Looking for the best places to travel alone? Start with what you actually want to do.
Maybe that’s wandering beside a canal, browsing a night market or sitting down for coffee with a gorgeous view. These pictures give you plenty to choose from.
You can plan a city break or make room for something quieter. Some stops below are recognizable landmarks; others are inspiration for the kind of place to look for.
Check current local advice, transport and opening details before you book.
Read also: 20 Ideas for Weekend Getaways in Upstate New York
Solo travel ideas worth saving
Lisbon from above
We’re starting off strong with this gorgeous Lisbon view. The red rooftops, river and distant suspension bridge look so pretty beneath that huge overhanging tree.
Read also: 20 Romantic Hotels in NYC Inspiration Photos for Your Next Getaway
If you like leaving space in your itinerary, save an evening for a viewpoint like this. You don’t need to fill every hour with another attraction.
Tokyo after dark
How amazing are all these signs? This Tokyo street is packed with bright blues, reds and yellows, with people filling the road below.
For a solo evening out, pick a small area to explore rather than trying to cover everything. Save your route back before you get distracted by all those lights.
Copenhagen’s circular bridge
I love the rounded platforms on Copenhagen’s Cirkelbroen. The red railings and tall white masts make this so much more interesting than a straight crossing.
Read also: 20 Treehouse Vacation Destinations and Forest Stay Ideas to Inspire Your Next Trip
Add it to a waterfront walk if you like noticing little architectural details. This is the kind of stop you can enjoy without planning your whole day around it.
A red-roofed countryside church
Want something a little quieter than a city street? This white church with its bright red roof is lovely against the green hills and low clouds.
Read also: 20 Best Vacation Destinations in Europe to Inspire Your Next Trip
The photo alone doesn’t confirm the location. Use it as countryside-trip inspiration, then verify the exact stop and transport before adding it to your route.
Yoga surrounded by greenery
If you’re looking for a trip with fewer scheduled stops, this is such a pretty starting point. A yoga mat sits on a deck surrounded by palms and dense greenery.
Look for a retreat with classes you actually want to join. The setting is gorgeous, but check the location and daily schedule rather than choosing from a photo alone.
Queenstown’s lakeside views
This mountain view may just be one of my favorites here. Snow streaks the jagged peaks above the lake, with hillside houses and yellow-green trees down below.
For a Queenstown trip, I’d leave room for time by the water as well as any booked activities. That little boat gives you another idea to consider.
Edinburgh in the rain
Who says you need blue skies for a beautiful city view? Edinburgh Castle rises above the street here, with headlights reflecting on the wet road.
I love the pointed rooflines along the right. Pick a walking route with an indoor stop along the way if rain is in the forecast.
A Vietnamese night market
There’s so much to look at here, from the orange stall canopies to the purple lights hanging over the street. The narrow buildings behind them are just as interesting.
If browsing markets is your thing, make room for a Vietnamese night-market visit. Confirm the market’s location and operating days before building your evening around it.
Vancouver’s seawall
Don’t want every day to revolve around tickets and reservations? A waterfront walk is a lovely alternative.
This stretch of Vancouver’s Stanley Park seawall curves between blue water and a tree-covered rock face.
Choose a section that suits how far you want to go. Check for route closures before setting off.
Amsterdam beside the canals
I am obsessed with this canal view. The glowing windows, narrow houses and little boat are so pretty against the blue evening sky.
For an Amsterdam afternoon, choose a canal-side neighborhood and give yourself time to wander. A café stop could make a nice break without turning the day into a checklist.
A stepping-stone café entrance
How cute is this entrance? Round stepping stones cross the water, with glowing lanterns and bamboo on either side.
This is a lovely reminder to make room for smaller stops on your trip too. Save the café’s verified name and address before you go, since this photo doesn’t establish its location.
Surf inspiration in Sámara
The colorful boards beneath these palms are so cute. The visible Sámara surf sign gives you a starting point for researching a Costa Rica beach trip.
If you want to try surfing alone, consider a lesson rather than heading straight into the water. Ask a local instructor about conditions and the right spot for your experience.
Vienna with coffee and cake
Coffee, cake and a view of St. Stephen’s Cathedral? This is such a lovely Vienna stop.
I especially love the patterned roof above all those pointed arches.
You don’t have to rush off as soon as you finish sightseeing. Leave a little room for sitting down and enjoying what’s right in front of you.
Porto by the bridge
This is another waterfront view worth saving. Porto’s Dom Luís I Bridge stretches above the river, with little tables and chairs tucked along the edge.
I’d keep this part of the day simple. Take a riverside walk, then look for somewhere to sit if you feel like staying a little longer.
Taipei’s Huaxi Street market
The entrance alone is gorgeous! Red columns, decorated rooflines and bright signs frame Taipei’s Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market.
If you enjoy browsing before deciding where to eat, a market visit could suit your solo itinerary. Take a look around first rather than feeling you need to choose the first stall.
Portland beneath Mount Hood
I love the pink-orange light on Mount Hood above Portland. The city lights below give you such a different view from the streets.
If a skyline stop is on your list, check visibility before heading out. Treat a colorful sunset as a lovely extra, not something your itinerary depends on.
Dubrovnik’s tower and walls
If you love old fortifications, this Dubrovnik view is for you. The walkway leads toward the rounded Minčeta Tower, with pale walls rising on both sides.
Make this a deliberate sightseeing stop rather than squeezing it between other plans. Check access details and bring water for an exposed walk like this.
A colorful mosaic hideaway
I am obsessed with these colors. Blue, yellow and red pieces cover the curved arch, with more colorful panels overhead and plants around the water.
Read also: 20 Mexico Vacation Ideas to Inspire Your Next Trip
If unusual architecture is your thing, let this inspire a stop of your own. Verify the venue before traveling, since the image alone doesn’t confirm where it is.
Scotland’s Glenfinnan Viaduct
Calling all scenic train fans, this is a gorgeous one to save. A steam train curves across Glenfinnan Viaduct with white steam drifting over the arches and rusty-colored hills behind it.
Decide whether you want a train journey or a view of the viaduct. Those are different plans, so check current services and viewpoint access before you go.
Singapore’s Lau Pa Sat
Last but definitely not least, we have Singapore’s Lau Pa Sat. I love the green decorative arches above the rows of tables and pale blue stools.
A food-hall stop is worth considering when you want to choose your own meal without planning a whole restaurant evening. Have a look at the stalls before settling on what you’d like.
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Emily