9 Best Solo Travel Destinations for Women, From Kyoto to Tbilisi
Knowing where to begin as a solo traveler isn't always easy, though, especially when considering personal comfort levels, factors like transportation and walkability, the experiences to prioritize, finding community, and, of course, how to get there. To help you start planning, we've rounded up some of the best solo travel destinations around the world for women. From the bike lanes of Amsterdam to the rooftops of Oaxaca, they are all places where safety, culture, and connection intersect—and all suggested by well-traveled women within our network.
And if you're looking for a solo travel destination closer to home, head to our tried-and-true list of places to visit across the US afterwards.
Overlooking Kyoto's city and tower with autumn trees in Japan.
Getty Images
Kyoto, Japan
In Kyoto, centuries-old temples and modern design live side by side in harmony. With a rich culture of solo dining (there's even a Japanese term for it: ohitorisama), this is a city that celebrates solitude. Experience a dose of it at traditional teahouses like Toka, Fumie Okumura's intimate six seat counter-style tearoom located in a 100-year-old Kyoto town house. Although there are just a few across the city, you can also seek out woman-owned accommodations such as the elegant Maana Homes. Travelers will find deep respect for privacy and personal space, making solo exploration feel not just accepted but embraced. And with Japan's reputation for safety and impeccable transit, Kyoto is an ideal gateway into Asia for women exploring on their own.
A sunlit view of monument of the Two Congresses with the Palace of Congress on Congressional Plaza in Buenos Aires, Argentina.Buenos Aires, Argentina
'It is easy to fall in love with Buenos Aires,' says travel consultant Paige Nichols. It doesn't matter the barrio, the day of the week, or the time of day—few cities are as vibrant and accessible as this one.' With sidewalk DJ sets, bilingual book clubs, and pop-up dinners, Argentina's capital pulses with creativity. The city is full of entrepreneurial women driving its cultural revival, making it a great place to plug in solo: Nichols suggests following Mich di Bastiano for her suggested daily agendas with a curated mix of art, music, food, and other events, with a few parties thrown in for good measure. 'Locals are friendly and hospitable, eager to bring visitors into the fold with a warm welcome,' says Nichols. Plus, it's walkable, full of charm, and filled with welcoming wine bars like Pain et Vin, which hosts regular tastings where you can connect with likeminded oenophiles, and social clubs like Las Argies, which hosts art tours around the city.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
U.S. passport power falls in global passport ranking
The United States passport dropped in the rankings of the world's most powerful passports. A U.S. passport was ranked at No. 10, tied with Iceland and Lithuania, in a recent report. It's the lowest position for the U.S. in the 20-year history of the Henley Passport Index, according to CNN. 'Notably, the U.S. is now on the brink of exiting the Top 10 altogether for the first time in the index's 20-year history,' the company said in a statement, per CNBC. What is the Henley Passport Index? The index explores how many countries a passport allows the passport holder to get into without a visa. The top spot was claimed by Singapore, with Japan and South Korea coming in at No. 2. Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain all tied for the third spot. India made a jump from 85th to 77th in just six months. 'The consolidation we're seeing at the top underscores that access is earned — and must be maintained — through active and strategic diplomacy,' said Christian H. Kaelin, the inventor of the passport-index concept, in a statement, per USA Today. 'Nations that proactively negotiate visa waivers and nurture reciprocal agreements continue to rise, while the opposite applies to those that are less engaged in such efforts.' Here's the top 10 in the ranking: 1. Singapore 2. Japan 2. South Korea 3. Denmark 3. Finland 3. France 3. Germany 3. Ireland 3. Italy 3. Spain 4. Austria 4. Belgium 4. Luxembourg 4. Netherlands 4. Norway 4. Portugal 4. Sweden 5. Greece 5. New Zealand 5. Switzerland 6. United Kingdom 7. Australia 7. Czechia 7. Hungary 7. Malta 7. Poland 8. Canada 8. Estonia 8. United Arab Emirates 9. Croatia 9. Latvia 9. Slovakia 9. Slovenia 10. Iceland 10. Lithuania 10. United States Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
5 hours ago
- Forbes
Marble Canyon Is The Center Of Everything In The Middle Of Nowhere
