Best Holiday Destinations In Europe For Young Adults
This summer has been fantastic for travelling as the world has opened up again. We have been to Berlin, Portugal, Amsterdam, Robyn has been to Ibizia, and we have a trip to Italy coming up! So we thought we would put together the best holiday destinations in Europe for young adults.
For a while, Europe was as far as we could go during the pandemic, so we made sure we got our use of it. With plenty of countries to see right on our doorstep, it would be rude not to make the most of it as young adults and have a great time.
As young adults ourselves, we believe we are pretty well equipped to advise you on some of the best holiday destinations in Europe for young adults. Between us, we have been fortunate to have visited a lot of European cities and countries.
So, follow along to discover our top picks and see if any of them float your boat.
The 14 Best Holiday Destinations in Europe for Young Adults
Check out our list below, and let us know if we have missed anything off our list - we'll be travelling a lot in the next 12 months, so we can always visit for ourselves!
Some of these may be the best places to visit in Europe in summer 2023 (if you missed going somewhere in 2022!).
Berlin
We went to Berlin early in the year and think it's one of the best holiday destinations in Europe for young adults if you love partying.
We were a bit unsure at first when we went to Berlin because it wasn't really our scene. But nevertheless, it is a city rich with culture and history with something for everyone to explore.
Unfortunately, we went when clubs were not open yet, so we could not get the whole experience of the nightclubs. The most famous being the Berghain which is notoriously hard to get into. It is a 24-hour club that is very specific about who they let inside. Once in, no phones are allowed, and it is super exclusive. Good luck getting in!
One thing that really stood out on our trip to Berlin was the hotel we stayed at. It was perfect for young adults as it had an insane pool and spa! It was a real hidden gem that we loved staying at. It was really cheap for 2 nights and included a tasty breakfast!
Amsterdam
Amsterdam has to be up there with one of the best holiday destinations in Europe for young adults. The city is a young adult's playground, with the red light district, museums, boat trips, food and bars.
What we love about Amsterdam is that it allows young people to be free and experiment safely. This is unique to the city, and something other destinations don't offer, making it perfect for young adults.
We loved hiring a boat to see the city as you could take your own drinks and speaker and chill out. Also, compared to the big boat companies, you have the ability to take your own route through the canals. We recommend this if you visit Amsterdam.
Robyn has also been to the festival Dekmantel 2 years in a row and loves it! It is an excellent experience for a young adult to go to a festival abroad, and Dekmantel is a perfect one to attend. It has incredible stages, chill tech, disco music, and overall good vibes!
Check out our blog on the top 10 things to do in Amsterdam, which gives you loads more ideas!
Ibiza
You have to go to Ibiza at least once as a young adult! It is an island everyone needs to experience.
Robyn has recently been with her friend, and Henry went a few years ago. While it is known as a party island, it is also a great beach holiday.
It is a common misconception that you must love partying to go to Ibiza, but it is actually one of the best holiday destinations in Europe for young adults who love the beach. It has some stunning beaches and resorts and a beautiful old town.
However, if you like partying, some big clubs like Ocean Beach, Ushuaia and Eden are great to have a boogie in. The island really does have something for everyone. Robyn stayed at the Amare Hotel, which is adults only, and I would highly recommend it; it is stunning!
Greek Islands
You can not go wrong with a Greek island for your holidays. With 227 islands to explore, there is more than plenty to visit. Why visit Greece?
Beaches
Culture
Amazing food
Unbeatable weather
SUNSETS
Robyn was lucky enough to go Greek island hopping a few years ago, so we have listed 3 must-see islands below.
Santorini
We know this is a really tourist island, but honestly, it is worth the hype. If we had to choose between Mykonos or Santorini, Santorini is the best holiday destination in Europe for young adults.
It is perfect for couples as it is very romantic, with gorgeous restaurants and beautiful hotels. It is rich in culture for you to explore, or you can just relax by a pool and take in the breathtaking views.
You must go to Oia and watch the sunset during your visit. We recommend getting there early or booking a restaurant facing the sunset. That way, you will beat the crowds and have a guaranteed view of the sunset. This restaurant is perfect for sunset!
Milos
Milos is actually one island we have not been to, but it is on our list! As one of the smaller islands, it often goes unnoticed. Some really popular islands attract thousands of tourists each year, making them overcrowded.
