Okay you’re ready to travel solo, but where to? Where are the safest cities in the world to visit by yourself? I’ve put together my favorite list of top 10 safest cities for solo female travelers like you and me. Not only are they super safe, but they’re also pretty fun and interesting. Nothing boring about this list. Safe doesn’t have to mean boring. You can have your cake and keep it safe too.
So go on and give it a read. It’s never too early to start planning your next trip. And it always helps to have something to look forward to, especially right now. So do yourself a favor. Pick one of these super cool, super safe cities and start planning your next Tough Cookie travels.
1. Amsterdam, Netherlands
I put this city first not only because it’s commonly named one of the safest cities in the world, but also because it happens to be one of my favorites. Amsterdam has some of the best infrastructure in the world, the nicest people, fantastic air quality, and famously liberal laws (like making it safer to use certain substances), and it’s also home to some of the coolest spots and haps on the planet. There’s a reason I’ve been considering moving to this amazing city.
For starters, there’s an incredible abundance of art including the Rijksmuseum, Moco Museum, Rembrandt House, Van Gogh Museum – which boasts the world’s largest collection of the artist’s works. The Jordaan neighborhood offers beautiful canal boat rides or a fascinating step back into history at the Anne Frank House. There’s the red light district, which is not nearly as sketchy as it sounds these days. Vondelpark is one of my favorite city parks, a huge public green space with lots of great spots for strolls, picnics, or (as the locals do) a nice bike ride. And of course, it’s fun to stop by one of the city’s many excellent coffee shops (hint: they don’t sell coffee). There are over 160 of them, so you’ll have a wide selection to choose from.
Perhaps my favorite thing to do in this city is to get your hands on a bike (I highly recommend MacBikes if you’re renting) and peddle yourself around the city to wherever your curiosity takes you. Just be sure you’re mindful of the traffic rules and flow in the bike lanes, stay to the right if you’re slower, watch crossing traffic, and use your bell (or pay attention when someone else does).
Amsterdam is also one of the liveliest spots to visit for big events. The holidays light up with its Christmas markets and Amsterdam Light Festival. Dam Square fills with 200,000 of their beloved tulips, free for all to pick, on the third Saturday of January to kick off their tulip season. The Dutch also love their King’s Day national holiday on April 27, one of the world’s biggest street parties, when a million people fill the streets, canals, and bars with a flood of orange.
Visit in late July during their infamous Gay Pride celebration, which is truly a sight to behold and one hell of a party, or rather week of parties. It’s one of the largest public events in the country, attracting several hundred thousand people every year. Or if you’re into the ganja, Amsterdam celebrates its most notorious crop with a full day of weed-related activities at their annual 420 Festival on (you guessed it) April 20th. I’m not much into the stuff myself, but I won’t judge if you are. And neither will anyone in Amsterdam.
2. Singapore
Okay, technically Singapore is a country, or a sovereign island city-state, rather than just a city. But it’s not very big – roughly the size of New York City – and very worthy of this list. It has the lowest number of violent crimes, theft, and level of police engagement in the world. That’s pretty damn impressive, especially with a population of over 5 million. Though it’s not hard to imagine, with its nearly 100,000 surveillance cameras. Their citizens feel so safe, in fact, that they often leave their shops unlocked, or without doors and windows altogether. That may sound incredibly stupid to some of us, but then Singapore did report a 135 day crime-free streak in 2017. So who’s really smarter?
Just because it’s incredibly safe doesn’t mean it’s not also incredibly interesting. The architecture is some of the most unique in the world, a fascinating blend of historic and modern. Take a very unusual and unearthly educational journey through Singapore’s Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucianist history at Haw Par Villa, their “Buddhist amusement park,” with mythological figures like the Monkey King, Sumo wrestlers, an extra bloody rabbit-rat battle, and extremely graphic depiction of Buddhist hell in the Ten Courts of Hell Cave. Fun fact, the Villa was created in 1937 by the makers of Tiger Balm, an amazing medical ointment that saved me when I threw my back out in Slovenia and now travels with me everywhere.
Or for a more traditional step through history, visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, a massive Buddhist temple and museum complex in the heart of Singapore Chinatown built to house the sacred Buddha Tooth Relic. Just remember to be respectful of the customs here. Photography or filming of any kind (including your cell phone) is strictly prohibited in the sacred relic chamber.
