Greece Chosen as Top Destination for Solo Travelers in 2024

Paros, Greece.

Greece ranks among the top destinations for solo travelers, according to the 2024 State of Solo Travel Report by Hostelworld, an online travel agent.

Hostelworld has released its new annual report that details emerging trends for the segment, with data sourced from over four million annual trips conducted by solo travelers via the company’s booking platform in H2 2023 and H1 2024. All other information was sourced from a poll of 5,231 travelers conducted in May and June 2024, of whom 3,428 were solo travelers.

When asked about the top destination on their bucket list, 10.6 percent of solo travelers named Greece as a must-visit country, placing it in seventh place, followed by Vietnam (8th), Spain (9th), and Brazil (10th).

Photo source: Hostelworld

Japan was the overwhelming favorite, with nearly one in four (23.3 percent) solo travelers naming the Land of the Rising Sun as their top destination. Australia ranked second with 14 percent, followed by New Zealand (3rd), Italy (4th), and Thailand (5th).

The report highlighted Iceland (6th) as a surprise choice, with over one in ten solo travelers (11.2 percent) selecting it as their travel destination. As a result, it became the second most popular European bucket list destination, after Italy.

Key motivations and safety concerns

Photo source: Hostelworld

Key motivations for solo travel include the desire for independence and freedom, cited by 75 percent of respondents, and the drive to connect with other cultures and people, which motivates 45 percent. Additionally, 35 percent travel solo due to the unavailability of companions.

Despite the appeal of solo travel, it comes with challenges, particularly safety concerns, which are significant for 41 percent of travelers, especially women (54 percent) compared to men (19 percent). Common safety strategies include informing friends and family about travel plans, researching destinations in advance, and avoiding going out alone at night.