18 Female Friendly Places in India for Solo Women Travellers

"It is too dangerous for a woman to travel alone in India"

1. Goa

As per the report released by Plan India and Child and Women development ministry, the safest state to travel as a woman in India is Goa. Goa is your must-visit place for its off-beat options where you can explore the unexplored beaches, try water sports to challenge you, the happening flea markets, off-beat treks, cruise, and casinos. You just can’t get any better than this place. So simply pack your bags and head to the ultimate party destination of India. It's one of the best tourist places in India - you just can't miss out on.

2. Ladakh

Despite suffering exploitation at the hands of commercialization, the well-kept graciousness of Ladakh maintains through. Be ready to develop an unbreakable bond with this stupendous place. A cold barren desert where you can hear the hills calling. Ladakh unveils its alluring facets as you decide to delve deeper. A perfect holiday destination that provides an escape from the heat. From contrasting landscapes of white sand dunes and green valleys to high mountain passes and centuries-old Buddhist monasteries, Shanti Stupa to Khardung-La (highest motor-able pass in the world), azure lakes to river valleys Ladakh has many stupendous marvels to offers - Your trip is incomplete without these best places to visit in Leh Ladakh.

3. Shillong

The "Scotland of the East" holds in it a priceless experience for any willing traveler. Located in the north-east, this is an arguably the best option for the females where they can explore the shimmering lakes, lush hills with pine trees, mystical waterfalls and adventure activities making Shillong a major tourist attraction. As an added advantage, Shillong is the only hill station in India that is accessible from all sides.

4. Gangtok

One of the most visited travel destinations in India, Gangtok, an urban settlement and capital city of Sikkim, is another safest destination for the females in a solo trip. With adventure activities, leisure activities, and monasteries, Gangtok has every reason to be your perfect solo getaway. The main attractions here are Nathu La, Hanuman Tok, Rumtek Monastery, Khecheopalri Lake, and Phodong Monastery - don't miss out on them.

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5. Hampi

Hampi will simply change your mindset about India, as this small village destination has so much to impart to its urban counterparts! Hospitable, friendly and culturally wealthy people are what you are likely to encounter here. The ancient ruins of Vijayanagar hold a million narratives in its stones and are best discovered in tranquility. If you've got the backpacker soul in you, you are surely going to love this place as it offers cheap accommodation, gives you the chance to meet new people from different countries and makes you feel free. For your knowledge, Hampi was the largest and the richest human settlement during its prime time. If you crave to visit and explore ancient architecture based places - Hampi is the place to go! One just cannot miss out on the famous stone chariot of the town Hampi. The chariot is really a holy place devoted to Garuda, worked inside the Vittala Temple Complex. The enormous model of Garuda, Lord Vishnu's escort used to be situated on the chariot however it is vacant at the present date.

6. Nainital

Located in the valleys of Uttarakhand, Nainital is truly a dreamland on earth. Nainital put its beauty in front of you and places like Cave Garden, Trekking on China Peak, Snow view, Ropeway, Tiffin top, Himalayan Darshan, Lover’s point, Bhimtal, Mall Road, Boat House Club, Boating in Naini Lake, Corbett National Park. Locals here are known for giving warm welcomes and greet you with a smile. It makes the town one of the safest places in India to travel for women.

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7. Lahaul And Spiti

This Himalayan desert is better known for its enchanting mountains, breathtaking views, fascinating fairy-tales and is home to some of the warmest people in the country. As an added advantage, this place is extremely safe because of its attractive and safe lodging facilities, which indeed is one of the most important aspects for women travelers.

8. Udaipur

The royalty of Udaipur oozes out of its architecture and people, as they religiously follow the commandment of "Atithi Devo Bhava". If you have got the love for culture, then Udaipur is probably the best place that you need to explore alone.

9.  Varanasi

Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together. Being the oldest inhabited city in India, it is impossible to not be enchanted by the spiritual vibrancy and order-in-chaos of Varanasi. Varanasi is an off-beat place to explore if you are into spirituality. 

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10. Munnar

A lush green paradise dotted with spice plantations, sprawling tea gardens and an endless treat of breath-taking waterfalls and lakes. Yes! such a fairytale place exists on this planet in the name of Munnar. Spend a lovely night at a hill cottage facing the mist-laden hills, wake-up to the chirping birds and walk through the clouds when you are at this astonishing hill station of Kerala. 

11. Pondicherry

Pondicherry is one of those places that will satiate your wanderlust in the same way Goa does. We just can't deny how Pondicherry has actually become the new Goa for travelers and has so much more to it which is yet to be explored. What are you waiting? Ditch your usual Goa scenes and discover this new city for the love of waves and sand. Talking about beaches - don't forget to visit Auroville Beach, Promenade and Paradise beach whereas other tourist attractions which include Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Vedapureeswarar Temple, Goubert Market and White Town.

