Itching for a summer escape but don’t have a travel companion? Searching for some peace and quiet? Or simply want to go it alone? According to new data from Airbnb, the trend for solo trips shows no signs of slowing.
Bookings for solos by UK travellers have risen by almost a third since this time last year, and it looks like women and Gen Z are leading the charge. The UK, Spain and Thailand all rank highly in Airbnb’s top trending destinations for a solo trip, and rank highly on my list too.
From the Peak District’s whimsical landscapes that are made for slow, contemplative hikes, to Spain’s capital with its appealing solo-friendly eateries, there’s something for everyone and every budget. Here are the nine most exciting solo summer escapes to book now.
Madrid, Spain
Best for: Curious foodies
Madrid dazzles with its grand palaces, vintage-signed vermouth bars, and world-class museums, but it’s in its quieter corners where the city truly comes alive. For solo travellers seeking authenticity and great bites beyond the tourist trail, Madrid’s lesser-known neighbourhoods have it all.
Begin in Almagro, where elegant boulevards hide hip coffee shops like Beik Beik, serving specialty coffee and an epic grilled cheese ricotta scone, then get caught up in the whimsical world of Joaquín Sorolla at the intimate Museo Sorolla, a garden-framed gem filled with original art. Upscale Salamanca is the place to go for some of the best tortilla in the city. Find Casa Dani in Mercado de la Paz, or make a beeline for Pez Tortilla in La Latina for their brie and truffle version that’s to die for.
When the heat of the city gets too much, Madrid’s wild parkland, Casa de Campo, appeals with open-air municipal swimming pools that are not only affordable and gloriously refreshing but offer fab people-watching opportunities. Take a picnic of jamón iberico, juicy tomatoes and plump olives picked up from Mercado de la Cebada.
Stay
As one of the best hostels in Spain, The Hat Madrid offers well-designed private bedrooms as well as spacious dorm beds, starting at just £27 per night, making it not only budget-friendly but the ideal place to exchange tips with fellow travellers.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Best for: A coolcation
Home to hundreds of volcanoes, cascading waterfalls, surreal black sand beaches, sapphire lagoons, glacial landscapes, and vast lava fields, Iceland offers one of the most otherworldly and camera-ready backdrops on Earth. Add to that its consistent ranking as one of the safest countries in the world, and it’s no surprise that solo travellers are drawn here in search of peace and awe-inspiring scenery.
Make a base in Reykjavik, a capital that’s small in size but big on personality. Colourful houses, cutting-edge design, cosy cafés, and a buzzing arts scene make it ideal for solo exploration. And just a 50-minute drive from the city lies the iconic Blue Lagoon, a solo-friendly sanctuary where mineral-rich geothermal waters shimmer in milky blue hues, naturally heated to around 39°C.
Read more: The best mountain hotels for a coolcation
Stay
Located in downtown Reykjavik, Kex is less like a hostel and more like a quirky home filled with free-spirited nature lovers. They boast mixed and female-only dorms, private hostel rooms and private hotel rooms, ensuring there’s a great option for every pocket.
Dorm beds from £42 per night. kexhostel.is
Queensland, Australia
Best for: Adventurous yogis
Tucked away in the wild, untamed hills of Tallebudgera Valley, this one-of-a-kind eco sanctuary offers a deeply restorative three-night yoga and mindful living retreat, led by yogi and psychotherapist Linda Franke. Designed to nourish body, mind, and spirit, the program blends Yin, Iyengar, and Vinyasa yoga with daily pranayama (conscious breathwork), guided meditation, massage, and cinematic nature walks through the surrounding landscape. Nourishment continues with organic, wholefood meals crafted to balance and energise, while downtime invites solos to unwind in the serene spa or soak in the infinity pool overlooking lush, rolling hills.
Gwinganna’s light-filled rooms, with their floor-to-ceiling glass and tranquil open spaces, reflect the natural beauty of the resort’s setting, encouraging stillness, clarity, and connection. Suited to yogis of all levels, this retreat offers the ideal way to begin a longer solo Aussie adventure.
From £1,149 per person for a three-night stay, including all organic meals. gwinganna.com
The Peak District, UK
Best for: A solo staycation
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Since the quietly unassuming Peak District draws fewer tourists than the Lake District, it’s the ideal solo summer staycation to escape the crowds. The village of Youlgrave, nestled in the heart of the national park, is home to winding trails that span out in all directions, including one to an inviting natural open-air swimming spot, and others to ancient stone circle sites and a legendary rock formation known as Robin Hood’s Leap. In the village itself, there are three good pubs, a small post office and a couple of deli-style shops where you can pick up hearty homity pies, homemade cakes and a great Bakewell Tart.
Or it’s worth making a detour to the well-loved, nearby town of Bakewell to pick up a world-renowned Bakewell Pudding from The Original Bakewell Pudding Shop.
Stay
Blending rustic charm like exposed brickwork and wooden beams with the modern comfort of quality rugs and soft wool throws, this cosy stone cottage listed on Airbnb is pure joy. Thoughtful flourishes, from a sage green Anglepoise lamp to a Bodum French press, make it feel like a true home away from home.
