Exploring with LEXI

I still remember planning my one of my first trips. It was a trip that I was supposed to take with my ex and no this is not a breakup story hallmark movie starting (my Eat Pray Love moment came later lol). But what did happen is that he couldn’t travel due to a visa issue and instead of changing my trip and canceling plans I said, “Well I am going anyways.”

I know that might sound mean, but I knew then I shouldn’t let someone or my fear of going solo stop me and you should either! What is that Hillary Duff Cinderella movie quote? “don’t let the fear of striking out stop you from playing the game ” The solo travel game LOL

So I totally get it having a mix of excitement and nerves is completely normal. Almost every solo female traveler feels it before that first trip.

Here’s the good news: more women are traveling solo than ever, and there’s a reason certain destinations keep coming up as the best choices for beginners. They’re easy to navigate, welcoming to solo women, and they let you build real travel confidence without throwing you into the deep end. In this guide, I’m covering exactly where to go, how to plan it, and how to build the confidence to make this the first of many trips. Let’s get into it!

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The Best Solo Travel Destinations for First-Time Female Travelers

Alright, the part you’ve probably been waiting for. Let’s talk actual destinations.

These are the best solo travel destinations for first-time female travelers because they check every box I mentioned earlier: walkable, safe-feeling, easy to get around, and full of other travelers doing the same thing you’re about to do. This is just a mini list but there is of course more

Best Solo Female Travel Destinations in Europe

If someone asked me where I’d send them for their very first solo trip, Europe would probably be my answer. It’s just… easy. The trains make sense, it’s incredibly walkable, and you don’t have to spend your whole trip worrying about how to get from A to B. You can actually enjoy yourself. Plus for my English speaker most people in Europe speak English

• Copenhagen. Clean, safe, and one of the most walkable cities I’ve been to. Great for someone who wants their first trip to feel easy from the second they land. More pricey but a fun city!
• Amsterdam. Compact, bike-friendly, and simple to navigate even on zero sleep after a long flight.
• Barcelona. Beautiful, walkable, and lively without feeling chaotic. Great mix of beach, architecture, and food.
• Budapest. Underrated and much more affordable than Western Europe, with excellent public transit and a real solo-traveler scene.
• London. Massive, but broken into neighborhoods that each feel manageable on their own. The Tube makes it nearly impossible to truly get stuck somewhere.

If Lisbon is on your list too, I’ve got a full Lisbon travel guide with my exact 3-day itinerary, where to stay, and what to eat, so check that out once you’re ready to plan the details.

Best US Cities for First-Time Solo Female Travelers

You don’t need a passport to start. Some of my favorite picks if you’d rather stay domestic for your first trip:

• Chicago. Walkable downtown, solid public transit, and an easy city to feel oriented in fast.
• Boston. Small enough to not feel overwhelming, with tons of history and walkability packed into a compact footprint.
• Washington, D.C. Free world-class museums, wide walkable areas, and a metro system that’s genuinely easy to figure out.
• New York City. Incredible, but I’ll be honest with you: it can feel like a lot for a first solo trip. So much energy, so much noise, so much go-go-go. Which is something I LOVE about that city! But I do get that it can be a lot for people so if that’s you then don’t but pressure on yourself to go see the big apple if the BIG in the big apple is stressing you out lol.
  If you love a bigger challenge, go for it. If not, save NYC for your second or third trip once you’ve got a little more solo confidence under your belt.

Best Beginner-Friendly Solo Travel Destinations Beyond Europe and the US

A few more destinations that consistently show up on every list of the best solo travel destinations for first-time female travelers, and for good reason.

• Japan. Genuinely one of the safest countries in the world to travel through alone. Trains run on time down to the minute, signage is easy to follow even without speaking Japanese, and it’s culturally very normal to dine or explore solo. If you’re nervous about a bigger international trip, Japan is a fantastic place to prove to yourself that you can do it.
• South Korea I found everyone here so friendly and kind and the whole time I was here I just felt at peace and there was never a moment where I was nervous looking over my shoulder. I walked around all of Seoul and just loved that the city had temples in the heart of a big city. I didn’t leave Seoul but I would definitely be back.
• Australia English-speaking, incredibly friendly locals, good public transit, a lot of history and influence from asia in the food.

Destinations to Approach With Extra Caution as a First-Time Solo Traveler

This isn’t about avoiding entire countries or regions. It’s about being honest that some places require more experience, more research, or more caution before you go there completely alone. If a destination has current travel advisories, limited public transit, or a reputation for higher scam or harassment rates toward solo women, I’d personally save it for a trip or two down the road, once you’ve built up more instincts for reading a new place quickly. There’s no shame in that. Building up to bigger challenges is exactly how confidence works.

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Is solo travel worth it?

For me, without a doubt. It’s taught me to trust myself and to stop waiting for the “right time” or the “right person” to go live the life I keep talking about. It’s never been perfect, but between the awkward solo dinners and the wrong turns that led me to the best part of the city, I’ve never once regretted going.

If you’re waiting to feel completely fearless before you book anything, you might be waiting a long time. Confidence isn’t something you find before your first trip, it’s something you build because of it.

Still feeling nervous? Read my guide on how to solo travel for the first time (even if you’re nervous). It’ll help you feel more prepared before you go.

If you’ve made it this far, that’s a good sign you’re ready. Stop overthinking it, pick one of the destinations above, and book the ticket.

Come find me on Instagram for real-time trip updates, and subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive, step-by-step guides before you book your next adventure. I’ve also got destination-specific guides on the blog, Lisbon included, if you want the detailed itinerary version of everything we just covered.

So tell me: what’s holding you back from booking your first solo trip? I’d genuinely love to know, drop it in the comments below.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Solo Travel for First-Time Female Travelers

Is solo travel safe for female travelers?

Yes, generally. Solo female travel can be incredibly safe as long as you research ahead of time, stay aware of your surroundings, and trust your instincts. Sticking to well-traveled, beginner-friendly destinations makes it even easier to feel confident from day one.

What are the best solo travel destinations for first-time female travelers?

Some of the best picks include Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Budapest, and London in Europe, Chicago, Boston, and Washington D.C. in the US, and Japan, South Korea, and Australia if you want to venture further. They’re all walkable, easy to navigate, and welcoming to solo women.

How do I start solo traveling for the first time if I’m nervous?

Start small. You don’t need a month-long international trip for your first solo adventure. A long weekend somewhere walkable and easy to get around is a great way to build confidence before you go bigger.

Is it normal to feel lonely while traveling alone?

Completely normal. Most solo travelers, myself included, have days that feel amazing and days that feel a little lonely, sometimes in the same trip. Hostels, group tours, and local activities all make it easier to meet people whenever you want company. Or wander into an ice cream shop and I am sure your loneliness will fade away

Which destinations should first-time solo female travelers approach with extra caution?

Rather than avoiding an entire country, it’s smarter to check current travel advisories, research specific neighborhoods, and confirm how easy the public transit is before you go. It’s not off-limits forever, just one to build up to once you’ve traveled solo a bit more.

At the end of the day, choosing the best solo travel destinations for first-time female travelers comes down to picking somewhere that lets you feel safe enough to actually enjoy the adventure you’ve been dreaming about.