Getting away is supposed to be relaxing, but for introverts, when your trip turns into a long string of social events and awkward conversations with randos who just donβt get that you might be sitting alone on purposeβ¦you might come home feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation.
Of course, you can make any trip work for your needs as long as you plan well. Just knowing your limits and giving yourself ample time to recharge in a quiet place (or embracing slow travel) can go a long way.
But to really get away from the extroverted world and not feel pressured to socialize more than you want, here are a few especially introvert-friendly places around the world. From ditching pointless conversations to avoiding human interaction altogether, you can decide just how much alone time is right for you.
Note: You donβt have to travel solo to have a great trip as an introvert - I usually prefer to bring a travel buddy whoβs comfortable being βalone togetherβ with me. But for really getting away for some quality βme time,β itβs worth giving solo travel a try. Any of these options would be great for a solo traveler, but hereβs one for beginners.
Go solo in New Zealand
For a first-time solo traveler (especially an introverted one), you canβt really beat New Zealand. (Yep, youβre allowed to go without a band of elves, dwarves and hobbits.)
Consistently rated in the top 5 of the Global Peace Index, NZβs about as safe as you can get for venturing out on your own. Heck, you donβt even have to worry about dangerous animals attacking you out in the wild (though the redback spider can be deadly, at least to small children, so I guess donβt completely let your guard down).
Itβs also super easy to get around, with just one main highway and really good infrastructure. So you can rent a vehicle and go on a mega road trip - itβll just be you, the car, and some gorgeous scenery.
And this is really a βchoose your own adventureβ opportunity. While you can definitely find lots of friendly locals on your journey, you can also make it as people-free as you want by staying in sparsely populated places the whole time. But donβt worry, youβll still have plenty to do and see.
For example, Akaroa on the South Island has a population in the hundreds, but youβll find lots of great hiking trails and ocean access. You might even catch a glimpse of the worldβs smallest dolphinβ¦which is just too adorable.
You could also try some white-water rafting in Taihape (pop. about 1,800) or surfing in Raglan (pop. about 3,000).
Shun small talk in Finland
Finland is consistently ranked one of the happiest countries in the world, and I canβt help wondering whether the fact that they discourage small talk there has something to do with itβ¦
Yep, you read that right. Thereβs essentially no small talk in Finnish culture. In fact, unnecessary chatter is impolite.
Itβs not because Finns are shy. After all, theyβre pretty comfortable getting fully nude in saunas. They just recognize (like I wish everyone would) that pointless weather chit-chat is unnecessary, and if youβre going to have a conversation, it should be about something that matters.
Even for those of us who cringe at small talk, itβs hard to imagine not being expected to do it. But in a country where thereβs no such thing as an awkward silence, itβs a glorious reality.
Hating small talk isnβt the only overlap between Finnish culture and introversion. If you enjoy the Introvert Doodles webcomics, you should probably check out Finnish Nightmares. Featuring βnightmarishβ scenarios like having to self-promote or ask for help while shopping, theyβre just as relatable.
Plus, in Finland, they really respect your space.
Youβve got lots of opportunities to enjoy all that extra space, too, whether you choose to stay in Helsinki with the chance of a whole island to yourself, or head out into the deep solitude of Lapland to catch aurora borealis or do some cross-country skiing.
Get lost in the crowd in Tokyo
Tokyo, with its population over 14 million, might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about an introvert-friendly trip, but hear me out.
Even though thereβs lots of hustle and bustle around, you can find pockets of quiet and solitude.
For one thing, you can eat by yourself without anyone bothering you and or weird looks from the wait staff. In fact, itβs totally normal; Sushi and ramen bars make it easy to avoid having to ask for a table for one.
You can take it a step further and dine in total solitary bliss at this ramen place, which has individual booths.
Other than a brief interaction with a waiter at the beginning of the meal, you get to savor your bowl of umami deliciousness without having to talk to (or even look at) another living soul.
And while there might be a ton of people riding public transportation with you, theyβre unlikely to strike up a conversation. *Cue sigh of relief.*
You can also find a few peaceful shrines and temples where you can get away from it all. Or you can hide away behind the shelves of Book and Bed, which I featured in my article about bookish destinations.
Either way, youβll find no shortage of alone time.
Get cozy in Copenhagen
If you havenβt yet discovered the now-famous Danish concept of hygge, prepare yourself. Itβll totally rock your introverted world.
It doesnβt translate directly, but it has to do with coziness. But like, extreme coziness.
