25 Best Vacations for Solo Travelers in 2020

by Alex Temblador
Last updated:: 11:45 AM ET, Fri January 10, 2020

A woman looks at the art in Graffiti Alley in Station North. (Photo via Ken Stanek / Visit Baltimore)

PHOTO: Downtown San Diego Gaslamp sign over moving traffic. (photo via Mindy_Nicole_Photography/iStock/Getty Images Plus) (Mindy_Nicole_Photography / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Discover Scotland (Provided by Collette)

PHOTO: Petra, Jordan. (photo via FedevPhoto/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Cityscape of Fort Worth Texas. (photo via leekris / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Tegenungan Waterfall, Bali. (Photo by Lauren Breedlove)

PHOTO: Kenya Wildlife Tour with Exodus Travels (Courtesy Exodus Travels)

PHOTO: An aerial view of Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica. (photo via AMResorts)

PHOTO: Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado. (photo via espiegle/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Mala Strana, Prague. (Photo via Hans Brunk)

Comuna 13, Medellin, Colombia (Medellin Convention & Visitors Bureau ) (Courtesy Medellin Convention & Visitors Bureau)

Phousi Mountain offers stunning views in Luang Prabang. (photo via Alex Temblador)

The Great Zimbabwe Ruins (photo via evenfh / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Zion National park (photo via Joecho-16 / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Mercato del Porcellino in Florence, Italy (Photo via Hans Brunk)

Aerial view of Queenstown, New Zealand. (photo via Mlenny/E+)

PHOTO: Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo via Noreen Kompanik)

PHOTO: Guadalajara Cathedral - Mexico (Photo courtesy of diegograndi/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Dominica is famous for its waterfalls and natural beauty. (Jim Byers/TravelPulse Canada)

Seattle Aquarium (Photo via Lauren Bowman)

PHOTO: Lanterns and colorful lights on river in Hoi An, Vietnam. (Photo via Getty Images Plus / iStock / gargolas)

PHOTO: Ontario Canada’s Georgian Bay. (Photo via Colin Field)

The Okavango Delta, Botswana (photo via evenfh / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Rainbow over Salzburg castle in Austria. (photo via TomasSereda / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: The legendary Sun Studios in Memphis (Photo via Mr. Littlehand / Flickr) (Mr. Littlehand / flickr)

Travel for One

1/25

Solo travel comprises about 18 percent of all travel bookings, making it a popular, growing trend in the travel industry. With a new decade on our hands, more travelers are sure to take the leap and experience traveling alone. We've put together a list of our favorite solo travel vacations for this new year, and wish you all great experiences on your solo journey.

San Diego, California

2/25

There are plenty of reasons to visit San Diego as a solo traveler, but none more so than the wide range of activities you can have alone. San Diego offers beaches, a vibrant nightlife in the Gaslamp Quarter, and attractions that range from art galleries to great parks and museums. Plus, locals are pretty friendly which makes for an overall amazing trip.

Scotland

3/25

Explore Scotland as a solo traveler and discover stunning landscapes as you hike or drive through the country. When you tire of stunning rocky coastlines, castles, and moors, make your way to Edinburgh for a city experience that involves hanging out in the medieval Old Town, whiskey tours, shopping on Victoria Street, hearty food, and boutique hotels like The Balmoral.

Petra, Jordan

4/25

Even with a location in the Middle East, Petra, Jordan, is a safe place for solo travelers, and one that you won't soon forget. The famous archeological site is best explored over multiple days as it is quite large and full of jaw-dropping structures. After your visit to Petra, you may want to spend some time learning about the bedouin culture or make a trip to the Dead Sea.

Fort Worth, Texas

5/25

Solo travelers who want a cowboy experience will find it in Fort Worth, Texas. Despite a bustling city with a great food and art scene, Fort Worth is a little bit country in all the good ways. Visit the Stockyards to experience Western life through rodeos, shopping for boots in Mule Alley, longhorn drive shows, horseback riding, and nights dancing to live country music at local bars.

Bali

6/25

Bali is a major solo traveler destination, which means it is easy for solo travelers to meet new friends while exploring the gorgeous island. You'll definitely want to spend some time soaking up the sun and surf along the coast and experiencing arts and cultural activities like silver jewelry-making and dance performances in Ubud. Take time to book tours in the north as well, as they are home to hidden waterfalls, historic sites, and stunning temples like the Besakih Temple.

Kenya

7/25

As an English-speaking country, Kenya is comfortable for solo travelers to navigate. Experience Kenyan food and a fun nightlife scene in Nairobi, before going to the beach in Diani, Mombasa, or Watamu. Of course, if you want a safari getaway, book a safari experience in the Maasai Mara Reserve, home to the wildebeest migrations, as well as animals like lions, cheetahs, zebras, and elephants.

Costa Rica

8/25

This slice of heaven offers coastlines of beaches to snorkel, scuba dive, or relax, as well as an interior full of jungles with activities like zipline and canopy tours. Hike the Arenal Volcano and soak in plenty of natural hot springs throughout the country. With so many beautiful wonders and a variety of attractions, including coffee tours, Costa Rica is sure to be a great adventure holiday in 2020.

Boulder, Colorado

9/25

If you're looking for a destination to relax and unwind alone, Boulder, Colorado, is your best bet. This laid-back town is very much into wellness, which makes sense when they have outdoor activities like hiking in the Flatirons and Flagstaff Mountain and skiing in Eldora which is 35 minutes away. People in town are very friendly and can point you in the best direction of a good brewery, restaurant, shopping, or live music show.

