Where should I travel for my first solo trip — and why is it Italy, you may ask? Italy is my top recommendation for women traveling solo. There are so many postcard moments of beautiful historic plazas, buildings, and art museums that you have to see in person to believe. The people are the kindest, most welcoming people I’ve ever met while traveling. The food is also incredible. Forget your experiences with mediocre, so-called Italian food (I’m looking at you soggy chicken parm). In Italy, you can indulge in real local pasta or homemade gelato.
I have traveled to Italy more times than I can count thanks to my amazing parents and the opportunity to study abroad there for half a year. It remains my continued obsession, the place I keep going back to. I love everything about Italy: the food, the people, the landscape, and the language. I’ve always felt welcomed and safe within in the boundaries of the boot-shaped country and its islands. It’s such a diverse and inviting place. Any solo traveler would be able to easily enjoy their time in the cities, beaches, or mountain scenery.
My bias for Italy started before I was even born. I am beyond lucky to still have cugini (cousins) there. Over the years, I spent countless hours studying the Italian language and culture in high school and college. Then I studied abroad in Parma, Italy to immerse myself in the culture and some of the best Italian food. Did you know that Parma prosciutto ham and Parmesan cheese both come from there? It is a true food capital of Italy! In between classes I stumbled into world-renowned food festivals, including one where I tasted the sweetest balsamic vinegar aged for over 100 years! I lived with an Italian family who pushed me to speak daily in Italian. There I also learned important cultural lessons like how much Nutella on toast is too much. “So American…” my Italian host mom would tell me when I put too much Nutella on my morning toast. Even with my longstanding bias for Italy, I do believe that anyone who has been to Italy (beyond just Rome) will agree that Italy is the answer (to all the questions).
Even with my preference for Italy — and the fact that my first international solo trip was to gorgeous Scandinavia — I am certain that Italy is the best place for solo travelers to begin.
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Where to visit first in Italy as a solo traveler?
Rome may be the capital, but Florence and Venice have my heart. I have a sweet spot for Florence where I took a two-week intensive art history course and had the best sandwich of my life. I also saw a lot of Venice since my best friend studied abroad there and I visited her often. Despite its reputation for over-tourism, Venice offers the opportunity to see the local side of the city. I’ll never forget my own experiences there meeting a very nice Italian boy at the only club in Venice and revisiting his family restaurant 10 years later. Yes, they still remembered me and the food was still as delicious as ever!
Why skip Rome for your first solo trip to Italy?
Rome is beautiful, exciting, and – unfortunately – quite overwhelming. Rome has become like the Times Square of Italy for me. You will want to see it eventually, from the Vatican to the Trevi Fountain to the Forum, but each attraction is packed with tourists. For a solo traveler, this can end up being a lot to see and cover in a short period of time. I’m used to intensive sightseeing days, like a fully packed day at the Vatican from morning to night, but even I admit that Rome’s tourist overflow and packed itinerary can make it less enjoyable for a first solo trip. There are so many other places to start your adventure. In preparation for your trip learn 10 Italian Phrases from one of my favorite Italian experts.
Tips for planning your first solo trip to Italy or beyond
Whether you’re cruising the canals of Venice or hiking the Dolomites, here are few tips to keep in mind for a solo trip to Italy.
1. Do not travel until you have the savings to take a trip.
Start by making the right financial decision for you. You’ll want to be aware of your finances in detail, including how much you have in savings and what’s set aside for an emergency fund. Be sure you don’t put yourself in a tough financial position by splurging on a trip that might take you beyond your means. Spend your travel budget strategically.
My first solo trips were all about cheap hostels and free walking tours (with a tip for the guide, of course). I loved hostels because I was never really alone. They were full of other solo travelers, which instantly made me feel safe and gave me built-in companions for sightseeing. I’ve shared dorms with anywhere from four to twenty strangers in bunk beds, and honestly—with the right mindset—it felt like part of the adventure. Read more solo safety tips before your next trip. These days, my solo trips lean more toward privacy and convenience, even if that means spending a little extra.
Whatever your travel budget, planning ahead makes all the difference. Sketch out a budget for what you think the trip will cost (then add a cushion, because trust me—you’ll spend more than you expect). And only hit that “book now” button when you’re financially comfortable, so you can enjoy the trip without worrying about paying it off later.
2. Start with solo trips in your own backyard.
Before booking an expensive flight or train or planning the road trip route, make sure you’re comfortable with yourself. Yes, seriously. You will be alone for a lot of time, so make sure you are in a good place mentally and emotionally. Practice with easy and fun adventures in your own local park or downtown. Think about what indoor or outdoor activities or things you like to do or eat while on a trip with someone. Then try these same activities solo and in your own backyard so that you can easily run home when you’re ready to bail. One of the easiest places to start solo might be a local museum. In museums, many couples or friends naturally split up to wander at different paces, so going alone is an easier solo adventure. I never feel lonely in a museum because there are always others flowing in and out of galleries—it’s easy to be “alone together.” For advanced mode, enjoy a solo day trip nearby before venturing farther outside your own backyard.
3. Avoid places that hold bittersweet memories.
I love returning to favorite destinations like Italy, California, and Barcelona, but some destinations carry more memories than new experiences. For example, if you once loved London but visited with a former partner, it can be harder to enjoy the city solo without thinking of them. Either way, it’s a lot of pressure for one city to deliver a brand-new experience, especially for your first solo trip. That’s why I recommend choosing a destination you’ve never been to but that’s widely loved for solo travel. Skip places packed with old memories, good or bad, at least for your first trip.
4. Avoid romantic destinations.
Why not Paris, France? For a first solo trip, I suggest steering clear of famously romantic spots. Paris is a symbol of love, with couples kissing under the Eiffel Tower. I’ve hit honeymoon destinations solo, from Paris to St. Lucia, and trust me, timing is everything. If you’re fresh out of a breakup or feeling especially lonely, dropping yourself into a city overflowing with romance and tables for two might sour your whole view of solo travel. It’s not solo travel that’s the problem—it’s the destination at that moment. Go back to those romantic spots later, when you’re more comfortable traveling alone and can enjoy it on your terms.
5. Avoid overhyped tourist-packed destinations.
Some might say Rome or Venice are overrated because they’re often overcrowded. Over the years, the city that sparks the most debate among travel-lovers I’ve met is Paris. People usually either love it or hate it. This moves the polarizing destination lower on my list of recommendations for a FIRST solo trip. To be clear, I love Paris, but I also know many people arrive with sky-high expectations from movies and often leave disappointed. Do not overthink this, if Paris has been your dream forever, please go ahead and book that ticket. If you’re just testing the waters of solo travel, choose somewhere that always wins people over. The one place that consistently makes the top of everyone’s list, it’s Italy.
Imagine standing inches from masterpieces, marveling at massive Duomos, sipping your first espresso at the bar, or lingering over free aperitivo (imagine happy hour served with generous snacks that could easily double as dinner). Few places offer this mix of culture and charm the way Italy does. When you’re ready, book the Italian adventure and do it for you the way you want to, by yourself.
Where would you recommend for a first solo trip? Have you traveled to Italy? What was your favorite destination in Italy? And seriously—why is Italy always a good idea? Keep reading to learn how to travel in style and, most importantly, in comfort with Why the fanny pack is the best bag for solo travel