The 14 Best Solo Travel Destinations, According to Globetrotting PureWow Editors

• Where to Stay: Plaza Athénée (from $1,968/night), Le Meurice (from $2,392/night), Paris 11ème Studio (from $78/night, sleeps 2)
• Things to Do: Bouillon Pigalle, Jardin des Plantes, Musée de la Vie Romantique

I’m a lifelong francophile and lived in France for two years—so trust me when I say Paris is one of the best solo travel destinations. (And I’ve always felt safe traveling alone there, too.) Even now, being based in New York, the first place always on my mind is Paris—I’m actually here now, as I write this. Obviously, you could spend a lifetime here, but if you only have a week, there’s no shortage of things to do, even solo. For the literary, I’d check out The Red Wheelbarrow Bookstore (skip the touristy Shakespeare & Co.) for cool author events (and a great place to make new friends) and then hop next door to Trieze au Jardin for…Southern comfort food right across from the Luxembourg Gardens.

Where said gardens are concerned, my personal favorite is the underrated Jardin des Plantes, which has two beautiful cherry blossom trees that just explode come spring. Skip the Louvre and head to Musée de la Vie Romantique—an unassuming (pink!) house at the base of Montmartre, to explore the life and works of George Sand, Ary Scheffer and Ernest Renan. (Note: It’s closed until 2026 for renovations, so in the meantime, I recommend other small museums like Musée Bourdelle, Musée Rodin and Musée Picasso—among the many, many others overshadowed by the likes of the D’Orsay.)

Finally, in my opinion you can’t leave without doing two things: Eating a three-course dinner at Bouillion Pigalle (the French equivalent of the American diner) and dipping into Officine de Buly on rue Bonaparte. The latter is an old-school apothecary with honeycomb tiles, old wood cabinets and everything from perfume to lotion in milk glass bottles with engraved brass caps. Swoon.

• Where to Stay: Sunstar Grindelwald (from $672/night), Hotel Belvedere (from $729/night), Eiger North Face Studio (from $111/night, sleeps 2)
• Things to Do: Grindelwald First gondola, cliff walk, eat Swiss fondue

“Grindelwald is a super small village in the Alps that feels unreal in its beauty, but easily accessible from bigger cities via train,” says PureWow Associate Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera. “Everything’s totally walkable. I stayed just one night at Sunstar Grindelwald, but immediately wished I had booked at least one or two more. It was so cozy and had the *best* outdoor views, plus a warm bar area that was perfect for relaxing at the end of the day. There’s lots of options for outdoor activities, but I chose to take the gondola up to Grindelwald First to do the cliff walk, which was slightly terrifying, but I actually ended up meeting some people who were also visiting and did it alongside them to make it less scary! As for food, I'd definitely suggest snagging some Swiss fondue while you're there from one of the cute restaurants in the town. Everything was super dog-friendly (including the gondola ride, restaurants and train), which I especially appreciated, too.”

• Where to Stay: Grand Fiesta Americana (from $271/night), Hotel Boutique Na'ura Centro (from $117/night), Oaxaca Loft (from $84/night, sleeps 2)
• Things to Do: Casa Oaxaca, La Mezcalerita, walking around Zocalo

“Being a New Yorker who doesn’t drive, I spent most of my time in Oaxaca on foot,” says PureWow Senior Commerce Editor Stephanie Maida. “I felt very comfortable walking around solo, both day and night. Even after dark, there are tons of people—families, groups of friends—out and about, especially around the Zocalo, which serves as the town square. This place was bustling with large groups, shop stands and performers. Very rarely did I happen upon a silent, empty street. I found great restaurants in the area, including Michelin-starred Casa Oaxaca, and hit a few bars after, including the rooftop hotspot La Mezcalerita, where the staff was so nice and accommodating, even taking the time to explain their cocktails and ingredients.”

• Where to Stay: Via Hotel (rrom $92/night), Pacific Business Hotel (from $245/night), Kiwa (from $122/night, sleeps 5)
• Things to Do: day trip to Jiufen, thrifting, Placebo Bar

Prior to 2023, I hadn’t been to Asia in a literal 20 years, but was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. My mom’s family is from Taiwan, and in the past couple years I’ve gone to Taipei twice. First things first: the food. You may have heard of the famous Asian concept of the night market, and I can tell you that whatever you saw in Crazy Rich Asians was true. These chaotic bazaars are selling every type of street food you can imagine, from stinky tofu (spoiler: it’s really stinky) to fried chicken and squid, plus congee (rice porridge) and my newly discovered favorite, dan bing—a Taiwanese breakfast burrito. Most things are served in paper or plastic bags with skewers for on-the-go eating, but there are plenty of sit-down restaurants, too. Surprisingly, Taipei Main Station (where light and commuter rail lines converge), is a behemoth with a gargantuan food court. Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong. (Though I highly recommend snagging mochi doughnuts at Mister Donut—they’re just over $2.)

