Traveling solo as a woman? These are the best destinations according to Airbnb
Solo travel is hot! How great is it that you get to decide entirely for yourself where you go and what you do? Even if you don’t get out of bed until three in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day eating pasta, it’s your solo party. Airbnb put together a list of the best destinations for solo travelers, especially for women traveling alone.
The top ten destinations are cities where people feel very safe. Whatever way you look at it, that is an important aspect for a woman traveling alone. Airbnb worked with WalkSafe, a well-known safety app, to compile the top 10. The parties investigated which cities had the most female travelers booking an overnight stay on their own. Good news for us: half of the list consists of European cities!
1. Paris
It is the city of love, but hey: love doesn’t always have to be about couples in love. As a female solo traveler, you can get around the French capital very easily. There are plenty of places where you can entertain yourself for hours on your own, from picturesque neighborhoods like Montmartre to impressive museums like the Louvre. In the mood for some culinary anticipation? We recommend Bon Appétit Paris by Mara Grimm.
2. Dubai
FavorFlav’s Sharon is convinced: Dubai is heaven for foodies. Female solo travelers who are a little crazy about good food will feel right at home here. Good to know: crime rates in Dubai are very low. Add to that the reliable and easy public transport system, and you understand why this city ranks so highly on this list.
3. Barcelona
Are you a female solo traveler who enjoys a party? Head to Barcelona! Because if there is anywhere you can really go out, it is this Spanish coastal city. You can have drinks and dance at the best bars in the world, namely Sips and Paradiso. Barcelona is highly appealing to female solo travelers simply because of its nightlife culture: if you want, you are never alone here. Even if you’re not a great dancer. Sitting on a terrace with tapas and sangria, you could easily end up staying out very late.
4. Lisbon
As a woman traveling alone, you won’t have a dull moment in Lisbon. There is so much to see, whether you’re strolling past colorful street art or visiting historic buildings such as Castelo de São Jorge. And then there’s the food… Is anything better than an authentic Portuguese dish? If you love Portuguese food and enjoy meeting new people, here’s a tip: join a food tour through the city. Kill two birds with one stone.
5. Cape Town
It may surprise you a little, but Cape Town is a safe city for female solo travelers. There is a security guard on almost every street corner keeping an eye on things. It is also a vibrant city with something going on all year round. In any case, I recommend a visit to rooftop bar Chinchilla. Drinking cocktails with a view of Table Mountain and the sea, do I need to say more?
6. Sydney
I understand that you can’t just hop on a plane for a weekend trip to this Australian city. But if you’re on the Australian continent anyway, a visit to Sydney should not be missed. The city is great for female solo travelers because it has a very relaxed vibe. Locals are also very welcoming and happy to take you out. Tip: in Sydney, you can go to Karen’s Diner. You know, that restaurant where you pay to be yelled at.
7. Madrid
Viva España! That much is clear, as no fewer than two Spanish cities feature in this top-ten list. Barcelona as well as Madrid. A visit to the Spanish capital is a party, literally and figuratively. Visit the magnificent royal palace, shop all day on Calle Serano (if you have an endless wallet), and eat the best Spanish tapas at one of the many mercados. This is a city where you may well end up staying a few extra days.
8. Athens
Athens is a divine place for female solo travelers who love history and architecture. Here, you can take a deep dive into fascinating Greek history at places such as the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora. You will also find history in the form of countless trendy vintage shops, where you can shop endlessly. Head to Protogenous Street for those. Food? You can eat that on the street too. There are plenty of delicious street-food stalls where you can eat like a Greek god. Greek pita with lamb kebab, for example.
9. Melbourne
In Australia and already visited Sydney? Continue on to Melbourne. A true hipster city, where you will meet lots of cool people drinking coffee on trendy terraces. That phenomenon alone makes Melbourne very accessible to solo travelers. Be sure to check out Ponyfish Island: a floating bar on the Yarra River. You will meet equally trendy people here, but with cocktails in their hands instead of coffee.
10. Toronto
I lived in Canada for a while myself, and I can confirm: Toronto is a wonderfully pleasant city. It’s like a mini New York, but with the nicest people in the world as its residents. Yes, Canadians are absolute sweethearts, and they will give you a very warm welcome to the city. Tell them you’d love to eat poutine with them and you’ll win their hearts too!
Read also:
- Fancy a city trip in 2024? According to Booking.com, these are the top destinations you should visit
- Know before you go: 12 French dishes you might want to avoid
- Know before you go: 8 Spanish delicacies you might want to avoid
Source: Time Out
