As Solo Female Travel Booms, Vilnius Emerges as an Unexpected European Alternative.As solo female travel continues to rise globally, women account for 75% of solo travelers worldwide, with safety remaining their top priority when choosing a destination.  The Baltic States, with Vilnius being one of top examples, is emerging as an alternative to Europe’s traditional tourism hotspots, offering both peace of mind and meaningful local experiences.
Vilnius Hot Air Balloons © Go Vilnius, Joana Suslaviciute

Vilnius, Lithuania.  Solo travel is continuing to gain momentum worldwide, with women now accounting for 75% of solo travellers according to the Solo Female Travel Trends Survey. Safety remains one of the most important factors when choosing a destination for 70% of women, but travelers are also increasingly seeking authentic experiences, meaningful local connections and places that are easy to explore independently.

Against this backdrop, Lithuania and the wider Baltic region are emerging as attractive options for women traveling alone. All three Baltic states consistently rank among the top 20 countries in the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index, which measures inclusion, justice and security across 181 countries.  Lithuania (16th) stands out as a safe, accessible, and traveller-friendly country for solo female travellers. Germany is ranked 21st in the same index.

Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has also been on top of the charts as a city with a very low crime.

“Vilnius has been ranked as one of the safest cities in Europe for a while,” says Eglė Girdzijauskaitė, Head of Communications at Go Vilnius, the official tourism and business development agency of the City of Vilnius. “It offers solo female travelers the chance to explore more freely, whether that’s wandering through our UNESCO-listed Old Town, discovering neighbourhood cafés or spending time in the city’s extensive green spaces and cultural venues.”

Beyond safety, the Solo Female Travel Trends Survey also shows that connection is a key part of the experience, while friendliness of locals also plays a role in destination choice. It found that 66% of travelers actively seek to meet locals during their trips, with Boomers and Gen Z leading this trend.

To support this, Vilnius’s Meet a Local program pairs willing visitors with residents who offer an insider experience of the city, helping them discover hidden gems and see Vilnius through local eyes. With more than 300 travelers already taking part, it has proven to be a memorable way to build authentic connections and enrich the travel experience.

Friendly people all over the town support the tourist ( Foto.Go Vilnius)

“Thank you Kristina for this informative walk. I had already spent some weeks in this culturally vibrant city when I met Kristina,” said Eva, a tourist from Germany, Meet a Local program participant, according to Go Vilnius. “She captured very well and quickly what could be of my interest and showed me some hidden gems. I appreciated her huge knowledge and profound experience when talking about history. This added to my knowledge in a pleasant and enjoyable way. Thank you very much for this informative walk in a pleasant atmosphere.”

Other findings from the Solo Female Travel Trends Survey reveal that women often pick destinations based on their overall appeal. Cultural attractions, stunning scenery, access to nature, and delicious local cuisine tend to be the biggest draws.

Solo travelers will find that Vilnius has much to offer like other more popular European capitals, such as Paris or Rome, but without the crowds. The city is recognized as one of the world’s greenest cities, only second to Oslo, and offers a growing selection of Michelin-starred restaurants, blending local traditions and contemporary cuisine, as well as a booming coffee culture. Visitors who enjoy a slower morning can sample coffee and one of many local coffee shops, such as Huracán Coffee’s Filter and Flat White coffee which won the overall category at the Global Coffee Awards.

Vilnius offers easy rail and ferry connections with other countries in the Baltic region and Scandinavia.