Solo travel in 2026 is no longer the big new thing – indeed, more and more travellers are comfortable with independent trips.
Now, the best solo travel destinations for 2026 have been revealed, including options for budget-seekers, adventurers and first timers.
The research comes from Freetour, which connects travellers with local guides across 145 countries, and has seen solo travel boom – especially in certain destinations.
Ignacio Merino, CEO of Freetour, said: ‘What really matters is whether a city makes you feel capable and connected.
‘The best solo destinations do both – they’re forgiving when you’re disoriented, and they give you genuine access to local life.’
The defining criteria of a good destination for solo travel are the ease of independent navigation, social normalcy around solo dining and exploration, and accessible entry points for human connection when travellers want it.
Here’s a full rundown of the top destinations for solo travellers in 2026…
FOR FIRST TIMERSTokyo, Japan
Taking the top spot in the ranking is Tokyo, a popular Japanese destination
Tokyo consistently ranks near the top of the Global Peace Index and is uniquely designed for solo dining.
Ramen counters, conveyor belt sushi bars, and standing noodle spots are architecturally built for one.
The metro system is signed in English, making independent navigation accessible from arrival.
London, UK
In second place is London, the vibrant and bustling UK capital
The UK capital is known for many things – culinary excellence, huge amounts of attractions to visit and a wealth of neighbourhoods to explore.
Plus, visiting London removes the language barrier entirely for English speakers.
Meanwhile, its world-class museums – the British Museum, Tate Modern and National Gallery – are free to enter, providing cultural depth at minimal cost.
Madrid, Spain
Also ideal for solo travellers is Spanish capital Madrid, with plenty of activities on offer
Madrid operates on a schedule roughly three hours later than the rest of Europe.
Streets remain alive and populated at hours when most cities feel empty, which means a solo traveller almost never experiences the particular loneliness of a deserted city.
There’s also plenty to soak up in terms of culture, as the city is home to such attractions as the Prado Museum and the world’s oldest restaurant, Botin.
It’s not too pricey, either, with flights from Bristol in June starting from £16 with Ryanair.
FOR BUDGET TRAVELLERSChiang Mai, Thailand
Popular backpacker destination Chiang Mai in Thailand is next up on the list
Chiang Mai remains the most consistently recommended budget solo destination in southeast Asia.
Night market meals cost under $2 (£1.50), co-working spaces are abundant, and the hostel scene generates organic social contact without requiring effort.
Known as the ‘Rose of the North’, a visit here will likely see you come into contact with fellow solo travellers.
Tirana, Albania
Tirana, Albania is an underrated European gem that’s ideal for solo travellers
Tirana sits outside the mental map most travellers are working from – which is precisely its selling point.
Still genuinely affordable, not yet flattened by overtourism, it also has locals who are friendly in a way that hasn’t been damaged by too many visitors.
Indeed, Albania is fast becoming one of the continent’s top tourist destinations with international visitor arrivals soaring by 56 per cent between 2019 and 2023, according to the World Tourism Organisation.
It’s cheap, too, with flights from London Stansted in April starting from £15 with Ryanair.
Medellín, Colombia
Next up is Medellín, Colombia, known for being budget-friendly and vibrant
Medellín offers constant spring-like weather, low food costs, and the particular energy of a city that has reinvented itself.
It consistently produces a specific traveller behavior: people book a week and start looking at monthly apartment rates around day four.
It’s even been ranked among the ‘dangerous’ destinations that are actually not scary – having been described as a ‘vibrant and energetic city’.
FOR ADVENTUREQueenstown, New Zealand
Next up – and ideal for adventurers – is Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown sets the global benchmark for adventure travel infrastructure – bungee jumping, skiing, white-water rafting – with a booking ecosystem that makes planning everything solo genuinely straightforward.
Queenstown is also the epicentre for campervan hire, with hundreds of campsites to choose from.
Not a budget destination, but it delivers accordingly.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceland also joins the ranking, perfect for outdoorsy types
Reykjavik ranks first on the Global Peace Index.
It offers something hard to replicate elsewhere: the experience of solitude that doesn’t feel isolating, combined with incredible nature.
Being on a gravel road at midnight in full summer daylight with no phone signal and zero anxiety is a specific experience available almost nowhere else.
FOR CULTURE AND SLOW TRAVEL Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is perfect for culture buffs
Lisbon is sunny, affordable by Western European standards, and consistently among the top cities that solo travellers arrive uncertain about and leave planning to return to.
Last year, Lisbon emerged as the world’s happiest holiday hotspot, scoring highly across various feel-good factors, with its food offering standing out in particular.
The city boasts more than 2,800 hours of sunshine throughout the year, with quick access to green spaces and beaches, merging lifestyle and nature in a way that promotes overall wellbeing.
Kyoto, Japan
Next up is Kyoto, home to popular attractions such as the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine
Kyoto operates in a slower register – bamboo groves at dawn, temple gardens designed for stillness.
A good day here feels complete in a way that has nothing to do with how much was checked off a list.
Japan greets hordes of tourists each year, with many heading to major attractions and landmarks across the country – and Kyoto is one of the standout spots.
Rome, Italy
Joining the list is Rome – a fan favourite known for its history and food
It’s perhaps not surprising Rome is the next destination in the ranking.
Last year, a travel expert said: ‘Cities such as Rome, Milan and Florence are tourist hotspots all year round, highlighting the variety of amazing destinations on offer in Italy.’
Of course, the country’s world-famous cuisine is another highlight for any solo travellers who choose to holiday in Italy.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna in Austria is noted for being safe and accessible for solo travellers
Vienna, crowned the world’s most liveable city in 2024, is also ideal for solo travellers.
One Tripadvisor user wrote: ‘I’m now mostly a solo traveller and Vienna is my favourite city.’
It won’t break the bank either – with return flights from London costing just £55.
Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi in Vietnam is often hailed as one of the best places to visit when alone
Vietnam ranks 38th on the Global Peace Index, and is one of the highest rated in the region of southeast Asia – making it ideal for solo travel.
Visitors rave about the welcoming ambience, abundance of small group tours and kind locals, making it feel embracing for anyone travelling alone.
As well as this, Reddit user ‘NoBirthday4234’ recommends Vietnam as the ideal spot for a solo jaunt. They describe it as ‘super safe’, ‘stunning’ and ‘welcoming’ adding that it’s ‘easy to get around’ as there are so many tourists.
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
La Fortuna, Costa Rica is the next spot to join the solo travel list
La Fortuna is a small town in Costa Rica – the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park and known for its incredible nature.
Located between Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world in 2023.
Plus, it’s a favourite among expats given it places tax exemptions on foreign income.
The abundance of beautiful beaches, swimmable waters, excellent hiking and mountains and waterfalls to visit make it an exceptional choice for fans of nature.
Munich, Germany
Finally, Munich is another standout spot for those seeking a solo trip
Munich rounds out the full 15-destination list, a popular German city break.
One Reddit user wrote: ‘Munich is really safe and the majority of people have decent to excellent English skills, so that makes for a great first destination.
‘It is also completely fine if you do things on your own. Nobody cares if you eat or do something else alone and not having to make compromises because of a travel partner that has slightly different plans is an interesting experience. You can just do what you want, no matter how lame another person would think it is.’
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