1. Spain > Stunning beaches, history and great food.
Spain is one of the best countries for solo female travelers to visit on their first solo trip. It is easy to find your way around, it has a great tourist infrastructure and has been ranked for years as the second most visited country in the world. Being a popular destination also means you're bound to meet other travelers.
The country has something for everyone, from the history, architecture, food and beaches of Barcelona to the museums of Madrid, the culture of the south, the landscapes of the north, the many UNESCO sites, no matter what kind of traveler you are, you will find your ideal trip in Spain.
In addition, Spain is one of the most open countries when it comes to the treatment of women and has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. The country has a thriving LGBTQ+ community with wide acceptance, one of the most egalitarian societies with a population that is very accustomed to tourism and relies on it for about 12% of GDP.
Spain is also one of the cheapest countries in Western Europe and can satisfy all budgets. You can find hostels, public transportation and eat in affordable markets and restaurants or take a pampering vacation and pamper yourself.
2. Australia
At the other end of the world from Spain is Australia, another country that has a lot to offer every traveler and an English-speaking population known for its sociability.
The high level of perceived safety, the fair treatment of women and the minimal risk of harassment and the fact that the country ranks high on many people's bucket lists all work in Australia's favor.
However, for most people other than Kiwis and the pacific islands, Australia is a distant destination that requires a long-haul flight, good logistical planning and a very high travel budget.
As one of the largest countries in the world, getting around Australia is not easy, but most visitors tend to stay in cities with fairly good public transport or hire a car to explore at their own pace. I will note that it would be very challenging to travel in Australia without a car.
There are only trains in the big cities like Sydney and Melbourne. (trains within the cities only)
The country was closed to international visitors in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, but is now open again for tourism; See the Australian travel exemption here.
3. Thailand
Thailand is recommended as one of the best destinations for traveling alone; It is a very tourist-friendly country where tourism accounts for 15% of GDP, where harassment and assaults are very low. It is considered one of the safest countries for solo female travel, and the locals are known to be very welcoming.
As one of the most popular backpacking destinations, Thailand is also very affordable. No matter your budget you can have fun. You can stay in a really cheap hostel and eat street food for less than $25 a day or choose a luxury resort and be pampered like a king.
Since it's one of the most popular countries for solo travelers in general and Bangkok regularly ranks as the most visited city in the world, meeting others is almost guaranteed, so you'll never feel lonely.
The state's appeal does not end there. Its rich history, its many beaches and its many postcard-perfect locations made famous by movies and full moon parties all contribute to positioning Thailand as a bucket-list destination for many.
4. England
The UK ranks high as an excellent destination. English is the main language spoken by everyone which makes most things easy for tourists, and the infrastructure is very good, with a train service that covers the country and cheap low cost flights.
London contributes to the UK's high position on the list of best countries for your first solo trip as a woman. The city is one of the most popular cities in the world and is a great way to dip your toes into the world of solo travel.
There are enough activities to keep you busy for days, it's incredibly easy to navigate and has something for everyone. It is also very cosmopolitan and the English are known to be quite friendly.
Because there are so many tourists in London and the city is so multicultural, it's easy to meet people. Just walk into a pub, order a drink and find yourself having a conversation with someone.
Research shows that 78% of people felt safe walking alone at night in the UK and the country has one of the lowest homicide rates among OECD countries. The UK remains one of the most recommended because of how easy it is to navigate alone.
5. Italy
Italy is one of the most popular countries for everyone and single travelers also consider it as one of the best places to go on your first trip.
It has great food, countless UNESCO sites and a rich cultural heritage, and no matter what you like to do on your travels, Italy can offer you that.
The country is full of amazing places that fill the imagination of everyone, but especially of women. Books like Eat, Pray, Love or the recent discovery on Instagram of symbolic places like the Cinque Terre that have become a tourist case have led Italy to the top of the list of solo travelers, whether on their first trip or on their next trip. .
Italy is seen as a friendly country, one that is easy to get around by car or train and one that can fill days of exploration; It is romantic and has a "Je ne sais quoi" that attracts women from all over the world.
However, not everyone will agree that Italy is safe for women traveling alone and some parts are safer than others. Tourist hot spots like Rome, Venice, Florence or Milan are usually safe bets, and while the occasional theft may occur, their tourism machine is well oiled.
6. Japan
Japan is one of the most mystical, mythological and exotic countries for travelers. It is one of the safest countries for women to travel to, where crime is almost unheard of, making it a very attractive destination for women traveling alone for the first time.
The country is diverse and mostly undiscovered outside of the two main cities of Tokyo and Kyoto. There are mountains, archipelagos, amazing food, rich heritage and fascinating cultural elements that attract the most curious travelers.
Women can roam the streets safely without any risk of harassment, theft or fraud. The Japanese are extremely kind and polite and always feel welcome as a tourist, despite the language barriers.
On the other hand, Japan is one of the most expensive countries to travel in and around and while it is very well connected, the subway in Tokyo is known to be a maze where travelers get lost.
These, and the guaranteed culture shock that almost every traveler experiences, make it a highly recommended destination for first-time solo travelers but also one that isn't as easy as other places on this list.
7. Singapore
Singapore continues to be ranked as one of the most expensive countries in the world but is also one of the safest countries for women to travel along with Japan. Crime in Singapore does not exist, the treatment of women is the same as men and theft.
Women will find Singapore to be one of the best first-time solo travel destinations. It is small, easy to navigate, has great infrastructure, excellent public transportation, lots to do.
Singapore is very multicultural and is a great introduction to your travels in the rest of Asia. You can spend time in Little India or Chinatown and get a taste of what to expect in these countries. You can also enjoy the beaches or the many man-made architectural wonders or enter one of the tropical forests.
The reason why it is not as recommended as other options on this list is that Singapore is very small and is never a travel destination in itself but a stop on a longer trip in Asia. It is also a much less popular country than those previously mentioned (about 20 million people visit Singapore each year compared to 85 million in Spain).
8. Northern Europe
We could separate Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Finland, but the truth is that they all have some common elements that make them the top places to travel alone as a woman and come highly recommended by female travelers.
The Nordic countries of Europe are all ranked at the top for gender equality, for women's rights and for minority rights. Iceland is at the top of the gender equality ranking followed by Norway, Finland and Sweden which is also at the top of the LGBTQ+ rights ranking.
All of them are also very developed and fair societies where welfare is widely available and valued and where the standard of living is high. The Nordic countries have incredibly high levels of safety and very low crime, risk of fraud or harassment making them the perfect countries for women traveling alone.
On the other hand, and unlike their neighbors in southern Europe (Italy or Spain), the Nordics are all very expensive countries, so they tend to be less recommended for a first trip because they are not easily accessible to everyone and the prices are high.
Additionally, due to their geographical location, they enjoy long, dark and harsh winters, and culturally, they are reserved and quiet and not seen as friendly as other countries on this list.
9. New Zealand
New Zealand is one of the best countries to travel alone and its remote and hard to reach location makes it a wish list item that many dream of going to for years.
For female travelers - New Zealand is a great country for a first solo trip; It is very safe, equal and respectful of women, has good infrastructure and friendly locals.
However, it's also expensive to get to and around, with road trips being the main form of exploration, and you'll need a big budget to make this trip.
For this reason and because of its geographical location, New Zealand tends not to be the destination for a first solo trip, as it requires a lot of planning, and driving alone.