Singapore is also one of the greenest cities, like one giant Eden of perfectly sculpted natural beauty. The Gardens by the Bay landscaping project along Singapore’s Marina Bay takes you into an otherworldly experience of futuristic art and greenery where you can explore two enormous greenhouses – the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest – several outdoor gardens and lakes, and its crowning collection of 18 “Supertrees.”
These light sculptures are covered in roughly 200 species of orchids, ferns, and tropical vines and light up 80 to 160 feet high, collecting rainwater and solar power to feed back into the park. Take in the sights from the Gardens’ 72-foot-high OCBC Skyway or the nearby Henderson Waves, the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore at 899 feet long and 118 feet high.
3. Osaka & Tokyo, Japan
Osaka is the second safest city in the world in terms of violent crime (after Singapore). 2.6 million people, all living in near perfect harmony. Not too hard when you’ve got a higher average wealth and top notch health care system. Not to mention a damn good nightlife and culinary scene that rivals the hottest European and American cities.
While we’re in the neighborhood, Tokyo is also a remarkably safe city, especially considering how massive it is at a population of 13 million people. Especially when it comes to cybersecurity and digital security, with impressively low rates of identity theft. Then in terms of things to do, Tokyo is Japan’s bustling capital, so it’s chock full of beautiful sights, jaw-dropping heights, delicious eats, crowded bars, and cultural mashups of historic temples, gardens, and museums with modern skyscrapers, streets and oh so much shopping.
Now I know I’m cheating a bit by putting these two cities together in one number on this list. But then they’re not terribly far from one another (Japan is not terribly huge in general) and therefore visitable on the same trip. Besides, they’re both so notable in terms of both safety and enjoyment. So I just couldn’t help myself. And if you’re traveling to that part of the world, neither should you.
4. Stockholm, Sweden
Sweet people, the Swedish. Perhaps a tad proud, but then they are widely accepted as the safest country in Europe. And for good reason. Their crime rate is super low, especially for violent crime, with an extremely effective police force and excellent cyber privacy. So they have a good deal to be proud of. Not to mention their extremely fun and interesting capital city of Stockholm. It’s the biggest city in Sweden, as well as in all of Scandinavia, with approximately 2.4 million people living in the metropolitan area.
Stockholm is a fascinating, historic maze of winding cobblestone streets and ferries carrying you between the 14 islands that make up this Swedish capital. At the heart of it is Gamla Stan (or “Old Town”), a very walkable island covered in busy shops, cafes, restaurants, and museums – some more touristy than others. Don’t miss the Stockholm Cathedral and Nobel Museum. Then a ferry hop over is Stockholm City Hall, one of Sweden’s most famous buildings, and one of the capital’s most visited tourist attractions, which hosts the annual Nobel Prize banquets on December 10 every year.
You also can’t miss the Vasa Museum, which was built around the massive 17th century warship which famously sank in the harbor on its maiden voyage after an epic engineering fail. Now the museum houses the actual ship, which is an incredible 69 meters long and 50 meters tall. That’s 226 feet long and 164 feet tall for those of you not on the metric system.
The Stockholm metro is also one of the coolest in the world, with art decorating nearly every metro station. It’s been called the longest art gallery in the world. There are other cities that have embraced the metro station decor (Paris is another favorite of mine that does this beautifully), but Stockholm really takes it to another level.
5. Lisbon, Portugal
I got stranded in Lisbon when my connecting flight to Morocco mysteriously lost my reservation and was going to take three days to rebook me on another flight. So what did I do? I booked a nice reputable hostel room, made friends with other hostel guests, and made the most of it – seeing and enjoying Lisbon with my new friends as much as I could in three days. And I fell in love!
Lisbon is not only incredibly beautiful, diverting, and friendly, it’s also one of the safest places I’ve ever been. Everyone is so welcoming and trusting. I saw numerous house parties at night where folks just left their doors open for anyone to come wandering in. More people wandering the streets laughing, drinking, and having a carefree good time. And most incredibly, police officers strolling around also talking and laughing with everyone.
That’s perhaps the most amazing thing (out of many amazing things) about Lisbon. This city boasts an extremely effective and beloved police force, largely for how open minded and hands off they are. I’ve talked to locals about how proud they are of their police force, and the way they feel represented and protected by them and regularly collaborate with them is truly beautiful. A model we should all aspire to in our own home cities. Unless you live in Lisbon, in which case I’m extremely envious and don’t need to tell you any of this. You already know.
