![\"best](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/best-places-to-travel-alone-US-1313x875.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBackpacking and travelling solo are two things that go hand in hand. It\u2019s like bread and butter, or Forrest and Jenny. So it\u2019s no surprise that every year more and more independent travellers are choosing to stay in hostels to enjoy their more sociable side and a relaxed atmosphere. But\u2026 what are the best destinations to travel to on your own?<\/p>\n
To give you all the information you need and help you organise your next solo adventure, we\u2019ve been looking for the places that are currently most popular amongst solo travellers. It\u2019s high time to treat yourself a little and for you and your belongings to set off on the trip of a lifetime!<\/p>\n
Here are the 10 most popular destinations among independent travellers, based on the number of solo bookings made last year.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udccd San Francisco, California \ud83d\udcf7: Jamie Street<\/em><\/p>\n The United States is one of the best destinations for solo travellers thanks to its vast and varied landscape. In other words: there\u2019s something for everyone in the US (and forgive the clich\u00e9, but it\u2019s true!). Fancy going skiing in Montana? Or go surfing in Los Angeles? Or perhaps take a city break to New York? Well, here you can do it all! And if you add to that the classic American friendliness and a touch of Southern hospitality, it\u2019s no wonder the United States recorded the highest number of individual bookings in 2017.<\/p>\n The Land of the Free isn\u2019t exactly a cheap destination, but luckily we\u2019ve got some excellent hostels that\u2019ll help you make the most of your euros!<\/p>\n Hostels in the United States<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udccdLondon, United Kingdom \ud83d\udcf7: Heidi Sandstrom<\/em><\/p>\n Another old favourite. In second place on our list of destinations for solo travel is England, and within it, London stands out as the city most booked in 2017 by our most independent travellers. Those who visit London do so to experience that authentically British<\/em> vibe: seeing the red buses, the iconic black cabs<\/em> (London\u2019s black taxis), taking a trip to Buckingham Palace to say hello to Queen Elizabeth\u2026 and also to enjoy a delicious curry on Brick Lane, have a pint in a traditional pub and have a brilliant time partying in one of Europe\u2019s best nightlife scenes.<\/p>\n Hostels in England<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udccdBarcelona, Spain \ud83d\udcf7: Toa Heftiba<\/em><\/p>\n Every city in Spain has its own vibrant and distinct culture, so you could spend months and months exploring them and never get bored. Although each city has its own unique flavour, there is one thing that connects them all: their cuisine. As you\u2019d expect, Spanish food is out of this world! Make the most of it by enjoying tapas and Spanish wine until you\u2019re sleepy enough to collapse and have a proper siesta\u2026 are we dreaming?<\/p>\n Hostels in Spain<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udccdSydney, Australia \ud83d\udcf7: Mahdis Mousavi<\/em><\/p>\n When you think of \u201cbackpacking\u201d or \u201ctravelling solo\u201d, one of the first destinations that springs to mind is Australia, so it\u2019s no surprise that it\u2019s managed to secure a place amongst the top five countries in the world for individual bookings last year. Australia is full of incredible hostels, tanned surfers and some of the best diving spots in the world (though do try not to think too much about those toothy, finned \u2018friends\u2019 lurking about\u2026). In fact, travelling to Australia is a sort of rite of passage for any self-respecting backpacker. It\u2019s also a popular stop-off for solo travellers looking to work abroad, and boasts a wonderfully friendly population who are always keen to help and give you the best advice. For all these reasons and many more, Australia is undoubtedly one of the best destinations for solo travel.<\/p>\n Hostels in Australia<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udccdRome, Italy \ud83d\udcf7 Christopher Czermak<\/em><\/p>\n I could tell you about the classical beauty of Roman architecture, the fairytale houses perched on the edge of a cliff in Positano, or the fascinating history of the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, but let\u2019s not kid ourselves. When you go on holiday to Italy, you know that what you\u2019re really after is its delicious cuisine. Italy is considered the centre of the carbohydrate universe! Its food is famous all over the world, so we can\u2019t think of a better way to sample it than by going to its place of origin and enjoying top-quality produce. That said, do try to avoid the tourist traps. Instead, ask the staff at your hostel to recommend the best places to eat \u2013 the ones the locals actually go to. Oh! And PLEASE, don\u2019t leave without trying a pizza in Naples, the city where this world-famous dish was born.<\/p>\n Hostels in Italy<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udccdPhra Nang, Thailand \ud83d\udcf7: Farsai C<\/em><\/p>\n One of the most popular destinations for first-time solo travellers is Thailand, a country that attracts thousands of backpackers year after year. Its capital, Bangkok, is considered by many to be the gateway to South-East Asia, making Thailand a natural stop-off on any trip to this part of the world. That said, you should know that there\u2019s plenty to see in Bangkok, so don\u2019t even think about giving it a miss! Bangkok is noisy, chaotic and a wonderfully exciting capital that could well rival New York for the title of \u2018the city that never sleeps\u2019.