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6 Surprisingly Safe Destinations For Solo Female Travelers
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Did you know that 3 in 4 women in the U.S. have traveled or are planning to travel solo?

Solo female travelers are the fastest-growing group of travelers in the world. With searches for solo female travel having tripled over the last 4 years, it’s safe to say that trend isn’t going anywhere.

There’s been outstanding progress in the opportunities and acceptance of women who want to see the world alone, but safety is still a big part of the conversation.

According to recent surveys, while most men say their biggest travel worry is the price of a trip, half of women cite safety as their top travel concern.

While it’s important to remember that safety as a solo female traveler is entirely individual and subjective, many women consider statistics like low crime rates and safety rankings when choosing a solo destination.

You may be familiar with the usual front-runners for women’s travel safety, like Norway, Japan, or Canada. But the world still has a few good surprises in store.

Here are six lesser-known safe destinations for solo female travelers that are bound to surprise you.

Punta del Este, Uruguay

Uruguay is the safest country in all of Latin America and one of the top fifty safest countries in the world, according to the Global Peace Index. The slow pace of life, welcoming social scene, and relative political stability make Uruguay a top safety pick.

Punta del Este is sometimes referred to as the St. Tropez of Uruguay. This elite beach community is known for its gorgeous beaches and clean flower-lined streets, as well as its tranquil safety.

While there’s nothing particularly unsafe about the capital city of Montevideo, Punta del Este is widely regarded as the safest and calmest destination in Uruguay.

This seaside city attracts plenty of luxury tourists and celebrities from all over the Americas. Its swanky resorts, sleek nightclubs, and award-winning restaurants won’t be the cheapest option in Uruguay.

Solo travelers can join boat trips to swim with sea lions at Isla de Lobos, enjoy the daily sunset ceremony at Casapueblo, catch some waves at Playa Brava, or soak in the sun at trendy Bikini Beach.

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Doha, Qatar

Qatar is the safest country in the Middle East and one of the 25 safest countries in the world. While the dress code is conservative, sexual harassment and street crime are incredibly low.

Neighboring Dubai usually comes to mind first for a safe and luxurious Gulf getaway. But don’t underestimate Doha. The Qatari capital is so safe that you’d be hard-pressed to find so much as a taxi scam or pickpocket anywhere.

Unlike most big cities, Doha is just as safe to explore by night as by day. It’s a good thing, too, because the city lights up into an architectural work of art when the sun goes down. Evening is a great time for a walk around the Corniche, a fountain show at Place Vendôme, or hanging out in Barahat Msheireb.

Getting around the city is safe and easy any time of day, both on public transport and with Uber.

There’s so much to do in Doha for every kind of solo female traveler:
- Hop on a boat to Banana Island
- Climb the Inland Sea dunes
- Marvel at Education City Mosque
- Stroll the colorful Qanat Quartier
- Shop in Souq Waqif, or the calmer alternative Souq Al Wakrah
- Kayak around Purple Island
- Get your culture on at the Islamic Museum of Art
- Visit the Golden Masjid at Katara Cultural Village
- Shop in some of the glitziest malls in the world, like Al Hazm
Doha is also one of the most Instagrammable cities in the world. Snap your travel shots at the Iconic 2022 building, Ceremonial Court, Mina District, or even Al Sadd Metro Station. For those willing to get off-path, ‘Shadows Travelling On The Sea of the Day’ mirror art installation in the desert of nearby Al Zubarah is a true hidden gem.

Some safety items to note: Homosexuality and some forms of reproductive health care are illegal here and can carry a prison sentence of up to 5 years. The laws in Qatar are as strictly enforced for tourists as they are for locals.

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Frisco, Texas, U.S.

Did you know that 8 of the top 10 safest cities in the U.S. are in Texas? And Frisco is #1.

Rates of violence, street crime, and harassment are all extremely low, so women adventuring alone can feel comfortable day or night.

In Frisco, safe doesn’t mean boring. This destination is full of surprises, from the trendiest restaurants and shops in Legacy West to hidden swimming holes at Limestone Quarry Park.

