The guide to Paris for solo female travelers

Made by NomadHer with Love 💚

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How much does NomadHer recommend Paris for solo female travelers? (😩 Bad, 😊 Fine, 😍 Amazing)
Our score is : 😊 Fine

Paris is the kind of city where you can find something different to do every day. This Guidebook is written by a Parisian from the suburbs. This means that whenever I am in the city center, I live my best life, relieved to not have to deal with transport complications. Paris is a metropole, but it still seems tiny: you can cross it on foot in about two hours, which is one of the reasons it is so enjoyable!

It is also a very recognizable city, with its pigeons, dirty streets, angry Parisians (we will come back to that one) and expensive cafes, but it also has a romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture and culture, and typical cafés and brasseries!

How safe is it to roam the streets of Paris alone as a woman? To be honest, I first wanted to score it as Amazing, because I enjoy this city so much. However, even if I’m used to walking alone at night or taking the metro to go back home, there are too many times when I don’t feel safe enough to say it is an “Amazing” city for female solo travellers. That being said, it is not more dangerous than other capital cities and I still encourage you to go there!

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Here are some things to bear in mind, both good and bad.

🙂 The good:

• You will see many people eating alone in cafés and restaurants, or even having a little picnic at the many parks around the city. It is all safe and okay.
• Public transport is everywhere and the transport network is well designed, so it’s easy to get around, and you will be able to reach anywhere you want pretty easily.

🙁 The bad:

• You will probably experience catcalling and sexist remarks at some point.

• Pick-pocketing is quite common:
• 👉 Take care of your belongings in public spaces
• 👉 Make sure to avoid some districts, especially at night
• ⛔️ Hazardous areas that you should avoid during nighttime. If you have any more opinions, feel free to contribute as well!
• Les Halles - Châtelet: lively commercial center but it can get wilder at night.
• Gare du Nord: one of the 4 major stations in Paris but try not to visit when dark.
• Stalingrad and Jaurès: beware of pickpockets!
• Porte de la Chapelle: popular neighborhood but you might feel insecure
• Barbès Rochechouart and the Goutte d’Or: walking those colorful streets at night might be too risky

Paris is worth its reputation, on different levels, but you can for sure have the best possible experience, even if you are by yourself. We are here to help!

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Do’s

Rent a bike or a scooter.
It rains a lot in Paris, but the advantage is that we really learn to enjoy blue sky, so whenever you can take a bike or a scooter, do not hesitate! It may be faster than a car and even the Metro sometimes. You will find bicycles and scooters from different companies (like Lime) all over Paris, or you can try a Vélib bicycle if you are staying a long time. Vélib is the bike-sharing service par excellence in Paris, and they offer from daily to annual plans.

Go near the Seine on the quays.
It is the best. Bars, cafés and nightclubs are good, but also simply taking some snacks or drinks, a speaker with good music and sit down near the Seine is a wonderful experience: it's cheap and beautiful, and there's always a good atmosphere! My favorite spots are in front of Notre Dame, but from Gare de Lyon to Bastille there is always some place to enjoy!

Grab a coffee in random brasseries or cafés
Oh, this I love. Who doesn't know Parisian cafés? They are so typical. Just go anywhere you find cute and live like a local by ordering an expensive black coffee (without sugar for a more intense experience).

Use Paris as a base to explore France
This is a bit off-topic, but I guess you already know about the biggest museums in the world and the Eiffel tower. From Paris, you can basically go anywhere in France by train with the national railway company SNCF. It can be expensive if you go to the South, for example, but you can go to Normandy (Cabourg, Honfleur, Dieppe) and see the sea for 1 day!

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Don’ts

Don't get lost in the city without a charged phone.
You will discover really fast that Parisians are always looking at Google Maps because even the locals don’t know their city that well. There are a few apps that will always help you get back home safely:
- Bonjour RATP! or City Mapper to check the transport system
- Uber / Free Now / My Mouv to order a taxi/car
- Lime for bikes and scooters

Don't (or try to avoid) take Ubers and cars.
Traffic is awful.

(but) Don't use public transport if you are going from a suburb to another suburb.
It might sound really specific, but trust me, I live in the western suburbs and I virtually always need to take a car if I don't go to Paris Intramuros (i.e. within the city itself). During the summer, the public transport options are greatly affected by railroad work: don't rely on it too much!

Don't be surprised by the French English accent.
Yes, some Parisians make no effort.

Don't be surprised by Parisians’ character.
And don't take it personally: in this city, everyone is overwhelmed by life, stressed out, or late for something. And if some are annoying, ask French people to teach you French slang ;)

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NomadHer Recommendations

Eat

Must-Eat foods in Paris! These can be clichés but they exist to be proven, right?

🥐 Baguette, croissant, pain au chocolat and pâtisserie

Try to wake up around 7am in the early morning, and go to the nearest boulangerie of your accommodation. You can go and order the freshly baked, warm and crispy baguette, which will definitely blow your mind.

🍷 Wine

The more expensive the better? Not really! Go visit the nearest local supermarkets like Carrefour, Monoprix, Auchan and dive into the different types of wine ranging from red, rose, white and champagne! You will be surprised to know that starting from 3 euros you can get quite decent wine in France!

🧀 French Cheese

Local Markets are always the best place to try different types of cheese! For example, you can go to the local market in Bastille which is held every Sunday starting from 9am and find out over a hundred kinds of cheese! Blue cheese (Roquefort) is a must-try! It is always bringing lots of controversies.

🥯 Macarons

‘La Duree’ and ‘Pierre Hermes’ are the two most famous and loved Macaron brands by Parisiens! You might say that this small macaron costs like 3 euros? But when you try one bite you will understand the complex sabor of it!

🍲 Onion soup and Croque Monsieur (or Croque Madame)

If there are street foods in other countries, Onion soup and Croque Monsieur might be the finger snack food in Paris Brasserie! Enjoy these light meals for less than 10 euros.

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Places to eat

• Savory pleasures

Brooklyn Pizzas
33 bd Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris, France
I love Italian food. And there is some very tasty Italian food here. The atmosphere is nice and it’s next to Bastille, which makes it even nicer. The menu is very funny, which just adds something to the 7€ Margherita !

La Felicitá
5 Rue Eugène Freyssinet, 75013 Paris, France
La Felicitá features several restaurants in one. Whether you like pizzas, salads, pastas, just coffee, or tasty cocktails: you will find what you are looking for here. It’s very crowded (for a reason) at both lunch and dinner time, so make sure you arrive early ;)

Rue Sainte-Anne
Between the Opéra Garnier and the Louvre, this street is very famous for being THE place of all good East-Asian food. For me, there’s one place that stands out:
- Naniwa-Ya 11 Rue Sainte-Anne, 75001 Paris, France
Tasty Japanese food: I always go there and get more or less the same thing, and I’m never disappointed or bored!

• For more sweetness in your life

Glaces Bachir… ice cream lovers?
58 Rue Rambuteau, 75003 Paris, France
If you like pistachios and orange blossom water, this is your place. Right in front of the Centre Pompidou, in the very center of Paris, enjoy some very instagramable Lebanese ice creams. A bit expensive, but totally worth it!

Glaces Berthillon
31 rue saint louis en l'ile, 75004 Paris, France
My mom used to tell me these were the best ice creams in Paris :) Still expensive, but the place is super nice.

Season
1 Rue Charles-François Dupuis, 75003 Paris, France
Fans of brunch and pancakes, I’m talking to you! They make fat tough pancakes. It’s delicious. That’s it. The location is also quite nice and the restaurant itself is quite comfy, located between République and the Marais.

Holybelly 5
5 Rue Lucien Sampaix, 75010 Paris, France
Another one for brunch lovers, quite different but a good pancake-maple syrup combination to start the day on a good note. The queue on the weekends is quite long, so I recommend going on working days if possible!

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Cafés

La Cité Audacieuse
9 Rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris, France
Very near the Luxembourg Gardens (Latin Quarter, student district, best district), you have this peaceful place with the Café Mona, which is located in an old primary school. You can take your coffee or something to eat in the schoolyard. Plus, it is very cheap (especially for Paris). To make it even better, the place is dedicated to Feminism: there are feminist bookshelves so that you can read something while enjoying your drink. Everything is thought to be in line with the place’s values: for example, the beer comes from a female-directed brewery. I’m gonna stop there but you should definitely try it!

Café Tabac
1bis Rue Ravignan, 75018 Paris, France
This café is located in Montmartre, which is also a district you should visit for sure. It might be the most Frenchy/cliché Parisian experience you can have. Here are some pictures for you to form your own opinion haha!

Brasserie Dubillot
222 Rue Saint-Denis, 75002 Paris, France
I couldn’t make this list without a brasserie! This brasserie is very typical of Paris, and at the same time really fancy! Near Châtelet, you can take a café allongé in this beautiful place. A bit expensive, like real Parisian brasseries!