<\/p>\n If, on the other hand, you\u2019re not so much of a city person and you\u2019re more into the beach vibe, the islands are the perfect place for you, my friend. You\u2019ll be spoilt for choice with hundreds of islets to choose from, so it\u2019s best to do a bit of research beforehand: do you prefer an island where you can party until you drop, or a secluded beach in the middle of nowhere? Whatever you decide, get ready to enjoy breathtaking beauty, white sandy beaches, really cool <\/em>beach bars and <\/em>loads of amazing spots for snorkelling.<\/p>\n Hostels in Thailand<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udccdBerlin, Germany \ud83d\udcf7: Pablo Hermoso<\/em><\/p>\n Famous for its beer, bratwurst<\/em> and for having the best nightclubs in the world (and the most exclusive ones too!), Germany is the perfect destination for solo travellers looking to meet fellow travellers. In summer, Berlin turns into one giant beer garden<\/em> where you\u2019ll find both locals and other travellers sharing a jug of ice-cold beer.<\/p>\n Berlin\u2019s nightlife is also unrivalled in Europe. The doormen at the nightclubs are famous for letting in solo travellers and small groups in particular, so if you\u2019re travelling alone, you\u2019ll have no trouble getting in. And as well as the nightclubs, Berlin is also known for its street art<\/em>, its festivals and its grunge aesthetic\u2026prost<\/em>!<\/p>\n Hostels in Germany<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udccdParis, France \ud83d\udcf7: John Towner<\/em><\/p>\n Flashpackers and the chicest travellers often choose the City of Love as their favourite getaway to experience first-hand the fashion, culture and style that only Paris has to offer. It\u2019s the city of hopeless romantics, aspiring poets and art lovers, and year after year it enjoys a steady stream of bookings from people who like to travel solo.<\/p>\n And once you\u2019ve fallen head over heels in love with Paris, head out to the stunning French countryside or visit the wonderful beaches of the south of France. You might even bump into a celebrity<\/em> on the hunt for their new yacht!<\/p>\n Hostels in France<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udccdOsaka, Japan \ud83d\udcf7: Alexander Smagin<\/em><\/p>\n Travelling to Japan is like taking a trip into the future. Everywhere you look, you\u2019ll find all sorts of fascinating technological gadgets, modern megacities and space-inspired capsule hostels. Tokyo\u2019s bright lights are as eye-catching as they are overwhelming, and the street food is absolutely sensational!<\/p>\n But it\u2019s not all about modernity. In Japan, you\u2019ll also find unspoilt nature and centuries of ancient tradition, so be sure to visit its temples and marvel at the picture-postcard view of Mount Fuji. Add to that the country\u2019s highly efficient transport network and top-class hostels, and Japan is undoubtedly one of the best places to travel to on your own for your next adventure.<\/p>\n Hostels in Japan<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udccdAmsterdam, The Netherlands \ud83d\udcf7: Javier M<\/em><\/p>\n The Netherlands is truly wonderful. Its people are among the friendliest in the world, so if you\u2019re travelling alone, they\u2019ll always be ready to welcome you with open arms. Its capital, Amsterdam, is one of the best places to visit in Europe, with its incredible tulip fields, winding canals and, of course, its legal cannabis. It\u2019s no wonder you might find yourself feeling more relaxed than usual (whatever the reason\u2026), which is why we think Amsterdam is the perfect city to travel to on your own, meet new people and have new experiences.<\/p>\n Hostels in the Netherlands<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks@gabe.nitro<\/a>for the cover photo!<\/em><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc6d Travelling solo: Tips for meeting people whilst travelling<\/a><\/p>\n2. England<\/h2>\n
![\"best](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/best-places-to-travel-alone-london-1313x875.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3. Spain<\/h2>\n
![\"best](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/best-places-to-travel-alone-Barcelona-1313x875.jpg\")
<\/p>\n4. Australia<\/h2>\n
![\"best](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/best-places-to-travel-alone-aus-1313x875.jpg\")
<\/p>\n5. Italy<\/h2>\n
![\"best](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/best-places-to-travel-alone-italy-1322x875.jpg\")
<\/p>\n6. Thailand<\/h2>\n
![\"best](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/best-places-to-travel-alone-thailand-1313x875.jpg\")
<\/p>\n7. Germany<\/h2>\n
![\"best](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/best-places-to-travel-alone-berlin-1400x807.jpg\")
<\/p>\n8. France<\/h2>\n
![\"best](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/best-places-to-travel-alone-paris-1313x875.jpg\")
<\/p>\n9. Japan<\/h2>\n
![\"best](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/best-places-to-travel-alone-japan-1400x787.jpg\")
<\/p>\n10. The Netherlands<\/h2>\n
![\"best](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/best-places-to-travel-alone-amsterdam-1313x875.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHave we sparked your desire to travel solo? \ud83d\udc47<\/span><\/h3>\n