Best Places For Your First Solo Trip

Your first solo trip will probably be your hardest. Not because anything bad is necessarily gonna happen, but because, out of all 195 (I think, I always get confused) countries in the world, you’ve gotta find a way to magically narrow it down to one singular country to kick off this new chapter.

Every country has something that’s whispering in your ear, tempting you to make them the chosen one. Thailand has every other solo traveller that’s ever solo travelled waiting there for you to make friends. Spain is easy going and walkable, with great weather. Then, there’s New York which is basically like home away from home, just in another continent. With so many options, how the fuck are you actually meant to choose?

Top Solo Trip Destinations For Women

Worry not, mis amores. You don’t need to fry your last braincell tryna research every country to ever exist to see why it deserves the spot as “the first place I (you) solo travelled to”. I have volunteered as tribute to fry mine instead. Yay. So, come with me as I tell you, based on my own very personal experiences, which countries, and specific cities, I’ve solo travelled to that I would definitely recommend as places for you to choose for your first solo trip.

My Top 4 Destinations For Beginner Solo Travellers

1. Brussels, Belgium

Starting off strong with the first place I ever solo travelled to waaaay back when. For my people from London specifically, or anyone near a Eurostar stop really, this is probably one of the easiest places to get to. And, unlike having to fly somewhere, it takes out the stress of navigating the airport. No having to get there 10 years early, no paying for luggage, no waiting around for hours twiddling your thumbs. You know, the usuals. You just get to the station, do minor security checks, and off you go. For my non-Europeans reading this and thinking “what the absolute fuck is a Eurostar?”: The Eurostar is basically just a really fast train that takes you between countries in a few hours. I’m talking from Central London to Paris in like 2 and a half hours. Now, I know that might not sound that fast to the untrained reader, but, for context, it can take you damn near the same amount of time to travel from one part of London to another sometimes. Cough cough, TFL, fucking build better transport links.

Anyway. Why would I recommend Brussels as a destination for your first solo trip? What’s so special about it? Imma be real… nothing really. That’s what makes it special. It’s a very, very easy place to go to because there really isn’t much going on. That means several things: 1. You won’t get overwhelmed and feel like you’ll have to do a million things a day or you’ll be missing out. 2. You don’t actually need to go there for too long. It’s a win-win all around. 

When I went, I got there on a Friday morning and left by Sunday evening, and I can confidently say that was more than enough time to see everything. Maybe even TOO much time, I fear. Now, I did go a few years ago, so I don’t know if things have completely changed and it’s actually been voted #1 City In Europe For Things To Do now. Either way, one thing I’d 100% recommend doing there that isn’t your typical ‘look at this building’ or ‘go to this restaurant’ is a chocolate making class. I had no expectations going into it, but the actual class itself was lowkey very informative and, because I went alone (and accidentally ended up at the front of the class), the teacher kept giving me the example chocolates, so I ended up going home with double what everyone else had. So, quick life hack: go to classes alone and bond with the teacher. I’ve done it in bare countries and it’s never once failed me. 

2. Rome, Italy

To this day, Rome is one of my favourite solo trips I’ve ever done. Not the top one, because we’ll mention her later, but a semi close second. It’s one of those places I’d tell anyone and everyone to go to at least once in their lifetimes. From history, to architecture, to food, there’s honestly no way to get bored there and if you do, it’s definitely a you problem. Which is why it’s the perfect place for a solo trip, especially if you’re a person who’s kinda worried about being alone when you’re solo travelling, as weird as that sounds. But, when you really think about it, if you keep yourself busy, there’s no time to worry! And, I promise you, Rome will definitely keep you busy.

It’s not as walkable as your Londons and Barcelonas of the world, although, if you’re like me, you’ll definitely try to make it, but it’s easy enough to get around by public transport. There’s trains, buses, trams, hella options that come frequently enough to get you wherever you need to go. Now, I’m gonna stop you right there. We mentioned Europe’s Big Three (argue with your mum), so now we also kinda have to address the big, fat elephant in the room: The pickpocketing. As someone born and raised in London, who’s also been to the other two, I’m not saying it doesn’t happen… but it definitely doesn’t happen as much as people make out. If you know how to stay safe when you’re out and about, especially when you’re solo travelling, you’ll be alright. Don’t stress yourself out about it.

Another minor point I have to mention is that because she’s so beautiful and so amazing, Rome has (rightfully) been blowing up on social media in the last couple years. Unfortunately for you, that means you’re gonna have to expect it to be very, VERY crowded in tourist spots. My lil recommendation, away from alla that chaos, is to head a bit further out and do something different: a pasta making class. Are we noticing a theme here? I love me some big backtivities. The one I did was near The Vatican, so when I was done eating my very professional, handmade pasta and getting day drunk on the free wine, I could literally just walk there and spend the rest of the day exploring the museum. Day well spent, if you ask me. Which you didn’t. But that’s okay.

