Best Places to Solo Travel in January: 7 Places That Will Inspire You
In January, many travelers like me look for spots that offer more than just a holiday. We want new experiences. We want to grow. We want to enjoy good food, meet kind people, and feel safe while exploring alone.
Over the years, I have found some amazing places for solo travel in January. These countries surprised me. They gave me peace, adventure, and memories I still carry. I want to share seven of my top picks with you.
From the peaceful temples in Japan to sunny streets in Portugal. From colorful markets in Mexico to snowy forests in Finland. From the lively streets of Vietnam to the desert magic of Morocco and the wild beauty of Argentina, these places have it all.
They are safe for solo travelers. They have a rich culture and nature. They offer something special to help you start the year fresh and inspired.
Japan – Where Tradition Meets Tranquility
Average Temperature: 9°C–29°C (48.2°F–84.2°F)
My Experience:
In Kyoto, I wandered into a quiet shrine on New Year’s morning. Locals dressed in colorful kimonos lined up to pray. Bells rang softly in the chilly air. Incense curled around ancient wooden beams. A little girl handed me a tiny paper crane and gave a shy bow. The moment touched my heart deeply.
Japan is one of the best places to solo travel in January because it blends deep tradition with peaceful calm. Every moment feels like a gift.
Affordability:
$60–$90/day. You can eat tasty ramen from vending machines and fresh sushi from 7-Eleven. Metro rides are clean and cheap. Shrines are peaceful, and most temples are free. Even the convenience stores feel special. Japan gives you a rich culture without costing too much.
Where to Stay in Japan
- Guesthouse Oki’s Inn, Kyoto: Quiet, traditional, family-run with a peaceful atmosphere.
- WISE OWL HOSTELS, Shibuya, Tokyo: Modern, social, safe, and close to public transit.
- K’s House Hostels (multiple cities): Friendly staff, clean, budget-friendly with dorm and private rooms.
- Capsule hotels like The Millennials in Tokyo: Affordable, super clean, and tech-savvy.
- Ryokans (traditional inns): Cultural experience with tatami rooms, futons, and authentic hospitality.
Portugal – Warm Nights and Soulful Streets in January
Average Temperature: 12°C–20°C (54°F–68°F)
My Experience:
One chilly evening in Alfama, I found myself wandering aimlessly through narrow cobblestone streets. A woman sweeping outside her home noticed me and smiled warmly, then gently guided me toward a small, hidden fado club. Inside, the room hummed with deep, haunting songs of love and loss.
The singers’ voices carried raw emotion that wrapped around me like a comforting shawl. I sipped on tawny port, feeling the warmth spread through my chest as the music filled the air. In that moment, I understood why Portugal is one of the best places to solo travel in January, where gentle weather, soulful cities, and unexpected kindness meet.
Affordability:
$45–$70/day. You can get seafood for under $10. Walking through the pretty streets is free. A glass of wine in a fado bar costs just a few dollars. Hostels are cheap, cozy, and friendly. Portugal lets you feel rich without spending much.
Where to Stay in Portugal
- Selina Secret Garden, Lisbon: Cozy, creative hostel popular with solo travelers, close to city sights.
- Gallery Hostel, Porto: Artsy and friendly, with a great social vibe and comfortable private rooms.
- Alfama Patio Hostel, Lisbon: Charming and quiet, located in the historic Alfama district, perfect for exploring local culture.
- Yes! Lisbon Hostel: Central location, clean facilities, and a welcoming atmosphere for meeting fellow travelers.
- The Independente Hostel & Suites, Lisbon: Stylish, with a lively bar and great rooftop views, perfect for solo travelers seeking comfort and social time.
Mexico – Cooking, Color, and Soulful Vibes in January
Average Temperature: 15°C–25°C (59°F–77°F)
My Experience:
In Oaxaca, I found myself in a small, sunlit kitchen with Doña Rosa, a lively grandma with hands seasoned by years of cooking. She taught me how to make mole from scratch, grinding spices, stirring sauces, and tasting with care.
The rich aroma filled the air, wrapping me in the warmth of tradition. When I finally got it right, she smiled, kissed my cheek, and said I had “sazón.” That moment filled my heart with warmth and pride. Outside, vibrant markets buzzed with life, colors bursting from every corner.
Mexico is one of the best places to solo travel in January because it fills your soul with vibrant colors, rich flavors, and joyful music that stays with you long after you leave.
Affordability:
$45–$60/day. Tacos cost less than $1. Markets are full of color and fun. Homestays are cheap and serve warm, homemade food. Local buses cost little and show you real life. Mexico is one of the best places to solo travel in January because every peso gives you something special.