VisitDenmark explains it this way: βIn essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. The warm glow of candlelight is hygge. Cozying up with a loved one for a movie β thatβs hygge, too.β
Hygge doesnβt necessarily require you to be alone, but it does involve swapping out big, wild parties for more intimate group gatherings or spending time just being happy and comfortable. Sounds like the best kind of introvert recharging to me, and itβs totally built into the culture.
Youβll find no shortage of hygge activities in Copenhagen. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Rent a bike and ride solo around the city.
- Bring your travel buddy or a book to a local coffee shop - or head to a book cafe.
- Have a quiet candle-lit dinner.
- Enjoy a dreamy stroll around Kingβs Garden.
Once youβve experienced Danish hygge, you canβt go back. It seeps into your soul, and youβll want to bring it back with you and make lots of time for warmth and coziness at home.
You can also get some help with that from the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute (sounds like a nice job, huh?), who published a popular guide to Hygge a few years ago.
Get your creative juices flowing in Latvia
Like the Finnish, Latvians value alone time and quiet, and they often joke about how far theyβll go to avoid awkward conversations.
But in Latvia, itβs not just quiet for quietβs sake. The culture really prizes creativity, and they feel like the best way to be creative is to have space and time to yourself.
Over the last few decades, theyβve been especially proud of their groundbreaking and experimental literature. As an introverted reader, Iβm definitely a fan of this banner that proudly hung outside the Latvian embassy in D.C. a couple of years ago.
I know not all introverts are necessarily creative, but since a lot of us mostly live in our heads, plenty of us have a project or two in the works.
Whether youβre an aspiring writer, artist, baker, etc., taking a creative getaway to this Baltic country is sure to be productive.
For something a bit more directed (if youβre okay with some human interaction), you can book with a retreat company like Wildβness Collective or even try for a residency (and get paid to live out your artistic dreams in Latvia).
Or just nab a secluded cabin for a week or two and go for it.
Latviaβs low population and dense forests mean that solitude is easy to find, and you definitely wonβt get weird looks for walking around on your own to take inspiration from gorgeous city streets, a fairytale castle or an otherworldly bog.
To get in some deep relaxation, you can also get a personalized treatment and quiet meditation time at Taka Spa, one of the largest spas in the Baltics. If that doesnβt get things flowing, I donβt know what will.
Soak in the quiet of the Oregon Coast
Iβm the type of person who likes to stand alone at the edge of the ocean and contemplate my place in the universe (or just hunt for pretty shells), so Iβd rather skip a crowded beach of sunbathers and loud volleyballers.
Enter: the Oregon coast.
With an evergreen forest backdrop and frequent cloud cover, there are tons of blissfully uncrowded beaches, prime for quiet meditation or straight-up brooding.
And with tons of weird and wonderful stuff to explore, the solo walk possibilities are endless.
Sure, the water tends to be a bit chilly and you might get a bit of rain, but in my experience thatβs just a good excuse to end the day with a cozy bread bowl of clam chowder from Moβs. Donβt worry, you can get some chowder to go if the restaurant is too crowded for your taste. (Get a family-sized serving. Trust me on this.)
Trade people for wildlife in the GalΓ‘pagos Islands
Maybe the dancing, parades, and jam-packed streets of Carnival in Brazil arenβt for you, but South America has lots to offer those who prefer alone time in nature.
An especially good spot for introverts is the GalΓ‘pagos.
For one thing, itβs a bit tricky (and a little pricey) to get there, so tourism is relatively limited (which is a good thing for conservation). The region only gets about 250,000 tourists per year (versus around 700,000 in Quito and 2 million in Ecuador as a whole).
So, needless to say, youβre unlikely to run into crowds.
Visiting the GalΓ‘pagos is all about quietly observing nature and wildlife. From moving slow next to a giant tortoise at Rancho Primcias to snorkeling with sea lions, you can make sure most of your encounters donβt involve other humans.
Maybe youβll find that the GalΓ‘pagos or one of the other places Iβve listed here are an introvertβs natural habitat. But there are lots of places out there to spend some quality time with yourself, and it never hurts to check whether a place is good for solo travel (especially if you're a solo female traveler).
If youβre not planning to go it alone, make a plan with your travel companions to ensure you get the time you need to yourself and donβt come back as a peopled-out zombie.
And even when you get a weird look or two for eating alone or putting on your huge headphones on the bus, remember that thereβs nothing wrong with knowing and caring for your lilβ introverted self.