It’s 2023 and high time that women should step and let go off their insecurities of traveling alone especially in a country like India. Though it is partially true that India doesn’t hit the list of safest places in the world, every place has its pros and cons. Just like here there are many cities and states which are standing with open arms to welcome the strong solo travelers to come and explore their land without worrying about their safety. When it comes to finding the best solo female travel destinations in India, the list is long.
17 Best Solo Female Travel Destinations In India
Here is a list of best solo female travel destinations in India which one must visit and enjoy a time like never before. From the welcoming locals to the exotic attractions, there is a lot to do and explore.
1. Rishikesh
The yoga land of India is not just a home to the yogis, but it is also a welcoming city in Uttarakhand for the solo women wanderers. Known to be the ideal place for river rafting in the country, this place is also considered to be one of the safe places for solo female travelers in India. Despite being a small city, the locals here are very welcoming and the wide array of activities this place offers makes it one of the exciting places to visit for women. Whether you’re the adventure-stricken woman or someone who is looking for a soulful vacation, Rishikesh is definitely a thumbs up for every kinda woman traveler.
Attractions To Explore: Swarg Ashram, Shri Trayanbakshwar temple, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, Neelkantha Mahadev Temple, Neer Garh Waterfall
Things To Do: White water rafting, Fox flying, Explore cafes, Camping, Watch ganga arti, bungee jumping
Must Read: 15 Secrets Of North East India
2. Nainital
This quant hill station resting amidst the surreal mountain peaks of Uttarakhand is next on the list which welcomes solo female travelers with open arms. Not just the beauty of the place, but the warm smiles of the locals will make the fear of traveling alone take a backseat. Also called the lake city, it would be an incomplete trip if someone doesn’t experience boating over the calm lakes. Alongside that there are other exciting things to do like shopping and also explore the lifestyle of Tibetans residing there. With the serenity and the calm surroundings, Nainital should definitely be in the list of one of the best solo female travel destinations in India.
Attractions To Explore: Bhimtal, Naukuchiyatal, China Peak, Snow View, Nanda Devi temple, Jama Masjid
Things To Do: Shopping at Tibetan market, Cable car ride, Boat ride, Horse riding, Trek to China Peak
3. Udaipur
There is no doubt that Rajasthan is in the bucket list of every traveller. And when it comes to exploring this culturally rich state, Udaipur has to be in the list. Not just this royal city is adorned by magnificent palaces and beautiful lakes, but it is also considered to be a safe place for women. The people here are very friendly and the streets are safe for roaming around freely. With the royal palaces to explore, get captured for that perfect Insta picture and many more reasons will make you not miss out this city when looking for the first solo female travel destinations in India.
Attractions To Explore: Lake Palace, Lake Pichola, Ahar Museum, Bagore ki Haveli, Jagdish temple, Saheliyo ki Bari and Jag Mandir
Things To Do: Shopping at Hathi Pol, Bada Bazaar, Sadhana emporium, Horse riding, Heritage walk
Suggested Read: Top 17 Religious Places In India
4. Shimla
This is a fact that the hill stations are one of the safest solo female travel destinations in India. And among all the beautiful mountain cities, Shimla is one of the ideal places to explore. This capital city is blessed with some of the best scenic views along with a soothing climate to enjoy. From the beautiful attractions to the exciting toy train ride, there is a long list of experiences to capture and bring back along. The best thing is that the girls don’t have to deal with the stares from strangers because the locals also help in settling down and feel like a home away from home.
Attractions To Explore: Viceregal Lodge, Himalayan Bird Park and Kufri, State Museum, Gaiety Museum
Things To Do: Shop the local wine, Experience dine-in at Chinese restaurant, Ride the yak at Kufri, Ride the toy train
5. Khajuraho
It might come out as a surprise, but Khajuraho is considered to be one of the safe destinations for solo female travelers in India. This UNESCO world heritage site has a lot of things to offer and that too without getting out of the comfort zone. One can come across the touts, but the best way to deal with them is by saying a polite ‘No’ which helps in getting rid of the petty people. If we can ignore this, then his beautiful place has some of the best architecture of the Indian heritage which is worth capturing. Alongside that there two lakes outside the temple complex which can also be visited to enjoy a great time boating.
