Top Safe and Welcoming Destinations for Solo Female Travelers
- Tatty
- Apr 2
- 7 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Below is a list of 4 countries which I think are great for first time solo female travelers, hopefully they will inspire you to book the trip!
Spain
Let's kick things off with my favorite country in Europe. I had the opportunity to stay here for 6 months working as an au-pair (a live in nanny) which allowed me to get to know the culture and also travel a lot throughout this beautiful country. In total I spent 7 months in this country (I went back to travel for a month a few years after my experience) so I know a thing or two about Spain.
Spain is a great country for solo female travelers as it is safe, and has great tourism infrastructure. Spain is one of the most visited countries in Europe, for good reason.
What to do? - Spain is a very diverse country, from the greenery of Galicia, to the dry interior, to the beaches on the costa del sol, Spain has it all. I truly believe there is something for everyone in Spain. It has so much history, culture and a way of life like no other. A lot of natural beauty coupled with roman history Spain is really breathtaking.
Some of my favorite places in Spain:
Galicia - A completely different culture and even language, the green hills of Galicia will blow you away. Such a beautiful place. The Cies islands are also in Galicia and are worth the journey. Un-spoilt beaches with crystal clear water.
Salamanca and Cáceres - Like stepping into a movie scene, these cities have preserved history and their town centres will blow you away. Salamanca is a university city so has a bit going on but I recommend taking the 2h car journey to Cáceres and spending some time there as it is so unique.
Sevilla - A beautiful city with a lot of preserved history, with so much to see and do. Sevilla is overflowing with Andalusian culture and is unmissable when travelling to Spain.
Granada - My favorite place in Spain by far, the quaint streets of the old city, the old fort (Alhambra) and the flamenco shows in the old preserved caves. Granada is truly mind-blowing. You can also do it in the same trip as Sevilla, as its not too far.
Sure there are the other places in Spain that everyone knows about like Barcelona, Alicante, even Madrid, but to me the places listed above are truly the highlights of Spain, but if you take a month to travel Spain you can cover these as well, it just depends what you want to see and do!
In terms of safety, I find Spain to be safe, just be careful in the big cities or touristy areas with your things as pickpockets are common. From my knowledge there aren't any common scams. Just keep an eye on your belongings. Spain is also known for its partying, so if you do want to take part in this, just keep an eye on your drinks and make sure you are with a group of people you trust.
Malaysia
I couldn't do a post about the best places for first time female solo travelers and not include the country I went to on my first solo trip! I remember after months of watching people talk about solo travelling on youtube waking up one day and deciding that was what I wanted to do. At the time it was very out of character, at the age of 24 I was still scared of the dark, and not to mention a huge fear of planes and flying. Nonetheless my desire to see the world was greater, so I watched more videos and concluded that Malaysia would be the right place for me. It was different enough (I had never been to Asia) but my research told me it was safe enough so off I went.
I found Malaysia to be safe and all the signs were also written in English which was helpful enough. I was able to download ride sharing apps like grab so travelling around felt safe. The locals were very friendly and helpful and honestly I couldn't have wished for more for my first taste of solo travel. A 3 week itinerary took me to 4 cities and Singapore which I recommend for sure. Malaysia has everything from the hustle and bustle of the markets in Kuala Lumpur, to the green hills of the Cameron Highlands and the beaches of Langkawi. Below is a run down of each place i went to in Malaysia:
Kuala Lumpur - The capital city of Malaysia is filled with bustling markets, a delicious China town, the famous KL towers and beautiful mosques.
Malacca - An ex Portuguese colony, Malacca even has its own Christ the redeemer statue and you can even taste Portuguese food. A cultural melting pot of all the European countries which once occupied it, it has influences from all over Europe. A lovely market and a scenic river make Malacca special.
Penang - Technically an island connected by a bridge to the peninsula, Penang has its own unique culture. Narrow alleyways covered in street art and delicious street food. Also the home of the infamous love lane, and the place I surprisingly had the best Falafel.
Cameron Highlands - The tea plantations of Malaysia, an oasis away from the bustling cities and the humid heat. A tour here is recommended but also a couple of days is great to explore the little town and nearby waterfalls.