6. Munich, Germany
Considering this city hosts Oktoberfest, the largest beer festival in the world, it’s not nearly as hairy as you might imagine. It’s still ranked one of the safest cities for tourists, at Oktoberfest and otherwise, with a surprisingly low risk of getting mugged or scammed. Or worse.
I should know. I attended Oktoberfest in 2006 when I was a young, foolish, recent graduate who hadn’t yet learned to watch how much I drink while traveling. I drank more beer than I have blood in my body in the span of a few hours, then proceeded to lose my friends, black out, and somehow miraculously wake up the next morning safe and sound in my hostel bed with no harm done. If that’s not a glowing review for the safety of this charming city, then I don’t know what is. (Yes, I’m also aware that was incredibly stupid and I was very lucky. Lesson learned.)
The one downside to this lovely destination is the incredibly airtight Munich airport security, which can take quite a while to get through. That can be frustrating, but also kind of reassuring. So be patient, give yourself plenty of spare time, and stick it out. It’s worth it. Especially if you like beer. And glockenspiel clocks.
7. Vienna, Austria
Austria’s capital city offers a beautiful blend of every kind of culture, from amazing art museums and galleries, to imperial palaces and rich history, to fantastic food and local markets that encourage haggling. If you’re smart about how you experience all of those, you can easily remain perfectly safe. Violent crimes and muggings are rare, though you should of course still exercise basic logic when carting around your valuables.
I only spent three days here on my 2006 Europe backpacking trip, and those memories may be a bit fuzzy now. But what I do remember, I enjoyed thoroughly. And I can’t wait to go back and make some new memories (that maybe don’t involve ending up in a bathtub with a man I met that night who turned out to be married… hey don’t judge, I was young and impulsive).
Some of the most memorable things about Vienna were St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom), which sits right in the heart of the city, the Vienna State Opera House (Wiener Staatsoper), the Vienna’s City Hall (Weiner Rathaus), and for the full royal treatment, the grand Belvedere Palace. Essentially all of the most stunning Baroque, Neo-Gothic, and French Early Renaissance architecture which Vienna is known for.
For a very different setting, I also recommend checking out the Prater (Wiener Prater), the large natural park situated between the Danube and the Danube Canal that’s like a giant playground in the middle of the city, complete with old-fashioned theme park rides, the famous Giant Wheel (Wiener Riesenrad), a museum, a planetarium, even fun options for dining and dancing. Or take a stroll by Vienna’s “nature and human-friendly” apartment block, the very colorful, odd yet fascinating Hundertwasserhaus designed by painter Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
8. Reykjavik, Iceland
Sure it’s freezing cold here, yet it still manages to be one of the most popular tourist sights in the world. Of course, the Northern Lights are a big draw. But beyond that, Iceland’s capital boasts the unique and rare reputation for having no unsafe areas in the city. None. Or homelessness. Or drugs. Or crime. So you have a near zero chance of being pickpocketed, scammed, or mugged.
You might think, well then it must be a super boring city. But you’d be wrong. While a bit (or a lot) more friendly than usual, Reykjavik is also a wonderfully fun place to visit with its impressive Nordic architecture, adventurous foodie scene, charming cafés, luxurious swimming pools, and rollicking nightlife. Check out the incredibly cool glass-covered Harpa Concert Hall, home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera, at the edge of Reykjavik Harbor. Soaring over that is another unique and prominent building, Hallgrimskirkja Church, an architectural masterpiece boasting a 74 meter (244 feet) high tower you can go all the way up for excellent 360 degree views of the entire city.
For some culinary adventures, an authentic trip to Reykjavik must include hot dogs. Yes, hot dogs. Icelanders LOVE their hot dogs. It’s been called the National Food Of Iceland. And the best hot dog stand in Reykjavik, nay Europe, is an unassuming little stand near the harbor called Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. Order it with “the works” – ketchup, sweet mustard, fried onion, raw onion, and remolaði, a mayonnaise-like sauce with relish.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, also try some Hákarl, or fermented shark meat. It’s a pretty nasty taste (and smell) though, so you’ll want to wash it down with a strong glass of Brennivín — Iceland’s traditional unsweetened alcoholic schnapps often called “The Black Death”.
