Best Cities to Travel Solo 2025 (Backpacking Destinations, US, Europe, and More)

Solo travel is the ultimate freedom (one that I believe I’m addicted to at this point—a topic for a separate post).

Whether you’re looking for a remote beach, bustling city, or take on a rugged backpacking trail, solo travel offers freedom and adventure like no other.

After discovering the power of solo travel some years ago, I’ve taken it to… an extreme.

As of this writing, I’m solo traveling for 10 months straight. And it ain’t my first rodeo…

Armed with this experience, I seek to give you the best solo travel destinations around the world, including top cities to travel alone and must-visit backpacking spots.

Table of Contents

• The Benefits of Solo Travel

• Best Places for Solo Travelers

  • Best Places for Solo Travelers Just Starting Out

  • Best Cities to Travel Alone

  • Best Solo Travel Destinations: Europe

  • Best Places to Travel Solo: USA

  • Solo Backpacking Destinations

  • Best Places to Travel Solo: Latin America

The Benefits of Solo Travel

Solo travel is, in my view, one of the most powerful personal growth machines that exists.

Before outlining the destinations themselves, let’s look at why one might travel alone, and what they’d stand to gain.

Complete Freedom

Everything happens on your terms—your schedule, activities, when you go to bed and wake up, what you eat.

You're forced to decide everything. And this sharpens your sense of independence and agency.

Builds Confidence, Resilience, and Self-Reliance

On that point, relying on yourself for everything builds a sense of resilience and belief in yourself to solve problems.

Missing your flight, the bus never showing up, or a dodgy situation will teach you how to rely on yourself.

Solo Travel is More Social

Controversial statement, but I believe that traveling solo forces one to put themselves out there.

You’re not that big group of friends who goes on the trip together and talks to no one but each other.

You want to do the simple act of having a conversation? You better be ready to strike one up…

This ability to meet and talk to people all over the world makes you become more social, which translates into greater social skills even after your trip.

Creates Self-Awareness

On this journey, you will be alone with yourself, often.

Even if one does not carve out time for solitude (although that would be cool too), you WILL find yourself alone on these trips.

Maybe the long bus trip is void of Wi-Fi or a friendly seat neighbor.

Maybe your first night in the city, you’ve yet to make any connections and spend it cooking dinner solo.

One way or another, you will be alone with yourself and thus will get to hear your own thoughts.

You will get to see how you respond to situations, really see what you like and don’t like, decide how you want to live…

And ultimately develop a much stronger relationship to and understanding of yourself.

Best Places for Solo Travelers

The world is big. Where do we even start…

Knowing that the ease of access will likely affect your decision (e.g., Australians going to Bali and Americans going to Mexico, while the reverse is much more daunting)…

Let’s get into some different categories and regions.

Best Places for Solo Travelers Just Starting Out

These cities and destinations are known for their safety, vibrant culture, and welcoming atmosphere.

[Note: That’s not to say an experienced solo traveler shouldn’t visit these places. They’re just also good for those just getting started solo traveling.]

Japan

Clean, safe, and bustling with unique experiences. The most difficult aspect will be the language barrier, but it’s doable.

Japan was one of my first solo trips, and it taught me that even in a land where I don’t speak a single word of the language, I can get by. This made solo travel to other places feel easy (like LatAm, where at least the language has similarities to English).

Rip that Band-Aid off.

Japanese is hard, the Tokyo Metro map is overwhelming. Just do it…

Portugal

Lisbon is a laid-back city perfect for wandering and meeting fellow travelers. Stunning architecture and incredible food await.

English is spoken abundantly, so much so that I thought I was being the cool gringo and not the annoying one asking for English by speaking Spanish instead. Turns out the Portuguese actually prefer to speak English over Spanish.

From Lisbon, it’s worth checking out the rest of the country, considering it’s one big stretch of coastline and mountains.

Iceland

Iceland is another level in terms of beauty and holy shit am I still on planet Earth?! while still being beginner-friendly.

98% of Icelanders are fluent in English. Easy mode.

Italy

My first solo travel destination. Plenty of hostels with friendly travelers to not only make your trip worthwhile, but also inspire you to go harder on your solo travel game.

