While travelling alone can be a liberating experience, choosing the correct destination is key. Despite the growing popularity of solo travel, women continue to face challenges when travelling alone. The most pressing concern is safety. We have put together a list of countries that have been rated safe for women travellers in various surveys and studies. And they also offer some amazing experiences.

Australia

This popular solo travel destination is not only considered to be an exceptionally safe place, it also has a huge diversity of places to explore. Hit up Sydney for thriving art, food, and sports scenes. Explore the white-sand shore at Bondi Beach, and the epic swells of Victoria for sun and sand and a dose of ozone from the ocean. Ride the tram around Melbourne for a coffee shop crawl. You can also hit hiking trails in Tasmania to experience Australia’s natural splendour on foot. You’ll probably want to fly between destinations — this is a huge country, after all — but you can also rent a car and indulge in an Australian road trip. Or go old-school and traverse the country by train on The Ghan where you can experience the outback on a journey from Adelaide to Darwin.

New Zealand

You will never run out of intriguing things to do in New Zealand as a solo female traveller.  You can’t help but fall in love with the distinctive culture and amiable Kiwi charm. And New Zealand is considered to be among the safest countries in the world. The low crime rate makes it one of the best places to travel alone.

Japan

Japan is generally a safe place for women, and it is even ranked 6th among the most peaceful countries in the world. With that in mind, it ticks all the right travel boxes: lively cities, UNESCO World Heritage sites, hiking trails, and delectable cuisine. Beyond the well-known cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, don’t forget to explore its off-the-beaten-path spots too, such as the Chubu region.

 Canada

Canada attracts solo travellers for its safety, solid women’s rights record, and amazingly diverse range of scenery. In fact, of all the countries in North America, Canada is considered the safest destination for women travellers. Besides, Canadians have this worldwide reputation of being the friendliest people, and you’ll soon see why once you set foot in this spectacular country.

Spain

Spain has a little bit of everything to please everyone: art museums, gorgeous architecture, delicious food, stunning beaches, exciting nightlife, and jaw-dropping hikes. In Barcelona, wander Park Güell, a public park that doubles as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features modern architecture, sculptures, and mosaics designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Continue your Gaudí tour at Sagrada Família before moving on to the Picasso Museum. When you start to get hungry, make your way to Mercado de La Boqueria, the oldest market in the city. You can also find some of the world’s best beaches in Spain, such as Ocata Beach near Barcelona and Tenerife’s Socorro Beach. If you are brave and truly adventurous, you can join an organised hike through Caminito del Rey in Málaga.