Relaxing Destinations for Solo Female Travelers

Safety isn’t the only thing that makes a destination great for solo female travelers. Sometimes the appeal of traveling by yourself is the simple pleasure of being alone with your thoughts. From picturesque country villages in England to indulgent spa days in Bali, these are some of the most relaxing destinations for solo female travelers in the world.

Cotswolds, England

The Cotswolds are a picturesque slice of the English countryside just north of Bath. Charming villages and bucolic panoramas are practically a dime a dozen here. Fill your days with tranquil strolls and cozy pub nights. Castle Combe is the prettiest village in the Cotswolds in my book, but Lacock is also very popular as the site of a few Harry Potter filming locations. There are day tours from London that will take you to Stonehenge and the Cotswolds if you just want a taste of this relaxing travel destination.

Tuscany, Italy

Few places suit themselves better to whiling the days away and answering to no one but yourself than Tuscany. Good wine, delicious food and rolling vine clad hills… it’s the stuff many travel fantasies are made of. If you like to have more to do than pop open another bottle of Chianti, base yourself in Florence. The birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Florence is full of museums and attractions, and the city center is compact and very pedestrian friendly, making it one of the best cities for solo female travel. You can take day trips to the nearby Tuscan countryside, or look for villa stays in smaller towns like San Gimignano or Lucca.

Make this part of a bigger trip to Italy and try my Italy itinerary planner.

Santorini, Greece

I experienced a fair amount of street harassment in Athens, but found Santorini to be one of the safest destinations for solo female travelers. Whether your tastes are more adventurous (hiking the active volcano Nea Kamini) or easygoing (lounging on a black sand beach in Perissa), Santorini deserves its hype.

Read up on the best places to eat on Santorini.

Luang Prabang, Laos

The landlocked Southeast Asian country of Laos is just far enough off the beaten path that it’s one of the easiest places to meet people as a solo female traveler. The vibe when you’re on a slow boat down the Mekong River is one of easygoing camaraderie. Once you arrive in Luang Prabang, you’ll be met with UNESCO World Heritage-status architecture and unique cultural experiences like weaving on a traditional loom while you overlook the river.

Learn more about weaving workshops in Laos.

Ubud, Bali

Removed from the rowdy bustle of Bali’s beach towns, the town of Ubud is one of the most relaxing destinations for solo female travelers. It’s full of the rich culture Bali is known for and is also home to a number of the best day spas in Bali. Bali is a very affordable place for spa vacations. At Bali Botanica Day Spa, you can find a day spa package including a massage, facial, hair treatment and lunch for about $100 USD. It’s the perfect way to treat yourself as a solo female traveler.

For more things to do in Ubud, read about this traditional Balinese cooking class.

Hakone, Japan

The best day trip from Tokyo leads to Hakone, one of Japan’s renowned hot springs towns. Stay in a traditional ryokan, soak in an onsen and admire views of Japan’s lakes and mountains. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji from the Hakone Ropeway, a cable car that stretches from Hakone to the scenic Lake Ashi. Japan is one of the safest destinations for solo female travelers, and Hakone is the perfect way to get out of the noise and constant activity of Tokyo.

Read more in my Hakone day trip guide.

Costa Rica

I can’t begin to pick just one place in Costa Rica that’s great for solo female travelers. Between the pura vida beach life, the natural hot springs near Arenal volcano, and the mystical sense of wandering through cloud forests in Monteverde, nearly every corner of the country is ideal for a relaxing getaway. Costa Rica is safe for solo female travel and not terribly difficult to get around.

Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

A great weekend trip from Washington D.C., Charlottesville has a classic town and country feel. It’s surrounded by dozens of wineries, horse farms and world-class hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park, making it a great getaway from busier cities.

Get off the beaten path by visiting some of my favorite local haunts in Charlottesville.

Outer Banks, North Carolina, USA

The Outer Banks are a stretch of beach towns off the coast of North Carolina. If drifting off in the middle of a book with sand between your toes is what you’re after, these are hidden gems of US travel. Nags Head is a popular spring break locale, but for a truly relaxing destination I recommend Corolla. It’s a far enough drive up the lone highway that passes through the Outer Banks that few people bother – any farther north and you’ll be in the midst of a nature reserve spotting wild horses.

Want More Help Planning Solo Female Travel?

Any one of these relaxing destinations for solo female travelers would be a great addition to a RTW trip. I offer one-on-one Skype sessions for women planning long-term travel. Get help building an itinerary, setting a budget, making a packing list or just talking things through.