Inspiring Places Every Solo Woman Should Explore

Did you know this is your world and we’re just living in it? That’s right. This is your world and your life. What do you want it to look like? Filling it with solo travel is, perhaps, one of the most empowering thing any woman can do. 

You get to design your own itinerary, choose your own accommodations, navigate new cities with a level of panache you never knew you had, and meet a host of new people along the way. When we travel with our friends or lovers, we tend to stay in our own little bubbles. But, when we strap on our crossbody bag and head out into the unknown alone, we find ourselves chatting with the local baristas and bartenders more often than we would under different circumstances. 

If solo travel has been on your mind, we won’t even hesitate before we offer you a resounding, “Yes, do it!” Of course, there are a few safety tips we’d like you to keep in mind along the way. But, that aside, get ready to savor the moments that may very well change the entire trajectory of your life. 

Galway, Ireland

Or, shall we say, pretty much all of Ireland – within reason. By and large, you will always feel safe when visiting Ireland. Sure, there are pockets of any big city where you need to use your street smarts but, for the most part, you will feel very safe in Galway. 

Stick to the Latin Quarter, where you’ll find Quay Street and Shop Street – brimming with pubs bustling with live Irish music. And, if you feel brave enough to rent a car, head out to the Wild Atlantic Way after your city adventures to see nature’s raw beauty in places like The Cliffs of Moher and The Burren. To help you plan your adventure, here are 15 must-see villages along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. 

Paris, France

In any one of these big cities, you know the drill. Stick to the populated areas and don’t stay out too late at night. Know your way to and from your hotel or Airbnb like the back of your hand, and walk fast – as though you’ve done it a million times and are a woman with a purpose. The reason these big cities are prime spots for solo trips is because you can blend right in. 

It’s no big deal if you’re sitting alone at a café, sipping on a glass of wine. No one will notice you wandering through the Louvre alone or people-watching in Jardin du Luxembourg. You can go where you want to go, eat where you want to eat, and do everything on your own time. To help you further blend in, here are 30 places in Paris only locals know about. 

Venice, Italy

For further cultural enrichment where no one will blink twice that you’re sipping an espresso in a café alone, head to Venice. If you feel brave enough to do it in the off-season, when it’s mainly you and the locals, do it. Things get really more difficult in the summertime, giving you the sense that you’re only getting pushed around and crowded in. 

Imagine walking through Piazza San Marco when it’s relatively quiet, or entering the cathedral to savor the unique blend of Byzantine, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture. You may even become a bit of a regular somewhere and, the moment you walk in the café, someone has a little heart-shaped cappuccino ready for you. 

Edinburgh, Scotland

Like Galway – and most of Ireland – you’ll feel relatively safe in Edinburgh – and most of Scotland. Some of the more urban/industrial cities might not have the same feel, like Glasgow, but Edinburgh or the Highlands will treat you right. 

Come here to step inside Edinburgh Castle (again, off-season, if you can). Then, walk the Royal Mile down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, dipping in and out of shops along the way. If you love to read/write, head to the Writers’ Museum to be swept off your feet by the romance of poetry. The National Museum of Scotland is also here and, of course, if you’re a Harry Potter fan, well, your options just expanded exponentially. For more on that, here’s how to discover Edinburgh, the magical city that inspired J.K. Rowling’s creation.