No description of Frisco would be complete without mentioning “The Star.” This mega-complex is home to the Dallas Cowboys, but has become so much more than that.

Enjoy the buzzing social scene of nearly 30 top-rated restaurants, bars, and patios in the complex before cooling off in the Omni Hotel’s rooftop pool – all without leaving The Star. Oh, and don’t forget to get fitted for a pair of iconic Lucchese cowboy boots in the 6,200-square-foot shopping center before you go!

Pretty much all cities in Texas are car-dependent, so travelers should reserve a rental car in advance for this trip. With that rental car, though, your Frisco trip can take you to so many other destinations in 30-45 minutes.

Solo female travelers can see the rodeo in Fort Worth, explore the hipster-meets-historical old town square in Denton, or take in the Dallas skyscrapers and trendy food truck fare in Klyde Warren Park – all with peace of mind about their safety.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysia is the third safest country in Asia, the safest budget-friendly Asian destination, and one of the top twenty safest countries in the world.

Violent crime against tourists is almost unheard of. While locals might look twice at foreigners of all genders, solo female travelers are unlikely to receive unwanted attention or street harassment here.

Many travelers might want to head straight to the jungle-lined beaches of Langkawi, but it would be a serious mistake to skip the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.

With recently announced digital nomad visas, hundreds of new hotels, and top safety ratings, it’s no wonder that Kuala Lumpur is trending in 2023.

Here are some great solo-traveler-friendly activities in Kuala Lumpur:
- Climb the colorful steps of Batu Caves
- Get high above the clouds at Petronas Twin Towers, the tallest in the world
- Indulge your inner foodie at Lot 10 Hutong, Jalan Alor, or Michelin-starred Dewakan
- Make new friends in the hopping nightlife at Changkat Bukit Bintang
- Take in a PUSAKA traditional dance show
Kigali, Rwanda

Rwanda is one of the biggest comeback stories in the world when it comes to social peace and women’s safety.

The capital city of Kigali is the safest in Africa, with all-time low crime rates for the continent.

In 2022, Rwanda was also ranked the sixth safest country in the world for solo travelers. This year, the BBC featured Rwanda as the second safest destination for solo female travelers specifically. It is also the sixth most gender-equitable country in the world.

For solo female travelers, walking alone at night isn’t advised, as is the case in most cities around the world.

The minor risks in Kigali are petty theft (usually crimes of opportunity) and reckless moto drivers.

Recommended activities:
- Shop at the open-air Kimironko market
- Get around the city with Rwanda’s first female tour guide driver
- Visit a traditional milk bar
- Cycle around Kigali on a bike tour with all-female company Judith Safaris
- Savor Rwandan coffee at Question Coffee, Inzora rooftop, or J. Lynn’s, which doubles as both a café and a women’s entrepreneurship hub
- Take a day trip to see the gorillas at Parc National des Volcans or soak up the sun at Lake Kivu Beach
Ojochal, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the safest country in Central America and one of the top 40 safest countries in the world (for reference, the U.S. ranks below 120).

That said, safety in Costa Rica can vary a lot between regions. A few flashpoints to avoid are Quepos, Limon City, Santa Rosa de Pocosol, and most of San Jose.

One of the safest places to be in Costa Rica is the town of Ojochal and its neighboring beaches, Playas Tortugas and Ventanas.

A true hidden gem in Puntarenas, Ojochal isn’t a major tourist destination, but hosts outstanding natural beauty and a welcoming long-term international community.

The pristine stretch of beach at Playa Tortuga is a unique find in Costa Rica: an untouched sandy beach better for swimming than surfing. Solo female travelers can have peace of mind soaking up the sun here.

The town of Ojochal retains its traditional culture but welcomes newcomers. It’s not bad on the budget, either. Large multi-room villas with jungle view pools can go for as little as $175 a night.

Take a short drive to Nauyaca Waterfalls, boat down the Río Terraba mangroves, or go scuba diving with sea turtles. Whichever pura vida activities you choose, you can have peace of mind knowing you’re in the safest off-path paradise in the region.