For luxury shopping (and more food), Taipei 101 is the ultimate destination. My family also zipped up to the observation deck at the tippy-top for dizzying views of the surrounding mountains. If you’re not looking to drop thousands at Prada, Taipei does also have a strong vintage and thrift scene—there’s a 2nd Street Vintage on what feels like every other block, and there’s not as much congestion compared to thrift shops in NYC, where it feels like you’re neck-and-neck with everyone for a pair of Thom Browne boots. On my last trip, I scored a Chloé Drew bag from 2019 from $400, and it was basically new.

Also in the neighborhood is Elephant Mountain, where tourists flock by the thousands to watch the fireworks launch from Taipei 101. It’s an easy hike, but there are tons of stairs. If you’re looking for a nightcap, I took my brother to Placebo Bar, which serves up ‘70s Hong Kong vibes and an innovative cocktail menu.

Taiwan is a small island, so there are plenty of feasible day trip options. I’ve done two. Tamsui is a coastal town accessible by public transport, and there’s a “fisherman’s wharf” packed with food and gift shops. Right next to the train station is a matcha shop called Gozen Kamicha—please do yourself a favor and get the soft serve. The other location I enjoyed was Jiufen, a small mountain village near the eastern coast an hour from the city. Jiufen Old Street is packed with shops selling specialty teas, Taiwan nougat and shaved ice. Here's my little secret: at 197 Jishan Street, there’s an award-winning jade stamp maker, who carves everything by hand. In Taiwan, it’s customary to have a personalized stamp for official documents as it functions like your signature. I got one just for fun—they’re true works of art.

I will say that English isn’t as prevalent in Taiwan—even in a big city like Taipei—but as someone who doesn’t speak any Mandarin or Taiwanese, I got around fairly well with hand gestures, the small handful of food vocabulary I knew and a translation app. (So did the many foreigners—mainly Europeans—I saw there, too.) And while people might not speak much English, many things, from street signs and public transit announcements to menus, are translated. Last note: While credit cards are accepted at larger businesses like Taipei 101, cash is still king, so make sure to have it on hand.

• Where to Stay: Hotel Beau Rivage (from $580/night), Hôtel Khla (from $224/night), Place Massena Apartment (from $117/night)
• Things to Do: walk the Quai des États-Unis, Old Nice farmer’s market, Parc de la Colline du Château

LaBarbera recommends Nice as one of the best solo travel destinations, saying, “I felt super safe exploring everything from the farmer's market in Old Nice to shopping in the city center, strolling the Quai des Étas-Unis and walking around the Parc de la Colline du Château. The château has some seriously stunning views and an impressive waterfall. I also love that there are a bunch of restaurants right along the shore that have chaise lounges where you can relax in the sun all day while also being able to order food and drinks right there. My—and my dog’s—fave was Le Temps D'Un Été.”

• Where to Stay: Grand Hotel La Cloche (from $321/night), Hôtel Particulier Maison Jazey (from $210/night, sleeps 4), Apartment Lafayette (from $65/night, sleeps 2)
• Things to Do: Beaujolais Nouveau, Dijon Musée des Beaux-Arts, Semur-en-Auxois medieval festival

France is well known for its many wine and spirit producing regions, from the Loire Valley to Cognac, Alsace-Lorraine, Champagne and, of course, Burgundy. While I’ve been to a handful, Burgundy is the region I continue to return to. There are three cities/towns that I love: Dijon, the capital; the town of Beaune and the village of Semur-en-Auxois.

Dijon was the historical seat of the Dukes of Burgundy, and today has an incredible museum of fine arts. As the name suggests, it’s also the home of Dijon mustard—personally, I opt for the grainy version or none at all. A great way to get a view of the city is to climb the Tour Philippe le Bon, which will show you the swath of traditional tiled rooftops—true works of art in themselves.

