The Art of Taking Yourself Out: 7 Date Ideas for Solo Travelers
There’s something intoxicating about taking yourself out. Not just running errands or grabbing a coffee to-go, but truly dating yourself. Getting dressed up. Making reservations. Looking in the mirror and thinking, I’d want to take me out too.
When you travel solo, you have a rare opportunity: to become your own best lover. There’s no one to perform for, no need to dim your light or adapt your rhythm to someone else’s timeline. You get to set the tone, the pace, the vibe. And once you start intentionally romancing yourself on the road, there’s no going back.
Here are seven of my favorite solo date ideas, all pulled from my own journeys across continents. These aren’t just things to do—they’re invitations to fall deeper in love with your own presence.
1. The Sunset Dinner for One
This is a ritual I first fell in love with in Portugal. I booked a table at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Tagus River, wore a backless dress, and ordered wine like I had someone to impress. I did: me.
There’s something so powerful about being the woman dining alone, unbothered, fully present. The food tastes different when you’re not talking through every bite. You notice details—the color of the sky, the flicker of a candle, the texture of the linen napkin. You remember that your own company is enough.
2. The Morning Date with a Journal and a View
In Southeast Asia, I started my days early. I’d find a corner café, order a coconut or a milk tea, and just write. No phone. No expectations. Just me, my thoughts, and the slow unfurling of a morning.
This isn’t glamorous, but it’s holy. You get to check in with yourself. You ask: How are you really? And you let the answer pour out. The view is the bonus. Mountains, oceans, city streets—doesn’t matter. The point is to be with yourself before the noise of the world comes in.
3. The Art Museum or Gallery Stroll
When I lived in Lisbon, I found this contemporary art gallery that has become a routine favorite of mine. I spent hours there. No pressure to analyze or impress anyone. I let myself cry in front of a painting once.
Go where the art is. Let it move you. Wear something that makes you feel like a mysterious muse. Take yourself to lunch afterward and pretend you’re in a film. This isn’t about being cultured—it’s about being present to beauty and letting it change you.
4. The Movie Night Under the Stars (or in Bed)
Some of my favorite dates have been in Airbnbs, wrapped in a robe, watching an old film with snacks I handpicked like I was hosting a party of one. Bonus points if it’s raining outside. You pour wine, light a candle, and laugh or cry like no one’s watching—because no one is.
If you’re in a place with outdoor cinemas or beach screenings, go! Bring a blanket, your favorite drink, and lean back into the experience. It’s not about being alone—it’s about being free.
5. The Slow Spa Afternoon
This one’s decadent. In Vietnam, I booked a two-hour massage just because. No special occasion. Just because I wanted to feel cared for.
The date is simple: you and your body. You book the spa. You take your time getting ready. You walk slowly. Afterward, you sip tea, eat something nourishing, and move like you are the most important person in the world—because you are.
6. The Bookstore + Bakery Combo
Wandering into bookstores while abroad is one of my guilty pleasures. I don’t care if I can’t read the language—I just love the feel. The scent of paper, the promise of other lives.
Pair this with a visit to a local bakery and you have a perfectly layered solo date: intellectual and indulgent. In Lisbon, I’d buy a book I probably wouldn’t finish and a pastel de nata I absolutely would. Then I’d sit by the water and read while crumbs flaked off my lap. Pure bliss.
7. The Dress-Up and Wander Date
No plan. Just vibes. You pick an outfit that makes you feel electric. Lipstick, perfume, heels if you’re brave. And you walk. Through neighborhoods, markets, side streets. You flirt with the world. Smile at strangers. Say yes to a new street or a new dish.
I’ve done this in Bangkok, Lisbon, and even random villages in the Balkans. It never disappoints. You get to be the version of yourself that’s curious, radiant, and untamed. And best of all—she’s real. She’s you.
So wherever you are, pick one of these dates. Make it yours. Romance yourself with the same tenderness and awe you wish someone else would.
Because here’s the secret: when you treat yourself like magic, the world has no choice but to reflect it back.
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