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My first solo trip wasn’t something I had planned.
It started with a €2 return flight to Mallorca, Spain. I had found an incredible deal, but by the time I asked around, checked everyone’s availability, and tried to coordinate dates, the ticket was gone. Then I found another return flight for €11. This time, I didn’t ask anyone. I booked it and decided to spend a long weekend in Mallorca on my own.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Eight years later, on the exact anniversary of that first solo trip, I’m sitting here writing about the experiences that followed.
It was October, and the weather was beautiful: sunny days, walks around the island, and even swimming. Years later, in March 2026, I found myself traveling alone again, this time to Morocco. Going solo hadn’t been my original plan either, but it turned out to be one of my best travel decisions. I returned twice more that year, exploring Tamraght, Taghazout, Agadir, Essaouira, and Marrakech.
Those trips taught me that traveling alone doesn’t mean spending all your time alone. You can meet people, share experiences, and still have the freedom to make your own decisions. Here are the practical habits I recommend to women planning their first solo trip or their next adventure.
A little exploring, a good coffee, and something sweet. Me in a nutshell.
Before You Go: Planning Your First Solo Trip
Start Small: Your First Solo Trip Doesn’t Have to Be Far Away
You don’t need to begin with a two-week adventure on another continent. A weekend in a neighboring city can be a great introduction. Choose somewhere easy to reach by train or plane. Another option is an organized yoga retreat, surf camp, or group hiking trip: you travel independently, but have activities and opportunities to meet others already built into the experience.
On my first solo trip to Morocco, I joined a surf and yoga retreat in Tamraght, a small coastal village now popular with surfers. Shared activities made it easy to get to know other travelers without forcing conversations.
Choose Accommodation in a Good Location
I would rather stay somewhere convenient than save a few euros on a room that is difficult to reach after dark. Look for a central or well-connected neighborhood, recent reviews from other women, secure access, and a practical route from the airport or station. Check the surroundings on a map before booking. A central location doesn’t guarantee safety, but it makes everyday logistics easier.
Find a place that feels right
Compare hostels, private rooms and convenient locations before booking.
Research Local Customs Before You Go
Learn a little about local customs, appropriate clothing for particular places, and common tourist scams. In Morocco, shopkeepers frequently approached me in markets, inviting me into their stores or starting conversations. When I wasn’t interested, I politely declined and kept walking. I felt safe in Tamraght, Taghazout, Agadir, Essaouira, and Marrakech.
Staying Safe While Traveling Alone
Be Friendly, but Protect Your Privacy
Meeting people is one of the joys of traveling alone, but you don’t need to reveal your hotel, room number, detailed itinerary, or whether you are alone. On Mallorca, people sometimes approached me when I was sitting on a bench. If I didn’t want to talk, I politely said I was waiting for a friend. If they persisted, I got up and continued walking. Being friendly doesn’t mean sharing personal information.
Trust Your Instincts and Set Boundaries
If a conversation or situation makes you uncomfortable, leave. You don’t owe anyone your time, number, or an explanation. A calm ‘No, thank you’ is enough. If someone persists, move toward a busy public area or ask staff for help. You can change your mind about a plan at any point.
Be Mindful When Going Out at Night
Enjoy dinner, concerts, and evening walks, but plan how you’ll return to your accommodation. Check routes before going out, choose reliable transportation when needed, and stay aware of your surroundings. If drinking alcohol, keep an eye on your drink and know your limits. You can enjoy someone’s company without agreeing to visit a private location.
MORE TIPS
More Tips for Your Next Adventure.
Meeting People on the Road
Hostels Are Great for Meeting Other Travelers
Hostels often offer walking tours, shared meals, and common rooms where conversations happen naturally. You can choose a female-only dormitory or even a private room if you want more privacy. Read reviews about lockers, cleanliness, security, and atmosphere. For a quieter trip, choose a social hostel rather than a party hostel. Hostelworld is one place to compare options.
Join Group Activities, Surf Camps, or Yoga Retreats
A walking tour, cooking class, yoga session, or organized day trip gives you something in common with other travelers. My surf and yoga retreat in Tamraght was a perfect example: I met another woman whose plans overlapped with mine in Marrakech, and we spent time together there. You don’t have to organize your entire trip with a companion to share some wonderful moments.
Meet people through shared activities
Find guided tours, activities and local experiences with GetYourGuide or Viator.
Enjoy the Company, but Keep Your Independence
On my most recent visit to Tamraght, I met another woman who was also traveling independently, and we decided to visit Taghazout together. During my stays in Agadir and Essaouira, where I booked a hotel and a riad, I spent more time on my own. I enjoyed both experiences. You can share an excursion one day and choose to explore alone the next. That’s part of the freedom.
Staying Connected and Prepared
Plan Your Arrival and Transportation
If possible, arrive during daylight on your first visit. Check airport or station transfers, operating hours for public transportation, expected taxi costs, and the route to your accommodation. Save the address offline. If you use a ride-hailing service, verify that the car and driver match your booking. For late arrivals, a prearranged transfer can be worth the extra cost.
Stay Connected and Share Your General Plans
Download offline maps, arrange a local SIM or eSIM if needed, and carry a power bank. Let someone you trust know your broad itinerary and agree on occasional check-ins. You don’t need to report every movement. Temporary location sharing can be useful for a particular journey. Nomad eSIM is one option for international mobile data.
Mobile data for your next destination
Compare travel eSIM options before you go. Use my Nomad code ASIM28FS to get $5 off your eSIM purchase.
Protect Your Money, Documents, and Digital Privacy
Keep a backup card separately from your main wallet, and store secure digital copies of your passport, bookings, and insurance details. Carry emergency funds and use lockers or safes where appropriate. Avoid posting your exact location or accommodation on public social media in real time; you can share photos after you’ve left.
Enjoying the Freedom of Solo Travel
Learn to Enjoy Your Own Company
A meal alone, a museum visit, or a quiet café can feel unusual at first. But you get to decide where to go and how long to stay, without negotiating anyone else’s schedule. And if you feel lonely, that’s fine too. Join an activity, call a friend, or spend time somewhere lively. Solo travel isn’t a test of independence.
Have a Backup Plan, but Leave Room for Spontaneity
Keep emergency money, a backup payment method, offline booking details, and suitable travel insurance. If you plan to surf or hike, check whether your policy covers the activity. Prepare for disruptions, but don’t plan every hour: the freedom to change your mind is part of the experience.
Don’t Wait for Someone Else to Travel
If I had continued waiting for everyone to coordinate their schedules, I might never have taken that €11 flight to Mallorca. And if I had skipped Morocco because I would be going alone, I would have missed the experiences that brought me back twice more in the same year. Traveling alone doesn’t rule out companionship; it means you don’t have to depend on it to get started.
Final Thoughts
From a spontaneous October weekend in Mallorca to three solo journeys through Morocco, each trip offered something different. In Tamraght I met fellow travelers through surfing and yoga; in Marrakech and Taghazout I explored with women I met on the road; in Agadir and Essaouira I enjoyed time on my own. There was room for both connection and independence.
If you’re thinking about your first solo trip, start with something manageable: a nearby city, a long weekend, or an organized retreat. Prepare the essentials, trust your judgment, and give yourself the freedom to explore. You may find yourself planning the next trip before long.