What are the Top 10 Best Countries to Travel Alone - Solo Travel Rankings

When it comes to traveling alone, European Pacific countries are often seen to have some of the best countries for solo travelers. Perhaps this is no surprise as many travelers are only just beginning to discover Africa due to the often bad press that it gets. People are often afraid of the unknown. One of the biggest considerations, of course, is safety.

But more and more people are ditching group travel and sometimes even family adventures to travel the world on their own. In fact according to a recent study, the number of people traveling alone has recently more than doubled.

With a popualtion of around 70 million people, Thailand which translates to “land of the free,” is the Southeast Asian country that's known for tropical beaches, ancient ruins, opulent royal palaces and ornate temples displaying figures of Buddha.

According to lonely planet Thailand is generally a safe country to visit, but it's always a good idea to exercise caution, particularly when it comes to dealing with strangers (both local and foreigners) especially when you are travelling alone. Assault of foreign travellers is relatively rare in Thailand, but it does happen. The best time to visit is during the cool and dry season between November and early April but you can visit all year round.

With a population of just under 9 million, Switzerland is one of the world’s wealthiest countries, and has been well-known for centuries for its neutrality. It is a very mountainous European country, it has many lakes, villages and the high peaks of the Alps.

There are many cities that contain medieval quarters, and some of the major landmarks include Lucerne’s wooden chapel bridge and capital Bern’s Zytglogge clock tower. Switzerland is also very famous for its ski resorts and hiking trails. But many people around the world know it for it's Banking and finance, Swiss watches and chocolate. If you love beautiful alpine scenery then Switzerland is definitely worth a visit. The best time to visit Switzerland is between April and June, and between September to October, when the weather is at best, and there aren't too many tourists.

Netherlands has a population of just over 17 million and is situated along the fringes of Western Europe. It is perhaps best known for it's flat landscape of canals, windmills, tulip fields and cycling routes. The Netherlands is a very safe country to travel to but be careful in larger cities such as Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam where there can be is higher risk encountering pickpockets and other forms of petty crime such as bicycle theft and bag snatching.

The best time to visit is from mid April to mid October. July and August are the peak months for tourist and visitors both local and foreign.

Brazil has a massive 210 million people and Occupies half of South America’s land mass. It is one of the world’s top tourist destinations but is still struggling with issues of poverty, inequality, governance and the environment. It is however the world's fifth-largest country by area and the fifth most populous and is also the largest country in both South America and Latin America. General it is relatively safe for visitors and tourists but still but as with many countries there are always reports of non-violent pick-pocketing or muggings.

The best time to visit Rio and many other cities in Brazil is between December and March, when the weather is warm and sunny enough for travelers to go to the beaches. The country's famous samba music and incredible panoramic views last the whole year-round, but plan to arrive in February if you want to experience Carnival.

Portugal has a population of just over 10 million people and it's a southern European country on the Iberian Peninsula that shares a border with Spain. The Algarve's beaches are a major destination and and attraction for tourists and it has a lot of architecture dating back to the 1500s–1800s, when it had a powerful maritime empire.

The summer months are the height of tourist season and this is usually the time when most hotels and flights are very expensive. For solo travelers Portugal is quite a safe place to visit and although there is a risk of some petty crime (such as pick-pocketing), the general rates of violence and terrorism are lower than in many other European countries. The best time to visit Lisbon is usually from March to May and from September to October.

With a population of 25 million people the Commonwealth of Australia occupies the Australian continent. It is the largest country in Oceania and the world's sixth-largest country by total area. If you are travelling alone you'll be pleased to know that it is a quite a safe country, with crime levels as low as those of some Northern European countries.

The major threats are often from the inhospitable nature such as dangerous flora and fauna, reptiles and natural disasters. Australia is very famous for its natural wonders and wide open spaces, open deserts, “the bush”, its beautiful beaches and “the Outback.” There are also a lot of attractions in the large cities in Australia like Sydney, Brisbane Perth and Melbourne.

With a population of 5 million people New Zealand is a sovereign island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean with a total land area of 268,000 square kilometers. It is very famous for its national rugby team, its picturesque landscape and its indigenous Maori culture. New Zealand is quite a very safe country to visit as a solo traveler. But, theft from tourists can be a very common occurrence with most of the thefts reported being from break-ins of parked vehicles.

The months of December, January and February are probably the busiest time of year for solo and other tourists visiting New Zealand. To ensure you get your first choice of accommodation and rental car you will need to book your holiday well in advance.

With a population of 11 million people, Greece is a southeastern European country with thousands of islands throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas. It is famous for its history and civilization. The 5th-century B.C. Acropolis citadel with the Parthenon temple and the beaches from the black sands of Santorini to the party resorts of Mykonos are very popular with visitors.

You can travel around Greece as a solo traveler for a fraction of the price you can in other European countries. It is a relatively safe country to visit and tourists are unlikely to experience any crime or violence apart from the occasional petty crimes on the streets. The cheapest months to travel to Greece are September and October, followed by November.

Italy is a south-central European country with a population of 61 million people and is home to Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest and most active volcano, and it also houses two countries within its borders – San Marino and the famous Vatican. It receives more than 40 million tourists each year and some of these visitors are travelling own their own.

As with many European countries, Italy is a safe country to visit and travel. Violent crime is very rarely reported and tourists are not likely to have any incidents involving anything more than petty crime. But it's always advisable to be careful.

With a population of 47 million, Spain comprises much of the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with Portugal and also includes the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and two enclaves in North Africa.

Spain is a very well connected country so it is excellent if you are travelling alone. It is generally quite safe but all travelers should be vigilant about their surroundings to avoid becoming victims of a petty street crime. The best time to visit Spain is typically in the spring (March to May) or during the fall (September to November) when you are likely find fewer tourist crowds, cheaper accommodation and the best weather.