Where to Stay in Mexico
- Hostel Casa Angel Youth Hostel, Oaxaca: Friendly atmosphere, great for meeting other travelers, budget-friendly.
- Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante Hotel: Charming boutique hotel right near the historic center, perfect for experiencing local culture.
- Hotel Azul de Oaxaca: Stylish and comfortable, with easy access to markets and city highlights.
- Airbnb options: Cozy apartments in vibrant neighborhoods, great for longer stays and local immersion.
- Posada del Centro: Traditional Mexican charm, central location, excellent for solo travelers seeking safety and convenience.
Finland – Chasing the Magic of the Northern Lights in January
Average Temperature: 5°C–7.5°C ( 41°F–45.5°F)
My Experience:
I never meant to go to Finland. It just… happened. I was supposed to be in Prague, but a last-minute change in plans, a cheap flight, and an urge to chase the Northern Lights landed me in Helsinki. I arrived with zero expectations. What I found was pure magic. The air smelled like pine and snow.
The streets were dusted in white, twinkling under soft golden lamps. Locals smiled, even in -15°C. A café owner gave me free korvapuusti when she found out I was traveling alone. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a detour. It was a soul reset.
Solo travel in January is a gift. The world is quieter, more intimate. These are my favorite places, my secret pockets of wonder, where January blooms in ways you’d never expect. Here are the best places to solo travel in January.
Affordability:
Around $80–$120/day. Pricey, yes. But the value? Unreal. Think: reindeer stew dinners, clean trams, free walking tours, and warm hostel kitchens full of travelers swapping stories.
Where to Stay in Finland
- The Yard Hostel, Helsinki: Cozy, clean, and social, perfect for solo travelers with common areas to connect.
- Hostel Café Koti, Rovaniemi: Nordic design meets warm vibes, great for seeing the Northern Lights.
- CheapSleep Helsinki: Budget-friendly option with heated rooms and friendly staff.
- Airbnb Studios in Helsinki or Tampere: Private, modern, and well-heated, great for quiet solo stays.
- Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort (for a splurge): Glass igloos where you can watch the Aurora dance above you.
Vietnam – Grace in Chaos and Quiet Moments by the Lake
Average Temperature: 25°C–27°C ( 77°F–80.6°F )
My Experience:
One night, I was sipping egg coffee near Hoan Kiem Lake when an old man sat beside me and played the đàn tranh. No words, just notes. I closed my eyes and felt safe. The lanterns flickered on the lake, and the air smelled like roasted chestnuts. Scooters buzzed in the distance, but that music kept me grounded.
After he finished playing, he smiled, nodded, and walked away. No words were needed. That night, I felt held by a city that never stops but somehow makes room for stillness. Vietnam is one of the best places to solo travel in January because it offers grace in chaos, peace in motion.
Affordability:
$25–$40/day. Egg coffee, banh mi, motorbike rides through rice fields, all for the cost of a sandwich back home. You can live like royalty on a backpacker’s budget. Museums and temples cost cents, yet stay with you for years.
Where to Stay in Vietnam
- Hanoi: Stay at Nexy Hostel – clean, cozy, close to Hoan Kiem Lake.
- Hoi An: Tribee Bana – social vibe, free walking tours, near the old town.
- Da Nang: Rom Casa – a container-style hostel with a pool, beach nearby.
- Hue: Jade Hotel – budget-friendly, great staff, local breakfast included.
- Ho Chi Minh City: The Like Hostel & Café – peaceful rooftop, central location.
Morocco – Stars, Sand, and Firelight in the Desert
Average Temperature: 12°C–20°C (53°F–68°F)
My Experience:
I rode a camel into the Sahara, my eyes full of gold and silence. The wind brushed my face like an old lullaby. That night, we sat around a fire. The Berber guides sang songs I didn’t know, but somehow understood. The sky above held more stars than I’d ever seen.
No Wi-Fi. No noise. Just warmth, rhythm, and peace. Morocco is one of the best places to solo travel in January. It offers soft wildness, ancient kindness, and the kind of quiet that speaks to your soul.
Each morning, the desert light painted the dunes in soft pinks and oranges, like a daily miracle. I learned that solitude here isn’t loneliness, it’s a deep connection to the earth and yourself. Those moments in Morocco still echo in my heart whenever life feels too loud.
Affordability:
$35–$60/day. Tacos cost less than $1. Markets are full of color and fun. Homestays are cheap and serve warm, homemade food. Local buses cost little and show you real life. Mexico is one of the best places to solo travel in January because every peso gives you something special.
