If you’re sticking to one big holiday this year, it needs to work hard – but it can be tricky deciding which type of trip to tick off the bucket list. Whether you’re trying to stretch your money or your AL further – or you’re just indecisive – the next cheat code in our series is all over it…
Meet, 2-in-1 destinations. Forget wasting precious time moving around with multiple flights and squeezing everything into a complicated itinerary – these versatile picks serve up two totally different travel vibes, all in one place. Think city with a side of beach in Dubai or a combo of adventure and All Inclusive in Mexico.
Here’s our list of destinations that deliver double the holiday for the price of one…
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is a destination that doesn’t do labels. It’s a city, beachy and a foodie escape rolled into one, and most trips here basically become a blend of everything. Mornings are made for culture – wander the Gothic Quarter, tick off iconic Gaudi masterpieces like the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and Casa Batllo. Then, eat your way round La Boqueria market at lunchtime, before swapping sightseeing for an afternoon of soaking up the sun.
Barcelona’s coastline is a major draw. Considering it’s summer for pretty much half the year here, it’s a great way to escape the heat in the hotter months. Plus, you still get plenty of sunny days during the low season, too. Barceloneta is the big-name stretch – it’s lined with lively bars, volleyball courts and seafood spots. If you prefer things calmer, Nova Icaria and Bogatell have more space and the same golden sand, just with a more chilled feel. You can book watersports like paddle-boarding and windsurfing here, and a short train journey opens up coastal spots like Sitges or Castelldefels for a beachy daytrip.
Dubai, UAE
Dubai is extra in every way, so ofc it’s got a bit of everything. It’s a city break with futuristic sights, a beach destination with year-round heat and a gateway for outdoor adventures. One day you’re shopping in mega malls, exploring man-made islands and heading up the Burj Khalifa – AKA the tallest building in the world – then the next you’re ditching the city to go dune-boarding and stargazing in the desert.
Beach time is easy to slot in as the sweeps are super close – no long drives or train rides necessary to get to the coast. Jumeirah Beach Residence and La Mer are family faves, ft. cafés, promenades and fun attractions. The Palm is influencer territory, home to boujie beach clubs and luxury hotels that’ll look great on your ‘gram. Keen to get out of the city? Swap the skyline for sand dunes – just a short drive from the city, the desert delivers a complete change of pace with dune safaris, camel rides and dinner under the stars.
Palma, Majorca
Palma perfectly balances urban energy and an island pace. Majorca’s capital serves up everything a good city break should have – historical sites like a Gothic cathedral and ancient bathhouses sit next to major museums and galleries, so your sightseeing is sorted. The main, leafy shopping street – Passeig des Born – brings the designer boutiques, as well as sunny café terraces and tapas bars, ready for when you’ve had enough retail therapy. If you’re keen for a bit of peace, there are plenty of green spaces, parks and palm-lined proms that were made for strolls in the sunshine. Then, evenings here are for late dinners in lively squares, and if you’re up for it, followed by drinks in La Lonja’s clubs.
The other big part of Palma’s personality is its beachy postcode. The sea breeze takes the edge off in the summer and the city sweep is right there, so you can cool down with a dip after a busy morning in the centre. Check out Palma’s port for more waterfront living and settle into a seafood restaurant overlooking the bay. Plus, some of Majorca’s finest stretches are just along the coast, so you can easily get away from the crowds for a day at C’an Pastilla, Cala Mayor or Illetas.
Mexico’s Caribbean Coast
If you need variety in your life, Mexico’s Caribbean Coast is your match. This stretch of sand’s famous for All Inclusive beachy resorts, and places like Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya do it best. We’re talking big and boujie stays with five-star facilities, from swim-up bars and infinity pools to spas and restaurants next to the ocean. The sweeps here are no joke either – they’re the powdery-white kind that you’d expect to see on a postcard, and the water’s full of marine life. Put down your marg for a sec and snorkel with turtles, scuba dive alongside manta rays or book a boat trip to spot dolphins.
This bit of Mexico’s also got serious clout in the cultural department. The Maya people were busy building away back in the day and ancient ruins like Tulum, Coba and the iconic Chichén Itzá are still standing. After some UNESCO-status sightseeing, cool off in a sacred cenote, like Cenote Ik Kil. These natural freshwater sinkholes are filled with stalagmites, stalactites and tropical fish, and they make for pretty stunning swim spots. This whole area’s thick with jungle, too, so you can switch into explorer mode on a group trek, 4×4 safari or see it all above on a zipline.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Allow the cliché: Reykjavik is actually a city like no other. Iceland’s capital is the northernmost in the world, so the temps can get pretty cold here, but it couldn’t feel more warm and welcoming. The locals are super proud of their culture and heritage, and you can feel it in the art and design across the city – epic murals cover entire buildings and one of the main streets is proudly painted in rainbow colours from top to bottom. It might be pretty compact, but it makes getting around a breeze, and it still packs in the coolest vinyl shops, design stores and cosy bars into a couple of walkable districts. They love a quirky museum here, too – special mentions go to the Punk Museum in a former public toilet and the Phallic Museum… no explanation needed.
Other than its capital, the coolest thing about Iceland is its natural phenomena, so you can pair your city break with the best geography trip going. Thanks to geothermal activity, soaking in steamy pools are part of everyday life – you’ve already seen the Blue Lagoon all over your socials, and you can easily get a bus there from the city centre, or keep the cost down by visiting the public pools like the locals. Then, most of the island’s top sights are within day-tripping distance of Reykjavik. See geysers, waterfalls and tectonic ridges in the Golden Circle, chase the Northern Lights and go whale-watching off the coast. There are loads of tours, or you can hire a car and mix in some lesser-known sights like secret black-sand beaches and stunning mountain scenes.
Ready to make your holiday work harder? Check out our deals.
Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.
Author and pronouns: Daisy Colley (she/her)
Last updated: 12/01/2026
You may also like
Travel hacks
)
)
)