Solo Travel
© Shutterstock
Experiences

Trend Watch Solo Travel: These are the 5 safest destinations for women traveling alone

More and more women are setting out to experience the adventure of solo travel. But where can women travel alone most safely?

March 22, 2022


Traveling alone is the adventure of a lifetime. Because being on the road without anyone you know makes it possible to get to know a new side of yourself. And to get completely involved in new experiences. If you don't have to take fellow travelers into consideration, you're flexible. You get to know more people and can dive deeply into foreign cultures. No wonder the solo travel trend has come to stay. Women in particular are increasingly setting out on their own in search of adventure. One aspect that should influence the choice of destination is the question: Where are women traveling alone particularly safe? Holidu, the search engine for vacation homes, has prepared an extensive analysis on this subject.

When you travel alone, you experience travel even more intensely. © Shutterstock

For its "Women Solo Travel Index," Holidu examined relevant cities around the world. Factors such as women's perceived safety at night, brightness at night, crime rates over the past three years, legislation, mobility rights and general prevalence of violence were included. And here are the results - these cities are the safest cities for women traveling alone:

5th place: Edmonton, Canada

Edmonton is one of the largest cities in North America by area. © Shutterstock

The capital of the Canadian province of Alberta scores with the high level of safety that women traveling alone feel here at night. Furthermore, gender-specific violence is not tolerated. Here you can explore the more than 60 museums, visit festivals and theaters, and experience nature up close in Elk Island National Park.

 

4th place: Ottawa, Canada

Ottawa's Parliament Hill is a must-see. © Shutterstock

Just as in Edmonton, Canada's capital is also particularly safe. Only 1.9 percent of women said they had ever experienced any form of violence in their lives. This reflects an attitude in society that is also particularly beneficial for women traveling alone. Whether traveling solo or with others, must-sees in Ottawa include Rideau Canal, the National Gallery and beautiful Major's Hill Park, in addition to Parliament Hill.

 

3rd place: Ljubljana, Slovenia

Reminiscent a bit of Amsterdam, but is Slovenia's capital. © Shutterstock

Third place - and bronze - goes to the Slovenian capital. This makes Ljubljana the safest city for women traveling alone in the whole of Europe. As a rule, women are relatively safe here, even at night. Unpleasant situations occur comparatively rarely. The To Do list here definitely includes a visit to Ljubljana Castle and a walk across the Dragon Bridge and through Tivoli Park. The National Gallery, the Parliament and the Cathedral are also worth seeing.

 

2nd place: Colombo, Sri Lanka 

Loud, bustling, colorful - but safe: Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo. © Shutterstock

In first place in Asia and in second place in the overall ranking: Colombo. Three out of four women surveyed feel very safe here. Also important for solo travelers: Taxis are particularly inexpensive. The tuk tuk is an adventurous and inexpensive way to travel. A kilometer costs around 22 cents. Once you have checked out the numerous temples in the city, you should explore the rest of Sri Lanka. Because the country is not stingy with scenic attractions. Also on the list should be the Nine Arches Bridge, a train ride from Ella to Kandy and some time off at the beach.

 

1st place: Montreal, Canada

Montreal's historic district is particularly picturesque. © Shutterstock

Canada is represented three times in the top 5. The second largest city in the country is super safe for female solo travelers. Especially its consistently very bright lighting at night gives the city a high sense of security. Montreal has the lowest crime rate in the country. Highlights in Montreal include Notre-Dame de Montréal, the Place des Festivals, the Old Town with 17th century buildings, the Saint-Josephs Oratory and the Botanical Gardens.

Scroll to Top