First solo holiday - no idea what to do!

[Emmaheather]

I'd quite like to spend a few days somewhere hot/by the sea/pool in September. First time travelling on my own after separation from long term relationship. Bit on an introvert but not looking for total isolation. No idea where to start. Any suggestions v welcome.

Depends on what you like other than the pool. Do you want to do sightseeing or more AI sort of thing?

All of southern Europe will still be hot in September so you have lots of choice. Do you prefer self catering or a hotel? If you prefer not to mingle a large resort is easier to find different spots to relax every day whereas with somewhere smaller you're under more pressure to chat to other guests. Do you want to do any sightseeing or just have a complete flop by the pool?

Not obviously the most exciting but I did Torremolinos as my first solo holiday.

Plenty of ex pats running bars etc, which I found helpful and I then had the option of company for a bit of an evening.
Centrally located so I did trips to the Alhambra, Morocco, Gibraltar etc.

So yes to somewhere you can easily book trips.

I alternated one day beach with one day out. Didn't sleep lots.

I've been considering a solo short break....I think for my first time alone I'd look for a home from home apartment, self cater but eat out sometimes, and just somewhere with a pool so I can read and lay out but retreat to have a drink and get some shade. So maybe a small apartment complex a few mins walk from hustle and bustle. For me being alone really does mean being alone...I wouldn't do bars or entertainment probably and would just enjoy the peace. But I'd want a balcony for an evening glass of wine!
Do you want to meet and chat with people though? What do you want your days to look like?

I would head to Greece. Perhaps Skiathos/Kefalonia and stay in a smallish locally run accommodation in a smaller resort. I've not been to either place but have looked for future holidays.

I've been to Symi and that would be perfect for a solo traveller. It felt very safe and I did see solo travellers when there - you do have to take an hours ferry from Rhodes but its well worth it.

Sounds like bliss.

Or perhaps Croatia?

We flew into Dubrovnik - its a fantastic place. I know there are beach resorts close by. We stated on an islands called Kolocep and Sipan just off the coast. They were beautiful but very quiet.

Scuba diving is a fun holiday! Egypt is lovely in September, you have something to get out and do each day, meet people on the boat etc. If you do a course you have things to read in the evenings. Plenty of social in the dive bar after but your time in the water looking at all the fish is very chilled out.

There are lots of divers that go solo they will pair you up with someone similar ability for each dive.

Pm me if you want more info, I've done lots of holidays like this solo.

What do you want to do? When I was single I use to go on yoga holidays in the med. They tended to attract solo travellers so there was automatically people to hang out with. Apart from yoga the rest of the holiday was quite chilled with just a bit of hiking and beach.

I have done a few AI with my DP and dcs. These would be good holidays for solo travellers. You can chill at the pool/beach but lots of activies and entertainment in case your bored. Buffets are easy as a solo traveller if you don't want to spend 2 hours alone every night in a restaurant.

I liked Malaga - beach, art, museums and history.

Depends what you like to do - there's also the option of things like yoga retreats - there are classes every day, but the rest of your time is yours. You can chat to others, but there are often people who are there to be contemplative or meditative and keep themselves quiet.

What about a city break but with a hotel with a pool?
Athens
Rome
Barcelona

This is a really good shout.

Madeira could work. Find a nice hotel in Funchal with a pool but you could also swim at various rock pools in the city too. It’s a pretty place to explore, has botanical gardens, a bunch of day trips you could do, eg whale or dolphin watching depending on the time of year. It’s about 4 hours flying time from the UK.

I agree with the Costa Del Sol. Great weather, beaches, and so many day trips you can do, either independently or as organised day trips: Gibraltar, Malaga etc. It's also English enough that you would feel confident. You can sit at the bar and chat to others etc. It's safe. Short flight, great public transport.

What's your budget?

How lovely! I agree perhaps somewhere warm, hotel with a pool, but also a town/city with interesting things to see. Also, decide on your nearest airport, then have a look on where they fly to - that often narrows it down from the start. If I'm travelling solo, I also want flights at sensible times of day, so factor that in too.

I did my first solo trip in Dec, went to Malaga which was pretty much perfect - beautiful, compact, loads to do, lively but civilised, great beach, really good value. The only thing I would change is my accommodation choice - I chose to stay in a very quiet apartment but I felt a bit 'cut off' in the evening, so when I go back I'll stay in a hotel with a bar & pool.

Thanks for the thoughts. Really helpful questions which will help me make a plan.

@Emmaheather did you end up going? I'm currently considering something like this but not sure where to start

Our daughter goes away by herself regularly. She often books a guided tour for the first week, she did Colombia earlier this year, so rain forest, coffee plantations, and towns for the first week. She then usually meets someone with similar interests to spend the second week in a beach resort, or talks to the people on the tour to decide her itinerary for week 2.

I echo Malaga for solos. I go there a bit and treat myself to a stay in the Hotel Monila Larios (owned by Antonio Banderas for those interested!), or the AC Malaga Palace across the road. Right in the centre of everything and both have fab rooftop bars. The area around the Cathedral is just jam packed with tapas bars and is very lively and welcoming. No problem on your own.

You can get the train to Granada and Cordoba and even Seville if you are up for a night there. The beach in Malaga is not great but it's there right on the doorstep just the same. And the shopping.... right on the street where the above hotels are.

Short flight, short transfer, easy peasy. Weather will be gorgeous in September too.