7 solo travel experiences that make you fall in love with your own company

Traveling alone is one of those things that sounds either liberating or lonely—depending on who you ask.

But here’s the thing: solo travel has a way of turning up the volume on parts of you that group trips or couples getaways tend to mute.

There’s no one else’s agenda. No one asking “what’s next?” every hour. It’s just you, your instincts, your preferences—and your weird little habits you usually hide from people.

Below are seven solo travel moments that flipped a switch for me—and for many others I’ve met along the way.

These are the kinds of experiences that make you realize your own company isn’t just tolerable, it’s actually kind of awesome.

1. Getting intentionally, safely lost

There’s something oddly satisfying about walking without Google Maps and letting yourself get just a little lost. Not stranded-in-the-wilderness lost, but “Where the hell am I and why is this the best bakery I’ve ever found?” lost.

One afternoon in Porto, I ditched my plan to hit all the usual sights. Instead, I took side streets and staircases that didn’t look promising. I ended up at a local lookout point with zero tourists, sipping espresso next to three older Portuguese men playing cards and shouting about football. I didn’t understand a word, but I didn’t need to.

That moment didn’t just feel cinematic—it felt earned. No one else discovered it for me. I stumbled into it, followed my curiosity, and owned the experience completely.

When was the last time you let yourself wander with no goal? That’s the kind of freedom that quietly reshapes how you move through life.

2. Eating a full meal alone—and loving it

A lot of people dread this. Sitting at a table, solo, while couples and friend groups laugh around you.

But once you do it—really do it, not just grab fast food and sit on a park bench—you start to appreciate the quiet ritual of a meal with yourself.

In Tokyo, I booked a counter seat at a sushi omakase spot. No phone, no book, just me and the chef, who served piece after piece like it was art (because it was). I caught myself smiling more than I expected.

This isn’t just about food. It’s about choosing to savor something without needing company to validate it.

Being alone isn’t the same as being lonely. Solitude gives you space to think, recharge, and reset.

3. Making a small, bold decision on a whim

One of the best things about solo travel? You don’t need to convince anyone to do something spontaneous.

You can decide, in a heartbeat, to rent a bike in Copenhagen or join a salsa class in Medellín—even if you’re wearing jeans and sneakers and feel awkward as hell.

I once signed up for a street photography tour in Lisbon 10 minutes before it started. I met a mix of locals and tourists who became temporary friends. We spent hours walking, talking, and comparing shots. No one knew my last name, but for that day, I felt completely seen.

That’s the magic of spontaneous micro-decisions: they remind you that you’re capable of creating joy without waiting for permission.

4. Watching a sunset with no one to talk to

This might sound sad if you haven’t tried it.

But hear me out: watching a sunset with someone often turns into small talk, selfies, or commentary. Watching a sunset by yourself? That’s something else entirely.

In Santorini, I found a quiet ledge (away from the Instagram mob) and just sat. The sky changed colors like a time-lapse painting. No one interrupted. No one needed anything. It was just me and the slow, quiet end of a day.

Slowing down to truly notice beauty—like a sunset, a quiet street, or the sound of distant music—can create a surprising sense of calm and gratitude.

You don't need another person to feel awe. In fact, solo awe might be one of the most powerful types there is.

5. Navigating a challenge you’d normally outsource

Lost luggage. Language barriers. Public transport that makes zero sense.

Normally, we lean on travel partners to help us figure things out. But when you're alone, there’s no one to default to. And that’s exactly when you realize how resourceful you are.

I once landed in Prague only to find the entire tram system shut down due to a protest. My hotel was on the other side of town. No Ubers in sight.

So, I walked. For over an hour, weaving through narrow streets and relying on the most basic Czech phrases. By the time I checked in, I felt like I’d completed a quest.

That one experience shifted something. I trusted myself more. You can't buy that kind of confidence—it has to be earned through a little friction.

6. Talking to strangers because you’re bored (and being glad you did)

When you’re solo, you become more approachable. More curious. More likely to strike up a conversation with the guy selling fresh juice at the market or the woman sitting next to you on the ferry.

And while not every conversation is life-changing, some of them really do stay with you.

In Mexico City, I chatted with a local bookstore owner who recommended a novel that ended up changing how I thought about time and memory. (It was Like Water for Chocolate, in case you’re curious.)

I've mentioned this before in another post, but science backs this too: As noted by social psychologist Gillian Sandstrom, “Talking to strangers makes people happier than they expect—even brief conversations.”

Turns out, your own company gets even better when you invite new voices into the mix, even temporarily.

7. Catching yourself doing something joyful—alone—and not needing to share it

You know that moment when you want to grab your phone and post something, just to prove to the world you’re having a good time?

Now imagine feeling that impulse…and letting it pass.

I remember dancing in the rain during a summer storm in Berlin. Music from a street musician echoed off the buildings, and a few of us—strangers—just leaned into the chaos.

I had no one to tag. No one to text. And I didn’t care.

I wasn’t performing happiness. I was in it.

Albert Einstein once said, “The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.” I didn’t get it back then. But in that moment, soaked and smiling and completely content, I did.

And it’s not just poetic. As Sherry Turkle explains in Reclaiming Conversation, “Our brains are most productive when there is no demand that they be reactive.” In other words: when we’re not trying to perform, prove, or scroll—we actually start to feel like ourselves again.

The bottom line

Falling in love with your own company doesn’t mean isolating yourself forever.

It means becoming the kind of person you wouldn’t mind being stuck on a train with. Someone interesting. Curious. Capable. Fully present.

And while solo travel isn’t a magic fix, it’s one of the best mirrors you’ll ever look into.

So next time you find yourself with some time off and no travel buddy? Don’t wait. Book the ticket.

You just might come back with a better relationship—with yourself.