At my company, once you hit the 5-year mark, you’re eligible for something called a Recharge — basically a well-earned break to reset and refresh. Mine was due last year, but the timing just wasn’t right then. So I pushed it to this summer and used the chance to mix a bit of solo travel (first time ever!) with some family time, since my husband couldn’t take off for too long.
So here’s the first leg — 10 days on my own. A brand new experience for me, and something I’ll remember for a long time.
First Stop: Toronto (3 Days)
Started the trip in familiar territory — spending time with family and my little nephew in Toronto. Easygoing, warm, and grounding — just what I needed before setting off on my own.
Stockholm (3 Days)
I loved Stockholm. It’s elegant, creative, and has this quiet energy that really grows on you.
Things I did:
- Walking tour, Royal Palace, Stockholm Cathedral, and City Hall
- Explored Södermalm for some hipster vibes
- Visited Vasa Museum, ABBA Museum, Skansen
- Took the Archipelago Tour
- Wandered around T-Centralen and King's Garden
- Metro station-hopping on the blue line — trust me, it’s like a moving art exhibit - Follow this for the metro stop details - https://rainbowtoursstockholm.com/en/stockholm-metro/
Food I tried:
- Swedish meatballs (of course)
- Princess cake (sweet and soft)
- Swedish cinnamon rolls — yum!
Final Stop: Copenhagen (3 Days)
Colorful, quirky, and effortlessly cool — Copenhagen has a personality of its own.
Things I did:
- Walked around Nyhavn, took a boat tour
- Explored Freetown Christiania — totally different vibe!
- Rosenborg Castle, Marble Church, and the Little Mermaid
- Walking tour again (love doing these in new cities)
- Evening at Tivoli Gardens — felt magical
- Hung out at Reffen, an open-air street food spot with amazing vibes
Food I tried:
- Juno Bakery (just go. Please.)
- Buka — loved it
- Reffen — endless choices and the atmosphere was top notch
General Travel Notes:
- No need to carry cash — cards work everywhere in both cities.
- You can get tax refunds on shopping, but it’s not super straightforward — factor in some time at the airport.
- Public transport is brilliant. I used metro, buses, ferries — all smooth.
- In Stockholm, I used a 72-hr digital pass on my phone — super handy.
- SL App for Stockholm - I got the 72 hour ticket in the app, and it was useful for all Metro, the Ferry and the bus.
- In Copenhagen, it’s a physical 72-hr card, but no swiping in/out required.
- In Copenhagen, I just took a 72 hour ticket from the machine, I did not have an app, and carried the ticket with me. There is no swipe in and out in Copenhagen metros.
- Extremely safe cities. As a solo woman traveler, I felt completely at ease.
- Heads up: both are expensive. Not gonna lie.
- If you’re looking for budget finds:
- Flying Tiger is like the Danish version of a dollar store.
- Netto is your go-to supermarket in Copenhagen.
Note: I didn’t explore beyond the city centers this time — so this post is all about Stockholm and Copenhagen themselves.
Thoughts on Solo Travel:
This was my first time traveling solo, and wow — it’s something else. I think your experience depends a lot on where you go. For me, I picked Stockholm and Copenhagen because I knew they were safe, well-connected, and friendly to travelers.
A few things that made a big difference
- Public transport is a game changer. No worrying about driving, parking, or planning too much
- AirTags in your luggage. Mine got lost, but because of the AirTag, I could track it and eventually got it back.
- A solid shoulder bag. I brought one that fit everything I needed for the day and sat comfortably. Lifesaver.
- Stay connected. I shared my location with my husband and a couple of friends throughout.
- I also had a local contact in both places — not mandatory, but definitely reassuring.
- Planning tip: Have a loose plan for each day. I didn’t do minute-by-minute planning, but I had a general outline which gave me structure without feeling boxed in.
- Do a walking tour on Day 1. You get a lay of the land, local tips, historical context, and recommendations from the guide. Totally worth it.
- I booked my walking tours through this app call Guru Walks.
The Inner Experience of Traveling Alone
There’s something beautifully quiet about solo travel. You see something stunning — a sunset, an artwork, a moment — and you don’t have anyone to nudge and say, “Look at that!” It’s just you and the moment.And that’s kind of the magic. You’re fully present, a little in your head, a little in awe. You learn to enjoy your own company.
- Get comfy eating at a restaurant alone (headphones help).
- Be open to spontaneous moments — I randomly joined two girls practicing a dance in Gamla Stan and it turned out to be one of my favorite memories!
- Carry a selfie stick. Yes, it’s a hassle. But totally worth it to capture your memories without constantly asking strangers.
- Always stay aware of your surroundings.
- You wake up, and you know you have the whole time to yourself.
- If your someone who loves to connect with people and chat most of the times, then I kinda filled that gap by connecting with a few friends and family over whatsapp.
- And most importantly — just soak it all in.
