We are a social species. Of that, there is no doubt! However, just because we are social creatures doesn’t mean that we never feel like just taking time off to be alone. Being alone and being lonely are two very different things.
Sometimes, choosing to be alone is necessary for your own mental and emotional health. In many cases, it’s necessary for the safety and general health of others around you…but that’s a rant for another day!
The world we live in; nature, goes out of its way to provide us with the perfect locations in which we can be alone. Whether it be at the top of a mountain, in the middle of the jungle or even down at the coast on one of those gorgeously uninhabited beaches on an island somewhere, there is always a cute little corner where you can be by your lonesome.
Would it surprise you to learn that there are entire isolated cities that have taken this concept to a whole new level? We are talking towns that are so far off the edge of the map that they are rarely frequented by tourists. Towns that are so beautiful, serene and isolated that they make for the perfect honeymoon getaway or a destination for you to be all alone when you need to be.
Some of the Most Isolated yet Charming Cities in the World
1. Funafuti, Tuvalu
We bet you’ve never heard that name! Don’t worry, not many have. Funafuti is the capital of Tuvalu, a little island nation somewhere in the Pacific. Technically, Funafuti is an atoll (a ring-shaped coral reef island that surrounds a body of water/lagoon). Funafuti weighs in at somewhere between 20 and 400 meters wide and has a population of about 6,000 people.
Tuvalu
The beauty of this island nation is not in question; it’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s isolation, however, gives a reason for pause.
It’s about two hours north of Fiji and while there are flights to get Tuvalu, you can only do so twice a week through Fiji Air.
Either that or you can sail from Fiji which is about 1,134 kilometres away and pretty isolated in its own right.
Funafuti gets only about 350 tourists a year which is astonishing considering the fact that it’s a gorgeous island city surrounded by nothing but the beautiful Pacific Ocean and palm trees.
2. Huacachina, Peru
Technically more of a village than it is a city, Huacachina is a gorgeous desert oasis in Peru. It’s so famous that it’s been dubbed the “Oasis of America”. Found in Southwestern Peru, this little town by the desert lake has a population of about 115 people and is by far one of the most isolated places on this planet. Apart from the beauty of it all, there is one main reason why people tend to flock this peaceful little town – the story behind how it came to exist.
Huacachina, Peru
You see, legend has it that the lagoon around which this town is built was formed when a young hunter happened upon a beautiful princess bathing. She hurriedly went away from his gaze and the pool in which she was bathing transformed into this lagoon. Rumour has it that she is still around as a mermaid living in the oasis.
Now tell us you wouldn’t want a chance to see a desert mermaid and we won’t believe you!
3. St. Ives, Cornwall, United Kingdom
What used to be a small fishing town in Cornwall, England is now something of an epicentre for the arts in this part of the world. Not only does it host an iconic arts festival every September but it’s also home to the Tate St. Ives Gallery – a seafront arts gallery that features modern art exhibitions mostly focusing on British artists.
St. Ives, Cornwall
However, if you are not one for the arts, don’t worry, St. Ives has something for you too. This 11,000-people seafront town has four wonderfully golden beaches and a host of cottages, craft stores and quite a number of artist’ studios.
4. Tulum, Mexico
If you are going to go to Mexico, there is a good chance that you are either going to end up in Cancun or Tijuana. While these are absolutely beautiful places teeming with life and excitement, there are where everyone else is going to end up as well. Not much chance of being alone there.
Tulum, Mexico
Less than an hour away from Cancun, there is a little known resort city in Quintana Roo called Tulum. There are very few words that can do this place justice. It’s like a different world entirely. It’s unhurried, isolated and features beautiful of beaches. This is the kind of town where you will find a hammock on balconies and traditional style houses almost everywhere you look.
5. Hallstatt, Austria
If you absolutely do not mind the cold, then Hallstatt is the perfect little town in the middle of nowhere for you. Getting there isn’t exactly easy. It’s a long drive but that’s not the problem – it’s everything else along the way! You see to get to Hallstatt you have to willfully drive past some of the finest and most scenic Austrian spa towns you will ever lay eyes on. Places like Bad Ischl don’t make it easy for you to drive right through without taking a detour.
Hallstatt, Austria
However, when you finally make it to Hallstatt you will find that it’s the quaintest little town that punches way above its weight class as far as attractions are concerned. For starters, there is the unmissable scenery that is the town itself nestled just at the foot of the Dachstein Mountains. Plus, there is the little fact that this is thought to be the oldest inhabited town in Europe so there is some architecture that is just…out of this world. A boat ride will present you with an unbelievable 360-degree view of the Austrian Alps.
Do you have a favourite little-known town that you like to visit when you want to be alone? Share the information with us in the comment section below. We promise not to throng it.