Holiday tips for solo travelers
The most individual holiday destinations for solo travelers
Few things are as exciting as taking a vacation alone. No matter where you go to grab your backpack and travel, you will realize that this experience was worth all the hardships, as you will make new friends, have the opportunity to explore our vast world, and maybe even learn a few things about yourself. Here is our list of safe and exciting places to visit as a solo traveller.
Split, Croatia
Walking around Split is like walking around in Roman times. Ruins of Diocletian’s Palace, built in the 4th century AD; With its historical buildings and narrow streets inside its walls, it forms the historical district of Split today. You can use the bronze gate, one of the four entrances, to get to the waterfront promenade called Riva. You can have a look at the fresh products by stopping by the green market or the fish market at both ends of Riva. If you want to fill your stomach with the best seafood dishes, you should stop by traditional wine cellar taverns like Konoba Matejuska during lunch time. There are many hostels in Split that cater to solo travelers who want to socialize, and they regularly organize bar and nightclub entertainment. Get over the hangover with a friendly game of picigin (a game of throwing and catching in shallow waters, invented in Split) on Bačvice Beach, or continue the fun with a few days’ boat tour of the Dalmatian coast.
Top trip: Fill your stomach with seafood by traveling intertwined with historical places and add a delicious atmosphere to your trip with a boat tour.
Banos, Ecuador
You can rent a mountain bike and cycle on the Ruta de las Cascadas route, where you will make steep climbs through the rainforest and thundering waterfalls. Baños (which means bath in Spanish), as the name suggests, is a place famous for its natural hot springs fed by the hot spring waters from the Tungurahua volcano. Opened under a giant waterfall, La Piscina de la Virgen is one of the ideal spas you can choose to enjoy thermal baths. You can take the buses to Casa del Arbol to take a photo that will make the friends you leave in your country jealous. Swinging from a treehouse, you’ll feel like you’re flying over the rainforest and if you stretch your arms you can embrace the active volcano. Although it is one of the safest cities in the country, petty thefts can still occur. Therefore, you should not leave your valuables in sight, you should avoid walking back to where you are staying, if you need to withdraw money, you should prefer daylight hours and avoid carrying large amounts of money.
Top tip: You can take steep climbs between the rainforest and thundering waterfalls, rent mountain bikes, ride colorful buses, and relax in the thermal baths.
Gyeongju, South Korea
Traveling alone in Gyeongju turns into a journey towards inner peace, especially when touring Gyeongju’s Historic Sites. This UNESCO World Heritage Site stands out with Bulguksa Temple, which is one of the masterpieces of Buddhism art and houses many treasures of South Korea. Ancient pagodas, bridges and staircases lead to bronze Buddha statues and sarira (Buddhist relics) artifacts. Don’t forget to take a look at the top during your visit: the colorful decorations and lotus motifs under the roof of the temple are really worth seeing. You can combine your tour with a visit to Seokguram Cave, which is a short walk from the temple. The Buddha statue sitting here surrounded by stone guards is so delicate that visits are kept very short and photography is not allowed. When you follow the Buddha’s gaze outside the cave, you will find Mount Tohamsan stretching out towards the Sea of Japan. You can complete your solitary quest by heading to the tranquil Gyeongju National Park, or extend it a little further by heading to Homigot beach in the neighboring city of Pohang. On this beach, two giant hands stretching upwards from the sea, dedicated to harmony and coexistence, are waiting for you. You will know you have reached the end of your journey when your feet touch the beach and you see arms stretched out towards the sky in front of you.
Top tip: Traveling alone in Gyeongju turns into a journey towards inner peace, especially when touring Gyeongju’s Historic Sites.
Florianopolis, Brazil
Floripa is what the locals call an island paradise for students and backpackers looking for great beaches and great parties. The yellow arches of the Mercado Publico offer shelter to countless craft stalls and food shops. When you find a place that suits your taste, you can fill your stomach with delicious anchova grelhada (grilled or fried bluefish). The best way to spend the afternoon is to sunbathe by visiting one of the 40 beaches on the island. Still, it’s really hard to choose between Praia do Matadeiro, which offers a more immersive environment, and Jurerê, surrounded by beach bars. The sounds rising from the neon-lit dance floors of the nightclubs add a humming background music to the liveliness of the daytime hours. While walking back to your accommodation, you will be amazed by the lights of the Hercilio Luz suspension bridge that goes to the mainland of Florianópolis, reflecting over the waters.
Dublin, Ireland
With its 1,000-year-old history, diverse international community and modern architecture, it’s almost impossible not to fall in love with Dublin’s fascinating contrasts. Traveling bookworms; You will have the opportunity to take part in city tours that pass through small stone-paved passages, ancient bell towers and Georgian houses where giants such as Oscar Wilde, James Joyce and Bram Stoker once stayed. Dublin also has many green spaces, such as Phoenix Park, where you can see wonderful wild deer. Known all over the world for their cheerful demeanor, the way to the hearts of the Irish is through their stomachs. Stop by one of the traditional Victorian bars (you can find one on almost every corner!) and sit on one of the bar stools, and you’ll suddenly find yourself sipping Guinness with your new friends. You don’t need to search for a good time in Dublin, it will find you anyway.
Top tip: You can wander around the city with its small cobblestone streets, watch the deer in Phoenix park and make friends with a beer at the local bars.
