Where would you go on holiday alone?

[Holidaytime2024]

I have 7 days when my children are on holiday with their Dad. I want to go away. This will be in early June. I have between £600-£2000 to spend on flights and accomodation but would prefer to not be at the top end if possible. I'm in my 40s and not into nightlife but not massively into art galleries, museums etc either.

Essentials:
Warm or hot weather.
Beautiful buildings and/or beautiful scenery.
A safe place, not rife with pickpockets.

Would like:
Things to see and do e.g. cathedrals, maybe a beach, nice places to eat, maybe a castle or palace, maybe a pool, maybe a zoo.
A place where lots of people speak English as I'm travelling by myself.
A nice hotel.

I hate:
Barren landscapes
The Canary Islands (sorry if you love them).
Complex public transport, I'd rather an easy to walk/navigate place

Thanks for any ideas. I initially thought Rome but it's super expensive for the week I can go and pickpocketing seems high. I thought maybe Valencia but I haven't looked into that one much yet. I have been to Seville and loved it so maybe would like Valencia. I've considered Portugal but don't know where.

Watching with interest!

I was going to suggest Seville when I saw your title but you've already been. I would also recommend Málaga; went there alone 10 years ago with side trips to Granada and Seville and really enjoyed myself. I went to the botanic garden and sat underneath the pine trees in the sunshine, listening to cicadas and smelling the scent of the trees. Wonderful.

I also really enjoyed Montpellier as a solo traveller. Easy to get around, lots of good food, trains to Sete, Perpignan, Collioure etc to the west and Nimes, Avignon and Arles to the east.

Chania in Crete

Italy - Rome and then you can also explore places like Pompeii from there. Or maybe go further down the coast. I didn't experience pickpocketing in Rome but obviously be sensible as you would anywhere busy. I think this area is ideal because there are so many historical sights to explore within a small area that you wouldn't get bored.
I have been to Marrakech a long time ago and I don't think I would like it as a solo traveller.

I'd go interrailing

I am off to Lara beach in June with my wee girl( know it's the same as on your own) but we have a 5 star all inclusive and can go Side for some history but mostly it will be to chill and eat 😂. Think it cost around £1500 inc flights.

Kefalonia is beautiful, I stayed at The San Giorgio in Skala that has really good all inclusive deals and it's easy to travel around.. I took a bus to Argostoli and a boat trip to Fiskardo. Lots to see and do and is about as far away from the Canary Islands as you can get.
If you like Greece also check out Skopelos, it's on my list of places to visit.

I've been to Malta on my own for a holiday. Very safe, warm, and English speaking . Easy to get around. Lots to do.

Bilbao or San Sebastian
Dubrovnik
I enjoyed Valencia but the town and beach are a bit apart just a tram ride but still separate. We stayed near the beach and pottered into town a few days.

Like previous posters, I was thinking Valencia before the end of your post - it absolutely ticks all your boxes.

The old town is beautiful, public transport is great (and very cheap) and the centre is entirely walkable and very safe. The Turia park runs through the city and is lovely to walk or cycle. The art galleries aren't as good as Madrid or Barcelona, but it's much more manageable in size, and has a much better beach (and less of a pickpocketing problem) than BCN.

Early June is one of the nicest times of year, warm but before the humidity hits, and the jacarandas will be in bloom.

I live here if you decide on it and want any tips 😊

That's so kind. Thank you.

Another vote for Lisbon + Algarve - the train goes between them so you can visit lots of places and even cross into Spain. We stayed in tavira which has a wonderful island beach

Any of the UAE are safe for female tourists though please dress appropriately. June will probably be too hot (am in Dubai now.... by myself) and its 26 degrees.
Valencia is lovely though it was December when I went, it does have a great beach and the aquarium is good.
Cyprus and Malta are possibilities, Turkey (especially Istanbul) though obviously you may get the hard sell from the carpet sellers etc. Treat it as the game it is though.

Malaga would fit all your boxes and more

Lindos Village in Rhodes is very safe and should suit you. Some great food lots of people have been going solo for years. Check Exclusively Lindos website. You may catch a rock festival in June, but it's contained in a few venues so if it isn't your taste it can be avoided. If its your bag it will be a big bonus!

Lisbon is lovely.

Done both Agadir and Marrakech solo many times, most recently in December, in fact the only time I had any incident was when with now ExH. I'm doing Cape Town solo in May.

Another vote here for Malta, Valletta is a wonderful city, the public transport across the island is brill and there's plenty to do see and visit

The UAE are absolutely not safe for females. I used to live in Dubai. Had several nasty experiences. Last one I remember was walking past a local (in full dish dash gear) sitting in his car looking at me and wanking. Could I report to the police? No, never. I would be the one who had been wrong. Women have NO rights in UAE.

I'm surprised by this, as I have lived in both and have never been hassled - also a woman in my mid life and frequently out alone. Even in Karama and the souks, they are easily ignored if you are insistent.

Sicily… I’d base myself at Taormina and I’d hire a car for a day or two and go to the Valley of the Temples. (Take a hat, sunglasses and own lunch. Buy a lemon granita at every place you go past.)
The food is divine, the scenery unbeatable and the people are lovely.

But you shouldn't have to ignore. Shouldn't have to put up with it in the first place and I wouldn't choose to holiday there again because of it.

You are contradicting yourself there.

Valencia or Lisbon I would say :)

Croatia or Cyprus?

To answer a previous poster, Japan is safe as a woman on your own.

I was thinking Malaga too - easy access to other interesting places by train or hire car. It's very chilled to walk round, great food. I just love it.

The other place is Palma de Mallorca - lovely city, rrelaxed, small, Get the train to soller. It's not for youngsters clubbing either.

I couldn't do Japan justice in a week.