According to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index, which ranks 181 countries, Lithuania (16th) stands out as a safe, accessible, and traveller-friendly country for solo female travellers. All three Baltic countries consistently rank among the top 20 in the index for inclusion, justice, and security, positioning the region as a standout choice for solo female travellers.
At the same time, the Solo Female Travel Trends Survey highlights that solo travel is growing in popularity, driven in particular by women, who are now a major force in modern travel. With 75% of solo travellers identifying as women, safety remains a top concern for 70% of them.
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has been at the top of the charts as a city with 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 travellers a welcoming and easy-to-navigate environment that encourages exploration.”
Beyond safety, the Solo Female Travel Trends Survey also shows that connection is a key part of the experience, while the friendliness of locals also plays a role in destination choice. It found that 66% of travellers 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 travellers already taking part, it has proven to be a memorable way to build authentic connections and enrich the travel experience.
“After a couple of days touring Vilnius ourselves, we thought it would be fun to sign up to Meet a Local,” said Christine B, a tourist from the United States, Meet a Local program participant, according to Go Vilnius. “We met up with Jurgita, and what a great time we had. She took us to areas we had not seen, shared insights into the history of the city as well as her personal experience living during and post Soviet occupation. I cannot emphasise enough what an incredible, innovative concept ‘Meet a Local’ is. Don’t miss this experience!”
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 travellers 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 recognised as one of the world’s greenest cities, second only to Oslo, and offers a growing selection of Michelin-starred restaurants that blend local traditions and contemporary cuisine, as well as a booming coffee culture. Visitors who enjoy a slower morning can sample coffee at one of many local coffee shops, such as Huracán Coffee’s Filter and Flat White, 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.
Learn more about Vilnius here.