Take a 40-minute train ride south, and you’ll be in the town of Beaune. I’ve been there three times in winter and fall—the latter being prime time. Come November, the town celebrates Beaujolais Nouveau—the first red wine of the season. (I got my first taste of frog legs here at a street market.) You can also take a cooking class at The Cook’s Atelier. But the real hidden gem is located in the Hôtel-Dieu des Hospices de Beaune—aside from some traditional Burgundian architecture (including those gorgeous roof tiles), this is the home of Belgian painter Rogier van der Weyden’s “The Last Judgement” triptych, otherwise known as the Beane Alterpiece. It’s a key piece of artwork in Western art history, and I almost screamed when I saw it. I make a point to pay a visit every time I’m in town.

An hour west (two by public transportation) of Dijon is a storybook town called Semur-en-Auxois. I first stumbled upon it during a road trip from Paris to Provence. The fortressed village, surrounded by a river, is tucked away in the hills so that the citadel rises up as you crest into the valley, and disappears after you’ve driven away. It’s the home of an annual medieval festival, which regularly sees crowds of over 30,000.

• Where to Stay: The Beacon Hotel (from $140/night), Fishkill Creek Home (from $169/night, sleeps 4), Main Street Loft (from $103/night, sleeps 2)
• Things to Do: Bannerman Castle, The Roundhouse, Dia Beacon 

“I did a solo getaway to Beacon and I felt like I was living on the set of a Hallmark movie,” says PureWow Associate Editor of News and Entertainment, Nakeisha Campbell. “There’s a charming little town with a strip of small shops, museums and restaurants along Main Street, and I just couldn’t get over how peaceful and picturesque it all looked. [I recommend] hiking or doing a tour of Bannerman’s Castle on the Hudson River. It’s a fantastic place to unwind and clear your head.”

Other can’t miss activities in this Hudson Valley town include Dia Beacon, a contemporary art exhibition space in a former Nabisco box-printing factory built in 1929. The collection focuses on artwork produced in the 1960s onward. And once you’re on the Victorian-style Main Street, be sure to stop in at Zakka Joy for gifts and stationery, Estilo Y Vino Wine Bar for live jazz and The Roundhouse for views of the waterfall.

• Where to Stay: The LINE (from $191/night), Fairmont Austin (from $231/night), The Bouldin Bungalow (from $110/night, sleeps 2)
• Things to Do: catch the live music scene, The Salt Lick BBQ, SXSW

“I’ve visited this lovely Texas hub multiple times, including during the SXSW festival when I spent most of my time there riding solo,” Maida says. “It’s a bustling, incredibly walkable city, which I appreciate as a non-driver. I was able to get around quite easily (although I did splurge on Ubers late at night). Since I was there during this city-wide festival, it was pretty packed with visitors, so I felt pretty safe walking around alone being surrounded by so many people. On that solo visit I stayed in a hostel, which I would NOT recommend—I booked an Airbnb in a luxury condo building the next time I went back and that was a much better experience. But otherwise, you can expect a lot of friendly locals. One of my Uber drivers volunteered to take ‘the long way’ to my destination in order to give me a tour of some famous landmarks, and it was really nice.”

Even if you’re not in town during the mega festival, there’s plenty to indulge in year-round. Live music is part of the city’s social fabric, and venues like The Roosevelt Room, Meanwhile Brewing Co. and Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar all offer live music. If you’re willing to take a 45-minute drive out of the city, you’ll be rewarded with The Salt  Lick BBQ, a renowned joint that’s been dishing up the finest cuts of meat since 1967. And if you visit in the springtime, you might just catch the eye-popping fields of blue bonnets in Hill Country.

• Where to Stay: The Plaza Hotel (from $1,300/night), Warren Street Hotel (from $825/night), The Marlton Hotel (from $419/night)
• Things to Do: Frick Madison Museum, The Polo Bar, gallery hopping in Chelsea

Take it from PureWow editors who live in and travel to New York: It’s a great solo travel destination (or, in some of our cases, a staycation). After living here for almost three years, the thing I’m most excited about right now is the recent re-opening of the Frick Madison, which has undergone extensive renovations. It’s renowned for its Old Master paintings and collection of European sculptures and decorative arts. Another thing I love is art gallery hopping in Chelsea. Every spring, it's also the host of the Affordable Art Fair, showcasing contemporary art ranging from as little as $100 up to $12,000.

When it comes to dining, you’ll catch me pretending I’m in a Wes Anderson film at Soho Diner and sharing Romanian small plates with friends at Oti. For a very New York experience, you’ll want to make a reservation at The Polo Bar, an extension of the Ralph Lauren boutique.  

