This morning, I stumbled across the following story from Travel + Leisure online magazine, prompting us to share points vital to women travelers. With our friend Lisa, as a solo woman traveler, we felt this topic was timely.
“This Is the Safest City in the World for Women Traveling Solo—and It’s Not in Europe or the U.S.
Dubai, the most populous emirate in the United Arab Emirates, is also one of the best destinations in the world for women.
Everyone deserves to feel safe when traveling around the world.
However, women traveling solo often have to take additional precautions to ensure they can enjoy a trip without worry, and that can sometimes include considering some destinations over others. If you’re a woman who plans to go on a trip alone this year, InsureMyTrip has a few suggestions.
In March, the travel insurance comparison site updated its list of the best cities for solo female travelers. To identify its top destinations, the company conducted a study of 62 cities, evaluating them across various factors, including safety for women and other tourism statistics, to create a list of the best cities for solo female travelers. It also sourced statistics from the online database Numbeo and examined metrics such as “feeling safe despite gender” and “feeling safe walking alone at night.” Additionally, it referenced info sourced from the World Economic Forum and the Georgetown Institute’s Women, Peace, and Security Index.
After looking at the numbers, the team named Dubai the safest city for solo female travelers.
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Not only is Dubai designated as a safe country for solo women, but the following countries may also be safe, keeping in mind that regardless of the country, solo women travelers visit, safety precautions must be exercised, as they would be in their home country. No country/city is entirely safe. Please exercise the utmost caution when traveling alone, regardless of one’s gender.
Travel safety for solo women depends on various factors, including local culture, infrastructure, gender equality, and crime rates. While no destination is entirely risk-free, the following countries and cities are widely recognized as some of the safest places for solo female travelers, based on global safety indexes, personal freedom, and traveler reviews:
Other Safe Countries for Solo Women Travelers
1. Iceland
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Why: Lowest crime rate in the world; gender equality is high; locals are friendly.
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Highlight: Natural wonders like the Northern Lights, waterfalls, and geysers.
2. Japan
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Why: Spotless, polite, efficient, safe public transport and walkable cities.
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Highlight: Kyoto temples, Tokyo culture, cherry blossoms.
3. New Zealand
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Why: Easy to get around, friendly people, stunning landscapes, low crime rate.
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Highlight: Adventure travel in Queenstown, Maori culture, Hobbiton.
4. Portugal
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Why: Relaxed vibe, welcoming locals, low crime in tourist areas.
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Highlight: Lisbon’s old town, Porto’s riverfront, and the Algarve’s beaches.
5. Canada
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Why: Safe cities, helpful people, well-developed infrastructure.
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Highlight: Banff’s mountains, Vancouver’s cityscape, multicultural Toronto.
6. Finland
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Why: High levels of trust and safety, gender equality, quiet and peaceful.
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Highlight: Lapland, lakes and saunas, Midnight Sun.
7. Switzerland
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Why: Clean, punctual, safe, well-organized transport system.
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Highlight: Swiss Alps, Geneva, Lake Lucerne.
8. Slovenia
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Why: Small, clean, under-touristed, very low crime.
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Highlight: Lake Bled, charming capital Ljubljana, and alpine hiking.
9. Netherlands
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Why: Liberal, bicycle-friendly, English widely spoken.
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Highlight: Amsterdam’s canals, tulip fields, and art museums.
10. Austria
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Why: Safe and clean, with rich culture and scenery.
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Highlight: Vienna’s music scene, Salzburg’s Sound of Music charm.
Safest Cities for Solo Female Travelers
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Copenhagen, Denmark – Progressive, walkable, and welcoming.
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Singapore – Ultra-safe, high-tech, excellent public transit.
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Reykjavík, Iceland – Friendly and compact, ideal for solo walks.
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Helsinki, Finland – Calm, modern, and gender-equal.
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Melbourne, Australia – Cultural, youthful, and safe for late-night exploration.
Tips for Choosing Safe Solo Destinations
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Look for gender equality indicators (Global Gender Gap Report by World Economic Forum).
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Read recent traveler forums and reviews for real-life experiences.
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Avoid areas with political unrest, high gender-based violence, or weak legal protections.
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Check local laws and customs about clothing, behavior, and women’s rights.
Although solo travel doesn’t specifically apply to us, we have come in contact with many solo travelers, and one must not take for granted that safety is ensured anywhere in the world.
Last night, we headed to Tom’s sister Mary and brother-in-law, Eugene’s, lovely home in Andover for a small family gathering. This morning, Tom left early to pick up his sister Patty for her doctor’s appointment. Later today, we’ll pick up sisters Patty and Margie on our way to Billy’s Bar & Grill in Anoka for the weekly siblings and other family members’ gathering, starting at 3:30 PM.
Thanks for stopping by.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, June 6, 2015:
