Don’t Mope At Home: 10 Travel Ideas For Singles On Valentine’s Day

Don’t Mope At Home: 10 Travel Ideas For Singles On Valentine’s Day
Eunice
Eunice 
Updated
| 7 min read

Why do many people believe that if you’re single on Valentine’s Day, it’s because you’re unattractive or unlovable? It isn’t that major, and is definitely not the end of the world. Many cities are extremely into Valentine’s Day and whether you’re cynical about love or just newly single, you might not want to be surrounded by lovesick couples and cheesy decorations. So how about considering travelling by yourself around Valentine’s Day?

Solo travel might seem like a foreign concept to many of us, since we grew up travelling with family or friends. But it’s not as scary as it sounds. Some perks of solo travelling are that you are the one who plans the itinerary and you won’t have anyone holding you back. Besides, it’s mostly safe if you take some precautions. If this piqued your interest, check out our 10 favourite travel ideas for singles on Valentine’s Day!

1. Visit a tropical island: Krabi, Thailand

Phra Nang beach 14
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user kallerna used under CC BY-SA 3.0

One of the best places to visit when you want to relax while also having fun is definitely the beach. So consider escaping to Krabi for a fantastic tropical resort getaway. Krabi is a small but mighty town, and you’ll be amazed by how many things you can do while you’re there. Gaze at the gorgeous landscapes or go trekking, snorkelling, or even go rock climbing surrounded Krabi’s beauty. Something else you could do is indulge in some authentic Thai food at the night market, or just get a pampering session at a spa! So, what are you waiting for, consider escaping from everyone and spend Valentine’s Day in Krabi! Also, feel free to check out what else you can do in Krabi here.

2. Spend the entire day on your toes: Queenstown, New Zealand

Rock Climbing in Queenstown, New Zealand
Source: Photo by Flickr user Stefanos Nikologi... used under CC BY 2.0

Keep the adrenaline in your system running by vacationing in the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown! It’s the ideal location for all adventure lovers, and you can take part in a multitude of different outdoor activities like bungee jumping, hiking, and even zip lining. The fun doesn’t seem to end while you’re vacationing in Queenstown, so what’s a better way to forget all about Valentine’s Day than to focus on a life-changing activity. For the more faint-hearted, Queenstown has many different natural wonders for you to discover, so go on a tour or just drive around. Eat out at some of their awesome eateries or vibrant nightlife, rub shoulders with the friendly locals, and you might even leave with a new friend!

3. Discover that love isn’t a cure-all: Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb 's Museum of Broken Relationships first room
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Prosopee used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Zagreb is Croatia’s capital, and might not be as well known as other cities like Paris or London. However, don’t look down on this great city as there are plenty of things to do. It’s easy to walk or cycle around in Zagreb, and there are signs on every street, making the city easy to navigate even for solo travellers. Zagreb is also home to a unique attraction that’s perfect for people who are cynical about love or the broken-hearted. The Museum of Broken Relationships features items leftover from relationships that have ended, and the stories that accompany the displays can range from funny to heartbreaking. It makes for an interesting visit, and will make you feel happy that you aren’t in a relationship.

Museum of Broken Relationships

Address: Ćirilometodska ul. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Price: from 4.31 USD (Adults), 2.90 USD (Seniors, ages 65 and up).

Opening Hours: 9 am - 10.30 pm (1st June - 30th September), 9 am - 9 pm (1st October - 31st May) and 9 am - 3 pm (24th December and 31st December). Closed on Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter, and All Saints’ Day.

Duration: around 1 hour required.

Website: Museum of Broken Relationships

4. Relax and unwind on beaches: Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Playa del Carmen - Tulum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user CarlosVanVegas used under CC BY 2.0

For a quick getaway, head on over to the Yucatan Peninsula, one of Mexico’s most popular vacation spots. Many tourists might be wary, but don’t worry because the Yucatan Peninsula is relatively safe. One of the areas you should visit is Playa del Carmen, with its luscious beaches and tranquil waters, making it a great place to relax. There’s also fantastic night life, so if you want to mingle with the locals or other tourists at night, feel free to head out. However, if you want some quiet time, you can go to Bacalar, which is away from all the crowds but still has gorgeous beaches. The Yucatan Peninsula is also home to historic attractions, with the most iconic being the pyramid at Chichen Itza, one of the most famous Mayan sites. With so many things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula, you’d definitely find something you’d love to do!

