The best city trips for solo travellers

From meeting new people to having the freedom to set your own schedule, there are plenty of reasons why travelling solo can be one of the most rewarding experiences out there.

But when it comes to globe trotting on your own, not all destinations are created equal. According to global traveller data, these are the world’s most solo traveller-friendly cities, being simultaneously safe, friendly, accessible and exhilarating.

Cusco, Peru

The high-altitude city of Cusco (located at 11,152 feet above sea level) is the gateway to Incan citadel, Machu Picchu. You’re guaranteed to meet lots of like-minded solo travellers if you’re visiting on your own, since most accommodation caters for backpackers with social spaces and events. Stay in the heart of the action around the Plaza de Armas (a highly rated option is the Kokopelli Hostel Cusco) in the centre of the old town and right next to a magnificent must-see, the Cathedral of Santo Domingo. Weave your way through the city’s narrow, steep cobbled streets, climbing hills to catch glimpses of the surrounding mountains over the terracotta-tiled rooftops. Head to Pisac Market to buy eclectic indigenous crafts and taste authentic empanadas. Then round off the day clinking glasses of pisco sours and toasting ‘salud’ with fellow solo travellers in one of the city’s cavern-like bars.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh’s pubs tend to be brimming with friendly, chatty Scots, so you won’t have to entertain yourself for long here. But it is still the kind of city in which you could happily occupy yourself for days as a solo traveller. Start with a pub crawl, or a walking tour pointing out places where J. K. Rowling penned Harry Potter. Alternatively, the grittier version takes in some of the more unsavoury parts of the Scottish capital that were made famous by the cult film adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting. Or try a walk up Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano that’s ideal for a contemplative solo stroll. Finally, there are the obligatory sites, like the bagpiper busker- and tartan kilt-filled shops along the Royal Mile. And Edinburgh Castle – standing on the top of an ancient volcano – whose weathered turrets form an eerie silhouette on the skyline. Stay in a typical townhouse in Edinburgh’s New Town neighbourhood, at Ramsay’s B&B.

Kyoto, Japan

Japan’s ancient imperial capital is one of the easiest places in the world to visit as a solo traveller. Expect friendly, polite locals keen to converse in English, guesthouses and hostels with communal atmospheres, solo diner-friendly restaurants, great street food and plenty of quiet, zen places to enjoy alone time. Visit Fushimi Shrine and soak up the solitude and calm of its gardens, walking through its tunnel of thousands of vermilion-painted torii shrine gates (the colour supposedly expelling evil and disease). Next, head for Kiyamachi Dori, a street running parallel to the Kamo River and a smaller canal; here, you’ll find street food and restaurants like Nikunabe Chiba, where you can sit at the long bar and watch food being prepared. Stay at the sociable Lower East Nine Hostel.

Granada, Spain

This small Andalusian city is especially inviting for solo travellers, with an open culture of socialising that revolves around live music and food. Make the most of the tradition of free tapas at every table, sampling some along the Calle Elvira (washed down with local wine and sangria). Or try the Plaza Larga in the old Arabic quarter of Albaicín, where you can share platters with newfound friends al fresco on a café table overlooking the square, or join locals sitting on benches and people-watching. The city is also pedestrian-friendly and filled with whimsical Islamic architecture, including the Moorish Alhambra Palace, so it’s a great place for exploring on foot solo. Stay at the highly rated ECO Hostel in the centre of town.

Porto, Portugal

Porto is particularly solo traveller-friendly, thanks to a plethora of highly rated, excellent-value hostels that make it easy to enjoy home-cooked food and meet other travellers when you’re away. Locals also speak impeccable English, and the weather is mild year-round, so chances are you’ll be able to venture out and lose yourself in the city’s hilly streets whenever you visit. Head to Ribeira – the ancient quarter lining the Douro River – and find yourself a table for one at a bar with a view of the Dom Luís I Bridge for a glass of local port. Check into the Casa do Cativo and make the most of the outdoor swimming pool and garden.