8 things to cross off your solo travel bucket list

Watching the dancing northern lights that Iceland is so famous for feels like crossing a dream off your list in the most magical way possible—and that’s exactly what you’ll do on our Iceland for Solo Travelers: Reykjavik, Golden Circle & South Coast tour. There’s a special kind of quiet that settles in when you’re out in the dark, bundled against the cold, waiting as green and rose ribbons unfurl in the sky above. It’s the kind of experience that makes Iceland solo travel uniquely powerful—equal parts grounding and awe-inspiring. It’s also a moment you don’t have to share to feel connected; the stillness, the cold air, and the sudden burst of color create a kind of companionship with the landscape itself. When the lights appear, you realize you’re witnessing something fleeting and cosmic yet timeless and universal. It’s an experience that feels both deeply personal and bigger than anything you could have imagined.

Taking an Amsterdam canal cruise is easily one of the best things to do as a solo traveler in Amsterdam. From admiring the quiet ripple of the water to spotting flower bikes along the banks, it’s a slow, magical way to take in the city’s rhythm. Amsterdam solo travel always feels so natural—you never feel alone when the whole city unfolds around you.

Discover that solo-travel feeling for yourself on our Amsterdam, Bruges & Paris for Solo Travelers tour. You’ll board a boat with a group of fellow wide-eyed solo travelers and glide past colorful and quirky Dancing Houses, under the lantern-lit Magere Brug, and along the storied Jodenbuurt, or Jewish Quarter. It’s one of the top bucket list things to do in Amsterdam, according to our Amsterdam Travel Guide. After you disembark, rent a bike during free time and spend an afternoon exploring the city like a local. Or, join a group of newfound friends for a pint of Heineken and toast to a day that reminds you how good it feels to simply let the day unfurl before you.

Seeing the Eiffel Tower shimmer to life at night is one of the best things to do alone in Paris, especially when you’re living your Paris solo travel fantasy. As the lights burst into their hourly sparkle, you’ll feel utterly celebrated—like the city is putting on a show just for you. It’s the perfect treat-yourself moment in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Join our France for Solo Travelers: Paris, Provence & the Riviera tour to see the tower in all its glittering glory, then stroll down the Champ-de-Mars with a warm crepe in hand or linger along the Seine as the lights of Paris dance on the water.

“This was my first EF solo tour, and I could not have been more delighted,” said traveler Joanne. “Our tour guide, Jean, covered so many historical sites and beautiful architecture, and shared the beauty of their culture and the delicious food of France and neighboring countries. Yet we still had time to wander on our own. Our group was friendly and inclusive. Our driver, David, navigated us safely without incidents through the Alps and bustling city street situations. We were in good hands; the entire tour was beyond expectations.”

A Santorini sunset is one of those experiences that stays with you long after you’ve flown home. As the whitewashed villages glow gold and the caldera fills with color, you’ll understand why Greece solo travel is so transformative—the world feels wide, warm, and welcoming. Whether you’re perched on a taverna terrace in Oia or taking it in from the water on our Santorini Caldera Cruise & Dinner excursion, it’s easily one of the best Santorini views you can find.

You can soak in every dreamy minute on our Greek Islands for Solo Travelers: Crete & Santorini tour. “My first tour with EF Go Ahead was fantastic,” said traveler Cathy. “Our Tour Director, Aspasia, was a delight. Everything was so smooth. The hotels and included meals were better than expected. I am so glad to have seen Santorini. The catamaran sunset cruise was a lot of fun and, for me, a highlight was being able to swim in the Aegean Sea.” If you’re looking for more soul-soothing things to do, check out our Solo Traveler’s Guide to Greece.

Visiting the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is a rite of passage during Ireland solo travel, especially when you cap off your tour with a perfectly poured pint in the Gravity Bar overlooking the city. Plus, according to our Solo Traveler’s Guide to Ireland, heading to the pub is practically a must in Dublin solo travel—it’s where the stories (and the friendships) blossom.

Some of the best solo travel moments are the ones where you unexpectedly find yourself surrounded by new friends. “I had always wanted to return to Ireland since going as a child with my parents, siblings, and grandparents,” said traveler Karen after joining our Ireland for Solo Travelers tour. “I couldn’t find anyone who wanted to go to Ireland at the time, so I chose the solo trip option and could not have been more pleased with the tour. Our Tour Director, Sorcha, was amazing! She sang Irish songs to us on the bus and was just perfect for the task. She took really good care of all the details and us. We had a lot of laughs and made some new friends. Some of us have planned another EF trip together for the spring.”

The glowing Thailand night markets are an open invitation to try something new, so roam at your own pace and follow whatever aroma pulls you in next. From skewers grilled over open flames to bowls of noodles tossed fresh to order to the must-try mango sticky rice Thailand is famous for, local markets are a delicious entry point into solo dining abroad.

Getting the chance to dig into the experience is one of the reasons why every solo traveler should visit Thailand. Every stall feels like an invitation to taste something exciting, chat with the locals, or simply savor the moment. “I fell in love with this country,” said traveler Pamela after visiting on our Thailand for Solo Travelers: Bangkok, Phuket & the Islands tour. “The beauty, the warmth of the people, the history, and the incredible food will forever be etched in my mind. This was a trip of a lifetime!”

There’s magic in choosing an adventure that makes your heart race, and a Tarcoles River crocodile tour is one of the most unforgettable wildlife tours Costa Rica has to offer. As your boat glides through dense mangrove tunnels and sunlit stretches of jungle on our Costa Rica for Solo Travelers: Volcanoes, Jungles & Beaches tour, you’ll spot enormous American crocodiles drifting just below the surface, iguanas sunning on the banks, and flashes of scarlet macaws cutting through the treetops. You’ll have a front-row seat to Costa Rica’s precious and extraordinary biodiversity, and later, you’ll have the opportunity to help protect that ecosystem by planting mangrove trees as part of a local reforestation project. It’s one of our favorite ways to discover pura vida on a Costa Rica solo tour.