If you’re serious about travelling more in 2026, you’re in the right place. I’ve been to 38 countries, 27 of them solo and these are my absolute top picks for the year.  I’ve broken it down into two categories: the best destinations for solo travel and the best for group trips, so whoever you’re travelling with (or not!), there’s something here for you. Every single destination on this list I’ve personally visited, some of them more than once, so this is real, first-hand advice not a generic list.

Let’s get into it!

Best Solo Travel Destinations for 2026

Of course, we are kicking off with solo trips; Solo travel is one of the best things you can do for yourself, and I will always advocate for it. It builds confidence, gives you complete freedom, and honestly, you end up having the most incredible experiences. Here are my top 5 solo travel picks for 2026:

1. Singapore (Best Solo Destination in Asia)

Singapore is genuinely one of the safest and most welcoming cities in the world for solo travellers, especially for black women. I’ve been there and fell completely in love, celebrated my birthday there actually, and it was perfect. The city is clean, organised, and incredibly easy to navigate. You don’t need a tour guide, or need to worry about safety, and you’ll never run out of things to do.

From the stunning Gardens by the Bay and the thrills of Universal Studios to the beautiful beaches of Sentosa Island and some of the best food you’ll ever eat in your life, Singapore delivers on every front. If you are a foodie, Singapore is totally a food paradise, with everything from Michelin-star street food to the tasty food at Maxwell Center and Chinatown. And if you’re into fine dining, they’ve got that too! There’s just so much to love about this place.

I’ve put together a full Singapore guide covering everything: exactly where to stay, what to do, how to budget, and the famous Marina Bay Sands hack, check it out here.

• Best time to visit: March to April
• Visa: Nigerians in the UAE need to apply in advance, full guide on the blog

2. Qatar (Doha – Best Solo Trip from the UAE)

If you’re based in the UAE, Qatar is one of the easiest solo trips you can do. It’s a short flight, you can get a visa on arrival, and the city has everything right at your fingertips. Doha is compact enough that you can see most of it in a long weekend, but beautiful enough that you’ll want to stay longer.

Definitely stay on the Corniche for those stunning waterfront views, the hotels there are gorgeous. The National Museum of Qatar, Souq Waqif, and the Pearl are all must-visits. Whether you want to explore or just relax by the pool, Doha works for both.

• Best time to visit: October to April, summer is hot and humid
• Visa: Easy visa on arrival for most nationalities

3. London (Best Solo City Break in Europe)

Yes, London, I am a London girl through and through; if you know me, you know this. London in summer is my favorite city in the world. It’s the perfect location for a solo trip because it has everything, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems waiting to be discovered. There are tons of activities, diverse food places to try, beautiful streets to explore and an energy that’s unlike any other city.

You will never feel lonely in London and you have everything in one place, so it’s easy for you to navigate; if you get lost at the train or bus station, just ask anyone around, and they’ll be more than happy to help.

• Best time to visit: Summer (June to August), London in summer is magical
• Visa: Nigerians need a UK visa. If you already have one, add this to your list immediately

4. Luxembourg (Most Underrated Solo Destination in Europe

Hear me out, Luxembourg doesn’t get nearly enough credit and it genuinely needs to be on your radar for 2026. It’s one of the most charming, beautiful, and peaceful cities I’ve ever visited. Compact enough to explore the whole city in just 3 days, which is perfect if you don’t want to feel overwhelmed or rush around.

The best part? Public transportation is completely free. You can jump on any bus and go wherever you like without paying a single thing. The old town is stunning, the food is great, and it’s extremely safe for solo travellers. If you’re planning an Europe trip, add Luxembourg as a stop, you will not regret it.

• Best time to visit: Summer (May to September)
• Visa: Schengen visa required, check out my guide on how to get a 1-year Schengen visa here

5. Barcelona (Best Solo Beach & City Combo)

Barcelona is one of my all-time favourite cities for solo travel and I took a 5-day solo trip there in 2023 that I still talk about, I also went back this year for my birthday and it still feels the same way as the first time. It’s super walkable, buzzing with energy, and has the perfect mix of culture, food, architecture, nightlife, and beach, all in one city. You will literally never feel lonely because there are people everywhere, at every hour.

