I’m a huge advocate for solo travel. Travelling the world by yourself gives you ultimate flexibility. You can stick to as loose or as rigid a schedule as you want. You can visit all the places you really want to see, and skip the sights you don’t. It’s a cliché at this point, but there’s a lot of self-discovery to be had in there, too. Travel alone and you’ll soon discover what really excites you; what your true passions and interests are - beyond the hype that surrounds certain spots. And you’re more likely to get talking to others if you’re on your own too. That might sound counterintuitive, but there's no doubt that it's true.
Why miss out on travelling the world because you want to go it alone?
Solo travel is booming. The stigmas that once surrounded it have been tumbling down in recent years. Gone is the image of the hideaway hermit, heading off to distance themselves in some dingy hostel or on a banged-up train carriage.
Stuart Kenny
I do think there’s something particularly special about solo travel on a shoestring budget, but that’s not the only way to do it. Treat yourself to a nice hotel if you want (and can afford to). Jump from spot to spot or stay in one place the whole time. Today, the thought process is clear: no matter how you do it, or where you go, why miss out on travelling the world because you want to go it alone?
Now, let’s get down to those destinations. In choosing the best places in the world to solo travel in 2024, I’ve taken into account locations that have good public transport, are known for affordable accommodation, wild beauty spots, friendly locals and are generally safe. Some tick more of these boxes than others, of course, but these are all excellent locations for solo travel. I’ve also asked some seasoned travellers for their tips on the best places to solo travel in 2024.
1. Discover the Mountains of Madeira, Portugal
For many people, solo travel is about journeying into the unknown, and there’s still a real feel of adventurous mystery around Madeira - the Portuguese island 600 miles (1000km) off the European mainland with jungles, mountains and big waves; where it’s warm all year round.
Madeira is an adventure playground. As our destination expert Marta Marinelli put it: "I was blown away by its primordial beauty. Think lush mountains, tropical nature, high cliffs and jagged peaks.” While the world is wising up, this stunning spot is still not quite on the mainstream radar, so solo travellers can easily get the feel they’re escaping the hustle and bustle.
I’ve always felt safe while visiting Madeira. The biggest risk to solo travellers is really the mountains and nature themselves, but for a relatively small island, there’s an impressive range of skilled, professional guides working here; from the canyons to the peaks and oceans. The island’s high point, Pico Ruivo, makes for one of the best hikes on Madeira; and there’s a lot to be said for catching your breath with some yoga surrounded by ancient woodland.
2. Go Wildlife Watching on the Galapagos Islands
If you love wildlife, and want an easy way to meet people while you’re solo travelling, then a visit to the Galapagos Islands seems an obvious choice. There are few more iconic wildlife watching spots on the globe than these famous islands, which once inspired Charles Darwin, and which are home to giant tortoises, reef sharks and blue-footed boobies.
“One of the best ways to see marine wildlife here is through scuba diving,” says local expert Henry Sisa, “but you don’t have to dive to see animals. Walking around, you’ll find lots of animals and if you’re snorkelling, you have a chance to play with some of those animals. Sea lions come around you, and you’ll see lots of penguins. It’s like a paradise here on earth.”
The very nature of a visit to these UNESCO-protected islands, where tourism is regulated, means that you’re also naturally going to end up in scenarios where you can chat to other travellers; whether on boat tours or beaches. Don’t worry, you can still get a slice of silence and tranquillity without much bother, too. It’s tough to hold a conversation with a snorkel in your mouth.
3. Walk the Albanian Riviera
Albania is rightly gaining a lot of traction as an adventure-friendly spot, and for very good reason. Sitting on the Balkan Peninsula, with Adriatic and Ionian coastlines, crossed by the Albanian Alps, there’s a whole lot to see here - whether on the coast or the mountains. It’s also an incredibly affordable spot, which naturally often plays a big part in choosing a destination for solo travel. Your money goes further here than it may elsewhere.
While the coastal regions are well known as an affordable destination for flop and fry summer holidays, and can get busy during peak season, head to the mountains or out to the hiking trails on the Albanian Riviera in the shoulder season and you’ll 0ften have the lush, delightful scenery all to yourself.
“Come in the off season and there’s fewer people, the prices are lower and the locals are more relaxed, so you get a much more authentic insight,” says local guide Ricardo Fahrig. “You’re going to meet a lot more locals.” The Albanian Riviera hasn’t been heavily developed, Ricardo says. “It’s on the Ionian Sea. Corfu is just 45 minutes across. You have a backdrop of 2000m mountains, high coast, olive groves and plants, and you stay at family-run guest houses.”
4. Search for the Lost City in Colombia
There’s a real trail community on the hike to Teyuna - an ancient citadel hidden in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains of Colombia, the highest coastal mountain range on earth. The site is better known as Ciudad Perdida, or the Lost City, and it dates back to 800AD.