As for Los Angeles-based PureWow Senior Editor Dana Dickey, she says, “Every time I visit, I’m reminded of why the greatest city in the world has that label—because it’s thrumming along on more creativity, ambition and just plain moxie than anywhere else. And it feels super safe, as long as you remember to not display any bling and keep your eye on your bag. (I’ve been purse-snatched in Buenos Aires and Washington, D.C, but never NYC.) A great trip to New York for me entails a Broadway show, a trip to MOMA and/or the Whitney, a seat at the latest hot restaurant and a drink at Bemelman’s Bar uptown. And if it’s summer, I’ll ride the train to Queens, where there’s a little more room to enjoy the culture at the Noguchi Museum, MOMA PS1 and the Museum of the Moving Image.”

On the other hand, if you’ve already been to the Big Apple, it’s totally worth eschewing the traditional tourist attractions. Instead, see an off-Broadway play at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in the West Village (it recently featured Adam Driver in Hold Onto Me Darling), catch an experimental orchestra concert with InfraSound, go (free) gallery hopping (I like following @thirstygallerina on Instagram for recs) and explore the city’s myriad bookshops and record stores.

• Where to Stay: The Lafayette Hotel and Club (from $404/night), The Pearl (from $234/night), Mike’s Cottage (from $150/night, sleeps 2)
• Things to Do: Mitch’s Seafood, La Jolla Sea Caves, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

“I like to escape to San Diego for a getaway, but not the downtown Gaslamp District of San Diego proper,” Dickey proclaims. “That would be fun if I was trawling for drinks and meet-ups with a bunch of girlfriends. But when I’m on my own, I prefer little neighborhood getaways like Point Loma, where the charming renovated motel The Pearl maintains comfy little rooms and an elevated in-house dining experience where you nosh around the retro kidney-shaped pool. It’s a short walk to the beach, and easy enough to rent a kayak to make your way to the La Jolla Sea Caves or to go for a hike at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, after which you have earned your batter-fried fish taco at Mitch’s Seafood. The combination of warm air, friendly surfer-dude types and swaying palms makes me chill out like a local after a few hours here.”

• Where to Stay: Nobu Ryokan (from $2,000/night), Topanga Tiny Home (from $261/night, sleeps 2), Malibu Country Inn (from $226/night)
• Things to Do: Malibu Country Mart, Magnolia Pearl, Malibu Shaman

“Malibu sounds like a glamorous movie-star destination, right? Actually, it’s got way more of a slow, small-town vibe, albeit one where the cars are expensive imports and the sweats everyone wears are made of lightweight cashmere,” Dickey says. “I love Malibu as a solo traveler, since it’s quiet and scenic. You can go days just strolling the beaches and browsing shops, having a pampered spa experience or taking a surfing or paddleboarding lesson. I never miss a chance to browse the Malibu Country Mart, see the clothes at Magnolia Pearl or pick up a metaphysical book at Malibu Shaman before picking up a salad and a juice at John’s Garden. For a long time there were no great little hotels in Malibu, but now The M Malibu (from $329/night) and Malibu Country Inn have affordable rates, clean rooms and are a short jaunt to the beach. If you’re after a real treat, stay at Nobu Malibu, a gorgeous luxury getaway with a spa and soaking tubs right on the ocean. (It’s one of the best hotels in Los Angeles, if I may say so.)”

• Where to Stay: Portland Harbor Hotel (from $419/night), Embassy Suites Portland (from $202/night), Oceanfront Guest Suite (from $249/night)
• Things to Do: dinner at Scales, Otto’s Pizza, visit Kennebunkport

It might be a smaller New England city, but per Google Trends, search interest for this little outpost is at an all-time high, as it relates to solo travel.

“Growing up, my dad would rave about his business trips to Portland, Maine,” says PureWow Audience Development Strategist Nicole Frazzini. “When I asked him what his favorite parts of the city were as a solo traveler, he said: ‘The quaintness of the old city and amazing food scene!!!’ A few years ago, my family finally had the chance to see what all the fuss was about—and he did not lead us astray. We had one of the most delicious meals ever at Scales, and then just wandered around the cobblestone streets while eating some gelato. A word to the wise: Avoid stilettos and thin heels in this city, as I almost twisted my ankle on said cobblestone streets.”

Another can’t miss meal is Otto’s Pizza. Though I (Marissa) never visited Portland, I was educated in Boston, and this Portland chain had made its way down to the Bay State. Serving it was a surefire way to get noncommittal college students to show up to any event. And for all you Taylor Swift fans: If you have a car, the town where the pop star filmed the “Mine” music video is called Kennebunkport—and just 35 minutes away.