8 travel destinations that are ideal when you’re single—and happy about it

There’s something deeply underrated about traveling solo when you’re single and content.

You don’t have to negotiate your itinerary, wait for anyone to get ready, or explain why you’ve just spent an hour journaling in a café watching people instead of hitting a museum.

And contrary to the age-old assumption that travel is best experienced with a partner, I’ve found that being solo often opens up a richer, more reflective, and wildly freeing version of the world.

So if you’re single and not searching—just reveling in your own company—here are eight destinations that meet you right where you are.

1. Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto feels like a place designed for introspective wanderers.

You can walk for hours through bamboo groves, stumble upon tiny shrines tucked away in neighborhoods, or sip matcha in a 200-year-old teahouse—and not once feel like you’re “missing” something by being alone.

There’s a strong cultural respect for quiet and contemplation here. You won’t get side-eyed for dining solo or meditating in a public garden. In fact, it might be the norm.

I spent three days wandering through the Philosopher’s Path, stopping for dango skewers, and writing postcards to myself. And it felt...complete. No distractions. No compromises.

As Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō once said, “Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.” Kyoto embodies that.

2. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon has a way of wrapping you up in color, music, and warmth—even when you’re flying solo.

It's a place where you can eat custard tarts in your jeans, listen to melancholic Fado music in a dimly lit bar, and chat with locals who genuinely want to know where you're from—not to sell you something, but to connect.

This city doesn’t make you feel like an outsider. It makes you feel like a welcome guest.

And for the record, the solo tram rides up and down those steep hills? They’re like mini meditations with panoramic views.

As noted by travel psychologist Dr. Charlotte Russell, “The joy of solo travel often lies in small, unshared moments that are deeply your own.” Lisbon has those in spades.

3. Reykjavik, Iceland

Let’s be honest—some solo trips are about peace and connection. Others are about remembering just how strong and capable you are.

Reykjavik and its surrounding landscapes fall into the second camp.

Between glaciers, black sand beaches, and waterfalls that don’t even look real, you’re reminded how big the world is—and how brave you are for stepping into it alone.

What I love most is that Iceland is incredibly solo-traveler-friendly. It’s safe, it’s easy to navigate, and the locals are some of the most helpful I’ve ever met.

Want to hike a volcano on your own and soak in a hot spring afterward? Totally doable.

Want to read a novel in a café that overlooks the harbor? No one bats an eye.

4. Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca offers a sensory feast—and it doesn't demand a companion to enjoy it.

You’ll taste flavors here that you won’t find anywhere else: smoky mole, spicy chapulines (yes, grasshoppers!), rich chocolate, and mezcal that hits just right after a day of wandering markets.

There’s an earthy, artistic spirit to Oaxaca. You’ll find street art on old colonial buildings, folk dancers in the plaza, and pop-up pottery classes led by local artisans.

As someone who loves slow mornings and spontaneous evenings, Oaxaca felt like the kind of place that rewards going off-script.

And while group trips have their charm, being here solo let me follow my curiosity without a clock.

5. Edinburgh, Scotland

Some cities are loud and flashy. Edinburgh is not.

It’s moody in the best possible way—with cobblestone streets, old bookshops, and a castle that looks like it fell out of a fantasy novel.

This is the kind of place where being single feels like an advantage.

You can take long walks in Holyrood Park, explore hidden alleyways (called “closes”), and spend hours in the National Museum without rushing through exhibits to keep up with someone else.

I spent one rainy afternoon cozied up in a café, sipping tea and reading a historical fiction novel.

Nobody asked me why I was alone. Nobody cared.

And honestly? That kind of anonymity is liberating.

6. Bali, Indonesia

If you’re craving spiritual reset with a side of smoothies and sunrises, Bali is your spot.

Yes, it’s popular. Yes, it’s Instagrammed to death. But if you know where to go—like Ubud or the quieter areas of Sidemen—you’ll find something real.

The solo traveler scene here is strong, which means you’ll never feel out of place dining alone, signing up for a breathwork workshop, or simply chilling by a waterfall.

And if you’re into movement and mindfulness, you can try yoga in open-air studios with jungle views.

Bali doesn’t just welcome you—it invites you to heal, grow, and get really, really honest with yourself.

As holistic travel expert Jayme Barrett notes, “Being alone in a place like Bali allows you to release old energy and call in something new. It’s the perfect backdrop for reinvention.”

Yes, please.

7. Montreal, Canada

Montreal is like that effortlessly cool friend who never tries too hard—and still ends up the center of attention.

You get a taste of Europe without crossing the ocean. Cobblestone streets, French bistros, jazz clubs, indie bookstores—it’s a playground for curious minds.

And because it’s a melting pot of cultures, being different (or alone) never feels out of place.

There’s something wildly comforting about sitting solo in a French café, sipping coffee, and eavesdropping on conversations in two languages.

You feel a little worldly. A little mysterious.

Plus, if you’re into festivals—art, food, music, film—there’s something going on nearly every month. You won’t run out of things to do (or eat).

8. Queenstown, New Zealand

Ready for adventure? Queenstown’s got you.

This is the adrenaline capital of New Zealand, and it’s where I first tried paragliding—solo, of course.

But even if you’re not into high-speed thrills, the natural beauty here is jaw-dropping. Think lakes that mirror the sky, mountain trails that make your lungs hurt in the best way, and starry skies that remind you how small and magnificent life is.

Queenstown is great for solo travelers because it’s social without being overwhelming.

You’ll meet other adventurers if you want to—but no one will look twice if you’re dining alone with a glass of wine and a view of Lake Wakatipu.

And for the record? That glass of wine tastes even better after you’ve done something brave.

Final thoughts

You don’t need to be in a relationship to experience beauty, connection, or transformation.

You just need a passport, a bit of courage, and the willingness to meet yourself somewhere new.

Every one of these destinations offers something different—but they all have one thing in common: they hold space for people who are whole on their own.

So go. Book the ticket. Take the long walk. Sit at the bar. Say yes to the sunrise hike.

Because being single doesn’t mean you’re missing something.

Sometimes, it means you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.