We’re breaking down the 10 safest places in the world to travel as a woman – particularly as a solo female traveler – when to go, what to do, and how to tread lightly (sustainably) as you explore.
Traveling solo as a woman can be one of the most freeing, life-affirming experiences you’ll ever have — but let’s be real: feeling safe is absolutely essential. At Cerca we’re spend a lot of time talking with young, (sometimes scrappy, always curious) travelers who have zig-zagged across continents and collected real-world insights about where solo female travelers can thrive.
Ready to chase your next big adventure?
1. Reykjavík, Iceland
Why it’s safe:
Iceland consistently ranks as the safest country in the world. Crime rates? Practically nonexistent. Plus, Icelanders have a reputation for being friendly but chill — they’ll help if you need it but won’t crowd your vibe.
Best time to visit:
June to August for the Midnight Sun or September to April for Northern Lights. Or – for something totally different – New Years, when the whole city celebrates with massive bon fires and fireworks for days.
Must-do as a female traveler:
Secret Lagoon for a luxurious, healing solo spa day floating in a natural hot spring – even more special in the winter! (Blue Lagoon is much more famous, but can get overcrowded with tourists.)
Horseback riding tours across lava fields — Icelandic horses are small, sturdy, and absolute sweethearts.
Sustainable tip: Iceland takes sustainability seriously — you should too. Listen to Cerca’s episode on how Iceland is building the greenest of societies.
2. Kyoto, Japan
Why it’s safe:
Japan’s deeply rooted culture of respect means that solo female travelers are treated with courtesy. Kyoto, with its temples and calm, traditional streets, is slower-paced and deeply soulful.
Best time to visit:
March to May (cherry blossoms!) and October to November (fall colors).
Must-do as a female traveler:
Kimono dressing experience and tea ceremony to tap into feminine energy and mindfulness.
Stay at a Ryokan (traditional inn) for a solo Zen reset, traditional Japanese breakfast, and spa.
Sustainable tip: Use public transportation and stay at locally-owned guesthouses to support Kyoto’s heritage preservation efforts.
3. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Why it’s safe:
Chiang Mai is known for its warm, welcoming locals and slower pace compared to Bangkok. It’s a major hub for solo female travelers and digital nomads.
Best time to visit:
November to February — dry, cool season.
Must-do as a female traveler:
Join a Thai cooking class or take a meditation retreat at a Buddhist temple.
Explore the Sunday Night Walking Street — it’s safe, lively, and a feast for the senses.
Sustainable tip: Skip unethical elephant rides. Instead, volunteer or visit certified ethical elephant sanctuaries like Elephant Nature Park.
4. Lisbon, Portugal
Why it’s safe:
Portugal’s relaxed culture combined with Lisbon’s lively arts scene makes it a dream spot for solo wanderers. Street crime is minimal if you’re savvy.
Listen to Cerca’s series: A Portuguese Affair, to get the inside information from local expert and influencer, Catarina Araújo.
Best time to visit:
April to June or September to October (sweet spot weather, fewer tourists).
Must-do as a woman traveler:
Ride Tram 28 through historic neighborhoods. Tram 28 (or “Eléctrico 28”) is a vintage yellow tram that rumbles and squeaks its way through some of Lisbon’s most historic neighborhoods. It’s a proper old-school experience — these trams have been operating since the 1930s and are still rocking their original wooden interiors and brass fittings. The route is legendary because it winds through narrow, twisting streets where no modern bus (and barely even a car) could squeeze through.
Take a surf lesson in nearby Cascais — yes, even if you’ve never surfed before.
Sustainable tip: Eat local. Lisbon’s independent eateries often use farm-fresh produce and sustainable seafood.
5. Vancouver, Canada
Why it’s safe:
Vancouver has a healthy, outdoor-loving vibe and excellent public safety standards. It’s multicultural, welcoming, and easy to navigate.
Best time to visit:
June to September for sunshine and festival season.
Must-do as a female traveler:
Cycle the Stanley Park Seawall for a solo date with nature. It’s an absolutely stunning ride — the Seawall wraps around the entire perimeter of Stanley Park (see photo above), hugging the edge of the water the whole way, with mountain views, beaches, forests, and the Vancouver skyline popping up around every curve. The full loop is around 9k and there are plenty of local bike shops you can rent from.
Check out the Granville Island Public Market — foodie heaven. Check out Seafood City for fresh smoked salmon and Lee’s Donuts for a classic honey-dip donut.
Sustainable tip: Use the bike-share program and support Indigenous-owned shops and galleries.
6. Melbourne, Australia
Why it’s safe:
Melbourne ranks high for quality of life and traveler safety. It’s also mega-progressive, so you’ll feel right at home wandering alone. Honestly, if cities were people, Melbourne would be that effortlessly cool friend who knows all the secret gigs, the best hidden coffee shops, the indie art galleries no one’s heard of yet, but who can also totally dress up for a black-tie night at the opera without blinking.
Best time to visit:
March to May or September to November — mild and fewer crowds.
Must-do as a female traveler:
Explore Fitzroy’s indie boutiques and vintage shops. Lost and Found Market: Imagine an enormous, gloriously chaotic warehouse packed with vintage fashion, retro furniture, vinyl records, art books, oddities, antiques, designer vintage, and indie maker stalls — all coexisting under one gritty, creative roof.
Solo brunch at hip cafes in Collingwood or Carlton.
