Solo and Secure: 20 Destinations for Female Globetrotters

Though Australia is a safe country in general for solo females, Melbourne especially has a lot of safety benefits. Most of the attractions you would want to see are accessible either by public transport or on foot, making this an easy country to get around. 

Some top places to check out in Melbourne include the Royal Botanical Gardens in Victoria, the Shrine of Remembrance, Queen Victoria Market, the Melbourne Skydeck, and the Melbourne Museum. Or, take a day and explore the coast of the capital of Victoria. 

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With Switzerland being one of the safest countries in the world, it’s no wonder one of their beautiful cities is on this list. With a low crime rate and excellent infrastructure, you can tour this city for days and not have any issues. 

Some top locations to visit would be Lake Zurich, Old Town, Kunsthaus Zürich, Uetliberg Mountain, Lindenhof Hill, and Grossmunster. Whether you decide to venture into the city and shop or decide to head to the hills and discover all the natural wonders there is plenty to do in this Scandinavian country. 

With friendly and welcoming residents and a well-lit city, Bruges is easy to navigate and a hot spot for solo females. With bars open late and bike rentals all over the city, you shouldn’t have a problem going out of your room at any time of day, or night. 

Some places to put on your to-do list include the Historic Centre of Brugge which is a UNESCO world heritage site, Belfort, the Markt, Basilica of the Holy Blood, and Minnewater Lake. Travel to Bruges and see cobbled streets, canals, and medieval buildings to fulfill your wildest fairytale dreams.

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One of Canada’s most ethnically diverse is Vancouver, a bustling seaport in British Columbia. Along with its welcoming atmosphere, there is a relatively low crime rate making it a good place for solo females. 

Notable places to travel include Stanley Park covering over 1000 acres, Granville Island, the Museum of Anthropology, the VanDusen Botanical Garden, and the Queen Elizabeth Park. There is a nice balance between city life and parks in this Canadian town. 

With Sweden being another one of the safest countries in the world, Stockholm is the perfect place for any solo females. Branching over fourteen islands and more than fifty bridges, this Baltic Sea archipelago is the perfect place to watch land meet the water. 

Interesting places to explore include the Vasa Museum, Stockholm Old Town, Skansen, ABBA the Museum highlighting the journey of the Swedish quartet, and the Nobel Museum. Whether you choose to walk along the cobblestone streets or take one of the numerous ferries around the islands, you will enjoy the safety and sights in Stockholm.  

Bisected by the river Danube, the capital of Hungary is a combination of the hilly Buda district and the flat Pest. Budapest should be a destination for any female traveler, since it is an incredibly safe country. Of course you should always exercise caution in a city, but this city is safe during the day and at night. 

If you go to this city, make sure you check out the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Fisherman’s Bastion, Shoes on the Danube Bank representing Jews that were shot and pushed into the river during WWII, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and Margaret Island. Full of medieval and current history, Budapest is a place for a history buff or an adventurous female traveler. 

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Located on Vietnam’s central coast, Hoi An is known for its well-preserved Old Town that is interspersed with canals. Solo females should not have a problem in this city, but always make sure you are wearing appropriate clothing, as some spaces require more conservative outerwear. 

Discover attractions such as the Hoi An Ancient Town which has been able to survive over a few centuries, the Japanese Covered Bridge, An Bang Beach, Rehahn Gallery, and The Marble Mountains. Take a journey into the past or head over to the beach and enjoy this Asian country. 

Though all of Norway boasts friendly people, Bergen in particular is quite safe due to it being a college town and low crime rate. You can even feel safe walking around at ten-thirty at night, exploring the night life but the beautiful views of both water and mountains. 

Some must-see attractions in Bergen include the Fløibanen which gives you a bird’s eye view of the coastal town, Bryggen, Fantoft Stave Church, Bergenhus Fortress, and the University Museum – Museum of History. Even though it rains nearly every day, the moments when the rain stops make Bergen so much better and shows off how stunning the city really is. 

The capital of England and the United Kingdom blends 21st-century and Roman structures into a beautiful city known as London. Since London is quite open and accepting of any group of people, solo females will have no problem walking around this bustling city. It is one of the safest major cities in the world because of this fact. 

Along with the famous Thames River cutting through the city, you can visit the House of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey where coronation ceremonies occur, or the London Eye. One of the main cultural epicenters of the world, you will not only enjoy the sights but the safety here. 

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Puerto Rico’s largest city and capital sits on the island’s Atlantic coast, home to both Caribbean and Spanish influences. San Juan is relatively safe for solo females, but there may be some catcalling that occurs. The best thing to do is to ignore and continue walking. You should also be aware of possible robberies as they have occurred too. 

Some things to look forward to in San Juan include the Isla Verde resort strip known for various bars, nightclubs, and casinos, El Morro, La Fortaleza, or the Paseo de la Princesa bayside promenade. You can also relax on the large stretches of beaches and get some much needed rest and vitamin D. 

Located in the Nordic region, Helsinki sits on Finland’s southern border looking out on the Gulf of Finland. In terms of travel, because this country has taken strides to ensure safety of women in the city and has a low crime rate, Helsinki is a great spot for solo females to travel. 

