15 of the best holidays for singles

There is a real beauty in travelling to a holiday destination as a solo passenger. For some, it’s a preference in order to experience an uncompromisingly indulgent holiday. For others, being without a travel companion is not a choice, but as many discover, there are many new like-minded friends to be made.

Whatever your reason for going solo, our singles holidays have been lovingly put together to welcome the independent traveller and, where possible, avoid unfair penalties like single supplements. In fact, we take care of all the holiday details, leaving you free to simply decide on one thing – where to go!

If you’re struggling to decide on a destination for your forthcoming holiday, our top picks for solo travellers should give you a good steer.

Greece blends ancient history with the inviting Mediterranean reputation for beautiful beaches, warm waters and friendly locals, and the Greek islands are some of the most spectacularly beautiful islands in the world.

From Mykonos to Santorini, Crete to Naxos, Greece has always been a top choice amongst single travellers, and island-hopping in the Aegean offers some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet. They all boast stunning beaches, turquoise waters and ancient historical sites, yet individually they each offer something different.

Travel between each island is short, which means you can maximise your time on land, soaking up the Greek culture and meeting the locals – some of the most welcoming people on the planet.

With so much to see, it's unlikely you'll ever get bored.

If you're looking for a relaxing holiday but the thought of a hotel stay in a typically romantic destination makes you think of evenings playing gooseberry, avoid destinations like Mauritius and the Seychelles, which are popular for lovebirds. Perhaps consider a dedicated solo departure date on one of our hotel stays. A hotel host will welcome you to your destination and ensure you have a great time, and you’ll have the opportunity to mingle with other guests at a welcome drink reception and included excursions.

Some passengers travel solo to meet likeminded people over a shared interest. Not only do special interest holidays present an opportunity to form new companionships, they allow you to potentially learn new skills or experience new things.

Spain is known for its beautiful beaches and weather, but why not combine a relaxing beach holiday with a trip to watch colourful migrating birds at a luxury hotel in the Costa de la Luz? Your evenings can be spent strolling the plazas and narrow lanes of the old town, and if your appetite for wildlife is whetted the Donana National Park is just an hour away.

Whether you’re into music, archaeology, walking or gardens, come back feeling enriched by a holiday that really appeals to your individual taste. All of our special interest holidays include solo capacity.

Toy train from Shimla to Kalka

Step aboard and explore northern India by train for a memorable holiday filled with incredible sights.

Discover India’s ‘Golden Triangle’ comprising three of the most vibrant cities of north-west India – Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, capital of the ancient state of Rajasthan. Head north to Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Shimla in the Himalayan foothills with its colonial British connections.

During a holiday in the company of other solo travellers you’ll marvel at the Taj Mahal, visit the famous Golden Temple, watch for tigers in Ranthambore National Park and travel by steam train on one of India’s UNESCO World Heritage Mountain Railways.

Experience one of the most diverse eco systems in the world with a trip to Borneo, where you can cruise along tropical rivers for the chance to spot characterful orangutans and other animals. Plus, visit organic tea plantations, visit hot springs or go scuba diving in the beautifully warm seas around Manukan Island.

Elephant in South Africa

Discover the diverse landscapes and cultures of South Africa in the company of other solo travellers and the 'big five'.

We keep our groups small, so when you are out in the game reserves you can interact with our expert guides who can take you right into the heart of habitats that are home to some of the most famous big cats and other wildlife species too, including honey badgers and warthogs. Whether you're interested in seeing conservation in action or want to unwind at a spa, a South African holiday has it all.

Exotic cities full of historic sites, gleaming turquoise domes and bursting with a rich cultural legacy await on a trip to Uzbekistan, right at the heart of the Great Silk Road across central Asia. Explore Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent for a unique and memorable holiday experience.

Petra

Jordan is steeped in history and a trip to explore ancient Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is surely one for the bucket list. Take in the desert castles, tombs and stunning landscapes, or float dreamily on the salty waters of the Dead Sea. Enjoy lunch in the stunning Wadi Rum Protected Area, filming location for Lawrence of Arabia, or visit Bethany, described in the New Testament as the site where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist.

Croatia is well worth a visit for its stunning natural beauty and diverse landscapes. It packs dramatic mountains, green forests, crystal clear lakes and a rugged coastline into one small country, meaning you won’t be short of things to see.

It’s still a relatively young tourist destination – affordable to visit and not yet spoilt by tourism. It makes for a perfect, serene place to visit as a single traveller.

This peaceful nation is nestled in and around the magical cloud forests. In Costa Rica you can see multi-coloured toucans, the languorous sloth, noisy mantled howler monkeys, or try to spot the elusive jaguar. Between your trips to the rainforest, you can while away the days by the beach, where warm waters welcome all sorts of beautiful underwater wildlife.

It may be on the other side of the world, but Australia has long-been a popular destination for the solo traveller. From lonesome backpacking missions, to organised package tours, Australia is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that many travellers like to tick off their list.

Kyoto

Japan is worthy of a visit for its unique culture, its city lights and its delicious cuisine. Outside of the cities, rural Japan is a quite the contrast, with charming villages and luscious green mountains. Many people visit Japan to see the infamous cherry-blossom, which is in bloom during the spring. They even have a cherry blossom festival in celebration.

Our Essence of Japan tour is available with a dedicated solo departure. Attend a traditional tea ceremony and explore the country's historic temples, serene gardens and modern cities.

Spend your days sailing through some of the prettiest stretches of the Rhine, its banks cloaked in a patchwork of vineyards - all in the company of other solo travellers and a dedicated solos host. As with all Saga's solo river cruises, you can look forward to a solos cocktail party and travelling group. If you’re looking for romance, there is hardly a better place to find it than on one of our cruise ships, where we make our evenings as inclusive as possible for singles.

Are you looking for a unique way to celebrate the festive period? Why not do something different and make Christmas a holiday to remember? Whether you want to immerse yourself in all of the festive fun, or simply get away from it all for a bit, there are a number of great festive destinations that can make for a brilliant experience for solo travellers.

If you fancy a bit of sun during the festive period, then the Canary Islands could be a great destination for you. With endless stretches of beaches to explore, you could spend your Christmas day sunbathing - with temperatures hitting the mid twenties even in December. If you’re travelling solo and looking for the ultimate relaxing trip where you can fully embrace that quality ‘me time’, then this is the destination for you.

If you'd prefer to spend your Christmas by the fire with a glass of mulled wine then Italy's Dolomites Mountains are the perfect spot for winter wine tasting, festive markets and a gorgeous backdrop of snowy mountains and scenic lakes.

A visit to Malta is like stepping back in time. The island's strategic location in the middle of the Mediterranean has resulted in a fascinating history. Explore the megalithic temple complex of Hagar Qim, the country's ancient former capital Mdina, and the 16th century current capital Valletta, a small city known for its dense concentration of Baroque architecture. Our tours also include a full day excursion to Gozo, Malta's smaller sister island known for its quiet lifstyle and beautiful coastline.

Saga Travel's holidays for solo over 50s travellers are created to make going away easy, inexpensive and fun, whether you want to cruise the great waters of the world or stay in a luxurious island hotel for a couple of weeks.

We can even pick you up from home before dropping you off at the airport and collect you upon your return with our nationwide return shared chauffeur service.