10 Great Destinations for Canadian Solo Travellers

New York City appeals to just about anyone, including solo travellers looking to experience its many sights. Most of the city’s prominent landmarks are in Manhattan, such as Times Square, the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center, and Central Park. If you want to emulate fashion-forward New Yorkers, check out Greenwich Village and SoHo’s upmarket boutiques.

You can spend a day of museum-hopping at world-class complexes like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, and Museum of Modern Art. Thanks to New York’s excellent subway and ferry system, you can easily travel to vibrant boroughs like Harlem, Brooklyn, and Staten Island.

Miami offers some of the best experiences for solo travellers, especially when it comes to after-dinner entertainment. Downtown Miami offers a glitzy clubbing scene, where you can mingle and dance the night away with fun-loving partygoers.

The city also has many colourful districts that are best explored on foot. The Miami Riverwalk lets you take in picturesque views at your own pace, while Little Havana offers a slice of Cuban life via kitschy shops, local restaurants, markets, and cultural sights. Another must-see is the Wynwood Walls, an outdoor gallery of colourful murals and street art. Read more…

Montego Bay is known for its picturesque beaches and world-class golf courses. The capital of Saint James Parish lies on Jamaica’s north coast, where solo travellers can find many all-inclusive beach resorts and villas with lush greenery and uninterrupted ocean views.

Some of the best things to do in Montego Bay include snorkelling and diving in the protected waters of Montego Bay Marine Park. Popular sandy stretches include Doctor’s Cave Beach, Aquasol Beach, and Walter Fletcher Beach – all featuring plenty of lounge chairs and swaying palm trees.

Costa Rica appeals to solo travellers who lean towards ecotourism. This Central American country is one of the most sustainable destinations in the world because nearly all of its energy is produced using renewable sources. Consider booking your hotel in either Puerto Viejo if you’re looking for a beach getaway, Monteverde for easy access to hiking trails, or San Jose for a cosmopolitan vibe.

Acres of lush rainforest are designated biological reserves in Costa Rica – must-visits include Parque Nacional Tortuguero, Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, and Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve. Costa Rica also offers beautiful sandy beaches fronting the Caribbean Sea in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west.

Reykjavik offers some of the world’s most spectacular natural and manmade sights. The city centre has museums and galleries showcasing Iceland’s cultural heritage, as well as churches and cathedrals with distinctively Nordic architectural styles.

Some of its most impressive structures include Hallgrímskirkja, Perlan, and the Sun Voyager steel sculpture. Bring your camera and tripod (as well as a camera remote) to capture memorable shots of Reykjavik. Fancy a swim in the summer? The Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach contains seawater that’s geothermally warmed, with temperatures averaging between 15°C and 19°C. Reykjavik is backed by snow-capped mountain ranges. You can head outside the city to catch the famous northern lights dancing in the night sky. Read more…

Dublin is the vibrant capital of Ireland, offering plenty of things to see and do for solo travellers. You can explore 16^th-century corridors and rooms in the Trinity College, learn about the Emerald Isle’s turbulent history at Kilmainham Gaol, or marvel at valuable artefacts inside the National Museum of Ireland.

Dublin is known as the birthplace of Ireland’s favourite drink, so make sure to stop by the Guinness Storehouse for tastings with panoramic views from its top. You can also embark on a pub crawl in Temple Bar, a vibrant riverside neighbourhood with plenty of pubs, bars, live music venues, and clubs. Read more…

Florence is a picturesque city in Italy’s Tuscany region. Bring your camera because you’ll be surrounded by a mix of majestic chapels and fortified palaces. Start your day in the city’s UNESCO-listed historic centre, which is dominated by the Florence Cathedral’s terracotta dome and gothic bell tower. You can spend hours marvelling at displays of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci’s works in Galleria dell’Accademia and Uffizi Gallery.

The Arno runs through Florence at the base of the Apennines, with stone bridges giving you easy access to both halves of this idyllic city. Florentine cuisine is among the best in the world – must-tries include bistecca alla fiorentina (Florentine veal steak), tagliere (meat and cheese platter), and local gelato. Read more…

Athens is both the historic capital of Greece and the birthplace of civilisation. Its Old Town teems with ancient architecture and historical sites, many of which date from the Neolithic Age. Built in 448 BC, the Acropolis is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Make sure to stop by the dedicated Acropolis Museum, located at the foot of the citadel’s southern slope.

As you roam the streets of Athens, you’ll encounter many monuments and museums. Standouts include Syntagma Square, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Hadrian’s Library. Rest and refuel with delicious Greek cuisine at a traditional tavern in quaint neighbourhoods like Plaka and Monastiráki. Read more…

Victoria is the delightful capital city of British Columbia. Its snow-free climate makes it easy for exploring scenic waterfronts, historic sites, and lush gardens. Learn about the city’s seafaring heritage at the Maritime Museum of British Columbia and the Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site. You can also visit the Craigdarroch Castle, the British Columbia Parliament Buildings, and the world’s tallest free-standing totem pole in Beacon Hill Park.

Victoria’s Downtown hosts a great nightlife scene, regular festivals and events, as well as a wide range of restaurants. Head to Inner Harbour for even more choices of cafes, seafood restaurants, and souvenir stalls overlooking docked yachts and ships. Read more…

Halifax offers miles of pristine beaches, beautiful gardens, and historic landmarks. The seaside town lies between the Blue Mountain–Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area and the Atlantic Ocean, giving you the best of both worlds. Point Pleasant Park is a great place to unwind with views across the harbour. See ruins of early fortifications and enjoy performances in summer.

The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site hosts 18th- and 19th-century military reenactments. Experience Halifax’s maritime history in Fisherman’s Cove, a 200-year-old fishing village about 14 km southeast of Downtown Halifax. You can explore several restored cabins, enjoy fresh seafood, buy maritime souvenirs, and stroll along a picturesque boardwalk.