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June 14, 2023
5 Important Things I Learned As A Solo Female Traveler In Turkey
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I had a crush on Turkey from the moment I arrived bleary-eyed on the overnight train from Bulgaria. A few hours later, I’d finished my first Turkish breakfast, and quickly realized I was in love.

After 5 years and 40 countries of full-time international travel, Turkey ranks in my top 10 destinations for solo female travelers.

Here’s why:

1. It’s Safer Than You Think.

A traveler is 8 times safer from violent crime in Turkey than in the U.S., even in big cities like Istanbul and Izmir.

Based on my personal experience traveling across Turkey, I’d say you’re more in danger from kofte kebab food coma or kitten cuteness exposure than any street crime here.

Before coming to Turkey, I’d been cautioned time and time again with vague fear-mongering: “You know what they say about Turkish men.” Let me tell you: nothing could have been further from the truth.

These common ‘warnings’ are discriminatory, inaccurate, and might prevent you from experiencing some of the best hospitality in the world.

I’ve felt safer walking down the street alone in Turkey day or night than in Italy, Spain, or Greece. There have been exactly two mild street harassment incidents in my five months traveling in Turkey over the past year – both by foreigners, with Turkish men who didn’t even know me stepping in to help.

Of course, travelers should take reasonable safety precautions everywhere they go. The few things I wouldn’t advise while traveling in Turkey right now are:
- Visiting Istanbul’s Taksim area alone after 10 pm on weekends
- Leaving your valuables vulnerable to easy pickpocketing
- Taking drinks from strangers in bars or clubs
- Public displays of affection in LGBTQIA+ relationships outside of major chain hotels
- Visiting certain parts of southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border region (due to the presence of terrorist groups and earthquake devastation)
2. Women Are Welcome And Protected In Turkish Mosques.

If you do find yourself walking alone at night and feeling unsure or unsafe for whatever reason, the abundance of mosques in Turkey offer you an amazing safe haven.

Many large mosques remain open through the night. As long as you’re dressed modestly, remove your shoes, and have a scarf handy, you can respectfully duck into one of these well-lit houses of worship to be sure of your safety at almost any hour.

To be clear: I don’t advocate treating a holy masjid as an alternative to a police station. Travelers in obvious danger should call emergency services. But for those all-too-familiar gray zone situations that simply give solo female travelers a bad gut feeling, it’s nice to know that you have safe places to turn to without ringing any alarm bells.

3. You Don’t Need To Choose Between Tea And Coffee.

It’s no surprise that Turkey is a country of tea lovers. The average Turk drinks 1,300 cups of tea each year. Turkey is even home to a tea museum in the shape of a 7-story tea glass in the ‘tea capital’ of Rize. It should then come as no surprise that travelers will find themselves offered a warm welcome tea everywhere they go.

The beautiful thing about Turkey is that this country embraces both tea and coffee. No need to take sides. Simply enjoy both!

From iconic Turkish coffee in an Izmir antique shop to artisan roast flat whites in Moda’s plentiful third wave coffee shops, there’s some java here for every type of traveler.

4. Multicultural Turkish Cities Offer A Safe Way To Explore Syrian Culture.

While Syria isn’t a recommended destination for solo female travelers at the moment, multicultural cities in Turkey certainly are. They offer a safe and fascinating opportunity to try Syrian food, have conversations with Syrian refugees and immigrants, and learn more about the Syrian diaspora.

Recommended activities include:

There are about 4 million Syrians living in Turkey, creating an amazing multicultural opportunity for travelers. However, it’s important to note that many Turks will still make negative comments to visitors about Syrians in their country.

“Turkish society’s acceptance of Syrians has largely been transformed into ‘toleration’ rather than an understanding of establishing a practice of living together,” explained a study from UNHCR.

When traveling in Istanbul, you may hear locals tell you that Fatih, a predominantly Arab and Syrian neighborhood, is ‘not really Turkey’ or isn’t ‘what it used to be.’ Some Turks will voice concerns about Syrians putting pressure on social services or job markets or bringing what they perceive as an incompatibly conservative culture to their city.

