Travelling to a new destination alone if done right is extremely fulfilling – in more ways than one! You have the power to make it completely your own experience and while this can seem daunting – with a bit of preparation and know how it really could turn out to be your trip of a lifetime!
All too often, we fall in to the trap of over-researching or following an itinerary which might not entirely work for the solo traveller. Instead of checking off every item on someone else’s ‘must do’ list I create my own, one that feels right, adds value and works anywhere in the world.
Activities that you can do solo anywhere in the world
In this post I’ll show you how to fully enjoy your solo trip, starting with this curated list of 12 things that you can do solo just about anywhere in the world.
THE BEST THINGS TO DO WHEN TRAVELLING ALONE
When I’m travelling alone I always find plenty of things to do and keep it interesting by participating in lots of different activities that suit my personal travel style, not just the most obvious ones and on my own timeframe – the beauty of solo travel!
Here are my 12 favourite things to do while travelling solo.
1. HIRE A BIKE
Cycling around a new city or better still an island is one of my favourite activities to do when travelling solo especially if there are straight forward routes to follow and lots of scenery involved. Usually I will rent a regular bike or E-bike when I arrive at the destination and follow either a map or sign posts if I’m heading someplace specific like Lake Bled and Vintgar Gorge, a beach or waterfalls.
Other times I may join bike tours for quickness, interaction and to learn more about the place, one of the best I participated in is this wine tour in Korcula Island, it was the highlight of my stay! While in Amsterdam to get off the beaten path I booked Windmills, Cheese and Cloggs – a small group tour of the countryside by E-bike!
2. BOOK AN EXPERIENCE
A solo trip is the perfect time to try something new! Book a local experience that you may not have been able to do when travelling with a friend or group – we all have different tastes and interests don’t we?
This is the time to jump on that niche activity without being judged whether its nature, heritage sites or something adventurous! In the past few years I’ve Kayaked around the walls of Dubrovnik, visited the Blue Cave from Hvar Island, gone to various vineyards and hiked around beautiful Montenegro to name a few. All of these experiences have introduced me to some amazing like-minded solo travellers and will be forever etched in my memory.
Read: 12 Solo Female Travel Tips
3. GO FOR A WALK
Walking might seem like a simple thing to put on a list – and it is! Walking is an incredibly underrated activity, but it’s the only way to find the hidden gems and beautiful things that you just can’t plan for in advance, it’s also free and works anywhere.
One of my favourite things to do is wander through an old neighbourhood, a park or next to the water and really get to know the area- whether that’s Dubrovnik or Granada, Spain! If you want something a little more structured then consider an inexpensive or sometimes free walking tour – and it can be as specific as history or food! One of the most insightful I once booked was the Dubrovnik old town walking tour and found out some other local secrets along the way!
4. READ A BOOK
Reading may sound uneventful, but on solo holidays this is one of the few times were you can actually pick up a book and read just about anywhere! I love reading and I always find time when travelling solo to open a new book that has maybe being sitting on the shelf for months at home.
While away I often bring two books, something lighthearted and fun to read at the beach, next to the pool or even along to a nice terrace or journey – there’s always an opportunity and it’s more relaxing than scrolling endlessly though your phone! If you need more than one book or have limited space, don’t worry you can always invest in a Kindle Paperwhite – it will save you lots of room and kilos too!
5. ATTEND A SHOW
Attending a show is effortless, you just have to turn up and immerse yourself in the new cultural experience, whether that’s a theatre show, local music or concert. In many cities and small towns around the world you can always find something that interest you at venues both large and small like a flamenco show in Seville!
Since you’re only there to watch the artists (and at something like a cultural flamenco show were no phones allowed and everybody is hushed), your attention is focused 100 percent on the captivating performance – it really is one of the best solo activities to do in the evening, where you won’t feel alone!
6. VISIT A MUSEUM
Going to a museum or gallery may be one of the best solo activities since they are often reflective and have quiet atmospheres. You can wander at your own pace, stay for a coffee and linger wherever you feel like, it combines culture with a great solo experience.