Havana, Cuba
If you want to add some excitement and emotion to your next solo trip, you should go to Havana. The safety of tourists (especially solo travelers) is taken very seriously here; so you’ll run into a lot of multilingual cops in busy neighborhoods, and you can often see them giving advice on the best wine and where to have dinner. After filling your stomach with hot fried croquettes from street vendors, you can get a glimpse of the modern face of Cuba by mingling with Cuban entrepreneurs selling local products in the trendy boutiques, workshops and cafes of the 500-year-old historic district of La Habana Vieja. You wouldn’t have seen Havana without wandering around the Malecón promenade, where you can look at old American cars and colonial buildings that are getting old but still have an interesting appeal. If you want to blend in fully with the habaneros (the inhabitants of this exciting city), you should put on comfortable shoes, grab a bottle of wine and spend your tropical evening dancing on the harbour.
Top tip: Get help from the cops without hesitation, wander the 500-year-old historical streets of La Habana Vieja. By making a trip to the Malecon, you will see old american cars and colorful houses.
Fiji
There is an undeniable truth: Fiji is an absolutely stunning place. Its crystalline coast and palm-fringed beaches make it one of the epitome of postcard romance, making this archipelago tucked deep in the South Pacific a true honeymoon paradise. However, as there are a total of 332 islands, you’ll also have ample opportunity to get away from the lovebirds and create your own paradise. Once you’ve had enough sunbathing, you can set out to explore Fiji’s more exciting attractions. Just a 30-minute drive from the capital Suva, the Colo-i-Suva rainforest offers magnificent hiking routes with bird-sounding backgrounds. If you’re more into marine life, you can dive to see the exotic fish and soft coral reefs that lie beneath Fiji’s azure waters. Are you starting to feel lonely? The locals of Fiji are known for their smiling faces and hospitality, especially towards solo travelers. You will spend your evenings in town making new friends, eating fresh Kokoda (a fish salad special to Fiji) and embracing the relaxed Fijian lifestyle. It won’t take long to get used to such a life.
Top trip: Its crystalline coast and palm-fringed beaches make Fiji the epitome of postcard romance.
Toronto, Canada
You may have heard that countless cities have been given the adjective “full of life”, but the place that deserves this title the most is Toronto, which brings people from different cultures together. The “world’s most multicultural city” with a population of 6.1 million, where nearly 200 languages are spoken, is one of those places where solo travelers will find it easy to feel at home. The best time to visit here is during the summer months, when locals and tourists fill the streets with festive enthusiasm. Beaches International Jazz Festival, which offers free public concerts for 24 days in July and hosts the most important names of the jazz world, is at the top of the list. If you wish, you can also have fun accompanied by calypso music with the Caribana Festival Parade, the largest street festival in North America, celebrated by the city’s vibrant Caribbean communities.
Thimpu, Bhutan
If you like traveling alone, you probably aren’t afraid to explore new horizons either. Bhutan is one of the must-see places to experience an independent travel experience that will make you feel alive. Famous for its monasteries built on the hillsides and its “national happiness” that exceeds its national income, Bhutan was opened to international tourism only thirty years ago and has remained partially free from the influence of the West until today. In fact, they are so protective of their roots and culture; Trips to the country can be made through pre-approved, prepaid tour groups that offer a variety of exotic excursions for tourists keen on seeing this mystical Buddhist kingdom (solo backpackers can also find private tours that offer personal flexibility). You’ll be amazed how much Buddhists actually love to party! Various food, song and dance festivals are held throughout the year in Bhutan; so whenever you visit here, you will surely find something worth celebrating.
Juneau, Alaska
No one can just survive on their own, but you can come very close to achieving it in Alaska. Of the two million tourists who visit this place every year, 16% are solo travelers who prefer the summer months and 72%* are the winter months. He wants to visit national parks that are one and a half times the size of Turkey or just spend some time with grizzly bears. The influences of nature reach enormous proportions here, so you should be ready to act like a true explorer when you throw yourself out of the pleasant but sleepy atmosphere of the capital city of Juneau. If you can cross the glaciers, you can go on a fishing trip in the Tracy Arm Fjord. Then you can hop on another boat to the Inside Passage and face the orca whales, the true rulers of this world!
Queenstown, New Zealand
New Zealand is known for its incredible hospitality to tourists and is a great place to meet for solo travelers looking to have fun. You can find many memories of the Lord of the Rings in the capital, Wellington, but if you are looking for adventure, Queenstown is the place you should choose. Visited by one million tourists each year, alone or in groups, to enjoy activities such as rafting, skydiving, bungee jumping, and challenging ski resorts on the Remarkables mountain range, this charming lakeside town fully deserves the title of “Adventure Capital of the World”.
Gothenburg, Sweden
While it can’t be overshadowed by the somewhat pricey but beautiful Swedish capital Stockholm, you can still find enough culture and Scandinavian style to enjoy in friendly Gothenburg, and prices are much more fair and affordable for solo travellers. Whether the sun is shining or not, you won’t be able to resist your urge to follow the wonderful scents emanating from the Gothenburg Botanical Gardens, one of the most spectacular plant centers in all of Europe. You can join the Paddan Boat Tour by buying a snack from the Stora Saluhallen food market. This relaxing boat tour, where you will pass through the 17th century canals and under 20 bridges in the inner parts of the city, is perfect for you to come back to yourself. However, not everything is about seeing historical buildings in this pleasant port city; Gothenburg is also the city where the country’s most creative talents in design emerge. You’ll notice this as you visit the boutiques on the stylish Magasinsgatan street and the Röhsska Museum, one of the world’s leading centers for fashion and applied arts.