Try not to let this tension prevent you from enjoying two amazing cultures in one trip.

5. Turkey Is So Much More Than Istanbul.

Many travelers don’t realize just how big Turkey is. With nearly 800 square kilometers of ancient cities, surreal moonscapes, and more beaches than you could count, this country has so much more to offer than its popular capital Istanbul.

Great destinations for solo female travelers include:
- Bursa
- Fethiye
- Izmir
- Bodrum
- Kars
- Antalya
- Cappadocia
- Pamukkale
- Amasra
- Gaziantep
- Ankara
- Mardin
Let the safety and hospitality of Turkey encourage your next great solo adventure!

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May 22, 2023
This Off The Beaten Path European Country Is One Of The Safest For Solo Female Travelers
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The often overlooked country of Slovenia lies in the shadow of three neighboring European fan favorites: Croatia, Austria, and Italy.

While its popular neighbors rake in the tourists, Slovenia remains off the beaten path, offering the most scenic and affordable stay in central Europe.

From the cobblestone streets of Ljubljana to the sapphire waters at Lake Bled, Slovenia feels like a fantastical dream.

Featuring crystal-clear alpine lakes, breathtaking mountains, and charming medieval cities, it’s no wonder that Slovenia was chosen as the filming location for the mythical kingdom of Narnia.

What does remain a wonder is why Slovenia isn’t yet the most popular destination for solo female travelers.

For better or for worse, when we talk about solo female travel, the first question is always about safety. Luckily, Slovenia is one of the safest destinations in the world for solo female travelers.

7th Safest Country In The World

Slovenia is one of the top seven safest countries in the world, according to the Global Peace Index. Slovenia even ranks above super-secure Singapore and Scandinavian favorites like Norway and Finland.

Other recent rankings list Slovenia as one of the top three safest travel destinations in the world.

Most notably, Slovenia leads the Central and Eastern European regions in Women’s Peace and Security.

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Top Pick for Solo Female Travelers

According to a recent BBC report, Slovenia is the best destination for women looking for a safe solo trip.

BBC based their rankings on:
- Georgetown University’s Women’s Peace And Security Index (WPS)
- World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap report and the Institute for Economics and Peace Global Peace Index (PGP),
- Interviews with women who traveled solo to the top-ranked countries
Solo female travelers who recently visited Slovenia explained to the BBC that they never felt unsafe or truly alone, whether getting lost in Ljubljana’s picturesque streets at midnight or hiking sunny alpine trails.

85% of Slovenian women feel safe walking alone at night. Slovenia also has one of the lowest rates of intimate partner violence in Europe.

Progressive Social Attitudes

Women traveling in Slovenia can expect a progressive environment, free from any judgment of their choice to travel alone or to pursue adventurous activities while on their trip.

In general, Slovenian society is quite gender equal. There is next to no discrimination against women working paid jobs, with 52% of Slovenian women employed in the workforce (equal to U.S. rates in 2021).

Slovenia’s Minister for Foreign and European Affairs even recently announced a “feminist foreign policy strategy” focusing on gender equality initiatives and empowerment across Europe.

While no country is without room for improvement when it comes to structural sexism, it’s safe to say that Slovenia is a country where solo female travelers are welcome and respected.

Positive Experiences

Women who have taken solo trips to Slovenia are quick to share their positive experiences with safety on social media and travel blogs.

Travel Ladies, an app that connects solo female travelers and locals to share destination information such as safety, gives Slovenia a 5-star safety rating based on real women’s solo adventures.

Over 80% of the experience reviews for Slovenia on Travel Ladies specifically mention feeling extremely safe.

Solo traveler Melissa shared that she felt very safe on her recent trip to Slovenia’s capital city Ljubljana. “Throughout my trip, I had no worries or questioned my safety,” she writes. “Safety is my top concern, and I felt protected and in my comfort zone.”

Full-time traveler Katie’s experience alone in the country was similarly carefree. “I arrived in Ljubljana well past midnight in the middle of a massive rain storm,” she explains. “Since the weather was so horrible, there was no one out on the streets, and I felt completely safe walking to the hostel… I never felt in danger.”

