Solo travel has increased in popularity in recent years - and rightly so! Here are my top recommendations of places to explore if you want to see the world solo.
If you're unbothered by a little bit of rain, Glasgow could be the perfect place to visit - especially if it's your first time exploring solo. Not only is there much to see in Scotland's largest city, but if you find yourself looking to explore beyond Glasgow there are reliable and affordable transport links to Edinburgh and the North.
Glasgow is host to a lively music scene, multiple art galleries and a wide range of food to choose from. The people are friendly, the city is diverse and accommodation is generally affordable and well-located. While Glasgow is generally safe, travellers should exercise the same cautions they would in any other big city.
2. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is one of the most beautiful cities in the world (in my opinion), with iconic architecture and a vibrant, friendly vibe all around. La Rambla is a must visit area (certainly very tourist friendly) and Plaća Reial offering up a range of options for restaurants and cafes. With more cathedrals, markets and bars than time to explore, Barcelona is a fabulous option for those looking for a little bit of sunshine and culture.
I would exercise caution in visiting Barcelona, as rates of pickpocketing and theft can seem concerning in tourist areas. I personally wasn't afraid of walking alone at night, and chose a fairly central hotel (Kimpton Vividora, City Centre).
3. New York City, United States of America
This might seem an odd pick, but having visited New York City twice as a solo traveller, I can say it's one of the places I have felt safest going solo. One of the more obvious perks of visiting the Big Apple is that there will always be people around in the tourist areas, and consequently, these areas feature a heavy police presence.
But there is so much to do in New York, beyond the more obvious attractions (Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, for example). There are five boroughs to explore, though I'll confess to being a great lover of everything Manhattan has to offer. I particularly like the Upper West Side and the Financial District, and find something new to do each time I return.
My only real concern when I'm in New York City is the subway, which I'd just exercise a little more vigilance on when alone. Do your own research, but the City That Never Sleeps is a must-see and an excellent choice for travelling solo. My favourite hotels to stay in are the Dream Hotel Midtown, OYO Times Square and the Moxy NYC Chelsea.
4. Nice, France/ Monaco
If visiting solo, I'd recommend doing a Nice-Monaco day trip which you can do either alone or as part of a tour group.
Nice is home to the Promenade des Anglais, a seven km promenade along the Mediterranean coast of the city. Additionally, the Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice is a beautiful site of religious architecture and Musée d'art moderne et d'art contemporain (MAMAC) is a must visit for fans of contemporary art.
The drive through Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Èze is stunning and the arrival into Monaco is no different. Monaco-Ville and Monte Carlo are my top picks with fantastic restaurants to choose from and plenty to do (St Martin Gardens, Musée océanographique de Monaco and Circuit de Monaco, are my top picks).
I really enjoyed this solo trip, though I'd recommend learning a little French and remembering to drive on the right hand side of the road.
5. London, England
London is easily my favourite city in the world and is a great place to visit to ease yourself into solo travel. I've lost count of the number of times I've visited on my own, and thus, I can wholeheartedly recommend taking a trip to England's capital.
There is no end to the amount of culture you can immerse yourself in, from a range of museums across the city, to a thriving arts scene (National Theatre and the Royal Opera House are my personal favourites). For avid shoppers, market lovers, foodies, musical theatre fans and sports fans alike - I think London has something for everyone.