All I Want for Christmas Is… Me Time: 10 Solo Trips That Feel Like a Present
More solo travellers than ever are skipping the traditional December rush and choosing something far more meaningful: a solo trip designed around presence, peace, and play. Whether you’re escaping the cold, embracing it, or just craving a different kind of December, these destinations offer the space to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with yourself.
Below are 10 destinations that are trending among solo travellers for Christmas 2025. Think: easy to navigate, soul-filling experiences, and the perfect mix of social and solitude.
Reykjavík, Iceland
For: Snowy silence + Northern Lights
Iceland’s capital is ideal for solo travellers in search of a snowy escape. Group tours to waterfalls, geysers, and the Blue Lagoon make it easy to meet people, while the city’s cosy cafés, bookstores, and Christmas markets let you embrace the stillness. The bonus? Aurora sightings right outside the city.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
For: Cultural calm + festive warmth
Chiang Mai has become a solo-travel sweet spot. This charming northern Thai city offers cool December weather, a slow pace, and just the right level of community. Sign up for a cooking class, a craft workshop, or spend the day temple-hopping and journaling at a café. You’ll find stillness, and maybe even a few new friends.
Kyoto, Japan
For: Ritual, reflection + stillness
While Japan doesn’t celebrate Christmas in the Western way, Kyoto offers something better, tranquillity. Think quiet mornings at Zen temples, snowy strolls through bamboo forests, and evenings soaking in a traditional onsen. It’s solo travel with a spiritual edge.
Lisbon, Portugal
For: Mild winter days + soulful moments
Lisbon is warm in more ways than one. With its Atlantic breeze, tiled alleyways, and low-key nightlife, it’s ideal for solo explorers. You’ll find vibrant cafés, Fado music in candlelit bars, and scenic tram rides that make even a quiet day feel cinematic.
Mexico City, Mexico
For: Flavour, energy + connection
CDMX has skyrocketed in popularity for solo travellers, and for good reason. It’s buzzing with colour, history, and food. The Christmas season adds processions, poinsettias, and pozole. Stay in Roma Norte, explore Frida Kahlo’s house, and sip mezcal with locals on a walking tour.
Prague, Czech Republic
For: Holiday charm + fairytale streets
If you dream of a storybook December, Prague delivers. Its Christmas markets are among Europe’s most magical. Sip mulled wine in Old Town, stroll across the Charles Bridge under twinkling lights, and warm up in a candlelit jazz cellar.
Lapland, Finland
For: Whimsy, wilderness + wonder
Whether you’re meeting Santa or chasing the Northern Lights, Lapland is Christmas in its purest form. Solo travellers love the small group tours, cozy cabins, and reindeer safaris. You can even sleep in a glass igloo and watch the sky dance.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
For: Summer in the city + soulful dancing
While most of the world chills, Buenos Aires sizzles. December is the start of summer in Argentina, making it a perfect time to soak up warm weather, parks in bloom, and the city’s famously electric energy. Solo-friendly tango classes and late-night café culture make this a surprisingly intimate way to spend the holidays.
Cape Town, South Africa
For: Mountains, oceans + a festive summer vibe
Cape Town is festive in a way that feels relaxed, sun-soaked, and effortlessly cool. Think sunrise hikes up Lion’s Head, afternoon swims at Clifton Beach, wine tastings in Stellenbosch, and sunset markets at the V&A Waterfront. It’s also one of the most scenic cities for solo travel, with excellent safety in key areas and easy day-trip access to adventure.
New York City, USA
For: High-energy holidays + iconic experiences
There’s no place like New York at Christmas, and solo travellers get to enjoy it all, at their own pace. Ice-skating at Rockefeller Center, window shopping on Fifth Avenue, late-night jazz in the Village, and maybe even a snowy stroll through Central Park. There’s always something happening, and you never feel out of place
Why These Work for Solo Travellers
Safety-first: All 10 destinations rank well for solo travel safety, especially for women.
Curated connection: From yoga retreats in Thailand to rooftop bars in Lisbon, each destination offers ways to meet people organically.
Ease + flexibility: These trips can be self-guided, supported, or something in between. You’re never locked into a rigid plan.
Final Thoughts: This Year, Travel Like It’s a Gift to Yourself
The solo travel trend isn’t about being alone, it’s about being free. Free to say no to obligations, yes to new traditions, and open to wherever your instincts lead. Whether you’re chasing sunshine, stillness, or starlight, Christmas 2025 is the perfect moment to wander inward and outward at once.
Want help creating the perfect solo itinerary?
From Chiang Mai to Cape Town, I help travellers plan seamless, soulful trips with just the right balance of structure and spontaneity. No pressure, just options, clarity, and a little inspiration. Email us hello@tricitieedition.co