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Museums and Art

You may already know the Louvre, the Orsay Museum and the Orangerie Museum, and please go and visit because they are totally worth it. In this section, I just want to add a more original touch to your tour!

59 rue Rivoli
On one of the biggest streets of Paris, a building is only dedicated to the arts. Some artists just stay a few weeks to present their work, exhibit it and sell it. I love the fact that you can interact with the artists, and the building in itself is beautiful.

Centre Pompidou
Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris, France
A basic, but you will surely be surprised by its different temporary exhibitions which rarely disappoint me! The permanent exhibition is also very interesting, and you can visit it more than once if you have a long stay here :)

La Gaité Lyrique
3bis Rue Papin, 75003 Paris, France
A place that I know from the Paris Podcast Festival, which takes place in October, this place welcomes different types of artists, performances, and experiences: check it out!

La Cité Fertile
14 Av. Edouard Vaillant, 93500 Pantin, France
Same spirit for this place that I know from the female-entrepreneurial festival EmpowHer. It’s a bit outside of Paris itself, but check their programs, there are a lot of good events and good tips!  

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Night Life 💃

La Mutinerie
176-178 Rue Saint-Martin, 75003 Paris, France
LGBTQIA+ bar! Safe and inclusive place (a bit expensive but we forgive them).

Le Nouvel Institut
1 Bd Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris, France
Happy Hour from 4pm to 2am.
Beer for 3€. What else do we need?

Rue de la Huchette, 75005 Paris, France
Street with lots of dancing bars, things to eat, and a festive atmosphere!

- Café de Paris V 14 Rue de la Huchette, 75005 Paris, France: the liter of beer is 9€ until 9pm, it’s a piano-bar, the mood is incredible.

- Georges Café 4 Rue de la Huchette, 75005 Paris, France: to dance all night long!

3615 Croisette
Boat party on the Seine anyone? It takes place every summer; the ticket is from €10 to 20, so make sure you book it in advance :) The drinks are a bit expensive, but the experience is amazing. The boat tour is 3 hours long, and then you can stay until 5am for the nightclub!

Jazz concert at Châtelet?
Another experience for the music fans (and the ones who want to discover something new! Listen to jazz for few hours while enjoying a glass of wine.
- Sunset Sunside
60 Rue des Lombards, 75001 Paris, France
- Duc des Lombards
42 Rue des Lombards, 75001 Paris, France

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Shopping

• Louvre and Tuileries District: The center of Parisian design and fashion.
• Galeries Lafayette and Printemps in Boulevard Haussman: You can enjoy the typical Belle Epoque mood.
• The Marais: Vintage, artisan, handcrafted, and antique!
• The Champs-Elysées: Do I need to explain?
• Les Halles - Châtelet: Huge underground shopping center with a cinema.
• Flea markets: Those in Montreuil, St-Ouen, Porte de Vanves are the most popular.

✅ In France they usually have 2 big sale seasons called “Les Soldes”. One in winter and the other in Summer. Winter sale will begin shortly after Christmas. Summer sale begins just before the vacances season. You can have big opportunities finding fantastic deals on expensive clothes and other items.

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Accommodation

In Paris, there are options for every taste; hotel, airbnb, couchsurfing and more. Even if you’re choosing a fancy hotel, make sure you check the area in which is located and how safe it is.

Paris has 20 arrondissements:

• 1st & 2nd arrondissements: Very historic. Full of must-see areas like the Louvre or Palais Royal. But accommodation can be highly expensive.

• 3rd & 4th arrondissements: Le Marais area has cool restaurants and bars. Different communities: Jewish, LGBTQ, Chinese, etc. Feel the vibe of diversity!
• 5th & 6th arrondissements: Lively neighborhood. The famous university La Sorbonne and Quartier Latin is located here.
• 7th & 8th arrondissements: The Eiffel Tower in the 7th, the Arc of Triomphe and the avenue of Champs-Elysees in the 8th! They are both highly touristic areas so beware of pickpockets.
• 9th & 10th arrondissements: the 9th district alone had 19 metro stations. If you ever find yourself in the 10th, Canal Saint-Martin is where to go, it is less touristy and offers a more intimate atmosphere than Quais de Seine. It is also also home to two big train stations: Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord where you can take a train to London.
• 11th & 12th arrondissements: The district of the youth & hipsters! You will see so many endless bars and the young people talking to each other especially near the metro station Line 3 "Parmentier".
• 13th & 14th arrondissements: The district of Chinese and Vietnamese communities! Well, you might feel like you are literally in Asia if you ever get a chance to visit this district. Feel the vibe of Asian street food, bubble tea and more to come!
• 15th & 16th arrondissements: They are residential districts. If you fancy calm strolls in parks, you can go to Parc André-Citroën. Tour de Montparnasse is located here, which is the highest skyscraper in Paris. The 16th is one of the most prestigious districts in Paris, home to a number of museums but also embassies.
• 17th & 18th arrondissements: 18th arrondissement is a home to the Montmartre. This highland provides a wonderful panorama of Paris. But be very careful when it’s dark!
• 19th & 20th arrondissements: the 19th is home to Paris’s artificial park, Parc des Buttes Chaumont. It was designed to imitate mountain landscapes it has: rocks, lake, waterfalls and cave. The 20th is known for its cemetery Cimetière du Père-Lachaise, where many international celebrities rest: Raymonde Delaroche, Edith Piaf and Oscar Wilde.

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‼️ Emergency Numbers

17 for Police
15 for an Ambulance
18 for Firemen

112 is the European emergency number. If you don’t know what to call, remember this one.
NB: everything is free so don’t hesitate!

Disclaimer

Our guide was made with care & love, but that doesn't mean that we always get everything right. Please know that the information above can be outdated and measures in countries may change overnight because of Covid-19. Don't hesitate to correct us with better recommendations or latest knowledge!

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The guide to Seoul for solo female travelers

How much does NomadHer recommend Seoul for solo female travelers? (😩 Bad, 😊 Fine, 😍 Amazing).
Our score is: 😍 Amazing

Welcome to Seoul! 🌸

A vibrant mix of traditional and modern, the fast-paced capital of South Korea has been growing stronger and stronger as one of the biggest tourist destinations in the Far East. Bustling with life and endless entertainment opportunities, the city that never sleeps has managed to retain its historic charm amidst the blazing neon lights and karaoke bars. All to the sound of K-pop tunes.

Museums, art galleries, charming traditional districts, riverside parks, spas for every taste, cutting-edge technology, and a culinary culture to remember, you are sure to find something for you in Seoul.

Do’s and  Dont’s

Do’s 👌

🍉 Enjoy a long sauna in a Jjimjilbang. A Jjimjilbang is a traditional Korean sauna. They are sex-segregated and very popular in South Korea. On top of hot saunas, Jjimjilbangs offer many other services, like cafeterias, entertainment rooms, TV lounges, and even sleeping areas with sleeping mats. Boiled eggs and Sikhye (sweet rice drink) are typical Jjimjilbang treats.

🍉 Enjoy endless street foods wherever you go! Some good places to find streetfood are:

• Ewha Womans University and Hongik University - The streets around these universities are full of food stalls!
• Myeongdong - One of Seoul’s major tourist districts with a huge street food scene that will leave you wanting more! It’s full of top-notch food stalls, cafes and restaurants.
• ShinChon - A lively neighbourhood, where many youngsters hang out, it’s full of delicious food that won’t drain your budget!
• Gwangjang Market - The oldest continually functioning market in all of South Korea is one of the ultimate places to experience traditional Korean street food and culture.

Some must-try street foods are Tteokbokki (Korean spicy rice), Bindaetteok (Potato Pancake), and Hotteok (Korean fried pancake). More on the food section below!

🍉 Rent a bicycle at Han River for 1 hour. The Han-River is the symbol of Seoul and it traverses the entire city. You can rent a bicycle for an hour and enjoy a relaxing ride along the river.

🍉 Enjoy Cup-Noodles (Cup-Ramen) at a convenience store.  You can enjoy amazingly delicious cup noodles at convenience stores, which are open 24 hours a day. Cup noodles are instant Korean-style Ramen with different flavours with soup, and South Korean people love to eat them as a late-night snack.

🍉 Buy night snacks and beers, fruit-flavoured Soju at CU, Seven 7 or Emart Convenience stores and enjoy them while sitting outside of the shops. Instead of drinking at bars, Korean people love to buy beers and Korean traditional distilled rice drink Soju, and chill out. Drinking in front of the convenience stores is a really authentic Korean experience. And yes, drinking in public spaces is legal in Korea!

🍉 Go to a Norae-bang (Korean Karaoke) where you can let loose, sing and dance crazily, and even order food and drinks! Why not try dancing to the tunes of the famous Korean band BTS?

🍉 Visit a Korean PC-bang (PC Room), where you will see many people sitting and enjoying online games, or dating in front of computer screens. You can order many different kinds of food here. Try to order Ramen (Korean spicy noodles) or Jja-jang-myoen (Korean black noodles) and, when it is ready, they will bring it in front of your screen!