Then for nightlife, Reykjavik has a surprisingly active one for such a small cozy city. It’s conveniently all centrally located in its downtown area for easy bar hopping, and the awesome bars and nightclubs there such as Kaffibarinn, Kaldi, and B5 stay open until 5am on the weekends.
Last but not certainly least, no trip to Reykjavik would be complete without seeing the mystical beauty of the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights. Iceland is one of the best places to see this incredible natural phenomenon. Just a heads up that they can be hard to see from the city itself, only if the lights are strong enough which is pretty rare. The best way to see the aurora is to rent a car or join a Northern Lights hunting expedition to get outside away from the city lights.
9. Montreal, Quebec
When you think of the best spots in Canada to visit, many people will mention Toronto or Vancouver. And both of those cities are lovely. But my favorite and, in my opinion, the safest option is actually Montreal in Quebec. It’s a beautiful city, in every season. It’s very easy to navigate, with superb metro and bus systems, plenty of taxis or Ubers anywhere you need, and incredibly walkable (or bikable) neighborhoods.
It’s also chock full with people, being the second most populous city in Canada (and first in Quebec obvs). But that’s part of what makes it so safe. There are always plenty of bystanders and witnesses about, should you need their help. And people in Montreal are very helpful and nice. Don’t let their French accents fool you.
If you want to stay in the most populated area, you’ll want to visit The Plateau, Quebec’s hipster neighborhood, which has the highest population density in Canada. It’s a wonderfully colorful neighborhood jam-packed with amazing restaurants, shops, art galleries, and nightlife.
Little Italy is also a lovely little neighborhood that’s a fascinating mash-up of Italian, French, and Canadian culture. A must see is the Jean-Talon Market, a permanent open-air market full of vendors selling all types of produce, meats, cheeses, fish, and baked goods.
When I visited, I particularly loved the Notre Dame Basilica, which is beautiful enough to rival its cousin in Paris. I also highly recommend the Montreal Botanical Gardens, as well as the views of the city from Mount Royal, a small mountain with a lovely park just west of downtown Montreal.
10. Abu Dhabi, UAE
Did you know that over half of this middle-eastern city’s population is made up of expats? Its thriving business sector regularly brings over foreign professionals, who are then impressed by the surprisingly safe and easygoing (albeit ritzy) atmosphere – especially for the Middle East. Women in particular have reported feeling as safe here as they would in the major cities of Europe or America, which is pretty remarkable. It’s the perfect combination of glamour and local charm. Tradition with a modern twist. All with a pleasantly low chance of mugging, scammers, or pickpockets.
Speaking of tradition, one of the most incredible things to see in Abu Dhabi is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a huge gorgeous whitewashed mosque, one of the largest in the world that can accommodate 40,000 worshippers. It also houses the world’s largest carpet inside its prayer hall, weighing in at 35 tons and covering 60,000 square feet. Just make sure you are wearing culturally appropriate, respectful attire before you enter this holy place.
Abu Dhabi is also one of the world’s biggest hubs for motor racing and car aficionados, including hosting the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix annual Formula One event. But if you can’t afford to splurge for tickets to that very pricey event, you can still get a taste for the race track at Ferrari World, a gigantic theme park next to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Circuit. Or you can see the most outrageous, opulent car collection you’ve ever seen courtesy of the eccentric Sheik Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, who built the Emirates National Auto Museum to house his vast and bizarre personal car collection inside a massive custom-made white pyramid.
Bonus: World Nomads, The World
Okay it’s not a city, but hear me out. One of the best ways to keep yourself safe in any of these cities is to get yourself travel insurance from World Nomads.
So no matter what happens while you’re getting there, while you’re there, or as you’re leaving, you’ll be covered.
Stay Safe In Any City
No matter which city you visit – on this list or otherwise – it’s important to stay safe, aware, and alert for any potential dangers. So wherever you choose to travel, prepare yourself with my plethora of Travel Safety tips and Travel Safety Checklist, including my list of Tips For Traveling Alone, or even join my super affordable and digestible Travel Safety Mini Course for more guidance on this.
Then if you’re ready to go even deeper than that and really learn how to stay safe wherever you roam, my more thorough Tough Cookie Travel Self Defense Course can teach you how to travel safer and stronger.
Bring out your inner badass! Become the ultimate wandering warrior woman+. Travel like a Tough Cookie.