As the 7th safest country in the world and a top-rated pick for women, Slovenia has so much to offer on your next carefree solo trip to Europe.

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May 14, 2023
These Are The Safest Cities In Europe For Solo Female Travelers, According To A New Study
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Traveling with your friends and family is nice, but there is nothing quite like a solo trip where all your time is your own and you can come and go as you please.

Solo travel is trending this year, and the majority of those who are looking to travel on their own seem to be women.

According to booking.com, 84% of these solo travelers around the world are women, and Google data indicates that 55% of searches for ‘solo travel’ are coming from women, specifically millennial-age women.

We have covered some of the safest countries for solo female travel, as well as some of the safest cities around the world.

Here comes a new report from bag and luggage brand Kipling to indicate the safest European cities for solo female travelers.

Using data such as activity offerings, attractions, group activities, transport, safety, and gender equality, the figures were calculated to give each destination a ‘Solo Female Traveler City Index’.

Here are the top 5 safest cities in Europe for solo female travelers:

Hamburg, Germany

The top scorer on the Solo Female Traveler City Index is Germany’s second-largest city, Hamburg.

Known for its great nightlight and busy port seaside vibe, Hamburg ranks high for gender equality and things to do.

Visitors like to see many things here and all are easily accessible by foot or bicycle, although tours are plentiful as are the hostels and hotels for solo travelers.

And being Germany, public transportation is organized and efficient, meaning you are far less likely to get stranded anywhere.

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Munich, Germany

In case you have heard of a little thing called Oktoberfest, then you probably know about this Bavarian city.

Well connected via trams and buses, there’s a reason this city has been ranked one of the safest in the world for solo female travelers.

Ranking high for gender equality, the city makes women travelers feel safe and welcome. With no end of places to visit and German beers to sample, there’s always something to do and friends to be made.

Edinburgh, Scotland

The third city on Kipling’s Solo Female Traveller City Index takes us up to Scotland, to the charming medieval city of Edinburgh.

With a high score for group activities, attraction and accommodation, it’s likely that no solo traveler here will have trouble making friends.

Those who visit in the summer can experience Edinburgh’s famous Fringe Festival, where musical, comedy, and other acts take over stages across the city.

Prices are higher and accommodation can be difficult to find at this time though, so plan early if this is your kind of scene.

Faro, Portugal

Yes, Portugal is famous for its postcard-worthy cities of Lisbon and Porto, the latter of which also makes the list but lower down at number 12.

For the number four city on our list though, we head down south to the Algarve coast and find the city of Faro.

It might seem ironic that a city with a chapel made of skeletons of old monks is one of the safest for solo female travelers, but Faro ranks highly for many safety factors.

In addition to having beaches, a cozy old town, and great nightlife, the city is well connected as it has the only airport in the region, linking it to other major European cities, but also boat and ferry options to connect it to other coastal cities as well.

Dublin, Ireland

Coming in at number five on Kipling’s Solo Female Traveller City Index is Ireland’s capital city of Dublin.

With many tour options and accommodation catering to backpackers and solo travelers, those who come here alone are unlikely to stay that way long.

Day trips outside of the city to famed sites such as the Giant’s Causeway make solo travel easy to plan, not to mention the pub and music scene to take in after the day exploring.

Ireland itself has ranked as one of the safest countries in the world, and it’s no exception for solo female travelers.

To finish off the list, here are the rest of the top 20 safest cities in Europe for solo female travelers:
- 6. Prague, Czech Republic
- 7. Heraklion, Greece
- 8. Helsinki, Finland
- 9. Krakow, Poland
- 10. Zurich, Switzerland
- 11. Berlin, Germany
- 12. Porto, Portugal
- 13. Valencia, Spain
- 14. Vienna, Austria
- 15. Malaga, Spain
- 16. Stockholm, Sweden
- 17. Dusseldorf, Germany
- 18. Lisbon, Portugal
- 19. Geneva, Switzerland
- 20. Oslo, Norway
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April 18, 2023