Where to Stay in Morocco
- Marrakech: Riad Dar Anika – cozy, central, traditional
- Merzouga: Desert camps – simple tents with warm blankets
- Fes: Riad Fes – quiet, authentic, great for solo travelers
- Essaouira: Hostel La Maison – friendly, relaxed, near the beach
Argentina – Where Nature Speaks Loud and the Heart Listens
Average Temperature: 22°C–30°C (71.6°F to 86.0°F)
My Experience:
In El Chaltén, I set out alone on a quiet hike. The air was crisp and clean. Suddenly, a glacier cracked and slid into a turquoise lake. I sat there for hours, feeling small and amazed. A fox appeared nearby. We looked at each other in silence. I whispered, “Thank you.”
The sun warmed my face as I walked along the trail. Birds sang softly in the trees. The mountains stood tall and proud all around me. That quiet moment made me feel alive and free.
Argentina is one of the best places to solo travel in January because nature speaks loudly, and your heart listens.
Affordability:
$40–$70/day. Wine, empanadas, and long-distance buses that glide past glaciers, cheap and comfy. I rode 12 hours for under $25. National parks are often free. Nature here gives everything and asks for nothing.
Where to Stay in Argentina
- El Chaltén: Cozy hostels like Rancho Grande Backpackers, friendly, affordable, and great views.
- Buenos Aires: Boutique hotels in Palermo, safe, lively neighborhoods with cafes and street art.
- Bariloche: Lakeside lodges, perfect for nature lovers and quiet mornings.
Why January Solo Travel Feels Different (and Better)
I’ve traveled in every season. Summer felt loud. Airports packed. Beaches crowded. Hostels are full of noise. But January? January feels like the world takes a deep breath. The best places to solo travel in January give you space. Empty alleys. Quiet cafés. Locals with time to talk. There’s no rush. No pressure to chase too much. Just slow mornings and soft skies.
In July, I sweat through sticky streets. I waited in lines and pushed through crowds. But in January, I wandered alone through snowy parks, hot cup in hand, heart wide open. The light hits differently, too. Softer. Kinder. Everything feels more honest.
I notice things in January that I miss in other months. The way steam rises off my tea. How strangers greet you with calm smiles. How silence doesn’t feel empty, it feels full.
January solo travel is not about escape. It’s about return. To yourself. To stillness. That’s why I keep going back. These are the best places to solo travel in January, not just for views, but for the peace that waits quietly inside them.
Packing Smart for January Solo Adventures – What I Actually Use
I used to pack everything “just in case.” That habit died somewhere between a flooded alley in Vietnam and a 15kg baggage fee in Mexico.
Here’s what I carry now when I explore the best places to solo travel in January:
✔️ A lightweight rain jacket (especially for tropical spots like Bali)
✔️ 1 pair of comfy sandals and 1 closed shoe, no more than that
✔️ Loose cotton dresses, leggings, and a wrap scarf (doubles as a blanket on cold buses)
✔️ A small daypack for local walks
✔️ Travel-size sunscreen, mosquito spray, and a tiny first-aid pouch
✔️ Power bank and universal plug, always
✔️ A journal, because January is when I dream big
Keep it light. You’ll thank yourself on every cobbled street, bumpy boat ride, or last-minute run to catch a sunrise bus.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way (So You Don’t Have To)
Safety isn’t about fear. It’s about feeling free, fully, completely, without holding back. And for me, that’s the soul of discovering the best places to solo travel in January.
These habits helped me feel safe from Japan to Argentina:
- I trust my gut. Every time. If a street feels wrong, I turn.
- I share my hostel location with a friend. Always.
- I use offline maps. No standing around looking lost.
- I booked my first night in advance. No wandering around with a backpack after dark.
- I never share all my plans with strangers, even kind ones.
- I stay in places with good solo female reviews. A warm welcome is part of the magic.
Finding the best places to solo travel in January isn’t just about views. It’s about feeling safe enough to let your heart open.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever doubted solo travel in January, this is your sign. The world doesn’t sleep after the holidays. It opens quietly. It welcomes you. These places aren’t just destinations. There are chances to surprise yourself. To heal. To grow.
January slows everything down. The crowds disappear. The noise fades. You get space to breathe. Space to think. Space to dream. And when you travel alone, you learn to listen to the world and to yourself.
When you travel solo, the world feels different. It feels full. It feels like home. Every step you take in these places builds your courage. Every smile from a stranger becomes a gift. Every quiet moment feels like a secret only you share.
Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Make this moment perfect. January is your blank page. Your fresh start. Your chance to write your own story. Your next adventure is waiting. Are you ready to go?
