Top 10 destinations for a getaway with the girls
Whether it’s a weekend break or a full-on holiday in the sun, there’s no better way to spend some quality time with your girlfriends than on a trip together.
With no interruptions and no responsibilities, a getaway with your closest girls can be the perfect way to reset, reconnect and have some fun.
So, we’ve put together a list of our top 10 destinations for the ultimate ‘girls trip’, which each have something for everyone in the group, from beach loungers to party animals, culture vultures to foodies.
And don’t forget, you can earn CashPoints as soon as you book your trip. You can collect points on Norwegian flights, hotels, airport transfers, and even your pre-booked activities. Use your CashPoints to pay for next year’s trip. It’s a win-win!
Note: Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the availability of activities in the destinations below could be affected. Remember to check current travel restrictions before booking travel.
1. Malaga
Malaga is a little gem. Here in Picasso’s hometown, you can enjoy the sand between your toes, great food and history. With 300 sunny days a year, this city on the Spanish Costa del Sol is a great choice all year round.
For your accommodation, we recommend a central base at Room Mate Valeria, which has everything you and the girls need: a great spot on the harbour and an easy walk to most attractions.
You can also make the most of the hotel’s rooftop terrace with its own bar and sun loungers.
Want to share a room and have a pyjama party? You won’t do better than a quadruple room at TRYP Málaga Alameda Hotel.
2. Nice
Beautiful Nice always delivers. Choose a one-hour Segway tour of Nice with GetYourGuide to see all this stunning city has to offer.
Zip along the promenade, enjoy the panoramic views from the castle hill, ride through narrow alleyways in the old town and take photos of the gently curving coastline from the observation point at Rauba Capeu. Swing by the Cours Saleya, an open marketplace filled with scented flowers and fresh local foods. And you never even have to work up a sweat!
You may end up at one of the charming cafés in Place Rosetti in the old town, perfect for relaxing, chatting and watching the world go by.
Staying in the centre is a must, for example, at the stately Hôtel Albert 1er Nice. Be sure to ask for a sea view room.
Or there’s also the intimate, luxurious Hôtel Villa Rose, located a short distance from the centre and the Musée National Marc Chagall.
3. Barcelona
Barcelona has all the ingredients for a memorable getaway with your girls: shopping, bars, great architecture and beach life.
Take in the impressive masterpieces by renowned architect Antoni Gaudí, dine on food inspired by super-chef Ferran Adrià and draw out the summer on the Mediterranean beaches.
Why not start the day a two-hour catamaran cruise with the girls? You can see the city from a different perspective while enjoying some complimentary drinks. Feeling peckish? Head to one of the many tapas bars in Barcelona.
For a place to stay, Hotel Constanza Barcelona is a reasonably-priced two-star hotel. And the guests love it! Or go for luxury at the Gran Hotel Havana.
4. Verona
World Heritage City Verona is one of the most popular destinations in Italy – and one of the most romantic.
If you don’t have your own Romeo, this is the place to find one. You can evoke that Juliet feeling by standing on the actual balcony from the famous scene in Shakespeare’s play.
A trip to Verona wouldn’t be complete without visiting its incredible vineyards. This is where great wines such as Amarone and Prosecco are produced. But if you’re short on time, you can always sample them at one of the many bars in the city.
Verona is a small city, so make sure you make hotel reservations in or around the centre, like Hotel Aurora or Albergo Mazzanti.
5. Berlin
You can find some incredibly affordable flights to Berlin for your trip with the girls. The German capital has something for everyone, but if it’s clubbing you’re after, you’ve come to the right place!
Head for Friedrichshain. These old factory buildings in former East Berlin are now home to many of the wildest clubs in town.
All you have to do is go from club to club to find the one you like best. The most famous is Berghain. But not everyone gets in. It’s said that you need to speak German, be genuinely interested in the music they play and dress down. If you’re one of the lucky ones to be allowed entry, you can dance ‘til dawn with a light show and acoustics you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
An early morning walk around the area of Hackesche Höfe is a great way to chill out. Hackesche Höfe is a historic preservation area in Art Nouveau style with lots of small shops, restaurants and galleries.
If you stay at The Weinmeister Berlin in Mitte, you’re not far away. This hotel features a spa and its very own delicatessen, and children aren’t allowed – the perfect base for your getaway with girlfriends.
Need more inspiration? Check out the top 10 things to do in Berlin.
6. Warsaw
Poland has rapidly become a travel magnet to be reckoned with.
There are lots of cities and towns to choose from, but we particularly recommend Warsaw as a destination for the girls. This is where you’ll find Poland’s best restaurants, coolest bars, most luxurious hotels and finest galleries while still being very affordable.
