It can be hard enough picking where you want to go, let alone for a group holiday of four or five of you. There’s the one that wants to just chill on the beach, the one who wants to spend as little as possible and the one who’ll be rolling in at 5am every morning. You probably can’t please everyone… but you can at least book a place that gives you options. City breaks are perfect for exploring at your own pace – some of you can gallery hop in the morning while everyone else gets a slower start and just chills in a local café. Then, you can all reconvene for the bar crawl later. It’s all about balance and that’s exactly what these hot destinations have in common. See where you should travel with the group next…
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is one of Europe’s real holiday gems. It’s a gorgeous seaside city, full of rooftop bars for the happy-hour-seekers, museums for the history geeks and nearby beaches for the surf crew. Picture cute yellow trams, tall, tiled buildings and cobbled shopping streets. The city has over 20 neighbourhoods, but Bairro Alto is where it’s at. You can spot some street art and your favourite high-street brands before heading to Park Bar – that’s where the party starts. This old multistorey carpark has been turned into a cool rooftop bar, which is perfect for catching the sunset. If mooching about isn’t the kind of pace people are after, take a trip by train to Belem for the best pasteis de nata or Cascais for a spot of paddleboarding and some surf lessons. Sintra is another adventure in easy reach and is famous for its colourful castle, so things to do here go way beyond Lisbon itself. It’s a bit of a hike to the top, so a tuk tuk ride is a good excuse to add to the experience.
Majorca, Spain
Majorca is often an easy win for budget-friendly beach holidays – it’s still Spain, but island-style. Its golden coastline, mountain scenes and ancient history tick a lot of the main travel boxes, so hopefully everyone’s happy. Palma is the capital city and has been around since the 13th Century – just see it’s 800-year-old Gothic cathedral. There’s also an Arabian-style quarter, great shopping streets and beaches nearby. The sands of Playa de Palma or Palma Nova mean you can stay right in the heart of the city but certain members of the group have still got easy access to top up that tan in between the sights. Adventure-lovers, you’ve also got the Serra de Tramuntana Mountains to fit in an epic hike. They’re recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are a protected nature reserve in the island’s north-west.
Munich, Germany
Think beer, bratwursts and Bauhaus architecture, then probably some more beer. Munich is all things Bavarian brewing and is maybe best known for hosting the OG Oktoberfest festival. If your group holiday is bound to be a bit boozy, this city has a drinking culture that can basically be classed as a fine art. The area of land called Theresienwiese is kept empty all year in preparation for this big beer fest in September when it’s filled with brewery tents, live music, food stalls and rollercoasters. If you can lock everyone in for a holiday then, do it early, as people travel from all over the world just to go. On top of the beer gardens, there are huge green spaces set around the Isar River for picnicking and cycle rides, as well as swimming spots if you fancy an alternative beach dip and centuries-old sites to explore.
Budapest, Hungary
Level up the girls’ spa day to a trip to the thermal springs in Budapest. Everyone can appreciate a relaxing dip in this destination’s toasty waters – they’re full of body-beneficial minerals and great for a good gossip. Szechenyi is one of the most famous and you can even seek out a ‘Sparty’ – yep, that’s a late-night spa party. This place is pretty much Europe’s new party capital, so there are plenty of nightlife picks. Check out the city’s ruin bars around the Jewish Quarter and floating clubs. But during the day, there are boat rides down the Danube, the Castle District and a serious collection of museums to visit. Budapest is also nice and affordable, so it’s definitely doable on most budgets. Make sure you check out the museum websites before you plan a visit, as a lot of them are free on certain days!
Corfu, Greece
Corfu’s another destination that’s great for groups. It’s a Greek island – AKA beach heaven – with a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a town and Kavos, which is known for its nightlife. Greek islands are a great shout for that group holiday that you feel like you shouldn’t be able to afford. Well, think again… Book somewhere self-catering and you can pack yourselves a spanakopita for a picnic lunch on the sand – local bakeries are the one for budget-friendly snacks under a fiver. The Ionian Sea rivals the blues of the Maldives, but the price of a local beer is less than €2 here. Corfu Town’s got castles and cute lanes, as well as an Old Venetian fortress for a bit of history. Then, Kavos finds the perfect balance with its long line of DJ sets. It’s actually pretty laidback in the day, so catch sunset before you hit the clubs.
Ready to get that trip out the group chat? Pick a place that your lot will love from our Mates’ holidays.
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Author: Lily Owen
Last updated: 15/03/2024
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