17 of the best travel destinations for men
I want to start by saying that I don’t really believe there’s such a thing as places that only men should travel to.
That said, there are certain places for men to travel that tend to offer particular kinds of experiences.
Below, I’ve shared a list of travel destinations for men that I’d recommend, based on how people travel. Together, they form a well-rounded set of destinations that reward effort, independence, and a willingness to sit with discomfort.
Read on for destinations that range from highly structured countries to remote landscapes and long-distance journeys.
The best places for men to travel
Iceland
Travel to Iceland for… a destination that rewards self-sufficiency and comfort with variable conditions, especially outside major routes.
Iceland can be very easy if you stick to Reykjavik and the main tourist loop. But travel beyond that, for example, the highlands or remote fjords, quickly becomes more practical than indulgent.
Long driving distances, rapidly changing weather, and limited services in rural areas mean planning and adaptability matter.
Nepal
Travel to Nepal for… long-distance trekking and travel that relies on physical effort rather than convenience.
In Nepal, many travellers spend most of their time on foot, particularly in established trekking areas such as the Annapurna and Everest regions. Routes are generally well marked and supported, but progress is slow and shaped by terrain, altitude, and weather rather than schedules or speed.
Accommodation along trekking routes is usually basic, and daily routines are repetitive: walking for hours, stopping to eat, resting, and continuing the next day. The experience is less about variety or comfort and more about sustained effort over time.
Mongolia
Travel to Mongolia if… you’re comfortable travelling long distances with limited infrastructure and minimal external support.
Outside Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia has vast open landscapes, few paved roads, and large gaps between settlements. Travel often involves long drives, basic accommodation, and limited services, especially in rural regions such as the Gobi Desert or around Khuvsgul Lake.
Navigation, timing, and preparation matter more here than convenience or variety. Much of the experience involves covering distance, managing logistics, and adapting to conditions rather than following a packed itinerary or moving between attractions.
New Zealand (South Island)
Travel to New Zealand’s South Island for… an active, self-directed trip that centres on driving, walking, and moving through varied landscapes.
The South Island is well suited to road travel, with long distances between towns and frequent changes in terrain. Routes such as the Milford Road or Haast Pass involve sustained driving through mountains, coastlines, and remote areas, where travel time is part of the experience rather than something to minimise.
Many of the main activities here are outdoors and movement-based. Hiking, cycling, and long drives tend to structure the day, while cities play a secondary role.
Japan
Travel to Japan for… a destination where clear systems and shared social rules support independent travel.
Public transport, such as the shinkansen networks and urban subway systems, is reliable, and signage is consistent across cities. Routes, timetables, and station layouts are designed to be followed rather than interpreted.
Everyday processes – from buying tickets to ordering food – follow established patterns. Travel often involves learning how these systems work and then moving through them without needing to negotiate, bargain, or adjust plans on the fly.
Germany
Travel to Germany for… efficient, independent travel supported by clear administrative systems.
Public transport follows fixed schedules, signage is standardised, and procedures are applied consistently. Trains, tickets, and platforms are organised in ways that prioritise clarity and compliance rather than flexibility.
Getting around typically involves following established rules and processes, which makes route planning and time management straightforward for travellers who prefer structure over improvisation.
Switzerland
Travel to Switzerland for… transport systems that are coordinated and run on time.
Switzerland has a highly efficient public transport network, including punctual SBB trains, coordinated bus services, and alpine infrastructure such as cable cars.
Train, tram, bus, and mountain connections are scheduled to align, making it possible to travel across the country without a car.
South Korea
Travel to South Korea for… a fast-paced urban environment where efficiency and clear social norms support independent travel.
Cities like Seoul and Busan are dense and highly functional. Public transport is extensive, digital services are integrated into daily life, and many processes – from payments to navigation – move quickly and predictably.
South Korea appeals to travellers who are comfortable processing a lot of information at once and adapting quickly. It suits those who enjoy intensity and momentum, while still operating within clear rules and systems.