🍉 Visit and walk around a Korean traditional market, such as Gwang-jang market, and enjoy spending some time looking around different types of fish, and Korean rice cakes (Tteok).

🍉 Prepare for extreme weather. Korea’s weather is quite extreme. In Seoul, it can get up to 40 degrees Celsius in the summer and down to -18 degrees Celsius in the winter. Get your clothes ready: Korea has a long raining season around July and August. If you’re planning to visit Seoul around then, bring a strong umbrella!

🍉 Enjoy a baseball match! Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Korea. What makes Korean baseball special is the cheering culture! The fans sing and dance all together while enjoying Chimaek (fried chicken with beer). It’s like a huge party! The baseball season starts around March and it ends in the autumn. There are 2 baseball stadiums in Seoul and the tickets are very affordable.

Dont’s 👎

⛔ Don’t sit on the seats for the elderly on the subway. In the Korean subway, there are seats specially reserved for the elderly, the handicapped, and pregnant women. It’s better to leave those seats empty for those in need.

⛔ Don’t gulp or talk loud on the subway or public transportation. It can be seen as very impolite to talk in a loud voice or gulp in the subway.

⛔ Don’t say ‘안녕’ to say “Hi”. There are 2 ways to say “Hi” in Korean: “안녕(Annyeong)” and “안녕하세요(Anneyonghaseyo)”. The former (Annyeong) is a very friendly and casual version, whereas the latter (Anneyonghaseyo) is more polite. You should say Anneyonghaseyo to strangers.

⛔ Don’t hesitate to ask for “less spicy” in restaurants. Korean foods are quite spicy in general. If you’re not used to spicy food, just tell them to make it less spicy when you order in restaurants.

⛔ Don’t leave tips. There’s no tipping culture in Korea, so you shouldn’t leave tips at restaurants, for example.

Must-visit

• Bukchon Hanok Village is a traditional Korean village with more than 600 years of history. A Hanok is a traditional Korean house. Once a neighbourhood for the nobility, it’s a great place for you to experience the Korean village environment and see the old wood and stone houses, many of which have now been turned into cafes and tea houses. Many famous K-Dramas were filmed in this village, including “Goblin”.
• Go to Cheonggye Stream, an 11 km-long stream that runs through downtown Seoul. It was created as part of an urban renewal project, and it offers a calm and pleasant place to stroll. Walk around and visit the Kyobo bookstore, the landmark of Seoul, where you will find an endless variety of books.
• DMZ (demilitarized zone). The demilitarized zone is a strip of land that acts as a border and buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea. There are many day tours to DMZ. At the DMZ, you’ll understand more about the Korean war, how Korea got separated into 2 countries and what the relationship between them is like nowadays. The tours usually include a visit to a cave that was dug by North Korean soldiers during the war and an observatory from where you can actually see North Korean territory.
• Hongdae. One of the youngest neighborhoods in Seoul. The streets are full of lively shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs. The streets never sleep. You’ll be surprised to see them alive up to 3 am.

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Must-eat

• Tteokbokki: Tteokbokki is every Korean girl’s soul food. It’s a rice cake, usually sweet and spicy, made with chili sauce. You can also find soy sauce-based tteokbokki, which is not spicy at all.
• Hotteok: You cannot talk about Korean dessert without Hotteok, a flour dough pancake. Hotteok are usually filled with brown sugar and sometimes nuts. This fried sweet dessert is a must for whoever wishes to enjoy true Korean street food.
• Bindaetteok: They are savory mung bean pancakes that are widely enjoyed by Koreans, as they are a very common street food. There are many varieties (with pork, vegetables, kimchi, etc.) and they usually come with a spicy sauce. The best is to eat them fresh when they’re crispy on the outside.

Accommodation

Seoul is consistently ranked among the safest cities in the world, and you will find that most places are safe to walk around during the night without any worries. Some districts, however, can provide more special experiences for female travellers. Here are some of our recommendations of areas to stay:

• Jongro-gu is the heart of Seoul. If you get your accommodation in Jongro-gu, you’ll have easy access to many sightseeing spots such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong, etc.
• You can try to stay in a Hanok. A Hanok is a traditional Korean house. There are some Hanoks that have been turned into hotels or hostels. They usually have no beds; they offer you a traditional mattress instead.
• Gang-nam, one of the most chic and fancy areas in Seoul with endless high buildings, is the most expensive part of Seoul. Many big corporations are based here, so you can see the real business life.
• Hong-dae& Hap-Jeong is the most popular youth district where you can stop by cute cafes, restaurants, and clubs. Many indie music artists and painters also stay around the district, so here you can feel the “hippie” part of Seoul.
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Transportation

• Uber does not work in South Korea. You can use Kakao-Taxi, which is an app to book taxis. Kakao is one of the two biggest internet companies in South Korea and they provide many different digital services.
• Public Transportation systems, such as the subway and bus systems, are very well developed in Seoul and you can go anywhere with this. Kakao maps will usually show what is the easiest way to get to your destination. Kakao Maps will be more useful than Google Maps in South Korea.
• Express buses and trains are the most widely used intercity transportation. It’s better to make a reservation in advance if you’re planning to travel on the weekend.
• Renting a car in Seoul isn’t advisable. Seoul is a huge metropolis and the traffic is horrible. There are not enough public parking areas either. Unless they have huge baggage, the residents of Seoul also prefer using public transportation.
• There is a public bicycle service called 따릉이(Ddareungi). The rental fee is very affordable! (Less than 1 USD per hour.) You will need to install an app first. The app will show you available bikes around you.
  

Safety

According to The Economist’s Safe Cities Index Ranking 2019, Seoul is ranked as the 9th safest city in the world. Crime rates are very low and you will see police officers almost on every corner. Attitude towards women is respectful and most female travelers say to have felt safe walking around the city even late at night.

That said, Seoul is still a huge city, so take the safety precautions that you would normally take. Avoid dark alleyways and areas you don’t feel good about, and talk to the police if you find yourself in a tight spot. They will be ready to help and, even if they don’t speak your language, they have on-call interpreters for these situations.

As in any tourist city, look out for tourist scammers and jacked-up prices. These things can happen anywhere.

All in all, Seoul is a very safe city for solo female travellers! 😄

Testimonials

What would you like to say about Seoul? Would you recommend Seoul to your friends?

• Seoul is a vibrant city where you can enjoy a rich history, beautiful nature, and modern skyscrapers at the same time. Moreover, Seoul is a very safe city so I recommend it as your first solo travel destination! - Soo Ji OHN

• Seoul is a mix of tradition and modernity. You will find old traditional Korean houses in the middle of the skyscrapers. People are ready to help you out and smile! Enjoy Seoul! - Hyojeong KIM

The walls of the Parisian metro are covered with posters of new exhibitions that have been patiently waiting for confinement to end. What to choose when there are so many options?  Why not taking advantage of the places that highlight feminine and feminist art?

The whole NomadHer team went to the temporary exhibition (from May 19th to July 25th) at the Musée du Luxembourg (Paris), Peintres Femmes (1780-1830): Naissance d’un combat.

DISCOVER THE VIRTUAL EXHIBITION !

We were very excited to see tourist spots reopening, and an exhibition specifically about female artists was a perfect opportunity to play tourist again: what could be more in the spirit of NomadHer?

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Historical and geographical context

Just pretending to be a History teacher…

Before getting into the subject of the exhibition, let me tell you where you are in Paris. The Jardin du Luxembourg, where the museum is located, is one of my favorite places in the capital (and for many Parisians as well). It's in the Quartier Latin, which gathers several famous schools like La Sorbonne, Henri IV, Louis Le Grand. It’s a very lively student district, which is at the same time full of history. It’s home to the Senate, the Pantheon and, just next door, the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Student district necessarily goes hand in hand with culture: the area is full of bookstores (Gibert Joseph, Shakespeare & Co...), and museums like the Luxembourg Museum or the Cluny Museum on the Middle Ages.

The exhibition presents a panel of works —exclusively female creations— covering the period from 1780 to 1830. That period was a turning point in French history, since it covers the Revolution —with all the political changes it implies—, an era that resulted from the philosophy of the Enlightenment, where the concepts of Human Rights were in full bloom.

What about women?

I mention political upheavals because art is influenced by its context, it doesn’t occur in a vacuum, and what is left after this social and political turmoil is the names of men.

Exclusively of men.

At the museum, we learnt that, even after the end of "the Old Regime, we had to wait for the second half of the 19th century to find women painters publicly recognized as remarkable."

We enter in full in the subject of the invisibilization of women in History. That is to say: if we looked at what is studied in school, we would be led to believe that there were no women painters until the contemporary period.

This exhibition shows a different story.

