If you’ve been hesitant about taking a solo trip, there’s a chance that you’re afraid of doing things on your own. I think we all know at least one person who won’t even eat at a restaurant by themselves, let alone travel across the world. The reality is solo travel is equal parts empowering and awkward. It is the perfect opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, discover new places at your own pace, and learn more about yourself. In this post, I’ll give you the ultimate guide on how to enjoy your time alone with this list of the best things to do on a solo trip. This list includes plenty of things that will allow you to have an authentic travel experience anywhere in the world, in the least awkward way possible.
The Best Things To Do On A Solo Trip
This is a list of my favorite things to do on a solo trip. Although everyone has different travel styles, all the things on this list can pretty much be done anywhere in the world. They’re also things that many people do alone, so you won’t stand out as the only single person in the group. These solo travel ideas are also some of the best ways to learn the vibes and culture of a new destination.
1.) Go On A Walking Tour
One of the best things you can do as a solo traveler in a new city is to join a walking tour. These tours are a great way to get your bearings and learn about the history and culture of your destination. They’re also a great way to fill your itinerary without overcommitting. I always try to book one on the first day of my trip. They are a great way to get familiar with the city, which makes me feel more confident when exploring later on my own.
What makes these tours so valuable is the opportunity to connect with knowledgeable, local tour guides who are passionate about sharing their city’s stories. They can give you the local perspective that you won’t find in guide books. Your guide can provide expert tips, like restaurants where the locals actually eat, the best time to visit popular attractions, and where to find the best views of the city. For solo travelers, this is also the perfect opportunity to ask questions about the best places to visit. These tours are designed to be interactive, so you’ll have a chance to chat with other participants and share experiences. You might even find a travel companion for the rest of your trip!
Another benefit of walking tours is their flexibility. They can be easily found online through local tour companies or on websites like Viator or Get Your Guide. Many popular tourist destinations have designated tourism offices that likely offer a free walking tour of the city. Local tourism offices are a great source of accurate, up-to-date information about the destination. Be sure to visit one as early as you can during your trip. Many also offer discounts, coupons, or special deals for community events and group tours.
Walking tours are usually pretty inexpensive if you’re on a budget. You can also try using https://freetoursbyfoot.com/ to find free/ cheap walking tours. Most tours operate on a “pay-what-you-can” basis, making them an affordable option for travelers on a budget.
2.) Book A Food Tour
If you really want to know the culture of a place, you have to experience the food. Booking a food tour in a new destination is an immersive way to connect with the heart of a destination through its flavors. Food tours offer a local perspective on the best spots for authentic cuisine. You’ll be able to experience foods you didn’t even know existed, in unassuming places that you probably wouldn’t have looked at twice.
I think that a food tour is a must for every solo trip. It’s a great way to feel connected and engaged, even when traveling alone. Sharing meals with a group of like-minded travelers gives you a chance to meet interesting people and bond over travel experiences. Many food tours are led by passionate locals. They will guide you through the tastiest dishes and share stories about the food’s history and culture. They will also give you recommendations on the best authentic dishes to try and tell you where the locals eat. This way you won’t have to worry about getting subpar food at a trendy-looking tourist trap.
Food tours are also a great way to connect with people if you have anxiety about dining alone. There’s a chance you may meet new people to have dinner with later on during your trip.
My advice for getting the most out of a food tour is to look carefully at exactly what it includes. If there will be multiple stops on your tour, make sure you go hungry! I’ve been on food tours where I definitely wasn’t hungry enough to get the most out of the experience. If you can’t find a guided tour, do some research and make a list of the best local dishes and street food to try in the area. Look up the best restaurants in the area for those dishes, and do your own solo food tour!
3.) Take a Cooking Class
Taking a cooking class during your solo travel adventure is a great way to dive into the heart of a destination’s local cuisine while learning a new skill. Food is an essential part of any travel experience. There’s no better way to appreciate it than by understanding how it’s made from scratch. You might even find that something you love to order for takeout isn’t that hard to make at home. A cooking class gives solo travelers hands-on experience with local food, fresh ingredients, and traditional techniques that define a region’s culinary heritage.
Unlike simply dining at a restaurant, a cooking class allows you to create the dish yourself, giving you a deeper appreciation for the effort, artistry, and tradition behind the dish. So many of the delicious foods we eat without a second thought are truly a labor of love from someone who truly enjoys cooking. After taking a cooking class in Morocco, I will never again take for granted a dish as simple as hummus. I learned the creamy texture that I was never before able to recreate at home is because they peel the skin off the chickpeas before mashing them. This is something I will probably never do going forward. But it gives me a new level of appreciation for the foods I enjoy.
The best thing about a cooking class is that it’s an interactive experience. Unlike typical tourist experiences, where you might feel like an observer, a cooking class encourages participation and conversation, making it easier to form connections. Try to book a class that begins with a visit to local markets or grocery stores to pick up fresh ingredients, giving you a chance to explore the local food scene and interact with vendors. Many classes also include a sit-down meal at the end, where you can enjoy your creations together.
4.) Visit a Museum
There’s no better place to spend a solo day than a museum. Beyond the educational benefits, museums provide a peaceful and introspective experience that is perfect for solo travelers. Unlike crowded tourist attractions, museums often allow for a quiet, personal journey through history and art, making them a great place to unwind and explore at your own pace.
Museums are the perfect place to start for people who have anxiety about doing things alone. They provide a calm, structured environment, making them a perfect place for solo travelers who may feel overwhelmed by more social activities. Museums provide the perfect opportunity to practice being comfortable in your own company.
