Town in Florida, United States
Key West for solo travelers
Is Key West good for solo travel?
Small, walkable island at the end of the Keys for sunsets, snorkeling, bars and a relaxed LGBTQ+-friendly scene. Very expensive, crowded in winter, and a long drive or short flight from the mainland.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable for solo women. Expect drunken attention on Duval late at night; watch drinks and use a rideshare home. |
How to meet people in Key West
Bar-hopping on Duval, dive and snorkel boat trips, sunset celebrations at Mallory Square, guesthouse happy hours, and bike tours. Longer stays meet people through the local running and sailing groups.
Good things to do alone
- Watch sunset at Mallory Square
- Snorkel or dive the Florida Keys reef
- Day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park
- Bike the Old Town side streets early
- Eat Key lime pie and fresh conch
Where to stay in Key West
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Old Town | First visits: Duval Street, bars, restaurants, short walks everywhere |
| Bahama Village | Quieter streets, Cuban food, guesthouses near Old Town |
| New Town | Cheaper chain hotels and longer stays; need a bike or bus |
Solo travel across United States
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Nashville | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Austin | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Los Angeles | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Miami | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Francisco | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Honolulu | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Washington, D.C. | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Chicago | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Boston | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| New Orleans | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Diego | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Seattle | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Key West | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Denver | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Philadelphia | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Portland | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Atlanta | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Charleston | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Savannah | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Kauai | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Big Island | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Sedona | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Orlando | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Maui | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Antonio | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Scottsdale | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Key West good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Small, walkable island at the end of the Keys for sunsets, snorkeling, bars and a relaxed LGBTQ+-friendly scene.
How do you meet people in Key West?
Bar-hopping on Duval, dive and snorkel boat trips, sunset celebrations at Mallory Square, guesthouse happy hours, and bike tours. Longer stays meet people through the local running and sailing groups. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Key West?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Key West safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women. Expect drunken attention on Duval late at night; watch drinks and use a rideshare home.
More about Key West
Going to Key West solo?
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Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.