Prague, Czech Republic

10/25

Hostels are plentiful in Prague, making it the best destination for solo travelers on backpacking or budget trips. The city is full of life with great spots to check out like the historic Old Town, Museum of Communism, and nightclubs with live performances on the weekends. Don't forget to spend time in the cafes of Prague tasting the city's delicious coffee and Czech pancakes called palacinky.

Medellin, Colombia

11/25

Medellin, Colombia, is a safe and super fun South American destination for any type of solo traveler. You'll find it easy to get around the city by metro and metrocables, which offer great city views. Spend time in Parque Explora, coffee tasting in Poblado, and enjoy drinks in Parque Lleras before checking out Medellin's nightlife.

Laos

12/25

Laos offers solo travelers an off-the-beaten travel experience. In addition to exploring the Buddhist temples of Laos, you'll want to spend some time in the historic Luang Prabang, home to the Kuang Si waterfalls, Mount Phousi, and Pak Ou Caves. Don't overlook other destinations like Don Det, where travelers can water tube down the Mekong River, or Huay Xi, where you can zipline, stay in (possibly) the world's tallest treehouse, and see gibbons in their natural habitat.

Zimbabwe

13/25

Solo travelers won't be at a loss for things to do in Zimbabwe. Of course, most head to Victoria Falls and then Chobe National Park and Mana Pools National Park for safari experiences. Don't miss a chance to experience Lake Kariba by houseboat or a chance to explore the historical ruins of Great Zimbabwe.

Zion National Park

14/25

Be enveloped by the stunning geological formations and landscape at Zion National Park during your 2020 solo trip. The park offers over 90 miles of trails and opportunities to explore rivers on foot or kayak. With camping options and plenty of backpackers, you'll have chances to meet other travelers while canyoneering, swimming, bicycling, and stargazing.

Florence, Italy

15/25

Skip the crowds of Rome and head to Florence, Italy, for a laid-back solo trip. Dine on delicious Florentine meals and gelato, and explore the stunning art and culture of the city by hiking up the Duomo or spending hours in the Uffizi Gallery. If you get lonely, hostels and cafes are a great place to connect with others.

New Zealand

16/25

New Zealand is both safe and stunning making it a great place for solo travelers. It's easy to get around the country by bus or car and sometimes even on foot if you choose to experience a multi-day New Zealand hike. While in New Zealand, check out the diverse landscapes from volcanoes to caves, beaches, mountains, waterfalls, and lakes, all of which usually have some adventure activity available.

Alaska

17/25

Alaska offers a wide range of solo travel experiences, from glacier excursions to fly fishing. There are a few things you may want to add to your Alaska bucket list like whale watching, hiking in Denali National Park, dog sledding in the winter, and viewing the Northern Lights. Don't forget about Alaska's other great tourism experiences like brewery hopping in Anchorage and learning about the local indigenous history and cultures.

Guadalajara, Mexico

18/25

Solo travelers love to experience cool and unique places and they'll find that in Guadalajara. Known for mariachi music and tequila (you can take a trip to Tequila on the Tequila Express from the city), Guadalajara is a vibrant place with a great street market, beautiful plazas, and arts scene. From Guadalajara you can go hiking in Barranca de Huentitan or visit fun towns like Tlaquepaque and Chapala.

Dominica

19/25

Caribbean islands draws lots of couples and families, but when it comes to Dominica, you'll feel like you fit right in as a solo traveler. Attractive to adventurers, Dominica provides everything from beach time and snorkeling to hikes through jungles and a boiling lake. Stay in an eco-lodge and book tours to various places around the island including hot springs and hidden beaches.

Seattle

20/25

Seattle makes for a great solo travel destination. The city is full of museums, breweries, bookstores, and famous attractions like Pike Place Market, all easily reached on foot, by taxi, or light rail. Check out the Museum of Pop Culture, Gum Wall, and the Chihuly Garden and Glass to take epic photos for the 'Gram.

Vietnam

21/25

Vietnam is a joy to experience on your own. You can visit some phenomenal temples around the country, take a tour through the Cu Chi Tunnels, kayak through Ha Long Bay, or just relax healing hot springs that run through the Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion resort. Consider a train ride through Vietnam to see varying landscapes, stopping in different cities throughout the country to try regional cuisine.

Ontario, Canada

22/25

Ontario is Canada's most happening province. Solo travelers may want to have a big city experience in Toronto, home to boutique hotels, art galleries, and plenty of entertainment day or night. Or maybe they want to see Niagara Falls or hike and camp in major parks like the Algonquin Provincial Park. Don't overlook Ottawa, Canada's capital, as it has spectacular attractions like Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill, and ByWard Market.

Botswana, Africa

23/25

Outdoor lovers will find Botswana to be a magical place full of elephant herds in the Chobe National Park and bush camping in the Okavango Delta. We're also fans of hiking Tsodilo Hills to see ancient rock paintings, touring the Gcwihaba Caverns, and off-roading on the otherworldly, Kubu Island.

Salzburg, Austria

24/25

If gorgeous architecture, great music, and top-notch coffee shops and restaurants, sounds great, then Salzburg, Austria, is for you. Enjoy a hike to the top of the Mönchsberg for great views of Salzburg, or taste Austria's most popular beer at the Stiegl Brewery. The city is home to great museums such as the home of the famous composer, Mozart, which has been turned into a museum.

Memphis, Tennessee

25/25

Memphis is full of history and attractions that focus on blues and rock-n-roll like Sun Studio and Graceland, as well as great spots for live musical performances on Beale Street. Add in the National Civil Rights Museum and cool neighborhoods like South Main and Cooper Young, and you'll be plenty entertained in Memphis.

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