Best Cities to Travel Alone

Traveling alone doesn’t mean being lonely. These cities are perfect for solo adventurers looking for culture, nightlife, and community.

Barcelona, Spain

Dive into the rich arts scene and iconic architecture. Great for day trips to the Catalonian countryside.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Experience tango, art, and vibrant nightlife without feeling out of place. Pop out to a dance class, grab empanadas, and walk around Palermo.

Note the recent price increases, nearly on par with Europe.

Melbourne, Australia

A hub for creatives and solo backpackers, with plenty of events and activities to join.

Bangkok, Thailand

Tons of fellow travelers and friendly locals. Stupid amounts of islands, beaches, and mountains for exploration tings.

Best Solo Travel Destinations: Europe

Europe offers countless destinations perfect for solo travelers. Whether you’re exploring historical landmarks or indulging in culinary adventures, these spots are a must.

Budapest, Hungary

Affordable, stunning architecture, and thermal baths to unwind.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Effortless transportation and a welcoming vibe make it perfect for solo trips. Of course, this is more reasonable for those taking a short vacation due its cost.

Edinburgh, Scotland

A mix of medieval charm and modern culture. Hike Arthur’s Seat for a solo adventure.

Best Places to Travel Solo: USA

In my view, the best of the US is in its nature and national parks. Developed and built out, they make traveling easy.

City-wise, it’s got some good stuff too. You already know the staples—New York, Los Angeles, Miami.

Let’s get into some other spots you may not have thought of.

Texas: Austin, Fredericksburg, and Big Bend National Park

Austin’s lively and friendly culture make it an easy place to connect. Fredericksburg’s wine and hill country are not expected in a state like this.

And then, best of all, Big Bend’s other-worldly, Martian desert feel.

Only the best place to stargaze or see a blood-orange full moon with coyotes howling in the distance. Issa vibe.

Wyoming: Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks

Well-developed. Jackson makes for a great base. These two parks are pretty close to each other, so hitting both is very doable.

Bring the bear spray.

Colorado: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, and Denver

Never have I felt more at peace seated out back at Kind Coffee in Estes Park, sounds of a flowing river and sights of mountains, coffee in hand. Absolute Zen.

The days prior of hiking through the Rockies amplified my internal peace.

One of my favorite regions.

Arizona: Sedona, Phoenix, and Scottsdale

Another one of my favorite parts of the US—red rock country.

Phoenix is a cool, modern city worth exploring. Its suburb of Scottsdale has great dining and nightlife.

But you want to talk next level… Sedona. One of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in the US of A.

I’d definitely go outside of summer months. It gets HOT out here.

Solo Backpacking Destinations

You’ve got backpacking—long-term, grungy travel typically featuring lots of hostels and long bus rides—then you’ve got backpacking…

That backcountry, off-the-grid stuff.

Patagonia, Chile & Argentina

Towering mountains and epic treks. A bucket-list destination for the adventurous. This one’s less off-the-grid given its popularity, but you can still make it off-the-grid.

Cotopaxi, Ecuador

Easiest place to roll up solo of my life. The Secret Garden Hostel made solo travel communal. Just go… you won’t regret it.

The Camino de Santiago, Spain 

A historic pilgrimage that attracts solo hikers from around the globe.

Banff National Park, Canada

Scenic trails, glacial lakes, and welcoming campgrounds.

Best Places to Travel Solo: Latin America

Backpacking South America

South America makes for a great region to travel solo with friendly locals and fellow backpackers. After doing so myself, I wrote an ultimate guide to backpacking South America.

Huaraz, Peru

Underrated. Some of the world’s best hiking. Check out my guide to hiking Huaraz.

Colombia

Living in Colombia for a year, I got familiar with this beautiful country.

From exploring the entire country, to cities like Bogota and Medellin, to the coffee region, to the coast… this country has something for everyone.

Check out my guide to Staying Safe in LatAm before going.

Time to Explore

Whether you’re seeking urban excitement or rugged outdoor exploration, solo travel opens doors to unforgettable experiences.

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Embrace the journey, stay safe, and make every destination your own. Whether you’re drawn to the best solo travel destinations in Europe, the USA, or beyond, the world is waiting for you to explore it solo.

To your growth and travels,