Marble Canyon is is not only a geographic marvel — a ribbon of red rock carved by time and water — it's also a timeless space where silent communion with sky and stone make more sense than catching up on the news. The Colorado River begins its descent into the Grand Canyon here, and the air hums with ancient stories, most of which we'll never know. This is a destination for seekers — of adventure, of great food in the middle of nowhere (including, miraculously, coffee), of new ways of seeing, dreaming and being, all bookended by and infused with the peace and quiet you knew you needed but haven't been able to find. The dramatic backyard of the ranch cottages at Marble Canyon Lodge with the aptly named Vermilion Cliffs at sunset. Kim Westerman Lucky for us, there's now a hotel here, in the vast high desert of Arizona, that's also in the process of reinvention: Marble Canyon Lodge. I must admit, I was skeptical. I lived in Tucson for 16 years, and I thought I'd seen every corner of Arizona. I've been well past the red rocks of Sedona, and I've seen the Grand Canyon from more than just the tourist angles. This experience was categorically different. Think Amangiri without all the extra zeroes at the end of the bill. (Eugene Levy, eat your heart out.) The view from Navajo Bridge adjacent to Marble Canyon Lodge. Kim Westerman While most visitors fly into the Page airport, we drove up from Phoenix and pulled into The Lonely Jackrabbit restaurant for dinner after dark. In other words, I couldn't really see where I was quite yet. I was ready to settle for a too-cold iceberg lettuce salad or an overcooked burger, so when I found a perfectly grilled medium-rare steak with hand-cut fries, I perked up. A side of Chef Landon Neff's homemade red chile salsa on completes the plate. Perfectly prepared steak frites at The Lonely Jackrabbit in Marble Canyon, Arizona. Kim Westerman Because you walk through the gift shop and morning cafe on the way into the dining room, I knew there was fresh whole-bean coffee roasted for the property, so I already couldn't wait for breakfast. But now, I needed to find out where in the heck I was, so I checked in to my ranch cottage just past the Chevron station and across a side street — one of four freestanding duplexes, each with a front-row seat to the 24/7 drama that is the Vermilion Cliffs. At 1,500 square-feet and with full kitchens, this is the choice for couples who want more space and families of more than two (pets welcome). The motor lodge back over near the restaurant has motel-style rooms that have been completely brought into the 21st century and are a great bargain. A ranch cottage bedroom at Marble Canyon Lodge. Kim Westerman Ranch cottages at Marble Canyon Lodge have full kitchens and dining tables for six. Kim Westerman No matter what time of day you wake up (I'm biased; earlier is better), you'll be greeted by those cliffs bathed in light. Stroll over to Lucky Foot Coffee and grab a cappuccino made with Portland's Good Coffee Roasters' beans. Sink into an Adirondack chair back at the cottage, and plan your day. Actually, it will have paid off to have planned your day(s) before you arrive, as the reason for being here is to see the parts of this corner of Arizona that most people don't even know exist. But first, lay down a based of eggs begay: fry bread, beans, eggs and salsa. Morning at Marble Canyon Lodge: Coffee and a view. Kim Westerman Eggs begay for breakfast at The Lonely Jackrabbit in Marble Canyon, Arizona. Kim Westerman The team at Marble Canyon Lodge has partnered with local companies owned and run by members of the Navajo Nation, who are the stewards of this land and welcome respectful visitors who want to learn about the place and support the community. Take a half-day private tour of the East Rim of the Grand Canyon and walk through Secret Antelope Canyon with a guide whose family has lived here for generations. And while it's easy to injure yourself riding the rapids of the Grand Canyon with the throngs, a more meditative approach is to kayak 10 slow miles around Horseshoe Bend, where you'll almost certainly see wild horses. Wild horses along the banks of the Colorado River at Horsehoe Canyon. Kim Westerman Back at the ranch, have a cold local microbrew and join the Salamader Fire Circle. A fire guide summons the Great Salamander as you enjoy s'mores, and everyone who wants to can read (or tell) a story. While you won't need more reasons to return again and again, there are still new delights on the horizon to anticipate. Already underway across the street is Terra Vi Grand Canyon Nature Lodge, scheduled to open in late 2026. I'll be back to check out a premium stargazer cabin with — ready for this? — glass ceilings for ecstatically relaxed viewing of the unimpeded night sky. There will also be an art walk of some kind with outdoor installations TBD. And Chef Landon is planning private campfire dinners you can order for your crew, like bo ssam, cooked over your own fire and served under a canopy of stars. Forget glamping: Marble Canyon Lodge is Terra Vi's first of five planned nature lodges centered around experiential wellness, adventure and educational immersions. While many places tap into the cultural zeitgeist, Terra Vi is anticipating the future zeitgeist we need right to tap into now. Go, see, do and be.
