mean it’s just like home though, the culture and food’s another drawcard here, with street vendors pedalling carts bursting with juicy steamed buns or beef noodles for less than $2. Yum!
6. Australia
G’day mate! Welcome to the country with a bit of everything - great beaches, big city vibes and epic camp spots. You can’t beat Australia for an adventure. Ticking the Sydney Opera House, Great Barrier Reef and Uluru of your bucket list is a great feeling, and it’s even better when you do it solo!
Whether you hit these iconic spots as part of a tour, or rent a car by yourself and cruise the coast, you’ll never really feel alone in Australia. There’s a big backpacking environment here, and the locals are open and friendly, so it's easy to make mates.
While prices aren’t always that low, finding a job is easy, or there’s plenty of cheap eats around if you look. Plus – you can’t beat camping for some free accommodation.
7. Peru
It might not be first on your list, but Peru is the perfect destination for adventure-loving travellers. There is heaps to do here, whether you visit Colca Canyon, head to coastal Lima or visit famous Machu Picchu. The country has a diverse landscape, so you’ll encounter something different each stop you make.
Incan ruins and famous walking trails bring plenty of backpackers to the country, but if you are finding it difficult to meet fellow travellers, consider heading along the ‘Gringo Trail'. This route travels from Lima to Pisco to Ica to Arequipa to Cusco and chances are you’ll bump into someone travelling the same place as you along the way.
It can also be helpful to learn a few basic Spanish phrases before travelling, so that you can ask for a room or find out where the nearest bar is after a hike.
8. New Zealand
Safe, friendly and a breathtaking destination around every corner... New Zealand is a must-see for any traveller.
There’s an incredible sense of freedom to be had as you roam the endless fields and mountain ranges at your own pace. It almost feels like this country was meant to be discovered solo.
The people are chatty and friendly, so you’ll never feel too alone, and you can join in on some great-organised group activities if you’re craving more human interaction.
There’s not an abundance of public transport here – the main train lines run Auckland to Wellington, Picton to Christchurch and Christchurch to the West Coast. There are buses between cities, and hop-on-hop-off buses are popular, but if you want total travel freedom, renting a car is your best bet. It’s an easy way to see all the places you want at your own pace, and after all those flights, train journeys and bumpy bus rides, sometimes it can be nice to be back in the driver's seat.
9. Vietnam
Look, dirt cheap banh mi, pho and rice paper rolls should be enough to convince you Vietnam is a must see, but it does have some other things going for it... quite a few in fact!
Busy and bustling, there’s always something going on here, and you’ll be surprised at how many times you see a fridge or a cage of chickens squeezed onto a motorbike zooming past. People are outgoing and friendly, and there’s enough of a backpacker vibe that you’ll always have someone to share a bowl of noodles with.
You can pass days just wandering the streets, riding bikes through down town Hoi An or exploring Hanoi’s fascinating Old Quarter. If you want to escape the bustle of the city, make your way up into tranquil Sapa for some mountain trekking and stunning rice paddy views.
Vietnam is also incredibly budget-friendly, and you get real value for every dollar you spend on food or accommodation.
10. Croatia
Sure, Game of Thrones was shot here, but that’s not the only thing Croatia has going for it. There are amazing hostels here, from Split to Dubrovnik, and some great islands for scenic walks or all night parties.
Hvar, Korcula and Vis are stunning, and there’s a big party scene when Busabout and Sail Croatia tours are operating. This can be a fun way to meet new people and get a sense of the ocean lifestyle, but, if exploring fishing villages at a leisurely pace, and discovering some of the country’s ancient history is more your style, don’t worry, there’s plenty of that around too.
On the mainland, iconic Dubrovnik and bustling Split are worth a visit it's jam-packed with historical vibes and old town adventures to be had.
