Choosing a travel destination can be a bit tricky, especially for women. Needless to say, the biggest concern among solo female tourists is, of course, safety.
It is important for everyone to travel alone at least once in their lifetime. After all, it provides you with a brilliant opportunity to learn more about yourself. However, the thought of visiting a new place all by your lonesome can be a bit scary, particularly for women.
Regardless of where you choose to go, it is absolutely necessary to take some precautions while travelling to a foreign place – be it alone or with a large group. There would always be some people in every city who would try to scam or take advantage of unsuspecting travellers. But one of the best ways to stay safe as a tourist is to always be alert of your surroundings and generally avoiding isolated areas.
Safest Travel Destinations For Solo Female Tourists
If you are a woman planning to go on a solo trip, these cities not only have the lowest crime rates impacting foreigners but are also very tourist and women-friendly.
Take a look at some of the safest solo female travel destinations that you should add to your bucket list.
Kyoto, Japan
One of the safest places for holidays in the entire world, the city of Kyoto in Japan houses some of the most beautiful and historic sites the country has to offer. From classical Buddhist temples and imperial palaces to breathtaking gardens and traditional markets, there is no lack of tourist attractions in the former capital of Japan.
It is an ideal city for solo female tourists. Kyoto not only has several women’s only accommodation options but the commuter trains in the city also have separate women-only cars. Moreover, since the crime rate in this beautiful city is very low, it is considered one of the most secure places in Japan for tourists.
Top tourist attractions in Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu Temple, Gion, Arashiyama and Nijo Castle.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The vibrant city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands is often referred to as the ‘Venice of the North.’ That’s mainly due to its elaborate canal system, where tourists and locals alike can be seen boating on a sunny day. Apart from the gorgeous waterways, Amsterdam is known for its stunning landscape, colourful houses, meticulously laid out bike paths and incredible museums.
However, as far as the crime rate is concerned, the city ranked 6th on the 2017 Safe City Index that ranks the safest cities in the world. Amsterdam is extremely tourist-friendly and is safe for women of all ages to travel alone. There is little to no harassment on the streets and violent crimes are almost non-existent.
In fact, the entire Netherlands is one of safest countries to travel for women.
Top tourist attractions in Amsterdam
The Rijksmuseum, the Royal Palace, the Anne Frank Museum, the Van Gogh Museum and Vondelpark.
Rome, Italy
The sprawling city of Rome in Italy is known for its stunning architecture, historic art and incredible cuisine. If you are planning to travel alone, Rome is the perfect place to spend some time by yourself visiting ancient churches, galleries and museums.
Rome is also considered one of the must-visit historical places in the world.
In terms of violence and harassment, the city is very safe for women. However, since Italy receives its fair share of tourists every year, petty theft and pickpocketing are somewhat of a nuisance in crowded areas, such as the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Square. But it is important to mention that these crimes are not necessarily aimed at women. They are just a downside of the tourist influx.
Top tourist attractions in Rome
The Colosseum, Vatican City, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Santa Maria Maggiore.
Montreal, Canada
Montreal is popular for its rich cultural history and a scenic riverfront view. Located just a few hours drive away from Niagara Falls, this city in Quebec, Canada, is one of the safest destinations for solo female tourists. Montreal is full of mesmerizing gardens, stunning museums, beautiful castles and grand French restaurants built along cobbled pathways.
The rate of violent crimes, such as assault and robbery, is very low in Montreal. Moreover, since Canada is known for being an extremely tourist-friendly country, women travelling alone can easily explore the city without the fear of being harassed or experiencing much inconvenience.
Top tourist attractions in Montreal
Notre-Dame Basilica, Botanical Garden, Mont-Royal, Vieux-Montreal and St. Joseph’s Oratory.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Apart from being safe for tourists, Thailand is also one of the cheapest travel destinations in the world. While Bangkok and Pattaya are more popular and thus very crowded, you may want to add the picturesque city of Chiang Mai to your travel itinerary. This lush green hilly city is a paradise for adventure-seekers, photographers and shoppers alike.