While on the peninsula, you can explore the central avenue by the name of Mannerheimintie, the National Museum showcasing history from the Stone Age to the present, the Parliament House, Kiasma, or the red-brick Uspenski Cathedral. Whichever you decide to visit, enjoy walking around with less fear and appreciate the city around you. 

A global center for not only art but fashion, gastronomy, and culture, Paris is crisscrossed with wide boulevards and the River Seine. Since French women travel alone a lot in this city, solo females should have no trouble walking around. Just always make sure you take the proper precautions when you walk around during the day or night. 

While you’re in this beautiful city, make sure you check out the Musée d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum which was created around 226 years ago, the Luxembourg Gardens, and the Arc de Triomphe commemorating two centuries of French history. These are just a few of the many historical and cultural landmarks spread throughout the French capital to explore. 

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Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto is located on the island of Honshu and is famous for its classical Buddhist temples. In terms of safety, Kyoto is one of the safest cities for solo females, especially with its low crime rate and women’s only accommodations for both housing and train cars on commuter trains. Even after dark in the city’s center you should be quite safe. 

Along with the Buddhist temples, Kyoto offers exploration of imperial palaces, Shinto shrines, traditional wooden houses, kaiseki dining consisting of multiple courses of precise dishes, and the wonderful female entertainers known as the Geisha in the Gion district. Learn not only about the history of Japan, but their exquisite culture that goes along with it. 

Legacies of Amsterdam’s 17th century Golden Age still shine bright in the capital of the Netherlands, specifically the narrow houses with gabled facades. When you travel to Amsterdam, be assured that the crime rate is quite low, the streets are well-lit at night, and the police are quite trustworthy. So if you do ever run into an issue, you should not have trouble finding someone to help you. 

Along with its elaborate canal system that spans the whole city, you can also check out the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank house located in the oldest synagogue in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark, and Centraal Station which rests on three man-made islands. Or, you can visit the fields of tulips in the spring, and watch as a rainbow appears on the ground made completely of flower petals. 

The capital of Scotland is compact, but still has a medieval Old Town as well as a newer Georgian New Town on its hilly terrain. With friendly and welcoming locals, low crime rates, and well-maintained police forces Edinburgh is considered a safe city for solo females to travel to. 

Suppose you’d like to explore the hills of Scotland. In that case, you should go visit Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat which is the remains of an extinct volcano, the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Old Town, and Calton Hill displaying a National Monument that was erected but never finished. 

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Located on the northeastern coast in the state of Massachusetts, Boston is the cultural and financial center of the New England region. For solo females the city is quite welcoming, and relatively safe. You should always be aware of your surroundings, especially since this is the largest city in the state. 

Suppose you’d like to visit this American city. In that case, you should try and visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library detailing Kennedy’s history up to his presidency, the Boston Public Library, Fenway Park, the Boston Public Garden, and the Freedom Trail. Once the location of the famous Boston Tea Party, come and explore this history-rich city right on the coast. 

At the mouth of the River Liffey on Ireland’s east coast sits Dublin, the capital of the country. This vibrant city comes with a low crime rate, making it safe for solo females. Though be aware, as the biggest crime that may occur to you is pickpocketing, so make sure your belongings are always where you can see them. 

If you’re looking for something to do, take a chunk out of your day and visit the Kilmainham Gaol museum, the Guinness Storehouse where you can interactively learn how an idea turned into a booming business, St. Stephens Green, Glasnevin, or The Book of Kells & Old Library where monks from the Dark Ages painstakingly illustrated parts of the New Testament. 

Built on more than 100 islands in a lagoon on the Adriatic Sea, Venice has no roads but canals connecting the city together. In terms of safety, solo females should be okay traveling around this country, but there are warnings. You should avoid any dimly lit narrow streets, especially since there have been incidents of mugging or pickpocketing. 

Along with the Grand Canal thoroughfare which is lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces, you should go visit Doge’s Palace which was the center of power for the Republic of Venice more than 1,000 years ago, the Piazza San Marco, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, the Cannaregio, or the Teatro La Fenice.

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Both a country and city-state in Southeast Asia, Singapore is a destination for both groups and solo females. The biggest benefit to Singapore is its sprawling transit network, making it easy to travel to and from your hotel with ease. As with normal cities, just be aware of your surroundings and you should have a good time. 

While exploring this city-state, you might want to check out Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Botanical Gardens which is the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, the National Orchid Garden, the Cloud Forest, and Marina Bay which is a mix of commercial and residential buildings. There is plenty to find and explore in this expansive country. 

Last but certainly not least is the Scandinavian country of Iceland and its capital Reykjavik. Named as the safest country in the world for the past fifteen years, solo females will rejoice in the low crime rates and stellar gender equality that is represented in this northern capital. If you want to travel alone for the first time, you should try to visit Reykjavik.

If you decide to go to Reykjavik, you should visit Hallgrimskirkja which soars over the capital, Perlan that showcases the country’s geology and flora, Harpa Reykjavik Concert Centre, the Sun Voyager, and the Ring Road to get the full experience of Iceland’s incredible sights. 

Whenever you decide to take that leap and travel by yourself for the first time, there are numerous cities and countries that are safe for solo females exploring the world. Either choose from our detailed list of destinations, or plot your own course and have fun doing it. Always make sure to be aware of your surroundings, and you shouldn’t have a problem. 

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