The architecture alone: Gaudí’s Sagrada Família and Park Güell is worth the trip. Then you have La Barceloneta beach, La Boqueria market, the Gothic Quarter, and incredible food at every turn. It’s vibrant, safe for solo travel, and just endlessly entertaining.

• Best time to visit: May to June or September, July and August get very crowded and hot
• Visa: Schengen visa is required, get your templates here

Best Group Travel Destinations for 2026

1. Cape Town (Best Group Trip in Africa)

Cape Town is the ultimate group travel destination, period! I don’t think any African city does group trips better. There is genuinely something for everyone: wine tours, markets, beach days, safari day trips, and one of the most legendary nightlife scenes on the continent. The bar hopping culture there is chef’s kiss.

The scenery is also stunning: Table Mountain, Camps Bay beach, the Cape of Good Hope. You’ll spend half your trip with your jaw on the floor. And the December party scene? Absolutely bucket list material for a squad trip. It’s better to go with friends than solo as the city does require some sense of security.

• Best time to visit: December to March for the party season and best weather
• Visa: Nigerians need a South Africa visa.

2. Thailand (Best Group Trip in Southeast Asia)

This is one Southeast Asian country that’s way better for group trips than going solo. This is because you can’t just visit one city; you have to visit at least three: Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai and each one offers a completely different experience and the road tripping between them is half the fun. Doing that alone isn’t the same as doing it with your best friends.
The food scene is absolutely insane, street food markets that have earned Michelin stars, the freshest seafood, and incredibly affordable meals everywhere you go. Thailand is also very budget-friendly overall, which makes splitting costs with a group even better.

• Best time to visit: November to February (dry season), avoid May to October when it rains heavily
• Visa: Thailand is E-visa for most nationalities

3. Jordan (Best Adventure Group Trip)

Seriously, if Jordan isn’t on your travel wishlist, add it now! It’s home to one of the seven wonders of the world: Petra. I went there with a group of 7 girls, and I can confidently say it would not have been nearly as fun solo. For one, it’s not the easiest place to navigate on your own.

You’ll be doing a lot of driving between cities: Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum for glamping, and the Dead Sea. Long car journeys with friends become road trip memories. The costs can also rack up quickly for things like Wadi Rum glamping and transportation, so splitting everything with a group makes it much more affordable.

• Best time to visit: November to March, similar climate to Dubai
• Visa: Visa on arrival available for most nationalities, Nigerians need a visa.

4. Kenya (Best African Safari Group Trip)

Nairobi is one of the most underrated cities in Africa and Kenya as a whole is an absolute gem. For a group trip, it’s perfect, you can explore Nairobi’s incredible food scene and culture, then take a road trip to Masai Mara for a safari experience you’ll never forget, or head to Naivasha where you can sleep in the woods at the Ark Hotel (seriously, do this).

A quick one-hour flight to Lamu island is also an absolute must, it’s one of the most beautiful, peaceful places in Africa. The combination of city life, safari, and island makes Kenya a seriously well-rounded group destination.

• Best time to visit: Year-round but avoid April/May (rainy season). Pack a jacket for summer, it gets cold
• Visa: Visa on arrival available for most nationalities including Nigerians

5. Seychelles (Best Luxury Group Getaway)

Yes, Seychelles, and before you think ‘isn’t that a couples destination?’ Hear me out, I went with 6 girls and it was honestly one of the best group trips I’ve ever done. The reason Seychelles works so well for groups is the multiple islands: while you’re based on one island, you’ll be doing activities and excursions on others, which means constant movement, new experiences, and endless group content lol.

The nightlife is surprisingly lively too, great for club hopping with your friends. And the scenery? Unreal. White sand beaches, crystal clear water, and lush jungle. It looks like a screensaver.

• Best time to visit:  April to November
• Visa: Visa on arrival available for most nationalities including Nigerians

I’ve been to all these spots, and some of them more than once, so if you’ve got any questions, drop them below!

Till your next read, Ibi.