Best destinations for a female solo traveller?

[mummytoonetryingfortwo]

My 25 year old sister has just finished a run of really stressful professional exams. She is talking about wanting to take a solo trip before she starts her new job, but is not sure where and is totally lost.

She is fine for time off for the next 4 months. I would like to gift her a trip, money is not (within reason) an issue. She is looking at Europe, mainly. Her main want is a city break with perhaps a beach nearby.

Malaga is fantastically safe and has so much to do, plus great day trip potential. From Malaga, we did trips to Ronda, the Alhambra, Nerja and the Caminito del Rey. She could even combine it with a short stay in Seville, which is just a few hours inland by train. From Seville, we took a day trip to Cadiz.

I think she’d like Spain!!

Japan - I know it is far and flights are expensive but I have never felt safer as a woman.

Scandinavian

Another vote for Malaga. Absolutely great city with access to other magic spots like Cordoba (a must see), Granada, Ronda, and even a day trip to Gibraltar if that's her thing.

Another trip I did on my own (I'm 67, so take what I say with caution re a 25 yr old lol!) was to Padua, a charming small university city, absolutely gorgeous. The train is only half an hour into Venice, and Verona, Ravenna and Bologna are easily accessible (by train) from Padua also. The trains are dirt cheap for the distances and very easy to use.

Last one - fly into Marseilles and stay in either Avignon or Aix en Provence, then hop around to Arles, Nimes, Orange, Salon de Provence and so on. Should be no problem for a young one like your sister!

Krakow is lovely and safe.

Agree, I was out with my two young daughters till midnight. No problem at all and felt very safe. She will love it.

Portugal is a good bet, lots of things to see and good beaches, perhaps visit multiple places by train