I have visited many around the world and mostly in cities such as Barcelona and Amsterdam, in places like these it can also be a cool thing to do as they are often unlike anything you would have ever seen before!
7. BREAKFAST ON THE BALCONY
Breakfast on the balcony or late night room service in winter is seriously one of the best perks about being alone and not having to share anything with anyone. I reserve no judgement for those who want to veg out on holiday or eat without the glances from others – tip book a room with a balcony view you can’t bear to be away from!
As I mentioned you don’t need an itinerary for these type of indulgences, just the right hotel. In Amsterdam I stayed at the Hoxton hotel over the Christmas period and absolutely ordered truffle fries and a glass of champagne whilst I watched a movie one night, after all it’s one of the services, why not use it?
8. RELAX BY THE POOL/SEA
Perhaps one of the easiest things to do when travelling alone is to spend some time at the pool or beach. As most of my trips are in hot weather countries I always factor in a few relaxation days and plan my destinations and packing around it including headphones and a book!
For those of you who don’t want to be always on the move, this is ideal and something you definitely don’t need a companion for! My favourite thing is to stay at a boutique hotel with a pool and a view or at least be within walking distance to a lovely beach.
Read: 10 Summer Beach Bag Essentials
9. FIND A BEAUTIFUL VIEW
Finding a beautiful view is one of my favourite things to do solo in a new destination – there’s nothing better than having a look around you, figuring out where you are or even relaxing with a drink and a book on a terrace at the top!
You can get amazing views from the Alhambra in Granada or the wall walk in Dubrovnik – and these are pretty great places, however you could also find your own view just by wandering! I have found many spots and for free, some of the most memorable are Hvar Island in Croatia, Kotor in Montenegro and Hallstatt Austria. Sure lots of them involve climbing stairs for the best view but that’s all part of the fun!
TIP! Sometimes these spots are well known and other times a quick google search for “best views in…” is a good idea!
10. GO ON A FOOD TOUR
An easy way to pass the afternoon or early evening without the involvement of an organised tour is to make up your own! All you need is a bit of prior research – a list of the local foods to try or the best restaurants in your area, create a little tour that’s exciting and fun, talk to the owners, have a small tapa in each place with a drink or even adapt it to a wine tasting tour! I’ve had a great time doing this in places like Seville where small plates and tapas are all part of the experience and culture.
11. TREAT YOURSELF
I would describe my style as affordable luxury, I save where I can but I equally like to feel special once in a while! Going on holiday alone is the perfect opportunity to live a little whether that’s reserving a table at a nice restaurant (those outdoor seats fill up fast!), a fancy hotel upgrade a fabulous beach club or even a spa – all of these are perfect solo activities!
Anything to do with relaxation is usually best, room service, fluffy robes, wine, front row sunbeds – I’m all for it!
12. HAVE A PICNIC
The humble picnic! Usually I love sitting on terraces, finding nice brunch places, but if I fancy a casual day somewhere more relaxing then I might spontaneously grab a few things from the bakery/deli or whatever the local goodies are and find a nice spot to eat it – without the fuss!
My personal favourites are picnicking on the beach, park or anywhere with a good view as mentioned above – in Hvar Island, Croatia my go-to is always a tasty spinach burek pastry, fruit and a coffee and finding a spot by the harbour.
Final thoughts on solo travel activities…
Travelling solo doesn’t have to mean filling up your precious vacation hours with activities, feeling anxious and worse; over-spending to enjoy yourself. Embrace your alone time, budget if need be, figure out what you truly enjoy doing and make small plans and steps towards it.
Over the years I have found that these 12 things work for me wherever I am, they each create memories and add value with little extra cost. (I save the splurges for cool experiences, balconies and restaurant meals).
I hope you have found some inspiration in this post of best things to do on a solo trip, add your own desires to the list and make it fun! Which activity would you most enjoy? Leave me a message in the comments below!
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