10 of the safest places for solo female travelers

Embarking on a solo adventure can be an incredible experience that gives you the freedom to eat, sleep, and explore wherever you want. But traveling alone can also be daunting, and a survey by Journey Woman found that 88% of women have felt threatened or unsafe when traveling. With solo travel for women on the rise, we’ve compiled a list of the safest places for solo female travelers in Europe. Whether you’re embarking on your very first solo trip (be sure to read our top tips if you are!) or you’re a seasoned traveler in search of destinations where you can truly relax, these countries have been deemed safe for women based on information from the following sources:  

• Safe Cities Index (2021): Measures urban safety in five broad areas - digital, health, infrastructure, personal, and environmental.
• Global Gender Gap Index: Calculates the gender gap between men and women in four areas: health, education, economy, and politics. 
• Fragile States Index: Analyzes risk and vulnerability in 179 countries.
• Solo Female Travel Safety Index: Gives a score between 1-4 to measure the safety of a country (1 being the safest) using a mixture of governmental advice and the Global Peace Index along with data from solo female travelers about the risk of theft, scam, harassment and attitudes towards women.
• Women Peace and Security Index: Ranks countries based on rights and opportunities for women.
• Kipling’s Solo Female Traveler City Index: Ranks the best European cities for solo female travelers based on sources including the Global Gender Gap and the Safety Index. 
• Global Peace Index: Measures the levels of violence or risk of violence in each country.
• Asher & Lyric’s Study for Solo Female Travel: 50 of the most visited tourist destinations are ranked for solo female travelers based on the following factors: safety walking at night, female homicide, sexual violence, domestic violence, discrimination, gender inequality, and attitudes towards violence against women.

While this list of safe places to travel alone as a woman is by no means exhaustive, we have included a range of destinations to suit every type of traveler. So whether you’re seeking mountain summits or craving cultural immersion, pack your bags and get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure! 

The safest countries for solo female travelers

Denmark

Copenhagen takes the top position on the Safe Cities Index and countless reports rank Denmark as the safest country in the world for women (we have a sneaky suspicion this might have something to do with being the second happiest country in the world!). Many solo female travelers head to Copenhagen to walk (or cycle) along charming cobbled streets, admiring picture-perfect buildings that run along the canal and indulging in some of the natural hotspots. Soak up all things hygge as you feast on coffee and pastries in artisan bakeries, bargain hunt your way through local flea markets, or forage for oysters at Wadden Sea National Park (which is a UNESCO World Heritage site!). It might be expensive, but as one of the safest countries for women, Denmark is worth every penny.

Norway

It’s no surprise to find Denmark’s neighbor, Norway, on this list of the safest places for solo female travelers - the country takes the number one spot on the Women Peace and Security Index and the lowest spot on the Fragile States Index. Many visitors head straight to Oslo to visit the Nobel Peace Center or indulge in some fresh seafood, but you won’t regret getting out of the city to chase northern lights and explore Norwegian fjords. 

Ireland

Ireland ranks amongst the top ten countries on both the Global Gender Gap Index and the Fragile States Index, and it’s the third most peaceful country in the world according to the Global Peace Index. As well as the work they have done for gender equality, the Irish are famed for their warmth and friendliness, which is what makes the country one of the best places for solo female travel! The home of Guinness and mischievous Leprechauns enjoys a steady stream of tourists who come for unspoiled scenery, breathtaking coastal views (featured in numerous films and TV series), and of course, the pubs. Dublin is the largest city in Ireland and makes an excellent base, not least because it comes in at number five on Kipling’s Solo Female Traveler City Index.  

Finland

Nordic countries reign supreme on this list of the safest places for solo female travelers, and it’s easy to see why! With their high standard of living and notoriously happy citizens, they effortlessly secure their places on the list of safest European countries. Finland is no exception -  it has the second smallest gender gap in the world and comes in second on the Women Peace and Security Index. Despite not attracting as many tourists as its neighboring Nordic countries, Finland is well worth a visit for solo female travelers, whether it’s to fall in love with art, fashion, and architecture in Helsinki or get lost in the enchanting wilderness of Lemmenjoki National Park, the largest wooded reserve in Europe!

Germany

With Frankfurt featuring amongst the top five safest cities in Europe and Hamburg and Munich bagging the top two spots on Kipling’s Solo Female Traveler City Index, Germany is one of the best places to travel as a solo female. Packed full of cultural attractions and historic gems, a trip around Germany encompasses everything from sprawling mountain ranges to picturesque vineyards, Christmas markets to Bavarian castles, and sizzling sausages to pumping techno.

Iceland

Iceland is one of the safest places for solo female travelers, not least because it takes the number one spot on the Global Peace Index and has the smallest gender gap in the world. It also has one of the lowest overall scores on the Solo Female Travel Safety Index, and it’s the ideal destination for solo women travelers looking for adventure. Ice-cold waterfalls and active volcanoes are waiting to be explored in the land of ice and fire, so what are you waiting for?! 

Spain

We’ve brought you lots of beautiful destinations for solo female travelers, but what if you’re looking for a beach trip? Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, but Asher & Lyric also found it to be the safest country for women (in comparison to 50 other countries), ranking particularly high for safety when walking alone at night, sexual violence, and general attitudes towards women. Big cities like Barcelona and Madrid have a bad rep for pickpockets and petty crime, but Spain has a rich and varied culture with plenty of stunning beaches, incredible cuisine, and opportunities to meet other solo travelers over a table of tapas! 

Luxembourg 

Getting off the beaten track is often the key to finding safe places for women to travel alone, and with 1 million visitors per year (and many of these for business), Luxembourg often gets overlooked as a travel destination. But as it’s ranked fifth on the Women Peace and Security Index and has an overall score of 1 on the Solo Female Travel Safety Index, it’s the ideal destination for solo female travel. Don’t let the size of the country put you off, from the old town of Luxembourg City (a UNESCO World Heritage Site!) to the fairytale castles of Vianden and Beaufort, there’s lots to discover! 

Austria

Fifth on the Global Peace Index and positioned amongst the top ten on the Women Peace and Security Index, Austria is generally regarded as safe for women. According to Asher & Lyric, the country has some of the “lowest levels of sexual violence and gender inequality in Europe” and 100% of women have had at least some secondary education. The hills are truly alive here, and traveling solo means you can spend as long as you like exploring the snow-capped mountains, lush green forests, and crystal-clear lakes. Vienna, Austria is also worth a visit, as it is home to some of the best cafes in Europe as well as exceptional museums and impressive architecture. 

Portugal 

Ranking number 7 on the Global Peace Index, Portugal is considered to be one of the safest countries in the world. Lisbon is among the top ten destinations for personal security and Kipling rates Faro as the fourth-best European city for solo female travel. In recent years, the country has become both a wellness hub and a popular destination for digital nomads looking for sun, sea, and lots of surf! It’s packed full of breathtaking landscapes and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and from the sun-drenched beaches of the Algarve to the pastéis de natas in Lisbon, it makes for one of the best solo trips for women! 

While we have worked hard to bring you the safest places for solo female travelers in Europe, there are numerous destinations that we haven’t been able to include on our list. Remember that although these destinations have been voted as safe for women, it’s still important to stay alert. With safe adventures awaiting around every corner, the world is your oyster!

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