Rooms from £130 per night. Book it here
A Thai retreat
Best for: The ultimate re-set
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Hidden within an idyllic 50-acre estate filled with lush gardens and centuries-old trees, RXV Wellness Village feels worlds away from Bangkok’s energetic pace. Here, modern biohacking blends seamlessly with ancient healing wisdom in a thoughtfully curated experience tailored to each traveller. From spine and gut health to emotional wellbeing, every aspect is explored through a comprehensive, head-to-toe assessment. Treatments include immune-boosting IV therapies, herbal compresses, lymphatic drainage, and energy-balancing rituals, all designed to restore, rebalance, and rejuvenate.
With its tranquil setting, personalised care, and deep connection to nature, RXV invites solo travellers to slow down, reconnect, and return home refreshed and grounded.
Book it: from £1,100 per person for a three-night stay, including all meals and treatments. rxvwellness.com
Łódź, Poland
Best for: An arty, under-the-radar escape
For solos with an eye for art and urban revival, Łódź, a walkable city in central Poland, is an unexpected gem. Once an industrial powerhouse, Łódź fell into disrepair after WWII, but today it’s undergoing a striking cultural renaissance.
Begin your exploration on Piotrkowska Street, one of Europe’s longest commercial avenues, lined with shops, cafes, and revitalised industrial buildings. At one end, the impressive MS2 modern art museum showcases leading Polish artists; at the other, Off Piotrkowska offers indie boutiques and creative dining spaces.
Make time to hunt out the city’s large-scale murals, from Karolina Treler’s reimagined Michelangelo’s David to Aryz’s oversized, wilting florals and Rosa’s Passage, a stunning alleyway transformed into a mirrored mosaic installation.
Stay
The Art-filled Vienna House features individual pieces of modern art in each of its 277 bedrooms. There’s also an impressive rooftop pool and serene spa,
Rooms starting from £84 per night. wyndhamhotels.com
Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle
Best for: History buffs and elephant lovers
Since many tour operators advise against travelling to Sri Lanka during the summer months due to monsoon rains in some parts of the country, a visit during August and September rewards those going it alone with far fewer crowds. What's more, there’s still plenty of sunny, dry days to be had, especially in and around the country’s cultural triangle.
From Sigiriya Village, it’s super easy to head out to an array of fascinating sights, including the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, as well as the awe-inspiring Cave Temples of Dambulla. It’s also possible to go on safari, with the lesser-visited Wilpattu National Park (the country’s largest) just a two-and-a-half-hour drive away.
Elephant lovers will adore Minneriya National Park, a fascinating, even closer national park, where up to 300 Asian elephants converge each summer throughout July and August. And of course, the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya is not to be missed either.
Read more: The best hotels in Sri Lanka
Stay
With its well-priced rooms, ideal location and friendly staff, solos will feel welcome from check-in to check-out at Sigiriya Village Hotel. An array of waterside restaurants and cafes are close enough to reach on foot and the view of the majestic ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya from the pool is pretty impressive too.
Double rooms start from £50 per night. sigiriya-village.com
Zurich, Switzerland
Best for: A super-luxe, nature-filled weekend
Set along the sparkling Limmat River and framed by majestic alpine mountains, this walkable city is ideal for solo travellers craving stillness, stimulation and ultra-luxe lodgings. At 2,600 feet, Felsenegg Vantage Point offers panoramic views that are worth the hike (or cable car ride), or spend days swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Zurich.
With eleven official swimming spots dotted around the lake and river, it’s easy to find a place to take a dip, complete with lockers for peace of mind. One favourite is Seebad Utoquai, known for its sun-drenched terraces, vintage wooden decking, and classic diving boards.
Be sure to book ahead to secure a table for one at the city’s top restaurants, Silex, where creative small plates that utilise local, farm-fresh ingredients won’t fail to wow. Fellow travellers are easy to find down at Barfussbar, a fabulous open-air lido where music and water merge each night as guests go barefoot under the open sky.
Stay
Having just hosted the Lionesses during the Euros tournament, and previously seen Billie Eilish pass through its doors, The Dolder Grand is the place to check into in Zurich. There’s no doubt it’s on the much pricer end of the scale for a solo stay, but with over 100 pieces of original art by the likes of Keith Haring and Dalí, one of the largest spas in the country and a newly launched tennis court in collaboration with Lacoste, it’s worth every penny for a short but sweet summer getaway.
Double rooms from £659 per night. Book it here
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Best for: Lazy beach days
For solo travellers seeking sun, simplicity, and seafood, the Dominican Republic offers a surprisingly low-key escape beyond the usual resort crowds. Tucked away in Los Corales, near Punta Cana, the stretch of bright white beach ensures independent travellers can unwind at their own pace. Grab a daybed beneath the palm trees, swim in turquoise waters, and enjoy the freshest lobster and ceviche at an array of local beachfront cafes.
For those craving adventure, nearby Montaña Redonda offers 360-degree views and sky-high swings for the perfect photo op. Playa Limón along the coast is a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path sprawl of rugged sand that sees fewer tourists but plenty of wild horses.
Stay
For the ultimate flight and flop break, book into Catalonia Royal Bavaro, an all-inclusive, adults-only hotel with direct beach access and numerous pools.
Double rooms on an all-inclusive basis from £177 per night. Book it here