Sustainable tip: Use reusable water bottles and tote bags; Melbourne’s eco-conscious culture is strong.
7. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Why it’s safe:
Slovenia’s capital is small, green, and ridiculously charming. Locals are friendly, and it feels more like a village than a city.
Best time to visit:
May to September — summer festivals bring Ljubljana to life.
Must-do as a female traveler:
Row a boat to Bled Island (about an hour from Ljubljana). Bled Island is a tiny, forested island in the middle of Lake Bled, crowned by a beautiful 17th-century church: the Church of the Assumption.
It’s the only natural island in Slovenia, and local legends swirl around it — from mysterious sunken bells to secret wishes.
The iconic way to get there, yes, is by rowing yourself across the lake in a traditional wooden boat. (No engines. No rush. Just you, the oars, the reflections on the water, and maybe a few swans.) Rent a rowboat from one of the rental spots along the lakeshore (there are a few at the main promenade, near Park Hotel Bled, and a couple at Mlino village).
Visit the Central Market — a colorful hub for local flavors. For more on the food of this beautiful place, check out Cerca’s article on the best – most traditional – things to eat in Slovenia.
Sustainable tip: Ljubljana has been awarded as Europe’s Green Capital — support their zero-waste initiatives by staying in eco-certified hotels.
8. Vienna, Austria
Why it’s safe:
Vienna’s vibe is elegant but accessible, with world-class public transport and a strong safety record. It’s especially good for artsy solo travelers. Plus, Austria is one of the top five safest cities in the world according to the Global Peace Index.
Best time to visit:
April to May or September to October for gorgeous weather without the tourist crush.
Must-do as a woman traveler:
Attend a classical concert at Schönbrunn Palace or the Musikverein. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Vienna was the place to be for musicians and composers.
It was a rich, intellectual, glittering city — full of art patrons, royal courts, salons, and audiences who cared deeply about music. If you were a composer trying to make a name for yourself? Vienna was your ultimate stage.
That’s why all these GOATs lived and worked there: Mozart (moved there at 25 to make it big — spoiler: he did), Beethoven (moved there at 22 — stayed basically forever), Haydn (worked in Vienna’s royal courts), Schubert (born and raised Viennese — total local legend), Later, even Brahms, Mahler, and Strauss picked Vienna as their creative home.
Visit feminist landmarks, like the Frauenmuseum. Located in the tiny village of Hittisau, Vorarlberg, the museum is dedicated entirely to women’s achievements. That means women’s history, women’s art, women’s culture, women’s activism — all getting the spotlight they’ve historically been denied.
Sustainable tip: Use Vienna’s easy-to-navigate tram system instead of taxis.
9. Santa Fe, New Mexico (U.S.)
Why it’s safe:
Santa Fe has a strong sense of community, a low crime rate, and a thriving arts and wellness scene. It’s perfect if you’re craving nature, culture, and solo downtime.
Santa Fe is one of the oldest cities in North America (founded in 1610 by the Spanish, but Indigenous Puebloan communities have lived here for thousands of years before that). Women have always been key figures here.
Pueblo women have long been leaders in community, agriculture, pottery, and storytelling traditions. Hispanic women shaped the food, festivals, and folklore. Today, women artists, healers, writers, and chefs are everywhere here — not sidelined, but centered. You’re stepping into a place where women’s creativity and leadership feel natural and ancient.
Best time to visit:
September to November — crisp air and vibrant fall colors.
Must-do as a woman traveler:
Wander the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum — she’s the original solo female artist wanderer.
Take a solo spa day at Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa.
Sustainable tip: Santa Fe’s local farmers’ markets and Native American-owned shops are perfect spots to support regenerative travel.
10. Charleston, South Carolina (U.S.)
Why it’s safe:
Historic, colorful, and polite to the max — Charleston is one of those places where Southern hospitality is more than just a catchphrase.
Best time to visit:
March to May or September to November for perfect porch-swing weather.
Must-do as a woman traveler:
Take a historic walking tour (many are women-led and highlight women’s history). Instead of getting the typical “George Washington slept here” version of Charleston, you dive into the untold stories of the women who actually built, defended, resisted, and changed the city: Enslaved women who fought for freedom, early entrepreneurs, artists, writers, and social reformers, and Charleston’s suffragists and civil rights pioneers.
It’s empowering, emotional, and honestly feels like a little rebellion against the “traditional” tourist narrative.
Tips for Solo Female Travel
Always trust your gut.
Sounds cheesy, but it’s your best asset. If something feels off, trust that feeling — and bounce.
Book accommodations with strong reviews.
Platforms like Booking.com and Hostelworld have filters for “solo female traveler approved” spots. Use them!
Be low-key with your valuables.
Don’t flaunt jewelry, tech, or cash. Blend in — you’re a traveler, not a tourist.
Learn a few local phrases.
Even just “hello,” “thank you,” and “please” go a long way in showing respect and connecting with locals.
Choose experiences that empower women.
Where possible, book women-led tours, classes, and businesses — it builds community, spreads safety vibes, and is just good karma.
The world is massive, beautiful, and open — and traveling as a woman – alone and courageously – is one of the most radical acts of freedom you can gift yourself. Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland, getting lost in the backstreets of Kyoto, or savoring a solo brunch in Charleston, know this: you’re not alone in your dreams of exploring safely and authentically.
Pack your bags (and your spirit of adventure). Let’s keep seeing the world — bravely, beautifully, and responsibly.
