Where to go with your mates for International Day of Friendship

On the 30th of July, it’s International Day of Friendship, AKA Valentine’s Day for mates – and the perfect excuse to finally get that Group trip out of the GC. You might as well milk it and spend some proper quality time together on holiday, right? Friendcations are having a big moment, so swap the same old pub sesh for a city break, somewhere hot or a place where the party’s popping off. Keep reading to find out why getting away with your mates is basically therapy and for inspo on where to go… 

Don’t worry if you’ve left it late or didn’t get the memo until now – we’ve got plenty of last-minute deals that can get you on holiday in time to celebrate.  

What is International Day of Friendship? 

Every day’s International Day of Friendship when you’re with your besties, but the United Nations made it official in 2011. It’s all about making new connections, promoting peace and building bridges with other cultures – basically, you’ll be supporting a very worthy cause by going abroad on a mates’ trip. Whether it’s a crew you’ve known since nursery or someone you met through Bumble BFF, this is your sign to show them some love. Friends that travel together, stay together… we don’t make the rules. 

The Friendcation trend  

Mates’ trips have always been a thing, but as we grow up, they can easily fall down the priority list behind holidays with partners or families. These days, though, more and more travel lovers are putting holidays with their friends first, with groups committing to getting away together as an annual tradition. It’s actually super important, too – you get a lot more time to reconnect and create new memories together, rather than just catching up and reliving the same moments from your uni days before you’re told the restaurant needs the table back. On a personal level, spending time with your fave people is great for your wellbeing, giving you the chance to check in on each other properly and without the distractions of daily life. DMCs with a cocktail on a beach > sending each other five-minute voice notes…   

Wholesome Friendcations are already popular with female groups – we’re talking peaceful retreats packed with self-care, beachy breaks and exploring new cities together – so, it’s just about holding space in your schedules to make sure those girls’ trips don’t drop out as life gets busier. Then, there are the lads’ holidays. We know plenty of men who dread these ‘classic’ lads’ trips and stag dos, which might put you off going away with your mates entirely. But it doesn’t have to be this way… Enter, Better Boys Trips. They take all the best parts of a lads’ holiday – pints and time with the boys – and leave behind all the peer pressure, sh*t tattoos and toxic vibes. Throw in some fun activities and cultural sights, and you get a lads’ trip you’ll actually want to go on.  

So, whether you and your mates bond over big nights out, cool culture or boujie beach clubs, here’s some inspo to help you pick a place that matches your group’s vibe…  

Best places to go… 

For party lovers: Playa de Las Americas, Tenerife 

If you love sun, sea and staying out ‘til the sun comes up, you and Playa de las Americas have a lot in common. The category’s more is more on this iconic stretch along Tenerife’s southwest coast – think mega resorts, neon bars and high-energy clubs. When you’re not out out, the sandy beach’s right there and the Golden Mile is lined with shops and restaurants. Plus, you’re just up the road from Siam Park. Sending it down waterslides with your best mates? Say less.  

In terms of where to stay, H10 Las Palmeras is a strong pick. It’s got a tropical aesthetic with swaying palms, three outdoor pools and an outdoor terrace that’s perfect for pres – hello All Inclusive cocktails. It’s also just five minutes’ walk to both the beach and the strip, so you’re sorted for beach days and nights out. The hotel serves up a serious buffet, plus there are loads of bars and even tennis courts if you fancy a friendly tournie. Between the major location, All Inclusive drinks and immaculate holiday vibes, it’s giving no-brainer. 

For the cultured crowd: Amsterdam, Netherlands  

If the brief is a lil culture, a lil chaos – a city break to Amsterdam meets it. The Dutch capital’s got that sweet combo of historic sights and cute café culture paired with a big creative scene and wild nightlife – we’re talking museums followed by margs (not necessarily in that order.) Spend your days cycling along the canals, strolling through art galleries and finding your going out fits in vintage markets, then pivot to a DJ set at a rooftop bar. ‘Dam’s an agile queen.  

Stay at Room Mate Aitana, a huge, contemporary situation that’s all glass and clean angles. It’s only perched on its own island in the IJ River – no biggie – and it’s just a 10-minute walk from Centraal Station, close to everything worth seeing. The hotel itself has light, modern rooms, cool communal areas and a bar. You can even hire bikes from reception, so you can live like locals and soak up the sights on two wheels. 

For the boujie besties: Bavaro, Dominican Republic 

Your friendship mantra is ‘we deserve it’ and it shows. You can always be found in the sleekest wine bars and hottest restaurants, so why would you settle for anything less than luxe for your group trip? Send it long haul and spend International Day of Friendship the only way you know how – sipping cocktails on a white-sand beach in the Caribbean. Bavaro’s a big name in the Dominican Republic for its lively beachfronts and five-star stays, like Riu Republica.  

It’s adults-only, so there are no screaming kids to interrupt you living your best life. You couldn’t get closer to the palm-lined beach, and the facilities are on another level. There are eight swimming pools – including a couple of chill spots, one with waterslides and another that hosts themed pool parties. There’s also a nightclub that’s open 6 nights a week, a spa and 10 bars spread out across the resort ft. a 24-hour sports bar. Ofc, the food is unreal, too, with a mix of buffet and à la carte restaurants – pick from Asian fusion, Italian eats, a steakhouse and more.  

Ready for an epic mates’ trip? Lock in a last-minute deal to make it happen and check out our Group holidays.  

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Author and pronouns: Daisy Colley (she/her)
Last updated: 16/07/2025