To be honest, this is not my favorite period in painting. From a very subjective point of view, it is not the portraits of noble families that interest me the most (and there were a lot of them), but I must admit that the simple fact of discovering many names of women, unknown until then, filled me with joy. In addition to Elisabeth Vigée-Le-Brun, who is one of the most famous ones, there are for example: Adélaïde Labille-Guiard, Rosalie Filleule de Besne, Marie-Geneviève Bouliard, Julie Duvidal de Montferrier, Aimée Brune-Pagès...

You don't know them? Well, one more reason to dig into the subject ;)

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The female gaze

Just pretending to be an Arts teacher

Despite my limited knowledge of painting, I found it fascinating to study (on my own scale - I have no expertise to my credit haha), to what extent the gaze of the artist influences their work: in this case, the female gaze.

Laura Mulvey coined the term “male gaze” in an essay about film theory, and it was later taken up by French author Iris Brey in an essay released in 2020: Le Regard Féminin (it's brilliant, go and read it). So I don't know if it's applicable to painting, but I like to imagine that a woman painter who draws a female model brings another dimension to her art (like in Portrait of a Lady on Fire, if you know the reference).

The birth of a fight

This place that women have built for themselves in painting is admirable, because they were being held back at more or less all levels (this reminds me of the 21st century lol). 1780-1830 was a great period of reform at the institutional level, for example, with the advent of the Academies, which were full of men and deeply sexist.

Finally, art was beginning to organize itself and society was going through a total restructuring… without women!

It is not for nothing that the exhibition bears the subtitle "Birth of a struggle." We can rely on revolutionary texts such as Olympe de Gouge’s Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Citizen (1791), or Mary Wollestonecraft, from the other side of the English Channel, with A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) to counterbalance this patriarchal reorganization of society.

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All this is to say…

...that I liked this exhibition visually, but that it especially opened a new perspective on this revolutionary period.  The visit is short, a bit expensive, and —an important point— not translated into English, which really is a shame!

The only thing left is the wonderful idea of making exhibitions of badass women!

I hope that my review of this cultural experience will inspire you to either check out the virtual exhibition (unfortunately, the physical one ended on July 25th), or to pay attention at feminine and feminist art in general. In any case, on our side, the next destination will surely be the exhibition Elles font l'abstraction at the Musée Pompidou (Paris), which remains open until August 23rd.

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“Traveling definitely broadened my vision and I always find that traveling alone is the best remedy for me to retrieve my confidence and strength.”

Travelling to big cities can be scary. They can be overwhelming, impersonal, and hard to navigate. And safety is an issue that always comes to mind. This can happen when visiting a big city in our own country, so imagine what it could be like to go to a foreign country: you don’t know the culture, you don’t speak the language, and you don’t know anybody there.

That’s why we are interviewing NomadHers who have taken solo trips... and come back empowered. Reading real experiences from real people can provide great insight into what travelling solo is really like, and reassure you that yes, you can do it too! So let’s dive right in.

Today we meet Angeline, the founder of the women empowerment platform SheASK, who, a few years ago, got on a solo trip to Seoul, in South Korea. She eventually ended up living there for a few years and went on many trips around the country.

We decided to ask her a few questions to learn about her experience, and we want to share the answers with you! Spoiler: it’s always about the people :)

Now pack your imaginary suitcase and let Angeline take you to Seoul with her!

• What if we started by telling us a bit about yourself?
  Hi, I’m Angeline from Malaysia and I have been living in Singapore and South Korea for work. I am the founder of SheASK and I love to travel alone most of the time. When I travel alone, my best travel buddies are camera, books and dessert!
• What made you decide to visit Seoul solo?
  For vacation and to visit my Korean friends who I’d never met before.
• If you could describe Seoul in one word, what would it be?
  Magical
• Could you elaborate, why was it magical?
  The experience traveling and living in Korea was magical to me because almost all of the people that I met in Korea are very helpful and kind even a few of them couldn’t speak in English but they would still try their best to help me. I remember I cried on the plane when I leave Korea after my first solo trip to there because the experience traveling in Seoul was so warm to me although it was very cold in the weather.

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• Do you think that travelling changes us? If so, what changed in you after your visit to Seoul?
  Yes, traveling definitely broaden my vision and I always find that traveling alone is the best remedy for me to retrieve my confidence and strength.

• What is the best or worst memory you keep of this destination?
  Best memory was meeting my friends and experience the scene of having fried chicken and beer just like in dramas. Worst memory was pushed and scolded by a drunk old man.
• Do you think Seoul is better-experienced solo or accompanied?
  Although I’m a solo traveler but I think travel to Seoul is good to have companion because most of the delicious and signature Korean food is pretty big portion and couldn’t be finished alone. It depends on the type of the journey.
• Having been to Seoul, what do you say are the "Must take with you" items?
  Medicine because it could be quite hard to explain in a foreign language when you are sick.

• Do you have any advice for our fellow NomadHers?
  As foreigners do not understand Korean language and it could be difficult to get right medicine without going to hospital. It is best to bring your own medicine in case you get sick.

• As a solo female traveler, what do you expect to get out of your travels?
  Happy memories, understanding of the culture and experience of the locals.

• What would you say to NomadHers who would like to visit this destination?
  Try not to follow too much of bloggers’ and influencers’ advice on where to dine in. Sometimes it was just for commercial purpose and local small shops taste much better and much more authentic. I would recommend to ask your Korean friends for recommendations or Korean solo travelers in Nomadher app! :)

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The guide to Lisbon for solo female travelers

Made by NomadHer with love💚

How much does NomadHer recommend Lisbon for solo female travelers?(😩 Bad, 😊 Fine, 😍 Amazing)
Our score is : 😍 Amazing

Lisbon, Portugal’s seven hills capital, where the sun is shining most of the year and the people are nice and always smiling (we’re thinking because it’s always sunny ☀️)
Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe . It was founded 1,200 BC, but did you know that almost all of Lisbon was destroyed in 1755? An earthquake followed by a tsunami and firestorms destroyed 90% of the buildings.

This travel guide was created to help women navigate their stay in Lisbon.

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Words to remember

Bom dia: Good morning
Boa Tarde: Good evening
Obrigada: Thank you
Fala Ingles?: do you speak english?
Pode ajudar por favor?: can you help me please

Emergency Numbers

112 is the national emergency number.
God forbid you’re in a situation in need of police, ambulance… call it! it’s free.

Transportation

Lisbon has a large public transportation network (bus, tram, metro, taxi.. ) you will have no trouble getting from one place to the other.
I had no trouble going to the most known places, or to the malls through the metro .

Do’s

Do expect nice people
Portuguese are some of nicest and welcoming people, we think it’s because it’s always sunny, so people are happier 😂

Do lose yourself in Lisbon’s streets
In our experience, Lisbon is better experienced on foot,  you see so many things and explore at your own pace, so we encourage you to!

Do eat Pastel de Nata
Portugal’s must eat pastry, an egg custard tart dusted with cinnamon that will melt in your mouth. 🤤
We loved the ones from Manteigaria & Pastéis de Belém.

Do say Obrigada
”Thank you” in Portuguese depends on your gender. Obrigada for women, Obrigado for men, we hear a lot of women making this mistake and saying Obrigado instead of Obrigada!

Do ride the E28
Operating since 1873, there are six lines of Lisbon’s eléctricos, the most famous one is the E28, it passes by Lisbon’s most famed attraction sites. Enjoy your ride!
PS: A single ticket is 3€ but it’s best to purchase the 24h pass at 10€, giving you access to all transportation!

Do expect to hear Não sei a lot
Portuguese are some of the nicest people, but you’ll often hear “Não sei: I don’t know” when you’re asking about something. 😂

Do expect to feel safe
Lisbon may be the first city I’ve traveled to where I felt safe walking at night (not in unsafe neighborhoods of course, one must always keep her wits about her).
I felt a sense of serenity and calm I’ve never felt elsewhere.

Do wear comfortable shoes
Lisbon is very hilly, if you haven’t worked out in a while, you’ll get in an intense leg day ;)  or week, depending on how much you’re going to stay.

Don’ts

Don’t be surprised to hear that English is widely spoken!
It’s true that you’ll have no problem communicating in English in big and touristic cities, we had no problem
And surprisingly, you won’t hear any accent!

Do pay attention to whom you’re talking to
In the city center, especially near the famous “Pink Street” , people were always coming to me and asking me something in Portuguese, I later found out that they were asking me to buy drugs.

Don’t get afraid on bus rides
It’s crazy how bus drivers drive in Portugal, with the narrow streets and hills and speed they go at, you feel like you’re on a roller coaster!

Don’t be afraid to enjoy the slow pace.
Lisbon is one of those cities where once you set your feet upon it, you feel all your stress melting away.
You hear music playing in every corner, artists singing and performing in every square.
Enjoy it!

Things to see

Praça do comércio
Formerly known as Ribera Palace, this was the royal residence of the ruling family.
It was destroyed during the great earthquake of Lisbon in 1755 and then rebuilt as Praça do comércio, (Commerce square)  to commemorate a new era of trade in Lisbon.