Chichen Itza

Address: Yucatan, Mexico

Price: from 12.05 USD (Adults), free-of-charge (Children, ages 13 and under).

Opening Hours: 8 am - 5 pm.

Duration: around 3 hours required.

Website: Chichen Itza (Spanish only)

5. Stuff your face with chocolate: Brussels, Belgium (from USD 76.0)

Brussels is the fascinating capital city of Belgium and the European Union. The locals are friendly and are always willing to help a tourist out, and the city is relatively safe, making it a perfect city for solo travellers to explore. There’s amazing local cuisine, with one iconic dish being the Belgian waffle, so you can walk around and munch on one. We believe that one of the best parts of Valentine’s Day is the clearance chocolate, but you should instead treat yourself to a chocolate walking tour in the city. Belgium is a well-known chocolate capital, and Brussels has many chocolatiers that are worth visiting. Learn about Brussels’ history through some chocolatey legends, taste test some of the city’s best chocolates and even have a hands-on chocolate making experience!

Brussels Chocolate Walking Tour and Workshop

Price: from 76.90 USD

Departure Times: 9 am or 2 pm.

Duration: around 4 hours required.

Website:

Brussels Chocolate Walking Tour with Workshop, Tastings

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

715 reviews

6. Relax in style: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Gorgeous buildings sandwich the canals
Source: Pixabay

When one thinks of Amsterdam, one thinks of its iconic and picturesque canals that are sandwiched between colourful buildings, creating a classic European scene. It’s a fairly liberal city with an extremely laid-back vibe, making it a perfect vacation spot for tourists who just want to chill and unwind. Amsterdam is also a cultured city with over 100 museums, like the Anne Frank House or the Van Gogh Museum. So for anyone who’s into history or art, respectively, those museums are a perfect to start with. The city is mostly flat, making it accessible, so you can travel from one spot to another by walking or cycling around like a local. If you want to continue exploring the city at night, you can head to a bar or pub that suits your preference! So consider dropping by Amsterdam to have a wonderful time. Here are even more things you can do in Amsterdam!

Anne Frank House

Address: Prinsengracht 263-267, 1016 GV Amsterdam, Netherlands

Price: from 9.65 USD (Adults), 4.85 USD (Children, ages 10 -17), free-of-charge (Children, ages 9 and under)

Opening Hours: 9 am - 7 pm, but until 9 pm on Saturdays (November - March), 9 am - 10 pm (April - October).

Duration: around 2 hours required.

Website: Anne Frank House

Van Gogh Museum

Address: Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands

Price: from 18.20 USD (Adults), free-of-charge (Children, ages 18 and under).

Opening Hours: 9 am - 6 pm, but till 10 pm on Fridays (27th March - 13th July), 9 am - 7 pm, but till 10 pm on Fridays and 9 pm on Saturdays (14th July - 3rd September), 9 am - 6 pm, but till 10 pm on Fridays (4th September - 5th November), 9 am - 6 pm, but till 10 pm on Fridays (25th December - 7th January), 9 am - 5 pm, till 10 pm on Fridays (remaining dates).

Duration: around 1 hour and 15 minutes required.