3. Valencia, Spain

We mentioned her earlier, but for those who’ve been to Barcelona, or have even just seen Cheetah Girls 2 – best in the series, not up for debate – you know that there’s a certain vibe in the air there that just can’t be explained. Like a magnetic, excitement kinda energy. If you haven’t been, this isn’t the place for me to tell you to go, because we’re focused on her cousin right now (but definitely go). 

Valencia has that similar vibe, but on a more chill level. Like, imagine if Barcelona had a cooler, older cousin who was less excitable, but still really interesting. Meet Valencia. You still get the typical Spanish architecture, the bustling streets, and the (mostly) good weather, all without the overcrowding and overstimulation. Two things you definitely don’t need for your first solo trip. You need it to be chill, but with enough things to keep you entertained. Hence why you should consider Valencia.

Like Rome, there’s a fuckton of things to do there. From museums, to markets, to beaches, there’s enough to spend a good couple of days there and still have things left to do. I swear I didn’t plan this at all, but one of the best things I did there also happened to be a cooking class. Don’t come for me, girl, I like to eat. Plus, it’s the birthplace of paella, so it’s actually illegal to go to Valencia and not learn how to make a traditional one. Look it up. And if you can’t find it, just trust me. I wouldn’t lie about something so serious.

4. San Juan, Puerto Rico

Ah, here she is!! My favourite solo trip EVER. I promise I’ll tell you all about it another time, but for now, I know what you’re thinking. You want me to travel however many hours across open water for my first ever solo trip? Are you fucking dumb? No 🙁 My mum thinks I’m really smart actually, and I believe her. But, let me tell you why you should consider San Juan, and just Puerto Rico in general.

So you know how we mentioned Thailand waaay back at the beginning of the article? If you don’t, scroll back up. And how we said it’s full of solo travellers? Okay… so is San Juan. It’s literally the perfect place for you to blend right in with everyone else. On top of that, because it’s right next door, 99.99% of tourists there are American; Some of the most talkative, but friendly, people you’ll ever meet. Again, it’s literally perfect if you’re worried about being alone. 

If that hasn’t convinced you enough, let’s talk about Puerto Rico itself. Now, I’ll try to keep it brief because I could actually go on for days — years. But on one small island, it literally has a bit of everything. History. Culture. Nature. Beaches. Food? Omg, the food. If you’ve never been to the Caribbean before (pls go), there’s a vibe there that I literally cannot put into words. Very different from the Barcelona vibe we were talking about before. And, I don’t know if it’s because I’m from the Caribbean and I’ve been there so many times, but there’s just this feeling in the air that you won’t experience anywhere else in the world. No matter which island you go to, they all have this same feeling. Like a homey kinda feeling. And that’s exactly what you’ll feel there. To the point where you actually don’t want to leave. I guess that’s the only downside of going to Puerto Rico. You spend every day that you’re not there thinking about when you can go back.

Since we’ve established a theme now, let’s just run with it. Out of the many, many things there are to do in San Juan, because I promise you, there’s always something going on there, one thing I loved, and coincidentally did on my birthday, was another cooking class. Shout out Mauro, if he ever sees this. Absolutely amazing teacher. He had no idea on the day, but he got my birthday off to the right start. It was 100% to do with the Piña Coladas he makes. Plus, the food was good as FUCK, so there’s that.

FAQs: Best Trips For First Time Solo Travellers

Question 1: Is Brussels A Good City For A First Solo Trip?

Plain and simple, yes. It’s a low risk place to go to get a feel for what it’s like to be alone in another city, without actually having to do much or go for too long.

Question 2: Is Rome Safe For Solo Female Travellers? 

Again, yes. In my experience, it’s no more unsafe than any other city I’ve been to, or even other parts of Italy. The same rules apply as any other city, be aware of your surroundings and you should be fine.

Question 3: Which City In Spain Is Best For Solo Travel?

I’d strongly recommend Valencia. You get the feel of being in Spain, without the fast paced, rushy vibe that you’d get from a bigger city. Plus, there’s a beach, so there’s that.

Question 4: Is Puerto Rico Good For Solo Travellers?

One million percent yes. There’s so much to do, across whole the island, not just in San Juan. People are great. And, there are lots of other solo travellers so being there alone feels completely normal.

What’s The Best Place For Your First Solo Trip?

So, I’ve given you the options, now it’s up to you to make the choice. Or you could ignore me completely and go with somewhere rogue. It’s up to you. It doesn’t bother me at all (yes it does. If you choose somewhere else it will keep me up all night, every night. You don’t want to do that to me, do you? Didn’t think so).

Before you make any choices, think about what you want to get out of your first solo trip. Do you want to test the waters just to see what it’s like? Brussels. Do you want to go somewhere with so much to do that you don’t have time to sit down and think about how you’re doing this all alone? Rome. Do you want somewhere with things to do, but on a level where you’re still able to come home at the end of the day with enough energy to curl up on the sofa and have a movie marathon? Valencia. Or, do you want to go somewhere more adventurous with good vibes, good views, and even better music? San Juan.

The choice is yours.

Byeee, bestie

Caira