Scotland (Highlands)
Travel to the Scottish Highlands for… a destination where travelling alone feels normal and unremarkable.
Large parts of the Highlands are sparsely populated, with long stretches of open land, small towns, and limited crowds. Time is often spent driving, walking, or staying in quiet areas rather than moving through busy social spaces. Being alone here doesn’t attract attention or require explanation.
The Highlands suit travellers who prefer low social pressure and extended quiet. It’s a good fit for those who want space to move at their own pace without the expectation of constant interaction or activity.
Canada
Travel to Canada for… space, quiet, and the ability to operate independently beyond major cities.
Outside major urban centres, travel often involves long drives through sparsely populated areas such as the Prairies, northern Ontario, or rural British Columbia.
Towns are spread out, services can be limited, and reaching destinations usually requires planning fuel, food, and timing in advance.
Morocco
Travel to Morocco for… a destination that requires adaptability and situational awareness in everyday travel.
Cities such as Marrakech and Fez are dense and busy, with informal systems, crowded public spaces, and frequent interaction. Travelling often involves navigating medinas, handling unsolicited offers, negotiating prices, and adjusting plans as situations change.
Morocco suits travellers who are comfortable making decisions in real time, responding to social cues, and adapting through conversation rather than relying on fixed procedures.
India (select regions)
Travel to India for… a destination where daily interactions require attention, judgement, and adjustment.
In regions such as Rajasthan or parts of northern India, information is often contextual rather than explicit. Prices may not be fixed, instructions can be indirect, and plans can change with little notice.
Tasks like arranging accommodation, hiring help, or agreeing on services usually involve conversation and interpretation rather than following a standardised process. The experience is easier to manage if you’re comfortable making decisions without complete information and staying patient when circumstances shift.
Vietnam
Travel to Vietnam for… a destination that supports extended stays and everyday routines rather than constant sightseeing.
Vietnam’s cost of living, food culture, and accommodation options make it easy to stay in one place for weeks or months. Cities like Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City offer enough structure to function day to day, while still allowing flexibility in how quickly or slowly you move.
Daily life – such as eating at street food stalls, working from co-working cafes, or running errands – is simple to manage without a large budget.
Mexico
Travel to Mexico for… a mix of clear structure and situations that require judgement beyond major tourist zones.
In areas such as Cancún, Playa del Carmen, or central districts of Mexico City, transport, accommodation, and daily services are generally straightforward and well established.
Outside these zones, travellers often need to assess safety, read local context, and adjust plans based on neighbourhoods, timing, and local advice.
Australia
Travel to Australia for… long-distance travel that involves extended time on the road and physical separation between places.
Much of Australia involves travelling long distances between cities, towns, and regions. Road trips through areas such as the Outback, Western Australia, or inland New South Wales often mean hours of driving with few stops, limited services, and large stretches of empty landscape.
This makes Australia well suited to longer trips where travel time is part of the experience. It appeals to travellers who are comfortable planning around distance and spending extended periods moving between places.
Chile
Travel to Chile for… long-distance travel shaped by geography rather than convenience.
Chile spans a wide range of terrain, from the Atacama Desert in the north to Patagonia in the south. Travelling between regions often involves long flights or extended bus journeys, with significant distance between major destinations.
Movement in Chile tends to require planning around terrain, weather, and transport availability. Travel here suits longer trips where covering distance is part of the experience.
Faroe Islands
Travel to the Faroe Islands for… a quiet trip with limited activity and frequent weather disruption.
The Faroe Islands have a small population, few urban centres, and rapidly changing weather. Travel often involves short drives, ferry crossings, and delays caused by wind or sea conditions.
With limited nightlife, shopping, or organised attractions, much of the time is spent outdoors or waiting for conditions to improve. This suits travellers who are comfortable with stillness and minimal stimulation.
For more travel ideas for men, you might also like…
Similar Posts
