Best countries for solo travel

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Going on holiday by yourself can be a very unique experience, especially if you’re intentionally disconnecting from the urban world. Unfortunately, it’s getting harder and harder to find completely open areas you can roam through, which can really put a damper on your trip.

Hokkaidō, Japan

Hokkaidō has a huge amount of open space, ranging from natural scenery to protected national parks. Hiking and skiing are not only allowed, but encouraged in certain areas, and there’s nothing pressuring you to rush through your trip and see everything at once. The cities are free of the industrial atmosphere you’ll find in other areas of Japan, making them much nicer if you’re hoping to spend your holiday surrounded by nature.

Ireland

Ireland isn’t a flashy destination that everybody would choose, but there’s plenty of flat fields and historic castle ruins to explore. There’s plenty of pubs and cafés to relax in if you’re starting to get tired, and none of the terrain will be too difficult or dangerous to explore, so camping and cycling are incredibly easy to arrange!

Vietnam

Vietnam is great for solo travellers as it’s easy to explore during your stay. You might need to bring some extra sunscreen, since the weather is usually really good, but other than that you can just take it easy and relax!

Proper Vietnamese food is also quite hard to find in other countries, so it’s a good idea to try as much as possible while you’re there, just in case you never get another chance. Trying local food is also a great way to get to know the local culture.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

The walled city of Dubrovnik is full of elegant architecture and fresh water that can make your holiday special. You’ll get easy access to both the coast and the rolling hills closer inland, making it a great place to go for and explore.

Most local businesses are open all year round to accommodate tourists, so you won’t need to worry about limiting yourself if you do visit in off-peak months: you might even be able to avoid the crowds that way, but you’ll miss out on the famous Feast of St. Blaise and the Summer Festival.

Australia

Australia is an entire continent of open land and natural landmarks, all of which you can explore at your own pace and in your own way. You can even camp in the free land across the outback – if you compare campervan hire or tent purchase prices and get a good deal ahead of time, you could technically live on the outskirts of a city for less than the cost of a hotel room.

The country’s also known for being extremely friendly and accessible, both out in the wild and in the big cities, so you won’t ever be shunned for not knowing where to go or how to act. You can even team up with other tourists and travellers to catch a lift or rest in a hotel room together, but there’s nothing stopping you from going deep into the wilderness from a true solo experience.