If you’re like most seasoned travellers, you have an ever-growing bucket list – a compilation of places to hit up and experiences to dive into. It's your go-to for inspiration and adventure. But what guides your choices? For solo travellers it could be about choosing destinations that are both exciting yet safe for people visiting alone. It’s about embarking on a solo journey while feeling secure and having a blast at the same time.
Book Your Trip Safely and Cheaply
Let's start by laying the foundations for a successful trip. As they say, failing to plan is planning to fail. While we enjoy spontaneity while traveling, being prepared for essentials like flights and accommodation can save you from overpaying.
When it comes to securing the best deals, delegate the hard work. While shopping around is important, you don't have to do it all yourself. Trust the expertise of eDreams online travel agency, which compares and presents the finest deals for you. Stick with reputable brands that offer credible accommodations, allowing you to rest easy knowing you're in good hands.
In this article, I share 10 of the safest cities in the world and and highlights from each city to inspire you to plan your solo trip.
The 10 Safest Cities in The World
How exactly do you measure and rank the safety of different cities? I’ve based my list on the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Safe Cities Index (SCI). The SCI is a widely used and trusted index that looks at 60 of the most popular destinations around the world and uses dozens of different indicators including health security, infrastructure and personal safety.
1. Tokyo
Tokyo is one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in the whole world, with everything from Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea to the ancient Senso-ji Temple and the Imperial Palace. If you're a foodie then you definitely need to make time to explore Tsukiji market for a fantastic selection of fresh seafood and local street food.
2. Singapore
Singapore may be one of the safest cities in the world, but it's also one of the most expensive, so I recommend seeking out plenty of free things to do while you visit. Top of the list on a trip to Singapore has to be Gardens By the Bay, a vast park complete with hundreds of plant species, a Cloud Garden, a treetop walk and an impressive indoor waterfall that's over 100 feet tall.
* Read more: Solo Travel in Singapore
3. Osaka
It's a hat trick for Asia as Osaka, Japan, comes in as the third safest city in the world. It's less popular as a destination than some of Japan's other cities, but it has plenty to offer, from Universal Studios Japan right through to an entire museum dedicated to instant ramen (or pot noodles as we know them). If you want to get a different perspective on the city, take a ride on the 440ft-tall Tempozan Ferris Wheel for stunning views out over Osaka Bay.
4. Amsterdam
Amsterdam might feel like an odd choice given its history, but the rest of the city is packed full of things to do – go and see Van Gogh's Sunflowers, or take a tour around the haunting Anne Frank Museum to see first-hand where the famous diarist spent so much of her life in hiding. Amsterdam is very easy to get around too – if you don't fancy hiring a bike then I recommend the hop-on-hop-off boat routes to see the city.
5. Sydney
Sydney is of course famous for its iconic opera house, but did you know that you can take backstage tours and discover secrets from behind the scenes? If you like being spooked, they even do after-dark tours. Be warned. And once you’ve explored the city itself, I recommend getting out of the centre and discovering hidden gems such as Wattamolla Beach. The emerald green lagoon is breathtaking and the Wattamolla Waterfall is definitely one for the Instagram album.
* Read more: Solo Travel in Australia
6. Toronto
This probably shouldn't come as a surprise but yes, you guessed it, Toronto's top tourist destination is hockey-themed; The Hockey Hall of Fame no less. If you are not planning to go to the city for the hockey though, then there's plenty more to see. One thing you won't be able to miss as it dominates the skyline is the CN Tower, once the tallest building in the world. And, if you're feeling brave you can walk on air on the Glass Floor, 342 metres above the ground.
7. Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. is one for the culture lovers, as it's teeming with museums and art galleries, many of them free to visit. You could easily keep yourself busy for days visiting the National Gallery of Art, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, to name just a few.
* Read more: 24 Hours in Washington D.C.
8. Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a beautiful city, with a real fairytale vibe thanks to all of the colourful buildings and gorgeous architecture. In fact, it is so beautiful that the city was given the title of UNESCO World Capital of Architecture for 2023. To complete the Danish fairytale, I recommend a trip to the spectacular Renaissance period Rosenborg Castle, built originally as a summer residence for Christian IV and now home to the Danish crown jewels.
9. Seoul
In my opinion, Seoul is massively underrated. Read about what it has to offer and you'll wonder why it's not at the top of every bucket list going. This city is so safe and the locals are really friendly to solo travellers. It's a cool Asian city and home to some of the quirkiest claims ever, like the world's largest shipping container mall, and the abandoned village that has been saved from demolition and turned into a street art installation.
10. Melbourne
Melbourne is another entry in the top 10 for Australia. No trip to Melbourne is complete in my eyes without a trip to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Melbourne's Botanic Gardens are slap bang in the centre of the city, making them super accessible, and they are home to a staggering 8,500 plant species. Plus it’s a great destination to see one of the Grand Prix tracks too (you can even drive around it). It’s a great destination if you're looking for places for women to travel solo.
* Read more: Solo Travel in Australia
I hope that these 10 places have given you some inspiration for your next trip. Wherever you go on your next solo adventure, I can guarantee that you will have an amazing time. Have fun, be confident and, most importantly, stay safe!