5 Exciting 50th Birthday Trip Ideas For Solo Travel
Celebrating your 50th birthday is a major milestone, and it deserves a special experience. If traveling is your passion, here are five incredible trip ideas to make this special occasion unforgettable.
As humans, we often view certain birthdays as milestones.
For many, they offer a chance to celebrate achievements. For others, they serve as moments of reflection—a time to evaluate our journey and consider where we want to go next.
Some people like to celebrate their milestone birthdays with a big party and lots of friends.
I prefer to celebrate my birthday by traveling to a special destination with a few select people or on my own.
However, with so many possibilities, deciding on a destination for that special birthday can be overwhelming.
So, I’ve put together five of my favorite destinations in the hopes they will inspire you with some fun ideas for a memorable 50th birthday celebration.
An Active Birthday Trip: Cycling the South of Spain
Andalucia, Spain
I first discovered cycling tours as a way to celebrate one of my recent birthdays.
I’ve taken several tours since and believe cycling the South of Spain is a fantastic way to celebrate a milestone birthday.
If you’re active and love cycling, Andalucia offers the perfect setting to celebrate your 50th birthday.
With warm weather year-round, it’s an ideal region to explore on a bicycle.
Imagine starting each morning with the warm sun on your face and breathtaking views of cities like Cordoba and Granada.
You’ll ride through picturesque olive groves along the Via Verde and immerse yourself in the beauty of Andalucia’s landscapes.
One of the highlights of a trip to Andalucia is the incredible food.
Fresh and flavorful, the region offers a diverse array of cuisines.
One of the simplest yet most memorable lunches I’ve had was at an olive farm in Andalucia—boiled potatoes, a crisp green salad, and perfectly cooked cod drizzled with the farm’s olive oil. It was absolutely delicious!
If you enjoy wine, you’ll love the variety here. From savoring a glass of Jerez or Ribera to cooling off with a refreshing Tinto de Verano, there’s something for every wine lover.
A Cycling Tour or on your own?
When it comes to cycling, I like traveling solo but not alone.
That’s why I recommend planning this adventure with a cycling tour company. It’s the perfect way to explore the region while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow cyclists.
My favorite cycling tour companies are:
Other outfitters might fit your budget and cycling expertise better.
I prefer VBT and DuVine because they offer a range of activity levels each day. So, if one day you wake up not feeling at your best, you have options.
In my experience, they strike a great balance between the quality of accommodations, the food offerings, and the budget.
For a 50th birthday, I’d rather enjoy good food and comfortable accommodations. But that’s just my preference—if you prefer backpacking and camping, you’ll find the right outfitter for that as well.
No matter what level of comfort you choose, a cycling trip through the stunning Andalucia region offers the perfect opportunity to explore beautiful places, both solo and with your cycling companions.
A Cultural Experience in New York City
New York City, USA
If you want to celebrate your 50th birthday with great food and rich cultural activities, few places rival New York City.
With its diverse food scene, vibrant art, quirky neighborhoods, music, and sports, New York City offers something for everyone.
Although it’s a large, bustling city, New York City is also a place where going out alone feels completely normal.
The sheer number of solo visitors helps take the edge off, making you feel more comfortable and less like the odd one out.
My very first solo trip was to New York City.
At first, I wasn’t sure I’d made the right choice. But after a few hours at The Met and my first Broadway show, I realized no one was paying attention to me—I could enjoy it all on my own.
As a destination for a milestone birthday, New York City is fantastic.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to diverse ethnic cuisines, New York has it all.
As you explore the city’s neighborhoods, you’ll encounter interesting dishes like Venezuelan arepas and Japanese ramen.
If you’re a sports fan, New York has plenty to offer as well.
Catch a game at Madison Square Garden to see the Knicks, attend a Yankees or Mets baseball game, or visit the US Open if you’re a tennis enthusiast. Any sports lover is sure to have a great time.
During the day, you can explore the city’s many museums, walk through Central Park, or enjoy other green spaces like Little Island or the High Line.
If shopping is your thing, New York offers countless opportunities for that as well.
As the night falls, the city’s incredible nightlife comes to life.
You can catch a Broadway show, enjoy a ballet or opera performance, or attend a concert at Lincoln Center.
For something different, there are plenty of venues offering jazz, rock, pop, or any genre of music you prefer.