The people are friendly, the food is cheap and the crime rate is low compared to most tourist hotspots. Chiang Mai is considered a safe holiday destination for solo female tourists who want to explore the nature and cultural heritage of Thailand on their own.
Top tourist attractions in Chiang Mai
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon, Doi Pui, Wat Prasingh and Night Bazaar.
Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki, the largest city in Finland, is a bustling metropolis boasting world-renowned museums, concert halls, theatres and stunning cathedrals. Various art and culture festivals are also held in the city throughout the year. It’s a great and safe travel destination for those who appreciate arts and music.
Despite being filled with tourists, Helsinki is considered one of the safest cities in Europe. While there is always a risk of pickpocketing in crowded areas, the city is generally safe for female tourists. Moreover, you are less likely to get scammed here than most other travel spots.
Top tourist attractions in Helsinki
Uspensky Cathedral, Suomenlinna, Sibelius Monument, Linnanmäki Amusement Park and Market Square.
Hong Kong
A top choice for those who love shopping, Hong Kong may appear as a glamorous city with an exciting nightlife and an impressive skyline, but it is steeped in culture and has a rich history that will leave you mesmerized. Apart from sky-high buildings and futuristic restaurants, this autonomous territory is full of ancient temples, breathtaking hiking trails, beautiful mountains and pristine beaches.
Thanks to the low crime rate in the region, Hong Kong is regarded as one of the safest travel destinations for tourists, especially women. This tourist-friendly destination has a wide variety of accommodation options for every budget and it’s rather easy to move about the city as the transportation is great.
Top tourist attractions in Hong Kong
The Peak, Tian Tan Buddha, Man Mo Temple, Hong Kong Disneyland and Ladies’ Market.
Reykjavik, Iceland
The largest city in Iceland, Reykjavik is home to some stunning cathedrals, opera houses, fine dining restaurants, enchanting waterfalls and picturesque mountains. The city is also popular for its thermal swimming pools and hot springs along with its historic architecture. Reykjavik offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in a vibrant culture of art and music.
Due to its small population, violent crimes are rare in Iceland. Although the country has begun attracting more tourists with each passing year, the crime rate has remained almost non-existent. This makes it an extremely safe place for women who want to travel alone.
Top tourist attractions in Reykjavik
Hallgrimskirkja Church, National Museum of Iceland, the Solfar Sun Voyager sculpture, Arbaer Open Air Museum and Laugavegur.
Oslo, Norway
A city surrounded by dense forests and numerous lakes, Oslo is the perfect holiday destination for nature lovers. The capital city of Norway is regularly ranked among the top cities in the world to live in. This automatically makes it one of the best places to spend summer holidays as well. The culturally rich city is renowned for its cathedrals, music halls, theatres, museums and art galleries.
If you are a woman travelling solo, don’t forget to add Oslo to your travel list. It also has a low crime rate and is thus considered one of the safest locations for holiday-makers.
Top tourist attractions in Oslo
Vigeland Sculpture Park, Akershus Fortress, the National Museum, Royal Palace and Oslo Cathedral.
Istanbul, Turkey
A bustling metropolis thriving with tourists throughout the year, Istanbul in Turkey is perhaps one of the busiest cities in Europe. However, it is also one of the most culturally and historically rich cities in the world.
The thriving city boasts some rather fine examples of Muslim architecture and a breathtaking cityscape worthy of a postcard.
Istanbul is the perfect travel destination for people of all ages, particularly women, as it offers a wide variety of tourist attractions. It is also pretty safe in terms of violent crimes and harassment. The city has great public transport. That means solo female tourists can easily explore the city without having to use taxis and private cabs. It’s also one of the most affordable travel destinations around the world.
Top tourist attractions in Istanbul
Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace and Grand Bazaar.
While these travel destinations are perfect for women travelling alone, don’t forget to check out some Halal-friendly holiday spots across the world.