Baixa chiado
Lose yourself in the streets in Baixa chiado, let yourself be enchanted by the vibrant and peaceful vibe.
Walk to the rhythm of artists singing and playing music and make a stop or two to enjoy a street performance.
To fellow bookworms, the gem of Baixa Chiado would be Bertrand, the oldest operating library in the world since 1732.

Belém
The tower sitting in the Tagus River was built in the 16th century, it served as a fortress protecting the city of Lisbon. It served at one point as a prison, all prisoners daunted being held there for fear of drowning when the tide’s too high as the cells were located below.
It is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site and open to visitors.

LX Factory
Sitting directly under the 25th April bridge is the hidden gem of Lisbon, LX factory is one of the coolest, vibrant, trendy and creative hubs in Portugal.
You will find art everywhere in galleries, buildings, workshops.
It is home to many restaurants, cafés and shops and libraries.
I tried Axe throwing for the first time in a restaurant there called USAxe club, it was fun, the vibe was chill, the staff would play with you if you came alone, and whenever you threw the axe in bullseye, customers would start cheering on you.

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Boca do Inferno
Nestled in the municipality of Cascais, Boca do Inferno was originally a sea cave before it collapsed, leaving it looking like a sea arch.
You can watch the waves crashing continuously, they sometimes look like an erupting volcano, hence its name Boca do Inferno (Hell’s mouth).

Sintra
One hour away from Lisbon and nestled in the mountains is charming Sintra, a must do if you ever find yourself in Lisbon. Extravagant Villas and Moor palaces are the main attraction there.
I went to Pena Palace, a castle frozen in 1910, when the nobility fled Portugal, depicting how they lived back then.
My favorite was Quinta de Regaleira, which looks like something out of a fairytale with its lavish mansion and park. Lose yourself in the park, take the many hidden passageways and underground walkways.

Cabo da Roca
A quick 30 minutes stop between Sintra and Cascais, Cabo da Roca is a headland marking the most westerly point of mainland Europe. The rugged, untamed land was believed to be the edge of the world in the 14th century.

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‍Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
Just a few steps away across Belém, the Jerónimos monastery is a UNESCO classified site recognized for its Manueline style (Portuguese late Gothic) known for depicting maritime and naval objects discovered in naval expeditions. We urge you to visit and take many pictures in its cloisters, they are amazing!

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Where to eat

Lisbon has an abundance of restaurants and cafés where you can eat and drink.
So for whatever you are in the mood for, whether it be to contemplate a nice view, enjoy the atmosphere and vibe or gorge yourself on food, here are some places that I loved and wanted to share with you.

100 Montaditos- Cascais
Delicious tapa-sized sandwiches.
You can choose from a variety of sandwiches. We actually had a hard time finishing our plates, we thought they would be too small and would do nothing to us, so we ordered a lot, and we were actually surprised by the size, they were medium sized.

Usaxe club- LX Factory
Well, this was a delightful surprise.
We were walking around with my friend in LX Factory and wanted to eat.
Me, I was so hungry, I just wanted to sit somewhere and eat while she wanted to eat somewhere special.
So there we were, roaming around and bickering about food when we saw people throwing axes and heard bells ringing, and people clapping, so we just stopped and kept watching outside the restaurant like creeps. 😂 Basically the concept is you eat or drink and throw axes while doing it.
The staff were super nice, they would show you how to throw and come play with you.

Rio Maravilha- LX Factory
We went to the bar one night to enjoy LX Factory in the evening, the place is vintage decorated and there are a lot of weird decorations, I remember one crystal ball with a face inside and the eyes following you everywhere.
A statue of a Woman is on top of the roof bar. It’s placed to face the monument of Cristo Rei on the other side of the Tage river.

Quiosque Ribeira das Naus- Tagus River
A nice terrasse in front of the Tagus River, if you just want a moment of quiet, just by yourself, watching the sunset reflecting on water, this place is it for you.

Capricciosa- Alcantara
View and food go hand in hand here, their pizzas are yummy, and the spot is perfect, you have the Ponte 25 de Abril ( often compared to the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco)  on top of you, and the Tagus.

Casa de Alentejo
Are you in a mood to go back in time and dine in a a Moorish castle?
Casa de Alentejo is one of Lisbon’s many unique buildings, when you enter you feel like you traveled back in time and space to one of Morocco’s Riads.
Don’t miss out on visiting this magnificent jewel!

Ponto Final
For an amazing view on the Tagus and Ponte 25 de Abril and also yummy seafood.

Principe do Calhariz
Looking for eating typical Portuguese food? well, look no more, this restaurant was recommended by one of our NomadHers due to its delicious food.  It’s so good that you have to sometimes queue, but the wait is worth it!

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Disclaimer

Our guide was made with care & love, but that doesn't mean that we always get everything right. Please know that the information above can be outdated and measures in countries may change overnight because of Covid-19. Don't hesitate to correct us with better recommendations or latest knowledge!

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The guide to New York City for solo female travelers

Made by Alicia with love💚

How much does NomadHer recommend New York City for solo female travelers?

(😩 Bad, 😊 Fine, 😍 Amazing)

Our score is : 😊 Fine

New York City, the city that never sleeps might be a little overwhelming for a newbie solo traveller however with proper planning can be an experience you’ll never forget!

In terms of being safe in NYC it is important to always be aware of your surroundings, avoid walking around unpopulated areas at night, and if possible during the night try to go out in groups. You can do this by connecting with other women from the NomadHer app or gathering with others from the hostel you’re staying at. There are even some facebook groups that are for solo travellers in NYC.
Something I enjoyed doing during solo travel trips was finding pub crawls. Normally on outings like this I have found, there are other solo travellers from all over the world!
New York City consists of the 5 boroughs. They are the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. NYC is located where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the world's major commercial, financial, and cultural centers

This travel guide is written by a female Upstate New Yorker - Alicia Persaud, a NomadHer Ambassador

Words to remember

Taxi
MTA - the metropolitan transport authority (subway)
Bodega - tiny grocery that sells everything
Bacon egg and cheese - best breakfast sandwich, a classic!
BK - Brooklyn
Uptown/Down - north of the city / south of the city
Knicks - Basketball team representing NY in the NBA
Yankees - Baseball team representing NY in the MLB

Do’s

• Keep an open mind!
• Don’t expect the glamorous New York City you see in the movies. There is a lot of pollution, rats etc. People aren’t always dressed up. People aren’t very friendly. Taking the subway isn’t the easiest thing to do. It is likely you will get lost.
• Hit up the tourist destinations
• They’re tourist destinations for a reason, experience as much as you can with the time you have. There is a ton of history and culture embedded in this city.
• Expect severe weather
• New York summers are HOT and New York winters are FREEZING! Honestly I would say the best time to visit is in the fall when things are a bit milder and you can see the leaves in central park change color!
• Eat as much as possible
• It’s no secret America has an obesity epidemic. However…. While you are here, short term. Enjoy all the food NYC has to offer. Indulge in sweet treats, pizza, fried pickles, whatever your heart desires, it is likely you can find it here.
• Take day trips to Upstate New York
• I might be a little biased on this but…. There are beautiful landscapes up north. If you like to hike / be outdoors you have to check out Sam’s Point, Lake Minnewaska etc. There are also lovely wineries and art exhibits such as Storm King Art Center.
• Dont’s
• Expect to accomplish everything on your list in a day
• NYC is densely populated, on top of this is home to a ton of tourists. It is likely you will have to wait on long lines at various tourist attractions which in turn may prohibit you from accomplishing as much as you would like.
• Rent a car
• I feel like this one might be self explanatory but…. NYC traffic truly is one of a kind and I would not recommend anyone drive in it unless they were familiar with the area. On top of that parking is extremely expensive.
• Leave home without a phone or charger
• This one might also be self explanatory but feeling lost in NYC without a phone could be a nightmare. Don’t put yourself in this situation!
• Walk around random parts of the city at night
• I think if you are in Midtown or heavily populated areas this can be okay, however it is important to remain cautious of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings. I wouldn’t take the subway by myself at off hours, I wouldn’t take walks in Central Park by myself during the night. It is important to be aware of your surroundings at ALL times.

Things to see

• Empire State Building
  The Empire State Building is a 102-story skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan. It is home to a few museums and incredible views! Get a cute IG pic here ;)

• Central Park
  Central Park is the largest urban park in NYC and one of the largest in the world consisting of 843 acres2!
  There are tons of things to do within Central Park. The Conservancy hosts activities daily. One of my favorite things to do is to row around the pond!

• Statue of Liberty
  Visiting the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island and the Immigration Museum on Ellis Island is a wonderful experience and to get the most out of it, realize that visiting can take most of a day.

• Times Square
  At the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue in New York City's Midtown Manhattan, stands Times Square. Time Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment center, and neighborhood.

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City, colloquially "the Met", is the largest art museum in the United States.
  The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy.