There are other popular places to explore in Malaysia, such as Langkawi, although I didn't get an opportunity to go. Make sure you look up the weather in each place as the rainy seasons differ on the islands and the peninsula so make sure you do your research beforehand. I was there in May and there were thunder and rainstorms everyday although minor and they soon subside.
I felt safe in Malaysia for the most part. There were a couple of things that made me uncomfortable, but I wouldn't say unsafe. Once a taxi driver asked for my phone to look up directions and I said no. He could have taken my phone or worse. Never give your phone to anyone. Keep hold of your belongings, you can always get out of a taxi and get another if you don't feel comfortable. Other than that there are no scams I encountered but always do your research beforehand. Remember that you are in control, always.
Portugal
How could I do a post about best places to travel as a first time solo traveler and not include my home country. I was born in Portugal, but then moved to the UK as a baby, but travelled back at least once a year and have also taken a month road trip through the country its self. Portugal has everything you could want and more. From the green, volcanic islands in the Atlantic ocean to the desert like beaches and caves in the Algarve region. The wonderful greenery of the north and the palaces of Sintra in the charming capital of Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal really does have something for everyone.
The country breathes culture and delicious food. Portugal is very safe and accessible to tourists. I actually had the pleasure of meeting one of my best friends in Portugal whilst she was taking her very own first solo trip in this magnificent country, and she recommends it too!
My top recommendations in Portugal are:
Madeira Island - Although far from mainland Portugal, and actually closer to Morroco, this little tropical paradise is 70% UNESCO protected Lauri Silva forest and worth at least 1 week, if not 2 exploring the volcanic island and all the enchanting hikes.
Lagos or Algarve in General - Popular for good reason, the caves in Lagos are mesmerizing, and the beaches are too! It's a fair bit touristy, but Lagos is a lovely town with lots of water activities and lovely beaches.
Lisbon - The capital of Portugal, unlike other capital cities in western Europe, Lisbon has preserved its charm, especially in the old neighbourhood of Alfama. Not to mention the lovely beaches in Cascais just a 25 minute train ride away and the palaces and greenery of Sintra, a 40 minute train ride away.
Porto - A charming city in the north of Portugal, with its own culture. Blue tiles decorate the train station and the churches and the river is overflowing with life. Delicious wine and food which is unique to the rest of the country. Definitely worth a weekend away!
Thailand
How could I forget about the country I spent 7 weeks in and met my best friend! Thailand is popular with backpackers, and for good reason! From the mountains in the north to the beaches in the south Thailand has something for everyone. The tourism infrastructure is amazing which makes travelling around this beautiful country a breeze. Some of my favorite places in Thailand are below:
Pai - A mountainous city in Thailand, Pai is full of nature and great for people who want to do outdoor activities. It is genuinely so beautiful, and the center of Pai has a great chilled vibe and amazing street food in the night market. The ride to Pai has many bends though, so sickness tablets are recommended.
The delicious spring rolls that I still talk about to this day! Koh Phi Phi - The party capital of the south, its filled with backpackers but don't worry if this isn't your vibe. I'm not much of a partier but I still enjoyed the entertainment on the beach side, and the snorkeling at many of the secluded beaches. It was a real paradise for me and I can't wait to go back!
Beautiful beaches in Koh Phi Phi, perfect for snorkeling! Koh Tao - Known for its water activities Koh Tao has lots of lovely beaches and also nature. Delicious food and a really fun vibe. A lot of people come here to do scuba diving so if that is your thing, Koh Tao is for you!
Sunset in Koh Tao was always so beautiful!
I would say that most places in Thailand are great for first time solo female travelers as there is a huge backpacking community and the road is well travelled. I found Thailand to be pretty safe. I don't remember there being any common scams although people can be insistent when they ask you to see their shops and make sure you bargain hard as it is common practice to overcharge tourists.
The above are just my recommendations from my own experiences however there are lots more countries I would recommend for solo female travelers embarking on their first adventure. I hope you find these tips useful and please let me know if I have missed anything or if you have any questions!
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