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These Are The Top 5 Cities For Solo Female Travelers Based On New Studies

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Solo travel is on the rise, with more and more people deciding to make plans on their own rather than wait for others – and women are leading the pack.  

Solo travel gives you the opportunity to create your own itinerary, have complete freedom over what you do and see, and step out of your comfort zone. 

Although many people think traveling solo is lonely, it’s actually a great way to meet like-minded people and create unforgettable experiences.

Woman standing on a balcony overlooking the Dubai skyline

Being a solo traveler can come with obstacles, though, especially for women. 

Although many factors affect the decision on where to travel, female travelers have to seriously consider things like safety and gender discrimination as well.

Travel insurance company InsureMyTrip recently analyzed multiple resources to come up with the best cities for solo female travelers.  

Using various studies like the Global Gender Gap Report as well as user-based information from Google Reviews and even TikTok, they compared 65 cities around the world to find your next solo travel destination.

Woman on a balcony overlooking a European city

InsureMyTrip compared the cities based on four categories:  safety, tourism, equality, and cost. 

These were the criteria for each category:

Safety

  • Feeling safe walking alone at night
  • Absence of worry about attacks based on gender

Tourism

  • Quality of things to do
  • TikTok popularity

Equality

  • Gender equality
  • Absence of discrimination

Cost

  • Daily travel cost

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A female traveler standing in front of the Triumphal Arch in Munich, Germany

Here are the 5 cities with the best overall scores after analyzing all the data:

1. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Coming in at number one overall is Dubai, up seven spots from last year’s rankings. 

With a perfect 10 in popularity, it also took the number one spot in tourism. 

Although it didn’t fare well in daily travel costs, it was 3rd place in safety (just barely behind the number 2 spot), making it an overall great destination for women travelers to both feel comfortable and have plenty of amazing things to do. 

With spectacles like the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa, miles of gorgeous beaches, desert excursions, and incredible dining and shopping, it’s no wonder that travelers are so interested in everything Dubai has to offer.

Woman taking photos of the Dubai skyline

2. Madrid, Spain

Madrid ranked quite high in multiple categories, giving it plenty of reasons to come in as the second-best overall destination. 

It was one of the higher scores for equality, tying with its fellow Spanish city Barcelona with a score of 9.78 out of 10. 

With parks, museums, and plazas galore, it’s a fantastic city for walking around and getting lost. 

During your day of sightseeing, you’ll find plenty of open-air cafes and restaurants to relax and enjoy people-watching while trying out some tapas and local wine.

Colorful buildings and alleyways in Madrid

3. Chiang Mai, Thailand

The most budget-friendly so far, Chiang Mai is in the top 5 for the lowest daily travel costs. 

And with a 2nd  place ranking in safety, this could be a clear top contender for the solo female traveler who wants to have a carefree vacation while watching her wallet. 

Surprisingly, its tourism score was pretty low on this particular chart, but the hidden waterfalls, amazing cuisine, and intricate temples could convince you otherwise. 

Jungle hikes and night markets are a few more of the attractions bringing tourists to the city, as well as various festivals throughout the year, including the Chiang Mai Flower Festival.

Temple and gardens on a mountain in Chiang Mai, Thailand

4. Antalya, Turkiye 

Antalya is another budget-friendly city that did well across categories. 

It ranked 3rd place for daily cost, even beating out Chiang Mai. 

Although it was lower in the equality category, it is one of the safer cities on the list. 

The quaint Old Town with cobblestone streets and ancient city walls makes you feel as if you’re strolling through a small European city, but without the price tag. 

The streets are lined with carpet shops, pubs, and cafes leading down to the main attraction – Kaleiçi Harbor. 

A sunset sail through the Mediterranean on one of the many majestic sailboats is a must for visitors to this seaside town, as is trying some stuffed mussels and other seafood along the shore.

A view of sailboats in the harbor in Antalya, Turkey

5. Munich, Germany

Taking the 5th spot in the overall best city for solo female travelers is Munich. 

With a perfect 10 score in gender equality, it has the highest score on this list in that category. 

Female travelers also reported feeling safe walking alone at night (although standard safety precautions should always be taken). 

Munich is one of the more expensive cities on the list, but there are lots of things to do during your stay, including visiting museums, parks and gardens, and even castles. 

And don’t forget to drop into one of Munich’s beer halls for some Bavarian cuisine and brews.

Aerial view of a plaza in Munich, Germany

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.


cw

Saturday 25th of March 2023

Hard disagree on Dubai. I was there for 10 days with a group and by the end no one cared to ever return, especially as a solo female. In addition to daily micro aggressions, one night a man followed two women to their room and forced himself inside. The hotel and police kept trying to blame the women even though camera footage clearly showed what happened. It is a life-sized theme park that uses resources excessively and was essentially built by slaves. The fact it is #1 on this list ruins the integrity of the entire article, in my opinion.

AK

Tuesday 21st of March 2023

Solo female in an Arab country is #1?

Kate

Thursday 23rd of March 2023

@L, Turkey is definitely cool, it's my favorite travel destination for solo trips last years

L

Wednesday 22nd of March 2023

@AK, they have to be joking and Turkey?