12. Sikkim

Indulge in an overwhelming experience of trekking through bounteous routes of Sikkim. Adventure fanatics will definitely fall in love with this place as it has snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes and splendid scenic trails worth a ton of admiration. Sikkim has it all covered for you so get ready to enjoy some magical panoramic view and an environment filled with exotic flora and fauna. Gurudongmar Lake is one of the highest lakes in the world and in India, located at an altitude of 17,800 ft, in the Indian state of Sikkim. It is considered sacred by Buddhists, Sikhs, and Hindus and is no less than the glaciers in Iceland in terms of its beauty. Now that adventure sports are banned in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand but the Hon'ble Supreme Court Of India, the list certainly should be modified accordingly. So, this time around when you need to go rafting, explore the untouched beauties of Sikkim because this is definitely one thing to do in India while you are still single. Enjoy rafting on the wild rivers of Teesta and Rangeet, go trekking on the Dzongri path and be surrounded with rich fauna and flora at over 4200 meters in height.

13. Kasol

Spread along the Parvati river, Kasol is the place for all college goers and people in their twenties. It’s a small yet quirky town, infested with bakeries, reggae bars and affordable guest-houses that cater to a huge population of not only Indians but Israeli community as well. Picturesque spots around this surreal town have some delightful tourist destinations like Kullu, Parvati River, Malana Village, Kheer Ganga Peak, Bhuntar Town, Manali and these are considered as the best tourist places in India. Kasol makes for the best holiday spot away from the urban madness. It is the ideal summer getaway as the weather here is always pleasant. You can also explore nearby gems of the Parvati valley like Tosh, Manikaran, and Kheerganga.

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14. Kovalam

Kovalam is a coastal town in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Palm-backed beaches also include Hawa Beach and Samudra Beach which will leave you awestruck. In the south region, Vizhinjam Juma Masjid mosque will amaze you with it's history and architecture. Inland, Sagarika Marine Research Aquarium displays technology used in pearl production. Kovalam situated in the heart of Kerala which is about 16km away from the popular major city of Thiruvananthapuram. If you're a water baby then you've got to try scuba diving here as well The marine fauna includes - pufferfish, groupers, boxfish, sergeants, pipefish and butterfly fish. The best party about this diving site is it has calm waters which makes it a more approachable site for Scuba Diving for tourists. Kovalam are a lot more to offer - what are you waiting for?

15. Mysore

South India is popularly famous for being a safer region for solo-women travelers in India. Mysore is one of the safest destinations in South India and we just can't deny. This city of palaces has a lot for you to explore such as Devraj market, Chamundi Hills, Rangacharlu, Mysore Zoo and Sri Chamundeswari temple. This place is also a hub to the best sandalwood and silk to delight you while having a gala shopping time.

16. Shimla

The queen of hills is definitely one of the safest destinations in India for women travel as several tourists flock to this beautiful hill stations and are treated warmly by the localities too. It offers a lot of safe lodging facilities which makes it a safer place for women travellers. Don't forget to explore the mall road, the ridge, Jakhu Temple and the famous "Christ Church" in Shimla for an unforgettable experience.

17. Rishikesh

If you are one of those who loves exploring places with a mountainous backdrop, then Rishikesh is the place to be. There are numerous super-fun things to do in Rishikesh, taking from Bungee Jumping to Cliff Jumping and Valley crossing to Kayaking, and more Rishikesh is endowed with every adventurous activity where you can indulge yourself exploring the hidden dimensions of the mother nature and take a break from boring city life. Also, don't forget to visit -  Swarg Niwas Temple, Shri Trayanbakshwar Temple, Lakshman Jhula and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram.

18. Manali

Just like most of the hill stations, Manali is also a favorite of solo women travelers. If you are an adventure junkie then his is just the right place for you as it offers adventure sports like Skiing and Trekking. The major attractions in Manali are Beas River, Hampta Pass, Raghunath Temple, Hidimba Devi Temple and Jogini Waterfall to leave you awestruck. We promise a worthwhile experience which offers some mesmerizing scenic views.

Tips For Solo Travelers:

1. Download a Flashlight App.

2. Buy a Local Sim Card.

3. Use Recommended Drivers.

4. Pre-load Contact Numbers.

5. Arrange Transfer in Advance.

6. Talk to Hotel Staff For The Latest Intel on The City.

7. Don't Feel Compelled to Respond to Every Person Who Says Hello.

8. Research Your Destination Before You Go.

9. Slip On a Pair of Sunglasses or a Scarf to Deflect Unwanted Attention. 

10. Don't Carry Your Crucial Documents and Precious Jewellery. 

Once you're done picking up a destination, do go through our Solo Trip Guide - Taking A Solo Trip? 10 Tips And Things To Keep In Mind While Packing Your Bags 

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FAQ

Q: What are must-have travel essentials for a solo traveler?

A: Sleeping Bag, Personal Documents, Portable Charger, Reusable Water Bottle, Umbrella, Power Adapter, Notebook, Torch, Tiny packet of snacks, First Aid Kit.

Q: Which are the most essentials travel apps within India?

A: Uber And Ola - For Transport, Google Maps - Routes