Attractions To Explore: Lakshmana temple, Parshwanath temple, Adinath temple, Lord Mahavira Temple
Things To Do: Enjoy boat ride, Take an Ayurvedic massage, Yoga at Yogi Sudarshana Dwiveda
Suggested Read: 10 Safe Places In India
6. Varanasi
The history of India lies amidst the dingy lanes of Varanasi which are worth exploring. And if you believe it or not, despite being crowded and ancient, this city is one of the best places for first time solo female travel destinations in India. From roaming around the Ganga ghats to coming across the differently dressed Sadhus, Varanasi is the city of diverse cultures. Because of this the city might not look extremely welcoming, but the key to feel safe here is to ignore the lewd comments and opt for decent dressing.
Attractions To Explore: Vishwanath temple, Dashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika ghat, New Vishwanath temple, Durga temple and Assi Ghat
Things To Do: Enjoy a walking tour, Take an ayurvedic massage, Indulge into yoga, boat ride
7. Sikkim
When it comes to exploring the North-east, Sikkim has to be on the list of must explore places. This side of India is one of the most beautiful places which is blessed with lush-greenery and surreal mountains. Alongside that there are a wide array of majestic monasteries which reflect the culture of Sikkim. And for the women who love to explore the mountains, this place proves to be one of the most safe solo female travel destinations in India.
Attractions To Explore: Rumtek Gompa, Pelling, Guru Padmasambhava statue, Old Rumtek Gompa, Yumthang Valley
Things To Do: Trek to Mt. Kanchenjunga, Witness Bum Chu Festival, Try Sikkim Cuisine
Suggested Read: Mountain Biking In India
8. Goa
Image Credit: Shobhit963 for Wikipedia
There is no doubt that Goa sounds like the perfect and welcoming destination in India, especially for the solo women travelers. According to the Plan India and Child and Women Development Ministry, this is one of the best places to take a solo trip for girls in India. Apart from the surreal beaches, it has some offbeat options to explore which include living a hippy lifestyle and wandering around the markets and beach shacks. Alongside that, there are many casinos and cruises to enjoy a time like never before.
Attractions To Explore: Calangute Beach, Aguada Fort, Basilica of Bom Jesus
Things To Do: Water activities, Casino, beach tours, shopping and exploring the nightlife
9. Ladakh
Image Credit: Narender9 for Wikipedia
Even though the commercialization touched the gates of Ladakh, it has still managed to savour the beauty of nature in the best possible way. From the cold barren desert to the surreal beauty of Pangong lake, there is a long list of reasons to visit this place at least once. Not just this, the warm hosting of the locals makes this one of the best destinations for solo women travelers in India. This place looks like a beautiful picture painted for real.
Attractions To Explore: Nubra Valley, Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Thiksey Monastery
Things To Do: River rafting at Zanskar valley, Chadar trek, tasting the local food, desert safari at Nubra Valley
Suggested Read: 31 Ideal Places To Visit In India In May
10. Pondicherry
Image Credit: Deepak TL for Wikipedia
It is one of the places which gives all the traveller vibes to enjoy along with taking a tour of the aesthetic streets which are worth capturing. If Goa is quite a common place for you, Pondicherry might be a good option to visit and enjoy a tropical vibe. From the beautiful beaches to the magnificent temples and churches, this place has a lot to offer to the solo female travelers.
Attractions To Explore: Promenade beach, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry Museum
Things To Do: Scuba diving, Temple and churches tour, Houseboat ride, Cruise ride
11. Kasol
Image Credit: Alok Kumar for Wikipedia
This Himalayan village is one of the land of hippies which is worth visiting for not just the solo travelers but also the female solo travelers in India. Located alongside the Parvati river, the streets of this quirky town is filled with bakeries, reggae bars and also affordable guest houses which are crowded by the Indian and the Israeli crowd. This is an ideal place for people who love to get the taste of adventure and also enjoy a time in the lap of nature.
Attractions To Explore: Parvati Valley, Manikaran, Kheerganga, Tosh
Things To Do: Trekking, Sightseeing, camping
Suggested Read: 14 Most Unusual Beaches In India
12. Kovalam
Image Credit: Shishirdasika for Wikipedia
This is a beautiful coastal town which is considered to be one of the safest places for girls solo trips in India. Surrounded by the palm-backed beaches and also the beautiful architecture to witness while here. This town is situated at the heart of Kerala and located at a distance of 16kms from the city of Thiruvananthapuram. Also, this place has a lot to offer the people who want to indulge into water sports like scuba diving and explore marine life with their naked eyes.
