Caribbean Caribbean Portugal

Five of the best destinations for solo travellers

Ready to see the world your way? Here are five perfect places to explore on your own.

5 min 26 Sep 2024

Editorial Team

Author

Travelling alone allows you to see the world the way you want, on your own schedule (or lack thereof). It brings you out of your comfort zone and provides endless opportunities for self-reflection and empowerment as you discover just how much you’re capable of doing on your own. Conversely, it can also be very sociable, giving you a chance to meet new, likeminded people – you’re far more likely to strike up a conversation with a stranger when you’re on your own.

Of course, if you travel solo on a P&O Cruises holiday, you can have as much or as little me-time as you like. On board you can choose to dine alone or at a shared table, or join hosted events for solo travellers. On shore you can explore independently or join an organised shore experience.

Feeling inspired to set off on your own? Here are five of our favourite destinations for solo travel.

1. Porto, Portugal

In Portugal’s second city, something beautiful lies around every corner. Its UNESCO-listed Historic Centre charms with Parisian-style squares, rambling streets and colourful buildings with intricately tiled façades. A walk over the Luís I Bridge (on the upper or lower deck, your choice) will give you unforgettable views of the city.

Porto is also a culinary paradise. Restaurants serve up everything from the humble (but calorie-laden) francesinha sandwich to more adventurous gastronomy made with locally caught seafood and fresher-than-fresh produce. Can’t decide? Head to the Time Out Market at the São Bento train station, where you’ll find the best of Porto – from fresh fish to chic charcuterie – under one roof. Or, in the port area near where your ship docks, Matosinhos, you can wander Rua Heróis de França and follow your nose to the small restaurants serving up sardines, cod and calamari cooked over wood grills.

And of course, no visit to Porto would be complete without savouring a glass of its namesake fortified wine. Head across the Douro River to Vila Nova de Gaia, the heart and soul of the port wine industry, and visit a cellar to learn about the drink’s history production and, of course, to enjoy a sample (or two).

Discover cruises to Leixōes (tours to Porto) here.

Black haired yellow dressed model in front of the Chapel of Souls in PORTO, famous for its exterior of blue & white tiles painted with scenes from the lives of saints.

2. Reykjavik, Iceland

A visit to Reykjavik ticks all the travel boxes. A cosmopolitan city with a dynamic arts and culture scene, surrounded by some of the most breathtaking landscapes on the planet? Check, check and check. On top of that, Iceland is considered one of the safest and friendliest countries in the world – it has topped the Global Peace Index since the ranking was created in 2008.

The city is compact and easy to explore on foot. Start with the Old Harbour district, where painted fishermen’s huts sit alongside modern architectural marvels including the Harpa concert hall. Or stroll Laugavegur, the city’s main shopping street, where you’ll find shops, cafés and restaurants. The striking Hallgrímskirkja church dominates the skyline – admire its interior before heading 73 metres up the viewing platform for sweeping city views.

You don’t have to head far from the city to be immersed in nature. And we mean immersed quite literally – geothermal bathing is an iconic Icelandic experience. At the Sky Lagoon, a 15-minute drive from the city centre, you can relax while soaking up views of the Atlantic Ocean; or you can stay local and visit one of 18 public bathing pools in Reykjavik.

Discover cruises to Reykjavik here.

A woman with her hair tied back enjoys the warm waters of a hot spring in Iceland as the sun sets behind misty rocks. The sky glows with romantic colors, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere around her.

3. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is one of those rare places that feels like it’s built as much for visitors as it is for locals. It’s lively, laid-back and easy to navigate – bicycles are the preferred mode of transportation here, and you won’t struggle to find one to rent for the day or by the ride. There are also four metro lines that run 24 hours a day, connecting you to trendy neighbourhoods such as Vesterbro, Østerbro and Refshaleøen – all have a different vibe and are well worth devoting an afternoon to.

Café culture is strong in Copenhagen, and few experiences will bring you closer to the local way of life than finding a seat in a bakery (Hart, Juno and Lille are a few faves), ordering a cardamom bun and a coffee and basking in the hygge. If you’re looking for a more communal dining experience, they don’t come much more shared than fællesspisning. Typically held in large halls, these dinners offer affordable meals shared with strangers at large tables. It’s a joyous, welcoming experience. Folkehuset Absalon is a community house in Vesterbro that holds dinners nightly and also hosts events throughout the day, such as morning yoga and board game nights.

Discover cruises to Copenhagen here.

4. Tortola, British Virgin Islands

If miles of peaceful, sandy beaches are your idea of bliss, Tortola will be your Nirvana. The largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands still feels tranquil and remote – its volcanic landscape has made it difficult to develop, so you won’t find any mega-resorts in these 55.7 square kilometres. Instead you’ll discover a place where nature rules, people are friendly and time seems to slow right down.

First up, the beaches. A day spent at Cane Garden Bay with its calm waters and local restaurants is a day well spent; same goes for Apple Bay, where you’re sure to come across surfers taking boards to the gentle waves. Of course, there’s so much more to Tortola than sand and sea. Nature lovers can hike up Mount Sage, the verdant peak that dominates the landscape, for lush views. Rum is treasured on the island, and you won’t find a better example of it than at the Callwood Rum Distillery, the oldest continuously operating rum distillery in the Caribbean. Try a Painkiller cocktail, made with rum, pineapple, orange juice and cream of coconut – they’re numbered from one (the weakest) to nine (the strongest), so assess how brave you’re feeling and dive in.

Discover cruises to Tortola here.

woman free diving in turquoise caribbean waters under / over splitview

5. The British Isles

Sometimes, there really is no place like home. And whether you’re familiar with all four corners of these green and pleasant lands or have yet to explore their charms, you’ll always find something new to see on a British Isles cruise.

Just like our holidays that take you further afield, British Isles cruises offer both spectacular scenery and buzzing cities. Few landscapes are more impressive than the dramatic coastlines and craggy mountain peaks of the Scottish Highlands. Further north, the remote and starkly beautiful Orkney and Shetland islands – often difficult to reach when travelling by land – are at your fingertips. For a dose of cosmopolitan culture, the likes of Cobh (tours to Cork), Belfast, Greenock (tours to Glasgow), South Queensferry (for Edinburgh), Liverpool and Newcastle will more than deliver.

Of course, if you live in the UK or Ireland, there’s a good chance you’ve got friends or family living in other cities and towns here, too. A British Isles cruise gives you the chance to visit them in style – you’ll have a day in port to catch up, then wave goodbye from up on deck as you sail on.