What’s on Your Bucket List?

As someone thinking about traveling solo for the first time, have you ever thought about creating a bucket list? If you have, just know that it’s easy to pick some of the more common bucket list activities out there, but what about looking into activities that can only be done in certain destinations?

Most Important Part of Travel?

Many solo travelers put the actual act of traveling as the most important part of the journey, embracing the belief that some of the best moments will come from the experiences you have on the way to your destination.

Which can all be true, and while many travelers love the idea of traveling solo with nothing but a backpack. It’s still important to have some sort of itinerary or goal just to give your travels a little more structure.

This is where making a bucket list can help, not only when it comes to planning and choosing where you actually want to travel to. It can also help in giving you motivation to visit a country for more than just the experience of solo travel.

Planning Power of a Bucket List

While it’s true that traveling on your own without a set plan can be very empowering and can lead to those spontaneous moments and life lessons, having a specific travel goal can help add more depth to your travels.

Think about it like this: the more places you plan to visit and the more activities you plan to do, the more chances you’ll have to experience those spontaneous moments.

By creating a bucket list or personal travel goal, this can help in giving your travels more meaning; it’s sort of like creating your own personal travel story. You can go out and wander around a new destination, which will obviously lead you to discover things you never experienced, which is good to do at first.

But eventually, if you plan on going further in your travels to see more of what a destination has to offer, you’ll have to set some sort of goal, whether by creating a bucket list or setting a personal travel goal.

Doing this pushes your travels beyond the surface level of first impressions, which adds more depth and understanding when it comes to truly experiencing what a destination has to offer.

So to give your travels a more structured approach while also pushing your experiences beyond the first impressions phase of travel, you should look into some of these unique bucket list activities and destinations to make your first solo trip more memorable and unique.

Below are some bucket list ideas from different countries for inspiration on your next solo trip!

Asia

Japan

Touted by many solo travelers as one of the best destinations for solo travel around the world. If you’re a solo traveler who enjoys their privacy and loves the idea of traveling on their own, Japan is considered to be one of the best countries for travelers who are true introverts at heart.

Here are some unique bucket list activities you can only find in Japan:

1. Visit a Cat Island (Tashirojima)

If you’re an animal lover, take a ferry to Tashirojima, an island overrun by friendly cats. This quirky adventure offers a chance to interact with Japan’s cat culture in a tranquil setting.

2. Walk the Pilgrimage Routes of Kumano Kodo

Traverse ancient spiritual trails through lush forests, connecting with nature and Japan’s sacred heritage.

3. Watch Sumo Practice at a Stable

Witness the raw energy of sumo wrestling by attending an early-morning training session at a sumo stable in Tokyo. Solo travelers can easily observe this iconic Japanese tradition up close.

4. Stay in a Capsule Hotel

Experience Japan’s ultra-modern capsule hotels for solo travelers seeking affordability and privacy.

5. Explore the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka

Step into the magical world of Studio Ghibli. This museum offers an enchanting solo experience as you wander through beautifully crafted exhibits, exclusive short films, and whimsical designs inspired by iconic films like My Neighbor Totoro.

India

India is a country with a multitude of different environments, featuring urban cities, snowy mountains, arid deserts, jungles, and even beach towns.

Looking for variety? India has you covered. Check out a couple of these unique activities to add to your bucket of solo travel adventures.

1. Go on a Solo Houseboat Journey in the Kerala Backwaters

Rent a traditional Kettuvallam (houseboat) and float solo through the serene backwaters of Kerala, passing by lush coconut groves, fishing villages, and tranquil lagoons.

2. Motorbike Through Spiti Valley (Himachal Pradesh)

Rent a Royal Enfield and ride solo through the barren yet breathtaking Spiti Valley, stopping at ancient monasteries, hidden villages, and high-altitude lakes like Chandratal.

3. Trek to the Frozen Zanskar River (Chadar Trek, Ladakh)

A once-in-a-lifetime experience, this winter trek takes you across a frozen river in Ladakh, with icy caves, frozen waterfalls, and the raw beauty of the Himalayas surrounding you.

4. Ride the Toy Train in the Nilgiris or Darjeeling

Hop aboard the UNESCO-listed toy trains—either the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway or the Nilgiri Mountain Railway—and take a scenic journey through misty hills, tea gardens, and charming mountain villages.

5. Visit the Tribes of Meghalaya

Trek to remote Khasi and Garo tribal villages in Meghalaya, where you can experience their way of life, learn about their matrilineal culture, and even cross their famous living root bridges.

Bhutan

Looking for a quiet place for reflection? What about natural habitats and picturesque Buddhist monasteries on cliffsides?

Bhutan is the destination for solo travelers who are looking for a more peaceful adventure as opposed to the pure chaos of large urban cities and tourist-filled destinations.

Here are some activities and sites to visit if you find yourself curious about the land of the thunder dragon!

1. Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang) at Sunrise

One of the most iconic landmarks of Bhutan, a solo sunrise hike to this sacred cliffside monastery offers breathtaking views and a serene, spiritual experience before the crowds arrive.

2. Try Archery at the Changlimithang Archery Ground

Archery is Bhutan’s national sport, and solo travelers can watch locals compete or even try it themselves at one of Thimphu’s archery ranges.

3. Experience the Paro Tshechu Festival with Locals

Join the vibrant annual masked dance festival, where locals in colorful attire celebrate Buddhist teachings through performances. As a solo traveler, you’ll have opportunities to interact closely with locals.

4. Send a Postcard from the World’s Only Post Office in a Monastery

Visit Bhutan’s historic Gangtey Monastery, which has its own functioning post office, and mail yourself or loved ones a letter from this remote, sacred site.

5. Visit The Different Dzhongs of Bhutan

A dzhong is a fortress monastery, historically used as fortresses for defense against invasions but are now used mainly as government centers, monasteries, and festival grounds. Great to visit as a solo traveler looking for unique historical sites and architecture.

China

Being the 3rd largest country in the world and the 2nd most populous, there’s more than just a couple bucket list attractions and destinations for solo travelers to discover.

From hiking the Great Wall of China to training in kung fu, China is full of interesting things to see and discover.

The destinations and activities below are just some of the more unique things to add to your bucket list.

1. Hike the Wild Great Wall Sections

Skip the crowded Badaling section and hike the untouched, crumbling sections of the Great Wall, like Jiankou or Gubeikou. These off-the-beaten-path areas offer breathtaking views and a sense of adventure.

2. Live with Shaolin Monks & Train Kung Fu

Stay at the legendary Shaolin Temple in Henan and train in authentic Shaolin Kung Fu with real monks. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that blends discipline, philosophy, and physical endurance.

3. Visit the World’s Biggest Buddha in Leshan

Marvel at the Leshan giant Buddha, a 71-meter-tall statue carved into a cliff. Viewing it from a boat offers a solo-friendly, peaceful experience.

4. Camp Overnight in Zhangjiajie’s Floating Peaks

Zhangjiajie, the inspiration for Avatar’s floating mountains, has stunning sandstone pillars. For a unique experience, camp overnight in the park to catch the sunrise without the crowds.

5. Take a Tibetan Sky Train to Lhasa

Ride the world’s highest railway, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, as it climbs over 5,000 meters above sea level, passing glaciers and yak-filled plateaus.

Europe

Norway

If you want to feel like a Viking and experience beautifully stunning fjords, snowy mountains, scenic train rides, and the best views of the Northern Lights,. Norway is perfect for solo travelers looking for a picture-perfect winter get-away.

1. Kayak Through the Nærøyfjord

Paddle through this UNESCO-listed fjord, surrounded by towering cliffs and waterfalls.

2. Ride the Flåm Railway and Hike Back Down

Take the world’s steepest railway and trek through the valley for a unique solo adventure.

3. Cycle the Atlantic Road

Ride across this winding coastal highway, often called one of the most beautiful roads in the world.

4. Stay in the World’s First Energy-Positive Hotel

Book a stay at the upcoming Svart Hotel, a sustainable hotel at the foot of the Svartisen Glacier.

5. See the World’s Only Natural Blue Flames at the Kjerringøy Marble Caves

Discover rare bioluminescent blue flames flickering inside these unique marble caves.

Italy

Ancient Roman ruins, laid back european culture, and relaxing Mediterranean weather, Italy is the perfect destination for solo travelers looking for historical travel while also exploring Italian culture.

1. Wander the Cinque Terre Villages

Visit the colorful, cliffside villages of Cinque Terre and hike between them, soaking in the vibrant scenery.

2. Explore the Sunken City of Baia

Scuba dive or take a glass-bottom boat tour to see the ruins of Baia, an ancient Roman city submerged beneath the Bay of Naples.

3. Hike the Dolomites

Take a scenic hike through the stunning mountain range of the Dolomites, known for its dramatic peaks and alpine lakes.

4. Discover the Ancient Roman Baths of Caracalla

Visit the ruins of one of the largest and most magnificent Roman baths, located in the heart of Rome.

5. Visit the Ancient Ghost Town of Craco

Explore the abandoned hilltop village of Craco in Basilicata, famous for its eerie beauty and appearances in films.

Planning & Spontaneity

Creating a bucket list of things to see and do is a great way to plan and organize your future solo trips, but it’s also important to leave yourself open to being spontaneous.

While the destination and goals you set out to reach are what drive the journey, that unknown part of the journey is just as important.

The ideal approach is to create a bucket list and follow your plan or itinerary, but also be open-minded to deviating from your original plan to experience something different.

That combination of having a travel goal and setting out to achieve it while also learning something unique and unexpected is what makes solo travel the experience that many travelers seek to experience.

If you want more advice and inspiration on travel, visit the blog at traksandpaks.com.

First Time Traveling Solo? Create a Unique Bucket List With Solo Travel in Mind