Thinking of taking a solocation? Here's why Dubai, Poland, Spain may be just right
Supplied
More and more people are taking up opportunities to travel alone.
InsureMyTrip conducted a study across 62 cities based on female safety and tourism metrics to create a list of the best cities for solo female travellers.
Dubai in the United Arab Emirates came up tops for safety, with an overall score of 7.71 - 83% of women reporting feeling safe walking alone at night
Solo travel is on the rise, but for female travellers it is safety concerns - more than money or geography - that often stop them in their tracks.
InsureMyTrip conducted a study across 62 cities based on female safety and tourism metrics to create a list of the best cities for solo female travellers.
Travel trends have changed to reflect that the safest places to travel to alone are not always the Nordic countries. Due to their reputation of being small and often equal-gender societies, there was a belief among travellers that they were safer vacation spots for solo travellers. However, that has changed.
Dubai in the United Arab Emirates came up tops for safety, with an overall score of 7.71 - 83% of women reporting feeling safe walking alone at night.
Dubbed the city that never sleeps, it has establishments closing late in the evening, surveillance in public spaces, night tours of the city, late-night restaurant dining, and shopping at various boutiques and malls.
This setup is perfect for solo travellers who love leisurely exploring the city.
READ | The world's safest country for women travelling alone is not a Nordic country
And if you aren't too concerned about safety and you were already looking to chase the summer as South Africa gets colder, here are six good reasons why you should consider Dubai:
1. Perfect winter weather
Trade icy mornings for balmy days bathed in sunshine. Dubai's winter climate is idyllic, averaging a pleasant 25°C, perfect for exploring the city from the early morning to the late evening.
2. Thrilling theme parks
Thrill-seekers unite at IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world's largest indoor theme park, or Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis, The Palm. Little ones will be mesmerised by KidZania, a miniature city where children can role-play their dream jobs.
3. Desert adventures
Escape the urban bustle with a desert safari. Families can experience dune bashing and sandboarding, followed by a traditional Bedouin dinner under the stars. This immersive experience offers a glimpse into the region's rich cultural heritage.
4. Underwater wonders
The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, in the Dubai Mall, is home to thousands of marine animals. Walk through the underwater tunnel and marvel at sharks, rays, and penguins - witness the ocean's wonders up close.
5. Cultural immersion
Dubai is more than a modern metropolis; it's a city steeped in history and tradition. Explore the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and traditional wind-tower architecture. Visit the Dubai Museum in the Al Fahidi Fort for insights into the city's past.
6. Family friendly convenience
Dubai's commitment to luxury extends to its family-friendly accommodations. The city boasts many hotels and resorts catering to families, offering spacious rooms, kids' clubs, and dedicated family pools.
Many hotels also offer all-inclusive packages, making it easier to budget for your trip. Consider purchasing a Dubai Pass, which provides access to multiple attractions at a discounted rate. Look for hotels that offer free breakfast or complimentary access to kids' clubs.
READ | Best destinations for solo women travellers - SA ranks in the top 20
Other countries that made the top 10 cities for solo female travellers, with their overall scores, are as follows:
Dubai, UAE - 7.71
Krakow, Poland - 7.18
Madrid, Spain - 7.14
Munich, Germany - 6.89
Chiang Mai, Thailand - 6.84
Lisbon, Portugal - 6.61
Prague, Czechia - 6.50
Vienna, Austria - 6.47
Singapore - 6.43
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Upcoming Rams mini-camp hopes to give Hawaii tourism much-needed summer boost
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Many are excited and ready for the NFL's Los Angeles Rams to host their summer mini-camp in Wailuku next week. Officials hope this showcases how these partnerships can give a much-needed boost to our tourism industry. The Yaroshuk family hasn't been to Hawaii in 18 years. So they're soaking up every minute they can. The Los Angeles Rams are heading to Maui next summer 'Just a nice getaway,' said Lina Yaroshuk, a visitor from Toronto. 'Just 10 days away from the usual you know, people wanna go somewhere on holidays where they can just relax, do some hiking, you know visit some areas you haven't seen in a while.' They're not the only ones returning to the islands this summer. The Los Angeles Rams are ready for their Maui mini-camp next week. 'Let's not kid ourselves, we're not getting anything football wise done, but it'll be a cool trip to be able to connect, so we'll enjoy it and look forward to it next week,' said Sean Mcvay, Los Angeles Rams head coach.'Every time we have something big come to the state, whether it's a training camp for a football or a concert, revenue generally rises because many people from around the country fly over,' said Rep. Adrian Tam, House Tourism Committee chair. The timing couldn't be better. Even though the state says visitors numbers are up so far this year compared to last year, they're expecting a modest slowdown during summer. According to a statement from Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Director James Tokioka, caused by political and economic uncertainties both nationally and internationally. 'I don't understand, Just have a look around, everybody could enjoy yourself for sure,' Yaroshuk said. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Officials say if we want our tourism industry to not only survive, but thrive, we need to offer more. 'Beaches and our natural environment is a huge factor, 100-percent, it's our branding,' Tam said. 'But we have to give them more than just our beaches and our natural environment. We have to think outside the box and we have to look into concerts, sporting events, and conferences.' So people like the Yaroshuks won't wait another 18 years to come back. 'You know what I've got a few more days, I'm looking forward to renting a car and going further up north, just exploring more of what the island has to offer,' Yaroshuk said. 'But so far, no disappointments, I'll be back.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Idaho Springs gondola project underway, expected to open March 2026
IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. (KDVR) — Mountain towns along the Interstate 70 corridor are bustling this week thanks to consistently hot weather. Big projects are underway to draw even more tourists, including a $71 million gondola and mountain top development in Idaho Springs. The Mighty Argo Cable Car will travel 1.2 miles from the Argo Gold Mine and Mill to the top of the mountain, where an event center, bars and restaurants will provide views of the Continental Divide. You could soon see a Colorado gold mine from the sky in Idaho Springs FOX31 spoke with tourists who say they look forward to enjoying the new features in a town they have come to love. 'We have nothing like this where we're from,' said one visitor. Construction is underway and Black Hawk helicopters will bring in towers in the coming weeks. Seventy-five percent of Clear Creek County is made up of public lands. More than 300,000 people head to the high country to hike the highest peaks in the summer, but bad weather can drown out profits for small businesses, which lost 40% of their revenues during several days of heavy rainfall in May. Tommyknockers restaurant owner and gondola project investor Steve Indrehus tells FOX31 the boost in tourism will improve tax revenues, which support the town. 'It is everything from our police force to the potholes and with recent developments with things in the community, like the Anderson mine dropping off a little bit, they were a big supporter of the community with taxes. I believe that the gondola project will pick up the beat there,' Indrehus said. The project will also include the Virginia Canyon Mountain Bike Trail System, which is already receiving international recognition. Construction should be completed in March of 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Skift
10 hours ago
- Skift
Flyadeal CEO on Its Unconventional Playbook for Scaling the Saudi Airline
Saudi Arabia's Flyadeal is surely rewriting the low-cost rulebook. From widebody orders to a rare partnership with Cebu Pacific, this domestic darling is now eyeing global scale, all without losing sight of its lean, point-to-point roots. Flyadeal, the budget subsidiary of Saudi Arabian national carrier Saudia, is keen to reshape what it means to be an LCC in the Middle East. By 2030, flyadeal plans to triple its fleet size to over 100 aircraft and also increase its network three-fold to more than 100 destinations. Two weeks ago, Flyadeal and Cebu Pacific signed a deal to wet-lease two Cebu Pacific A320s for Saudi Arabia's busy summer season. In return, Cebu Pacific may take Flyadeal A320s for Southeast Asia's winter peak. This kind of reciprocal wet-leasing arrangement is rare in low-cost aviation. CEO Steven Greenway references the Sunwing-TUI model from Canada and Europe as a blueprint: 'They were one of the very few to do it… So that's the model I sort of see as my Northern Light.' The Flyadeal-Cebu Pacific partnership also opens doors to collaboration in maintenance, engineering, and training. But for now, both carriers are focused on executing the summer operation successfully before expanding the scope. 'I'd love to have 10 aircraft of Cebu Pacific in my fleet by next year,' said Greenway. Flyadeal CEO Steven Greenway. Widebody Order and Long-Haul Ambitions Flyadeal's decision to order 10 Airbus A330neo widebodies, with 10 more on option, is a clear signal that it's ready to compete on longer routes. The airline has already been operating wet-leased widebodies on routes from Europe to Africa and Asia, which has helped it prepare operationally. 'We understand the economics, we understand the operation… if it's our own aircraft, our profitability margins will be far, far superior,' said Greenway. The new aircraft will carry 420-440 passengers each, with a focus on volume-driven markets such as pilgrim traffic and labor flows into Saudi Arabia. Greenway also stressed crew and fleet commonality to keep training and operational costs low: 'Our Airbus aircraft are the same… we can get a pilot on a 320 and move over to a 330 with 10 days training.' The long-haul plan aligns closely with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. While Greenway is careful to note there's no formal government directive for flyadeal, he says the environment is supportive: 'It's more like a carrot approach — how can we help you, how can we build this together?' Flyadeal to Commence Flights to Syria One of flyadeal's boldest steps this year could be its planned entry into Syria, with flights potentially launching as soon as July. As diplomatic and trade barriers begin to ease, the airline is positioning this move as both a humanitarian response and a smart business decision. 'There are 2 million Syrians, who haven't been able to go home because of the war, and that's unacceptable,' said Greenway. 'We want to be part of the reconstruction effort for Syria. If we don't start going in, someone else will.' Most international carriers pulled out of Syria during the civil war, which began in 2012. Before the conflict, more than a dozen global airlines flew to Damascus. But that changed with years of unrest and sanctions. Last month, the U.S. government relaxed sanctions on Syria following President Donald Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia. Qatar Airways resumed flights to Damascus earlier this year. Turkish Airlines followed shortly after, and Emirates plans to restart service from mid-July. With its large domestic network and narrowbody fleet, flyadeal sees an opening. According to Greenway, Flyadeal's A320s can directly connect Saudi Arabia with secondary Syrian cities that larger carriers often overlook. 'One way of rebuilding the country, at least part of it, is providing connectivity into the country,' Greenway said. How Flyadeal Is Building for Scale While flyadeal is growing fast, it's doing so with discipline, according to its CEO. 'Our fleet only grew 19% yet our number of flights on a daily basis grew 54%,' Greenway explained. 'We're squeezing more out of our assets every day. Utilization is going up. Unit cost is going down.' That efficiency is driven by investments in back-end systems, from crew rostering to enterprise resource planning, geared to support long-haul operations and future growth. Flyadeal's ambition isn't to become a legacy-style global carrier, but rather a regional carrier that extends its reach through targeted international connections. 'We'll still be the point-to-point for a lot of stuff, particularly domestically,' said Greenway. 'But internationally, a lot of it will be connecting — either onto us or onto Saudia (the parent airline).' That means more secondary city routes, more synergy with Saudia's hubs, and using long-haul aircraft not just for tourism, but also for vital connectivity across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Flyadeal CEO Steven Greenway at Skift Global Forum East 2024