Whether you visit for a weekend or a week, New York City is the perfect place to immerse yourself in a rich cultural experience, making it an unforgettable destination for celebrating your 50th birthday on your own.
A Birthday Trip Far Far Away
Sydney, Australia
When you think of exotic destinations, Asia often comes to mind.
However, popular spots like Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam have become almost mainstream.
For a more unique adventure, consider visiting the land Down Under.
Sydney, Australia, offers the perfect mix of friendly locals, breathtaking scenery, and one-of-a-kind experiences.
It’s an excellent choice for a memorable birthday getaway.
You can start your visit at Sydney’s most iconic venue, the Sydney Opera House. Don’t miss the views of the bay and the Sydney Bridge from the walkways around the back.
Make your trip special by attending a concert at the Sydney Opera House and dining at one of the nearby restaurants overlooking the bay.
In addition, check to see if there’s an outdoor opera during your visit.
Occasionally, Opera Australia stages performances at the Fleet Steps, an open-air venue in Mrs Macquarie’s Point across the bay.
I was fortunate to see Turandot there, and it was unforgettable. The opera was magnificent, and the stunning backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge illuminated at night made it even more magical.
After the Sydney Opera House, take time to explore the Botanical Gardens, The Rocks, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
There are many cafes where you can enjoy lunch in The Rocks or near the Quay (pier).
The Museum of Contemporary Art also has an excellent restaurant.
A trip to Sydney is not complete without a visit to its beautiful beaches.
Sydney has two of the best beaches in Australia: Bondi Beach and Manly Beach.
Bondi Beach is easy to reach by bus, and as soon as you arrive, you feel the surfing and skateboarding vibes.
Reaching Manly Beach requires a ferry ride, but it’s well worth it.
The journey offers breathtaking views of the Sydney Opera House from the water, showcasing its full beauty against the stunning backdrop of the bay.
For an adrenaline rush, climb Harbour Bridge and marvel at the city’s stunning views from above.
While Australia lacks many historical landmarks due to its relatively recent history, it more than compensates with stunning natural beauty.
Take a day trip to the Green Mountains, where you can spot kangaroos in the wild and take in Australia’s unique nature.
With so many activities to choose from, Sydney Australia is a great trip idea to celebrate a milestone birthday.
A Breathtaking Trip into History
Machu Picchu, Peru
There are magical places we hear about when we are children that we hope to visit at least once in a lifetime.
For me, Machu Picchu in Peru was one of those places. The idea of a city hidden in the clouds and the mystery of a vanished civilization captivated me.
If you want to check off visiting one of the Seven Wonders of the World, visiting Machu Picchu could be the perfect way to celebrate your 50th birthday.
Whether you hike the Inca Trail, take a train from Cusco, or ride the bus from Aguas Calientes, your trip to Machu Picchu will be filled with stunning views.
Arriving early in the morning at the top of Machu Picchu surpassed all my expectations.
Add to that, the incredible food in Cusco and the warmth of its friendly locals, and you’ve got a milestone celebration you’ll never forget.
A trip to Machu Picchu, paired with a stay in Cusco, is a truly magical way to mark a special occasion.
A Wellness Birthday Trip
Bordeaux, France
Maybe as you reach your 50th Birthday you’d rather enjoy a peaceful retreat.
In that case, Hotel Les Sources de Caudalie may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Just a 17-minute taxi ride from the center of Bordeaux, this stunning hotel is nestled among vineyards, offering the perfect setting for relaxation and reflection.
Take your time strolling through the vineyards, cycling through the countryside, or unwinding by one of their beautiful pools.
A stay at this hotel offers more than just a chance to relax and care for your physical well-being.
Its beautiful and quiet spaces create the perfect ambiance for reflection, helping you reset, set new goals, and plan for the future.
In the evenings you can indulge in fresh, exciting dishes at one of their exceptional restaurants. It’s a wonderful experience!
To learn more about Hotel Les Sources de Caudalie, check out our blog post detailing our experience during our stay.
Trip Ideas for Your 50th Birthday
The ideal way to celebrate a milestone birthday is different for everyone.
That’s why this list of 50th birthday trip ideas includes destinations from around the world, offering options for various fitness levels and personal interests.
Your 50th birthday trip should be as unique as you are, celebrating everything you’ve experienced and all that’s yet to come.
No matter where you go or what you do, have fun and create unforgettable memories.
Here’s to an amazing 50th-birthday adventure!
Happy Birthday!