Website: Van Gogh Museum

7. Discover one of the world’s most beautiful nations: Iceland

Iceland - Blue Lagoon 09 (6571266721)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user McKay Savage used under CC BY 2.0

If you truly want to get away from it all during Valentine’s Day, Iceland might be the destination for you. It’s an isolated country with a low population density, so you’d feel as though you’re alone. Many tourists come to Iceland to admire the country’s gorgeous and diverse range of natural landforms. From geysers to volcanoes and to glaciers, there’s so much you can explore. Another thing you could do is to mingle with the locals in the capital city, Reykjavik. Or even treat yourself to a pampering session at the spa or one of Iceland’s natural hot springs. One of the most famous natural hot springs is the Blue Lagoon and many people claim that the water is considered a cure for skin conditions, so sit back in the warm waters and watch snow fall around you. Check out this article for a more in-depth look at the Blue Lagoon!

Blue Lagoon

Price: from 57.50 USD (Winter), 53.70 USD (Summer).

Opening Hours: 8 am - 9 pm (1st January - 25th May), 8 am - 11 pm (26th May - 29th June), 8 am - 12 am (30th June - 20th August), 8 am - 10 pm (21st August - 1st October), 8 am - 8 pm (2nd October - 31st December).

Access: 20 minutes from Keflavik International Airport. 50 minutes from Reykjavik.

Website: Blue Lagoon

8. Eat all night: Taipei, Taiwan

Nanshijiao Night Market, Taipei, Taiwan
Source: Photo by Flickr user Jirka Matousek used under CC BY 2.0

Taipei is a vibrant and cheery city, with many different attractions you can visit. It’s also a wonderful city to visit as a solo traveller, because why let someone with acrophobia hold you back from visiting Taipei 101, one of the world’s tallest building. Or why share a cup of bubble tea when you drink an entire one yourself? However, if you think that the party in Taipei ends when the day ends, you’re wrong! As you wander around, you’ll notice that many ordinary streets will transform into large and loud night markets. The aroma of the different foods will waft through the air, and as you’re travelling alone, you can eat whatever you want. Indulge in Taiwanese classics like the ‘Huge Chicken Cutlet’, or even the infamous and pungent ‘Stinky Tofu’! So consider heading to Taipei by yourself for an awesome foodie adventure.

Shilin Night Market

Address: Lane 101, Wenlin Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111

Opening Hours: 5 pm - 1 am.

Ningxia Night Market

Address: Ningxia Road, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103

Opening Hours: 6 pm - 12 am. Closed on public holidays.

9. Stay up all night, and have fun: Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas 89
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Lasvegaslover used under CC BY 3.0

Flowers are something that don’t often bloom in deserts, so romance isn’t exactly the sort of thing that blooms in Las Vegas, the Sin City. Las Vegas is the antithesis of romance, so it’s the best place to head to when you want to ditch Valentine’s Day. It’s also a city that comes to life at night, so that’s a perfect time to hit the city, let your hair down, and party till the sun rises. Or, you could head to any of the many casinos and have fun trying to win some money. Las Vegas is also well-known for their many performances and events, so maybe attend one and just have a good time. Even better, some venues hold singles parties, so if you’re cynical about the holiday, consider going to one and meeting someone who thinks like you. We recommend reading this article for an idea of what to do in Sin City!

10. Blend right into the city: New York City, New York

Colourful street view of Times Square
Source: Pexels

If you want to surround yourself with people during Valentine’s Day, New York City might be the perfect vacation spot for you. As you walk around New York City, your mind will be so preoccupied that you might even forget that Valentine’s Day exists! Many New Yorkers are seemingly married to their work, and it’s a common sight to see them dining on their own, which might be a good environment for you to blend in. You can easily keep yourself occupied as you can go museum hopping, shop till you drop, or just explore off-the-beaten-path. Also, keep an eye out for some of the singles events that might take place around Valentine’s Day! For other unique things you can do alone in the big city, check out this article.

The world is your oyster

In the past, being single on Valentine’s Day seemed to feel as though it was the end of the world. Instead, embrace the freedom that being single allows. So don’t hate on the lovely holiday or even wallow in self pity, book a ticket and jet off to a brand new location for an exhilarating adventure!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Eunice, an introvert who finds solace in the pages of a book while snug in her bed, transforms into an eager adventurer at the mere mention of travel. Despite her usual penchant for solitude, the...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.