Travelling alone has surged in popularity. Research by holiday rental company Airbnb showed that in 2022, there was a 55 percent increase in the number of women travelling solo from the UK, be it a mini break or a long-haul holiday.
However, women who opt to go on a solo adventure often have to factor in more considerations, such as personal safety, when choosing where to visit. So to determine the best solo travel destinations for women, Airbnb have partnered up with personal safety app WalkSafe to research which places around the world have the highest percentage of nights booked by self-proclaimed women travellers.
And where topped the list? It was (drum roll, please) … the French capital of Paris. While the City of Lights is known mostly as a destination for romantic getaways, the abundance of art galleries and village-like neighbourhoods mean there is plenty to explore without needing company.
Dubai, known for its towering buildings, year-round warm weather and mega shopping centres, came in second place. The city has a pretty low crime rate and good, reliable transport infrastructure, easy to navigate alone.
In third, it’s Barcelona, the Spanish capital known for its exceptional architecture and world-famous sport. Catalan culture is incredibly sociable, and Barcelona is a city full of travellers and expats, so meeting other travellers should be no mean feat. Maybe just be prepared to stand your ground in these city centre bars.
Europe scores well overall, securing five of the 10 spots on the list, and two Australian cities made the ranking, too.
These are the top solo travel destinations for women, according to Airbnb
- Paris
- Dubai
- Barcelona
- Lisbon
- Cape Town
- Sydney
- Madrid
- Athens
- Melbourne
- Toronto
Solo travel at Time Out
Has that piqued your interest in solo travel? Have a look at our list of the best places in the world to travel alone.
Did you see that these are the most exciting travel destinations for 2024, according to National Geographic?
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