The Brooklyn Bridge
For the best views of the bridge head to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade or Pier 15 in the Seaport district5. You can also walk or bike on the bridge!

Broadway
There are 41 professional theaters in the Theater District and the Lincoln Center along Broadway in Midtown Manhattan. Each with 500 or more seats, present world-renowned theatrical performances6. My favorite was the Lion King :).

Museum of Sex
The Museum of Sex gathers and preserves art and objects that support its goal of presenting humans sexuality's origin, evolution, and cultural significance. My friends and I went for my birthday one year. It was very funny. There is a bouncy house with inflatable boobs.

The Cloisters
Tucked away in scenic Fort Tryon Park, the Cloisters—an annex of the Met—showcase art and architecture from medieval Europe.
Numerous artifacts, illuminated manuscripts and ephemera fill the halls. Even the building itself—constructed from European monasteries transferred to the U.S.—looks like something out of Game of Thrones.

Snug Harbor Cultural Center
Once a retirement home for aging sailors, Snug Harbor reinvented itself as an arts center and botanical garden in the 1970s. Explore the property's nine distinctive gardens, including the bamboo forest and koi ponds of the Chinese Scholar’s Garden and the intricate maze of boxwoods at the Connie Gretz Secret Garden.

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NYC staple foods

• Hotdogs
  An American classic! Can be found just about anywhere, whether you’re walking the streets of Manhattan or at a sporting event. Beef and pork are the traditional meats used in hotdogs. There are tons of toppings you can put on your hotdogs, most common are relish, and condiments such as ketchup or mustard.

• Pretzels
  A doughy and salty snack easily obtainable on the streets of NYC.

• Pizza
  New York-style pizza has big, thick slices with a crisp crust that can be folded. Pizza that has no additional toppings is referred to as "plain," "regular," or "cheese."
  Pizza is normally sold by the slice or as a whole pie, which is typically 18 inches in diameter and divided into eight slices.
  It is common to see a $1 slice stands across NYC! (Who say’s you can’t eat cheap in NYC.. hahaha)
• Bagels
  Come in a variety of flavors such as sesame or onion and is paired with an assortment of toppings such as the classic cream cheese, or bacon egg and cheese.
  This American delicacy is easily eaten on the go for breakfast or lunch.
  A new bagel combination that I have tried and am obsessed with is a spinach bagel with cream cheese, avocado, tomato, and bacon, I know it might sound gross but hear me out…. Don’t knock it until you try it.
• Roasted nuts
  One of my favorites snacks that I can only find in NYC! These roasted nuts are warm, sweet and simply delicious, you can get all kinds such as almonds, cashews, or my favorite coconut.
• Hamburgers
  Very similar to hot dogs except in a patty form and might be more widely found! There are many variations ranging from $1 burgers at fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s or burgers with gold flecks and truffles.

Disclaimer

Our guide was made with care & love, but that doesn't mean that we always get everything right. Please know that the information above can be outdated and measures in countries may change overnight because of Covid-19. Don't hesitate to correct us with better recommendations or latest knowledge!

The guide to Morocco for solo female travelers

Made by NomadHers with love💚

How much does NomadHer recommend Morocco for solo female travelers? (😩 Bad, 😊 Fine, 😍 Amazing)
Our score is : 😊 Fine

Morocco is a beautiful northern African country less than 2 hours flight from Europe. The country is known for its hospitality towards tourists, and for the diversity of its landscapes, but many women are still apprehensive about visiting alone. As it is a muslim country with its distinct culture and traditions.

This travel guide was created to help women navigate their stay in Morocco. It is written by both a female moroccan local - Oumaima, NomadHer intern and a solo female traveler - Hyo, NomadHer founder, giving you two different perspectives.

Words to remember

Djellaba: the traditional wear for women
Hijab: head scarf
Adan: Call to prayer, it occurs 5times/day
Medina (the old city): it’s the historic part of the city
Souk: traditional market, usually in Medinas.
Bazaar: usually found in the medina, they are shops where you can buy traditional trinkets and souvenirs
Ramadan : the month of fasting for muslims

Emergency Numbers

Allo SAMU 141: to call in case of covid symptoms
Ambulance: 150
If you’re in the city
- Police 19
- Fire brigade 15
If you’re outside the city
Gendarmerie 177

Do’s

• Do keep an open mind
  Morocco is a modern but still a muslim country, some things may seem archaic to you. But its people are among the most welcoming people in the world, and the country itself is a gem.
  Don’t base your opinion on that of others, do you research, go with an open mind, and draw your own conclusions!

• Do dress appropriately
  In Morocco, women are free to wear the Hijab or not and you will see women wearing different styles going from dresses to skirts, to jellabas.
  The trick is to know where to wear to dress accordingly.
  We advise you to wear respectable clothes in the Medina, as it is filled with mostly male shop owners and some elderly, so wearing something revealing would attract attention to you and would be disrespectful towards elderly men.
  Open your eyes and observe, see what women near you are wearing. In touristic and modern parts of the cities , you can get away with wearing, mostly what you want.

• Do Know when Ramadan is!
  Ramadan is the 9th month of the islamic calendar where muslims fast the whole day. Restaurants and cafes are closed for business and open after sunset (when moroccans break their fast and do their prayer.)
  It is surprisingly the only time where you can walk around alone at night, as everyone is out, and the streets are filled with people.
  So if your trip coincides with Ramadan, you know what to expect.

• Do carry cash with you
  Cabs and some restaurants, shops and cafes, especially in the Medina, don’t take credit cards, so if you want to go on a shopping spree, take cash with you, and always have some stowed away in your purse. You never know when you might need it.

• Do eat delicious moroccan food
  Welcome to Food Heaven.
  Moroccan cuisine is renowned for its deliciousness, gorge yourself on it, it is worth the few pounds.

Here are some of our recommended dishes

Couscous: typically served with meat and vegetables, couscous is traditionally prepared every friday (muslim holy day) and special occasions.
Harira: A moroccan soup served on the side with eggs and Chebbakia (moroccan cookie).
It is usually served in Ramdan to break the fast.
Tajine: Tajine is actually the name of the traditional cooking pot as well as the name of the dish cooked inside.
There are different types of Tajines (Vegetarian, Fish, Meat) and they come with different flavors (sweet, spicy…)
Bastila:  meat or seafood pie made with warqa dough
Maakouda: deep-fried potato ball with spices
Zaalouk: Side dish eaten with bread made with eggplant, tomatoes, garlic and other spices
Kaab el Ghzal (Gazelle horns) : are crescent-shaped sweets with
almond paste.

• Do expect sampling free food.
  As mentioned above, Moroccans are very hospitable, when buying from food stalls in the Souk, they would give you a taste to sample the goods before selling it to you.

• Do enter a Mint Tea Pouring Contest
  You can never leave Morocco without drinking mint tea, moroccans drink it the whole day!
  And it is poured from height, the higher you go without spilling it all over, the more experienced you are at making tea.
  So do your own pouring.

• Do expect to melt under the Summer
  Sun In some regions, temperatures can go up to 50°c in Summer, and you won’t find air conditioning everywhere.  So if you do not want to turn into a melting ice cream, best to visit in Spring
• Do sleep under the stars in the Sahara
  Going to the Saraha is a must do in Morocco, you can enjoy some of the most beautiful sunrises there.
  Merzouga is a small village at the foot of the dunes, it is one of the 10 must see places in Morocco that we can recommend.
• Do say “La, shoukrane”
  Moroccans will try to sell you everything, don’t fall for it.
  La, shoukrane (No thank you) will be your best friend.
• Do haggle for anything you buy.
  In most shops in the medina, items prices aren’t labeled so you could easily get scammed.
  So before buying anything, always negotiate the price, even if it takes you ages, moroccans are so used to this dance it’s become their way of life, so don’t be discouraged. It can be fun and you could even get a gift at the end of the haggling ;)
• Do expect crazy driving!
  Driving in Morocco is not for the fainthearted. Left, right, sometimes even the sidewalk, everything is a road, moroccans drive like crazy.
  They say if you drive in Casablanca, you can drive anywhere in the world.
• Do expect to get scammed by taxi drivers in Marrakech!
  Nowhere in Morocco you will find this, taxi drivers impose their own prices and sometimes double  even triple the car fair, even for a short drive.
  Be wary of them, and if you take one, always negotiate the price before getting in!
• Do expect beggars asking for pennies!
  Poverty is everywhere, and sadly, it shows in the streets of Morocco.
  You will see women and men begging with their children on their laps or shoulders, old men, children. The sight is heartbreaking so be ready for it!