Enjoy taste testing at Mount Blanc, where you eat Belgian chocolate in solid or liquid form until you burst.
Stara Kamienica is renowned as one of the very best restaurants in Poland. Stylish, warm, informal and right in the heart of Warsaw. This locale combines Polish food with modern gastronomic trends in European cuisine all served with live music.
Accommodation-wise, get the girls together at the Radisson Collection Hotel Warsaw.
7. Budapest
Budapest is almost made to order for a weekend with girlfriends.
A long and relaxing stay at the world-famous Széchenyi Spa Baths is mandatory. With three outdoor and 15 indoor pools, this is said to be one of the biggest and best spas in Europe. You can also indulge in spa treatments in the spectacular halls of the legendary Gellért Baths.
For more information on where to get some well-deserved R&R in the Hungarian capital, check out our guide to the best thermal baths in Budapest.
A traditional goulash lunch is a must, and the same applies to a walk through the Central Market Hall for craft products, clothes, souvenirs and great food. Budapest is the place to shop for top brands in all price ranges.
There’s plenty of accommodation to choose from in the centre, such as the Boutique Hotel Victoria Budapest which has great views of the Danube. Be sure to ask for a room on the river side of the hotel.
Five-star hotels in Budapest can be well within budget, such as the Anantara New York Palace Budapest.
Heading to Budapest around Christmastime? Check out our tips on the best Christmas markets in Europe. Budapest’s Vörösmarty Square will really get you into the festive spirit.
8. Reykjavik
If your girls are a bit adventurous and want a little wind in their hair, then Reykjavik in Iceland is an experience guaranteed to make memories to last a lifetime!
The most northerly capital city in the world offers something that can’t be found in other European capitals: a spectacular landscape.
About 120,000 people live here, and the breeze off the Atlantic can be a bit harsh, but don’t let those winter temperatures stop you from visiting. There are any number of breathtaking Icelandic experiences awaiting you no matter the wind-chill factor!
The wonderful waters of the Blue Lagoon are a must for a girls weekend in Iceland, and will completely relax and warm you. Here you can soothe tired muscles in the naturally-heated water of 36-39 degrees, surrounded by hills of lava.
If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, an expedition through the meadows on horseback is a great way to try something different and have some fun. You can even try your hand at the famous tölt, one of the two gaits that is unique to Icelandic horses.
Have a great stay at the boutique Hotel 101 or choose the eco-friendly Hotel Reykjavik Natura, if you don’t mind the twenty-minute walk into the city centre. You can relax in the hotel’s own spa afterwards.
One of the very best things to do here is rent a car to avoid having to wait for buses when you and the girls want to get out and about.
9. London
You name it, London has it: world-class restaurants, shops and galleries. What’s more, many of the girls may have been here before, so there’s nothing you absolutely HAVE to put on the list. Concentrate instead on cosy cafés and shopping and just enjoying being with your favourite ladies in a different setting.
You can spend an entire day in the Tate Modern or indulge yourself at the Borough Market. Did someone say cheesecake brownie?
As Samuel Johnson famously said, “When a man (or woman in this case) is tired of London, he is tired of life.” So maybe a trip there is just what you need?
Plus, there’s loads of cheap and free things to do in London, if your girls trip has a bit of a budget.
As for accommodation, check in to St Giles right by Oxford Street and the British Museum or these lovely boutique hotels.
One thing you probably haven’t done yet is sleep on the Thames. Search ‘house boat’ as one of your preferences when looking for accommodation for a new way to experience the big city. Hotels.com has over 350 places to stay in London, which means there must be something that suits your trip with the girls.
10. Oslo
There’s plenty to do and see in Oslo, otherwise known as the tiger city, and many surprises are in store!
Check out the new Stovner Tower, walk the entire Havnepromenaden, if you’re visiting Oslo in summer then grab a city bike, see the exhibitions at the Astrup Fearnley Museum, or dare your friends to try the zip line at Holmenkollbakken.
Purchase an Oslo Pass to use the excellent public transport system as much as you like. It also allows free entry to 30 museums, swimming pools, hikes and discounts on sightseeing and concert tickets to name but a few.
Or you and the girls could simply sit down with a glass of wine in one of the world’s top 20 bars, Himkok, to relax in each other’s company.
Territoriet in Grünerløkka is another popular watering hole. Here you can enjoy a selection of many different wines by the glass and have light snacks in the bar while old LPs spin in the background.
If you’re heading to Oslo in spring, think about planning your trip so you’re in the capital on 17 May, Norway’s Constitution Day and the date of the biggest street party of the year.