Attractions To Explore: Hawa Beach, Juma Masjid, Vizhinjam, Samudra Beach
Things To Do: Scuba diving, sightseeing
13. Munnar
Image Credit: Bimal K C for Wikipedia
Surrounded by lush greenery and spice plantations, Munnar is a place which is a paradise for nature lovers. This fairytale place is known for its surreal view of the green tea gardens and the pristine lakes. The travellers can also enjoy a relaxing time spent at the cottage enjoying the view of the green hills and the chirping birds. This is one of the best places to visit in Kerala and also makes a great and safest place for female solo travel in India.
Attractions To Explore: Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam, Anamudi
Things To Do: Sightseeing, Wildlife Tour
Suggested Read: Scuba Diving In India
14. Nainital
Image Credit: Nickk Bisht for Wikipedia
Situated at the valleys of Uttarakhand, Nainital is a beautiful place which is also considered to be a dreamland on earth. Known for its pristine lakes, this place is truly a treasure trove for nature lovers. This place is also considered to be one of the best destinations for solo women travelers in India. Alongside a long list of places to explore, this place is also known for the warm and friendly locals who give a home-like feeling.
Attractions To Explore: Tiffin Top, Naini Lake, GB Pant High Altitude Zoo
Things To Do: Sightseeing, Shopping
15. Shillong
Image Credit: ঈশান জ্যোতি বৰা for Wikipedia
Often called the “Scotland of the East”, Shillong is one of the best places to visit in North-East India to explore the beautiful amalgamation of nature’s fascinating views. This is considered to be one of the safest places to visit for solo female travelers. Surrounded by surreal lakes and the hills with pine trees, this place is a must-visit if someone is a fan of nature’s untouched beauty. Alongside that, this is the only hill station in India which can be visited from all sides of the country. If you are looking for the safe solo trips for female in India, this is an ideal destination for you.
Attractions To Explore: Umiam Lake, Shillong View Point, Ward’s Lake
Things To Do: Sightseeing
Suggested Read: 15 Offbeat Places In South India
16. Gangtok
This is one of the must visit travel destinations in India which is also the capital city of Sikkim and boasts an urban settlement. Not just the beauty of this place is attractive but it is also considered to be a safe place for women in India. This beautiful city is famous for its magnificent monasteries and also the lakes which appear magnificent and cannot be missed.
Attractions To Explore: Rumtek Monastery, Tashi View Point, Namgyal Institute, Enchey Monastery
Things To Do: Sightseeing, Shopping
17. Lahaul And Spiti
Image Credit: John Hill for Wikipedia
If someone wants to break the ties of regular life for a while and enjoy a great time away amidst the mountains, Lahaul and Spiti is the place which calls. It is called the Himalayan desert which is surrounded by the surreal mountains and also the enchanting views which are worth capturing. Also this place is home to some of the warmest people who welcome the tourists with open hands. Alongside that there are options for a safe stay experience which cannot be missed.
Attractions To Explore: Chandra Taal, Pin Valley National Park, Spiti Valley
Things To Do: Trekking, Camping, Sightseeing
Further Read: 29 Monsoon Destinations In India
So, do you see that despite the fact that we think that the world out there is not safe for women we still have a long list of places which welcome them. These solo female travel destinations in India are beautiful in their own way and offer all the measures for making the girl gang feel safe. With time India is progressing, and there will be more places in the future where the women will not think twice before visiting. Till then, while you’re on your trip to India, make sure to not miss out on these places which will certainly make your vacation a memorable experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Solo Female Travel Destinations In India
What are the popular destinations for solo trips for women in India?
Some of the best solo travel destinations for females in India are:
1. Kasol
2. Sikkim
3. Goa
4. Munnar
5. Hampi
6. Nainital
7. Pondicherry
Is it OK to travel alone in India?
Yes, it is safe to travel alone in India. You just need to take care of some of the things like booking your transportation, hotel and other things from a reliable source. Keep your research strong while travelling about the location that you are going to explore.
Is it safe for a girl to travel alone in India?
The country has mixed opinions about being safe for women. Among all the large population and pollution, the safety of women is also a concern. But still, there are some places which are proved to be welcoming for women and make them feel safe.
How to stay safe at night?
Some of the important things to keep in mind while travelling to stay safe are avoiding dark and dingy places at night, keeping valuables hidden, and booking a taxi when travelling at night.
Which is the safest city in India?
The cities which have a low crime rate are Kozhikode, Kochi and Kolkata. The murder rates and harassment cases are very low in number.
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A mass-media graduate, Priyanka is a passionate writer and an avid traveler. Whether it’s about capturing the sunsets or hogging up some delicious food from different places, she never leaves a second to decide. Her mantra of keep going is “work, save, travel, repeat” which she lives by heart.