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DON’TS

• Don’t expect only desert in Morocco!
  Morocco is a wonderland of landscapes, a destination full of gems and hidden spots.
• Don’t expect to find toilets in some buses:
  Before embarking on your journey, do tend to your needs in the restroom before going on the bus, otherwise, it will be a long and uncomfortable bus ride!
• Don't be alarmed by people greeting you warmly
  Moroccans are hospitable and welcoming people with sometimes no sense of personal space, you would get hugged and kissed on the cheeks as a way of greeting, it just shows that they are happy to welcome you.
• Don’t be alarmed by the Adan!
  Adan is the call to prayer for muslims, you will hear it 5 times a day from the Mosque’s speaker.
• Don’t be sad for not being allowed to enter some Mosques
  Entry to Mosques is allowed only to muslims, so don’t take it personally if they don’t permit you to go in.
  Some Mosques allow it, although you have to cover your head, arms and legs.
• Don’t engage with cat callers.
  Cat calling and harassment are a big problem in Morocco. Moroccan women aren’t spared and sadly, you wouldn’t be as well.
  We found out that the best thing to do is to not engage, wearing a fake wedding ring would help and sometimes, blending in with the crowd.
  The sad truth is, the harassment would come to a full stop if you were accompanied by a man
• Don’t walk alone in the dark
  Deserted alleys and the night are not your friends, do not venture alone at night.
• Don’t go camping alone
  You won’t be a happy camper in Morocco, camping sites are not secure, and camping in the wilderness alone is not safe.

Where to stay

Finding lodgings is easy in Morocco, you have many hotels, hostels… but to live the full moroccan experience, we recommend you book at least a night in a Riad.

Disclaimer

Our guide was made with care & love, but that doesn't mean that we always get everything right. Please know that the information above can be outdated and measures in countries may change overnight because of Covid-19. Don't hesitate to correct us with better recommendations or latest knowledge!

Morocco is a beautiful northern African country less than a 2 hours flight from Europe. The country is known for its hospitality towards tourists, and for the diversity of its landscapes, but many women are still apprehensive about visiting alone.
You have to know that Morocco is a modern but still a muslim country, some things may be jarring and traditional to you.

What to expect as a solo female traveler?

👩When going into the Medina (the historic city center) we advise you to wear respectable clothes, as it is filled with mostly male shop owners and some elderly, so wearing something revealing would attract attention to you and would be disrespectful towards elderly men.

🏕Camping for example is not something you should do alone as most camping sites are not safe for solo female travelers.

🚌🚉🚖In Morocco, different Public transportations are available.
We recommend using CTM or Supratours (bus companies)  and ONCF (the national railway operator)
Taxis in Morocco don’t use apps to book a ride you either go to the street and wave to a taxi, or go to a specific place. They also don’t use credits cards, so always have cash on you.

There are 2 types of Taxis:

• Grands taxis (shared cabs) come in the Grey colour, they don’t use the meter so the fee is always set ( they vary from one city to another) take up to 6 passengers but with covid, it’s down to 3.
  Note that some Grands Taxis can travel between cities.
• Petits taxis are recognizable by their color (colours differ between cities), they can take up to 3 passengers and the cab fare is calculated by the meter.
  Note that petit taxis don’t go outside the city.

Morocco is widely known for its hospitality, its people are among the most welcoming people in the world.

The places we recommend are safe but we still urge you to keep your wits about you as always.
Most of these spots are enjoyable and have easy access, but we think that Dades and Ouzoud are better experienced with other people as you can’t have your pick in public transportation, going with a travel agency would be advised.

And without further ado, let’s get to it!

1- Chefchaouen- the blue diamond

Chefchaouen is located in the Rif mountains in the north of Morocco.
Its blue building and peaceful alleys are what makes Chefchaouen a magical place to be in, it is for that reason that it’s called the most “instagrammable place” in Morocco.
Other than strolling in the center, you can also hike around the mountain paths.

Is it easy to travel to as a female solo traveler ?
👍Yes because you can go either by bus (CTM) or Grand taxi.

2- Ouarzazat

Ouarzazate aka, The city of Yunkai, if you are a Game of Thrones fan, you will definitely remember this site Ait Benhaddou . Other movies have been filmed there, the site Ait Benhaddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site set to transport you centuries back in time.
Is it easy to travel to as a female solo traveler ?
👍Yes because you can go either by bus (Supratours and CTM)

3- Merzouga
The village at the foot of the dune is located at the gate of the Sahara Desert, where you can spend the night in the desert contemplating the stars and bask in the spectacularity of the sunsets.
A few miles away from Mezrouga, nestled in the Sahara, you will find a seasonal lake Dayet Srij, where you can watch hundreds of desert birds, especially the flamingos.
Is it easy to travel to as a female solo traveler ?
👍Yes because you can go by (Supratours)

4-Fez
Fez is considered Morocco’s cultural and spiritual city. Home to the oldest university in the world-University of al-Qarawinyyin built in 859, Its Medina was founded in the 8th century and is considered to day one of the best historic towns of the Arab-Muslim world.
The tanneries in the Medina are still operating as they did centuries ago, it’s one of the “must sees” for visitors.
Is it easy to travel to as a female solo traveler ?
👍Yes because you can go either by bus, train or taxi.

5- Meknès The imperial city
Meknès was the capital of Morocco under Sultan Moulay Ismail (1672–1727) where he created a massive imperial palace complex encircled with massive walls and monumental gates.
Under his reign, he built a grand subterranean prison - Qara’s Prison named after a portuguese prisoner who is rumoured to have designed it in order to gain his freedom.
Its unusualness comes from the fact that it lacked doors and bars, prisoners were thrown in from holes in the ceiling and were left to die.
The prison was inescapable due to the fact that it was designed as a labyrinth and is rumoured to extend miles beyond the city.

Is it easy to travel to as a female solo traveler ?
👍Yes because you can go either by bus, train or taxi.

6- Marrakech the red city
Marrakech, needs no introduction, when you ask if someone went to Morocco, they will tell you “ yes I’ve been to Marrakech”.
Marrakech is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, the tourist hub distinguishes itself with the orange-red colour of its buildings and is home to the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco.The districts of Gueliz and Hivernage are the most modern where you’ll find international brands, restaurants, hotels and many nightclubs and bars.
Palm trees are scattered around the city, and cutting them down is illegal under the penalty of a 500EUR fine each.

Is it easy to travel to as a female solo traveler ?
👍Yes because you can go either by bus, train or taxi.

7- Dades Gorges
Located in the Souss-Massa-Drâa region, Driving there will earn you a medal, the road is most definitely not made for the fainthearted but is perfectly safe. And if you’re a fan of hiking, the red-coloured canyons will be to your satisfaction.
You can pass by the Monkey fingers, a beautiful rock formation in the shape of monkey fingers and see the ancient Ksour and Kasbahs (old forteresses).
A 40km drive will take you to Kalaat M'Gouna, a city famous for its Roses Festival which takes place in May. The festival lasts 7days in celebration of the season of the roses. Visitors have their pick from various rose derived products- rose water, perfumes, oils…

Is it easy to travel to as a female solo traveler ?
👎No because you can go only go by a shared grand taxi.

8- Ifrane
Nicknamed the Switzerland of Morocco and distinguished for its Alpine climate, Ifrane was built as a hill station during the French protectorate.
It is known for its cool climate during summer, Ifrane is quite a relief from its surrounding cities (Fès-Meknès) that tend to swelter in heat.
It is also surrounded by the largest cedar forest in the world.
If you go there, don’t miss out on the Barbary Macaques show the little monkeys put for the tourists. Beware, they will steal your food right off your fingers.

Is it easy to travel to as a female solo traveler ?
👍Yes because you can go either by bus or taxi.

9- Ouzoud falls
Nestled in the Middle Atlas Mountain 150km from Marrakech, Ouzoud is a natural preserved site where you can bathe, hike, camp or just sit and relax, and most importantly, eat Berber cuisine from the many restaurants scattered around.
The waterfalls are considered one of the most beautiful in Morocco.

The site is also famous for its prime entertainers, the Barbary Macaques, who roam freely in the site.

Is it easy to travel to as a female solo traveler ?
👎No because you can go only go by a shared grand taxi.

10- Dakhla

Dakhla is just one more example of Morocco’s landscape diversity.
Located in the south of Morocco and nestled between the waters of the Atlantic and the sands of the Sahara.
Dakhla is known for its magnificent beaches and tempered climat, it is also paradise for sliding sports fans.
The internationally renowned spot “Pointe de l’Or” is the IT place for surfers 🌊.

Is it easy to travel to as a female solo traveler ?
👍Yes because you can go by (Supratours or CTM)

The guide to Paris for solo female travelers

Made by NomadHers with love💚

How much does NomadHer recommend Paris for solo female travelers? (😩 Bad, 😊 Fine, 😍 Amazing)

Our score is : 😊 Fine

The city can be quite tough for newbie solo female travellers, yet walking around in the beautiful Parisian night and finding unexpected jazz music is not to miss! Bon Voyage!

Paris is everyone’s dream destination. Especially for women. But is it safe to travel alone as a woman? For sure there are things you need to know before planning your travel. This is a guide for those brave women who want to explore Paris all by themselves.