If you’re the kind of person who finds art or history boring, I encourage you to look beyond the standard history museums! Many contemporary museums explore different facets of history that you might find very interesting. Searching “interesting museums” in the destination I’m visiting has led me to many interesting museums around the world. Take for example Museu do Lixo (Museum of Trash) in Brazil. It’s a museum comprised of rescued materials that were thrown away to build a memory space about society’s consumption. Or something more risqué like Barcelona’s erotic museum, which explores eroticism throughout the history of mankind.
5.) Spend a Day at a Local Spa
Visiting a local spa during your solo adventure is one of the best things you can do to rejuvenate while immersing yourself in the wellness culture of a new destination. It might sound like something that can easily be done at home. But spas around the world often offer unique treatments and wellness traditions that differ greatly from those in the United States. International spas often incorporate ancient healing practices, locally sourced ingredients, and specialized rituals that reflect the region’s history and beliefs about well-being. Visiting an onsen in Japan or a hammam in Morocco is way different than any spa experience you’ll have at home.
A spa day is perfect for solo travelers who feel awkward being seen doing things alone. It’s a very common place to visit on your own, so you won’t stand out as the only single person. It’s also a place where being quiet is pretty much mandatory. So in my opinion, it’s best to visit a spa alone no matter where you are in the world. I like to save this experience for the last day of my trip, to feel refreshed before traveling back home.
6.) Book A Photoshoot
As a new solo traveler you may feel uncomfortable asking people to take your picture. And even more uncomfortable using a tripod to get your own. Booking a photoshoot is a great way to make sure that you have high-quality photos of your trip. I’ve done this a few times in the past and I always get incredible photos back. Hiring a local photographer is a great way to give back to the community and connect with someone knowledgeable about the area. They always know how to get the best view to showcase both you and the new city you’re exploring. They’ll likely take you to the lesser-known spots so they can get great photos of you, without the crowds.
You can use Airbnb Experiences to find photographers who will take photos around the major landmarks of the city. Make sure to ask for their social media to see more of their work, beyond what’s posted on the app. And check their reviews to see if people are happy with their work. Make sure to ask for their recommendations on must-see places to try and get some photos on your own, including the best time of the day to avoid crowds and the best time to get good lighting.
Also, don’t worry about feeling awkward about getting your photo taken, if you’re camera-shy. Photographers know how to make you feel comfortable during the process. And they’ll also show you how to pose if you’re not sure how!
7.) Visit a National Park
Visiting national parks is another great thing to do during your solo adventure. It’s the perfect way to connect with nature in a semi-controlled environment. National parks provide a peaceful escape where you can explore at your own pace. They also have well-marked trails and visitor centers with knowledgeable park rangers, making them safe and accessible for people traveling alone.
But if you’re nervous about exploring on your own, you can join a guided tour or participate in community events like ranger-led programs. Be sure to check the website for the park you plan on visiting. It will give you info on entrances fees, trail difficulty and the activities they offer! Tour agencies also offer guided tours of national parks, that include pick-up and drop-off to and from your accommodation.
8.) Stay at a Hostel
This one might be a turn-off to some, but I truly believe that staying at least a few nights in a hostel is a great thing to do during a solo trip, especially if you’re trying to connect with new people. Hostels are geared toward solo travelers. They create a social environment with easy access to fellow travelers with similar interests, at a budget-friendly price. Most hostels offer communal spaces, shared kitchens, and organized events like pub crawls, game nights, or free walking tours. This makes it easy to strike up conversations and form friendships.
If you’re past the age where you can comfortably sleep in a four-bedded room with strangers, many hostels offer single rooms that you can retreat to if your social battery runs out. If there are no single rooms, sometimes I purchase two beds in a double room. It usually ends up being cheaper than a hotel. It also gives me peace of mind that I’ll have a relaxing place to unwind.
If you’ve never stayed in a hostel before, be sure to double-check what’s included in your stay. Although they’ve come pretty far over the years, many still don’t include bed sheets or towels in your stay. (This is how they keep costs low). Also check if you’ll need to bring your own, or if you can rent them on-site.
9.) Pre-book a Bar Crawl
This one is especially useful for solo female travelers who don’t want to explore on their own at night. Booking a guided bar crawl will let you experience a city’s best bars in a safe and structured way. These tours are often led by locals who will introduce you to the best cocktail bars, breweries, or wine spots. They’ll also share fascinating stories about the area’s history and drinking traditions. It also provides an excellent opportunity for solo travelers to meet like-minded people in a relaxed setting. Since most participants are open to socializing, it’s easy to form connections with them.
I’ve booked these experiences on Airbnb in the past. They’re easy to find in big cities. When booking check to see if the locations are included beforehand, so you can get an idea of what to expect. Make sure to message the host and ask for the end location if it’s not mentioned when you book. This way you can see how far you’ll be from your accommodation, and make sure that you’re able to get home at the end of the night. I’ve never felt unsafe on one of these tours, but always make sure someone you trust has your location!
10.) Learn to Chat With Strangers
One of the greatest benefits of solo travel is the opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and learn to chat with strangers. It’s a skill that can transform your entire travel experience. Becoming comfortable with spontaneous conversations can make navigating a new city easier. When I started traveling I was extremely shy. And although I’m still an introvert, learning to be uncomfortable in a new environment over the years has been one of the most beneficial things that travel has done for me.
Also, some of the best experiences might come from a fellow traveler you meet along the way. I remember randomly talking to some fellow tourists in Jordan after they asked me to take their picture. We made small talk after, and they told me about their visit to Wadi Mujib the day prior. It’s one of the places less visited by tourists, but they insisted I should go. It ended up being the most fun thing I did while I was there.
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Solo travel isn’t just about seeing the world—it’s about experiencing it in a way that’s entirely your own. I’d love to hear your go-to solo travel activities! Let me know in the comments below. And if you’re craving more solo travel tips and destination inspo, be sure to check out more posts on the blog.