Unsurprisingly, there aren’t a whole lot of accommodation options in the middle of the rainforest, so you’ll have plenty of chances to socialise with other travellers at the end of each of your hiking days. The beauty of a long-distance trail like this is that it also offers the best of both options when you’re hiking the trail. Chat away to the other walkers in your group, or just take a few hours to yourself, looking out over the remarkably green, layering jungles of Colombia.
On my solo trip here I ended up in a game of 5-aside football versus the Colombian army in the middle of the jungle - and met good friends I’m still in touch with. So who knows what’ll happen. The city of Santa Marta, on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, is a pretty lush place to return to afterwards, as well.
5. Kayak through Mangroves in Thailand
It’s not just the bustling streets of Bangkok that make Thailand a solo travel institution. Kayaking and canoeing through the waters of the country, from Khao Sok Lake to Ao Phang Nga National Park, is an experience you won't be forgetting anytime soon. The country is an affordable adventure paradise.
I recommend visiting Ko Yao Yai, an island near Phuket, to kayak through the mangroves.
“I love solo travelling in Thailand,” says magazine Deputy Editor Dani Redd. “People are used to tourists, men tend to be very respectful. I feel very safe navigating the country as a single female. Beyond this, the food is unbelievably good, the beaches are gorgeous, and there's plenty of opportunity for adventure. I recommend visiting Ko Yao Yai, an island near Phuket, to kayak through the mangroves, hike through the rubber plantations, and for the quiet beaches.”
6. Take on the Guatemala 5 Volcano Challenge
Guatemala is a remarkably beautiful country in Central America - and it's very affordable too. That's a key solo travel couplet ticked off right there. More to the point, where else in the world can you go and hike up five different volcanoes in less than 10 days? You can reach the high point of Central America, the 4,220m Tajumulco, on a trip in Guatemala, but the highlight is surely watching the continuously erupting Volcan de Fuego, and seeing the sunrise from Acatenango.
Back in 2021, Much Better Adventurer Simon Jones tackled the Five Volcano Challenge and raved about the trip on the magazine. His conclusion? "Majestic views of Lake Atitlán, five summits that brought a group of strangers together as friends, and terrific memories of a trip to Guatemala."
7. Go Coast to Coast on Costa Rica
Costa Rica has established itself as an ecotourism haven. What that means for soloists is that the locals are incredibly well used to welcoming tourists and that there's already excellent infrastructure for adventure tourism in place.
What a place to explore, too. Costa Rica is a paradise of lush jungle, mangroves, beautiful rivers and incredible wildlife. There are around half a million species known to live in Costa Rica. That's about 5% of all species on Earth.
If you're looking for a particularly special way to see the island, why not cross it?
Journey from one coast of Costa Rica to the other and you'll be going from one lush coastline to another - through cloud forest, mountain villages and virgin rainforest teeming with wildlife. Head up and over the Continental Divide, enjoy eco-camps on the Pacuare River and discover swimming spots in the rainforest.
8. Venture off the West Coast of Scotland
I may be biassed given that I’ve lived here for over two decades, but Scotland is a country famed for its hospitality and easy to navigate by public transport - two things that make it an excellent solo travel destination. It’s also a country that keeps giving in terms of adventure, from the hills of the Borders to the lochs, bens and glens of the Highlands.
My favourite coastline to explore has always been the west, though. It’s especially rugged and beautiful. The beaches are sublime and the views out to the islands are breathtaking. The kayaking around Arisaig is superb, with views over to the Small Isles of Eigg and Rùm. Venture to the latter and you’ll find an island not often visited, with a terrific mountain ridgeline. Go further north, of course, and you can explore the legendary Isle of Skye, home to some of Scotland’s finest Munros. Keep an eye out for dolphins or minke whales swimming in the water.
9. Walk the W Trek in Torres del Paine, Chile
The legendary towers of Torres del Paine are amongst the world’s great beauty spots, and combined with Grey Glacier, the Paine Grande mountains and the huge Nordenskjöld Lake, the W Trek is well known for good reason. It’s safe to say that this is the best known trek in Patagonia, and that also means that the route has a great trail community.
“I think Torres del Paine is a great place to see alone,” says Laura McAfoos, a Patagonia and Chile travel specialist who lived in Puerto Natales, on the edge of the park, for over a decade.
“The first time I hiked the W Trek I was in my 20s with my boyfriend. The second time I went with my dad, and it wasn’t until the third time that I went by myself. It’s fun because there are so many other people on the W Trail that you never really feel alone. Then at night you have the refugios which make it very easy too, and mean you don’t have to carry all the equipment.”
10. Climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
If solo travel is empowering by nature, then it only gets more so when you chuck one of the world’s great mountains into the mix. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, is one of the seven great summits, and the sense of accomplishment upon reaching the top is enormous.
Now, to decide to travel alone is one thing. To book yourself a guide to take you up a 5,895m mountain is quite another. If the idea piques your interest, you’re our kind of person. This is another of those great treks where you’ll be able to meet people easily by joining a small group, but you will also be able to have solitary time on the trail too. Add on a safari afterwards and there’s no doubt you’ll be remembering this wild adventure for the rest of your life.
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