Is Paris easy to travel solo for a woman? Yes🙆‍♀️ and No🙅‍♀️

🙆‍♀️ Yes, because you will see many people taking a seat in cafes and restaurants alone. (Currently they are closed for Covid restrictions.) Drinking coffee or having a chill lunch or dinner alone is somewhat common in Paris. You can try having a cup of espresso or a glass of wine on a Parisian terrace. Doing a little picnic in a park like ‘Jardin de Luxembourg’ or ‘Butte Chaumont’ is also safe and okay.

🙆‍♀️ Yes, because public Transportation is everywhere. You do not need a private car or taxi to move around. Not only metro, bus, tram and public bicycles, but also rentable electric scooters such as Lime, Bolts are everywhere.

🙅‍♀️ No, because pickpocketing and cat-calling might be something that you should be aware of. Cat-calling is quite common in Paris. Especially some men might try to just talk to you or see your eyes. Calling you “Bonjour (Hi)”, “Mademoiselle (Lady)”, “Ah t’es belle (Ah you are pretty)” is a typical cat-calling.  

🙅‍♀️ No, because some districts might be quite dangerous, full of drunk people and pickpockets depending on where you go at what time.

Paris can be your love and hate relationship city yet it is definitely worth to visit as the city itself is full of cultural heritage and museums. So, Here is a Travel Guide for Solo Female Travelers 101!

Accommodation

You’ll have every option for your accommodation in Paris; hotel, airbnb, couchsurfing and more. Even if you’re choosing a fancy hotel, keep this in mind: Some districts of Paris can be quite dangerous especially during the night!

Paris has 20 arrondissements. Here are short descriptions of them.

• 1st & 2nd arrondissements: Very historic. Full of must-see areas like the Louvre or Palais Royal. But accommodation can be highly expensive.

• 3rd & 4th arrondissements: Le Marais area has cool restaurants and bars. Different communities: Jewish, LGBTQ, Chinese, etc. Feel the vibe of diversity!
• 5th & 6th arrondissements: Lively neighborhood. The famous university La Sorbonne and Quartier Latin is located here.
• 7th & 8th arrondissements: The Eiffel Tower in the 7th, the Arc of Triomphe and the avenue of Champs-Elysees in the 8th! They are both highly touristic areas so beware of pickpockets.
• 9th & 10th arrondissements: the 9th district alone had 19 metro stations. If you ever find yourself in the 10th, Canal Saint-Martin is where to go, it is less touristy and offers a more intimate atmosphere than Quais de Seine. It is also also home to two big train stations: Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord where you can take a train to London.
• 11th & 12th arrondissements: The district of the youth & hipsters! You will see so many endless bars and the young people talking to each other especially near the metro station Line 3 "Parmentier".
• 13th & 14th arrondissements: The district of Chinese and Vietnamese communities! Well, you might feel like you are literally in Asia if you ever get a chance to visit this district. Feel the vibe of Asian street food, bubble tea and more to come!
• 15th & 16th arrondissements: They are residential districts. If you fancy calm strolls in parks, you can go to Parc André-Citroën. Tour de Montparnasse is located here, which is the highest skyscraper in Paris. The 16th is one of the most prestigious districts in Paris, home to a number of museums but also embassies.
• 17th & 18th arrondissements: 18th arrondissement is a home to the Montmartre. This highland provides a wonderful panorama of Paris. But be very careful when it’s dark!
• 19th & 20th arrondissements: the 19th is home to Paris’s artificial park, Parc des Buttes Chaumont. It was designed to imitate mountain landscapes it has: rocks, lake, waterfalls and cave. The 20th is known for its cemetery Cimetière du Père-Lachaise, where many international celebrities rest: Raymonde Delaroche, Edith Piaf and Oscar Wilde.

✅ Hazardous areas that you should avoid during nighttime. If you have any more opinions, feel free to contribute as well!

• Les Halles - Châtelet: live commercial center but can get wilder at night.
• Gare du Nord: one of the 4 major stations in Paris but try not to visit when dark.
• Stalingrad and Jaurès: beware of pickpockets!
• Porte de la Chapelle: popular neighborhood but you might feel insecure
• Barbès Rochechouart and the Goutte d’Or: walking those colorful streets at night might be too risky

✅ Wanna know how to avoid PickPocket in Paris? Find out more on our previous blog article here:

https://nomadher.com/blog/how-to-avoid-a-pickpocket-in-paris-for-a-solo-traveller

‍

Things to do in Paris

Museum

• Louvre Museum
• Centre Georges-Pompidou
• Musée d’Orsay
• Rodin Museum
• Musée de l’Orangerie
• Musée Picasso Paris
• Grand Palais
• Petit Palais

Shopping

• Louvre and Tuileries District: The center of Parisian design and fashion.
• Galeries Lafayette and Printemps in Boulevard Haussman: You can enjoy the typical Belle Epoque mood.
• The Marais: Vintage, artisan, handcrafted, and antique!
• The Champs-Elysées: What more do I have to explain?
• Les Halles - Châtelet: Huge underground shopping center with a cinema.
• Flea markets: Those in Montreuil, St-Ouen, Porte de Vanves are the most popular.

✅ In France they usually have 2 big sale seasons called “Les Soldes”. One in winter and the other in Summer. Winter sale will begin shortly after Christmas. Summer sale begins just before the vacances season. You can have big opportunities finding fantastic deals on expensive clothes and other items.

Eat

Must-Eat foods in Paris! These can be clichés but they exist to be proven, right?

• Baguette, croissant, pain au chocolat and pâtisserie

Try to wake up around 7am in the early morning, and go to the nearest boulangerie of your accommodation. You can go and order the freshly baked, warm and crispy baguette, which will definitely blow your mind.

• Wine

The more expensive the better? Not really! Go visit the nearest local supermarkets like Carrefour, Monoprix, Auchan and dive into the different types of wine ranging from red, rose, white and champagne! You will be surprised to know that starting from 3 euros you can get quite decent wine in France!

• French Cheese

Local Markets are always the best place to try different types of cheese! For example, you can go to the local market in Bastille which is held every Sunday starting from 9am and find out over a hundred kinds of cheese! Blue cheese (Roquefort) is a must-try! It is always bringing lots of controversies.

• Macarons

‘La Duree’ and ‘Pierre Hermes’ are the two most famous and loved Macaron brands by Parisiens! You might say that this small macaron costs like 3 euros? But when you try one bite you will understand the complex sabor of it!

• Onion soup and Croque Monsieur (or Croque Madame)

If there are street foods in other countries, Onion soup and Croque Monsieur might be the finger snack food in Paris Brasserie! Enjoy these light meals for less than 10 euros.

Activities

• Baking class
• Diverse options are available from baguettes to macarons. The classes usually last about 3 hours and the price starts from 100 euros. Do not miss this chance of learning how to bake French macarons from a French chef!

• Bike tour
• There are many options for guided bike tours in Paris. For 3-4 hours, you’ll be exploring small allies of Paris with a local guide. If you’re new to Paris, a city highlights bike tour can be a good way to understand the city and get the sense of it. Not only the explanation, but the tips and recommendations from the local guide are also really helpful.

Close cities

If you’re in Paris for more than a week, why don’t you visit nearby cities? You’ll be able to discover more about France.

• Mont Saint-Michel
• A small island in Normandy. Famous for the medieval village and the monastery. The island and its bay are on the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage. It will take about 4 hours by train. People usually stay in a hotel along the bay and enjoy the beautiful sunset. Day tour programs by travel agencies can be an option too!
• Giverny
• Giverny is a village located on the right bank of the river Seine. It’s known for the home and garden of Claude Monet. It will take only 2 hours by train and bus from Paris. If you’re really impressed by Monet’s paintings during your museum tour, visiting Giverny can perfect your trip to Paris.
• Château de Versailles
• Home to the Sun King- Louis XIV and a symbol of the absolute Monarchy systemback then,Château de Versailles is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace is around one hour from Paris by train.

Good things about Paris

• Paris is a huge open museum itself. If you’re from a big modern city, every little Parisian ally will catch your eyes.  

• Boulangerie and pâtisserie! Do I need any further clarification? Enjoy your feast!
• The public transport network is well designed. You’ll be able to reach anywhere you want pretty easily.
• As Paris is an international city, you can find any food you want. It is also home to different cultures and languages, you can go around the streets guessing which language you just heard.

Bad things about Paris

• Paris is dirty and it’s true. Dog droppings are everywhere. Some metro lines smell horrible. Well, you’ll just have to deal with it.

• Homeless people everywhere. It’s a rather complicated issue resulting from expensive housing and lack of social safety net. Many organizations and people are working on it multilaterally.
• Lots of Parisians don’t speak English. It’d be better if you can understand and speak basic French. Or at least install a translator app in your phone!

Disclaimer

Our guide was made with care & love, but that doesn't mean that we always get everything right. Please know that the information above can be outdated and measures in countries may change overnight because of Covid-19. Don't hesitate to correct us with better recommendations or latest knowledge!