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-lead-image-SURFVOLCANO0725-a67b797e91504c79b984f97123d422ed.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
8 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
You Can Surf Down the Side of an Active Volcano at This Central American Destination
With chill coastal communities like San Juan del Sur buzzing with surf-minded visitors, the stellar swells crashing along the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua are no longer the best-kept secret in Central America. But in-the-know thrill seekers are heading into the country's interior for another kind of surfing experience: "volcano boarding" down the sandy black cone of Cerro Negro volcano. "Volcano boarding is a really unique and memorable experience to try when visiting Nicaragua," says Javier Silva, a long-time Nicaragua expat and executive director of the non-profit Lacrosse the Nations. The adventure is just as other-worldly as you'd imagine, starting with facing down the slopes of a still-active volcano and culminating with a dusty, high-speed descent that feels somewhere between sledding and go-kart racing. To protect against the ashy, sandy spray that coats the sides of Cerro Negro, boarders don bright orange jumpsuits and ski goggles, only adding to the next-level thrill of the experience. Tourists prepare to leave after sandboarding down the Cerro Negro volcano. INTI OCON/AFP via Getty Images "Keep in mind that you probably won't be able to stand up on the board; you'll definitely want to sit on it," says Silva. "The descent is so steep that you get going very fast, and it's pretty challenging to control the board. Hold on, and simply lean into the ride." Just how fast is fast? Wait until you reach the bottom of the cone to find out. Most volcano boarding excursions will have someone standing at the bottom of the volcano with a radar gun to clock your speed, which can reach up to 40 miles per hour. "If you're traveling with friends and are at all competitive, seeing who can reach the highest speed will be a riot," says Silva. Named by Travel + Leisure editors as one of the best places to visit in 2025, Nicaragua wows with everything from white-sand Caribbean islands and centuries-old churches to immense biodiversity in its untouched rainforests. But for a destination that still draws many intrepid travelers, volcano boarding is easily one of the country's most popular experiences. "It's one of the most highly-requested tours from visitors and guests," says Howard Coulson, general manager at Jicaro Island Lodge, a sustainability-focused luxury lodge on a private island in Lake Nicaragua. Tourists climb the Cerro Negro volcano to enjoy sandboarding. INTI OCON/AFP via Getty Images Most volcano boarders embark early in the morning from the charming city of León, located just 45 minutes from Cerro Negro. However, volcano boarding's growing popularity means that tour operators now offer the excursion, with transportation included, from other destinations across the country. Many hotels and resorts, including Jicaro Island Lodge, curate their own private or small-group excursions for guests, but Coulson also recommends Vapues Travel for their certified guides with years of experience. León's proximity to Cerro Negro allows volcano boarders to get an early start on the expedition, beating the crowds and avoiding the midday sun, which can make the experience more challenging. "It's important that travelers know that the experience can be demanding," cautions Coulson, citing the high temperatures on the sunbaked surface of the volcano. Though the descent down the slopes is invigorating and lasts less than a minute, it's the hour-long ascent up the volcano's cone carrying your board that makes it unexpectedly challenging. The sandy, unstable terrain and steady incline don't make it easier. Boarders should come well-prepared for the experience by wearing sneakers or hiking boots and carrying plenty of water, sunscreen, and sun protection gear like UPF-rated clothing and a sunhat with a chinstrap. Tour operators will provide orange jumpsuits for the descent, but you'll want to be comfortable when ascending the volcano. There's one unexpected highlight of the experience that most visitors forget until they arrive: taking in the view from the top of the towering crater. "Walking to the top of an active volcano, where you can contemplate all of the volcano's beauty and the beauty of its surroundings, is something truly special," says Coulson. Vistas stretch on for miles in every direction, but peeking into Cerro Negro itself, less than 200 years old and still belching streams of gas and smoke, is arguably just as enchanting. "That's definitely one of the highlights of the experience," says Silva, "but the thrill ride back down the volcano again doesn't hurt, either."