However, islands such as Milos are just as beautiful and offer so much traditional Greek culture. Milos is a volcanic island with crystal blue water and an unreal sunset. People say it looks like the moon due to it being volcanic!
It is rumoured to be the next luxury destination in Greece, so get in quick before the price tag rises!
Crete
Crete is one of the bigger islands and more popular for a longer vacation. It is also one of the main islands to fly into before venturing onto the smaller islands, so it would be rude not to take a visit.
This is great for young adults looking to relax and enjoy a beach holiday. There is more to do on a bigger island, so it is better for a long duration. We would recommend going in late June to avoid the school holidays.
You must visit Elafonissi Beach as it is one of the best pink sand beaches ever.
Italy
We are super excited to be bringing you Italy content in the next few weeks, so we couldn't not mention it in this blog. We are fortunate to have already visited many cities in Italy, but we will be visiting 3 new cities soon.
Italy is one of the best holiday destinations In Europe for young adults as there is so much to explore. The country is vast and has so many iconic destinations. Rome, Florence, Pisa, Venice, Verona, Milan, Sorrento, Sicily and the Amalfi coast are only some of the fantastic destinations you could visit.
Full of pizza, pasta and gelato, what is not to love about Italy? Guaranteed sunshine in the summer months and beautiful scenery in the winter months it is ideal for any time of the year.
We would suggest visiting a vineyard on a day trip and experiencing authentic Italy guided by a local. You don't even have to like wine to go as they usually put on a delicious mezze board full of cheese, olives and bread.
Croatia
Croatia is one holiday destination in Eastern Europe we have not been to but would love to! So many people we know love the country and have nothing but amazing things to say about the beautiful city.
The best holiday destination in Croatia for young adults is Split. It is a really friendly city with plenty of activities to dive into. There is even a 2 hour game of thrones tour for the fans out there.
If you fancy a trip, take a ferry over the Hvar, where they have some of the most magical waterfalls. You can swim up to the waterfalls or relax on the rocks on the side.
Croatia is home to many festivals, such as Hideout and Love International, also take place in Croatia each summer. These are perfect for the party animals among you as you can relax all day by the beach and party all night at the festivals.
Edinburgh
Unlike most of the best holiday destinations in Europe for young adults, Edinburgh is not a beach holiday. We have mentioned Edinburgh a few times before and even have a whole blog about it.
That is because we love it and think it is excellent for young adults. Edinburgh is a great option if you are in the UK and don't want to take a plane this year. Alternatively, if you are looking at travelling to the UK, why not try Edinburgh rather than London?
Even though Edinburgh doesn't have beaches, it is magical in the summer. With so many hills to climb, you can catch an incredible sunset or sunrise from the top.
However, for us, Edinburgh's true magic comes out in the winter. Christmas in Edinburgh feels like something straight out of a Harry Potter film. It truly is the best holiday destination at Christmas!
Reykjavik
A unique and unconventional choice when it comes to the best holiday destination in Europe for young adults. However, it should 100% be on your list.
As a young adult, you don't have too many responsibilities yet, which allows you to visit countries you might not get the chance to in the future. Reykjavik in Iceland is not really a family holiday destination as there is not much for children to do.
You must visit the blue lagoon, which has healing waters. Or try and catch a glimpse of the northern lights. While most visitors come in the winter when there is lots of snow to hike glaciers, some opt for the summer.
This is because there is no darkness between April and August. Therefore, the endless summer gives you plenty of chances to go on hikes, visit waterfalls and enjoy the gorgeous scenery.
Check out this fabulous hotel!
Barcelona
Barcelona has to be near the top of the best holiday destinations in Europe for young adults. It is a young adults' playground with hippy culture and fun nightlife.
Barcelona has a beautiful beach to relax on in the morning before exploring the city in the afternoon. You must visit the breathtaking Sagrada Familia church designed by Antoni Gaudi.
For the football fans among you, you can visit the Barcelona football stadium! Or, if you are like Robyn and love a sunset, hike to the Castillo de Montjuic, a former military fortress, to watch the sun go down.
Krakow
Another really underrated holiday destination in Europe is Krakow. Krakow is a city that is great in either summer or winter.
Krakow is also super, super cheap. We know as young adults, money can be tight. Therefore Krakow offers the perfect getaway for those on a budget.
It is famous for being home to Auschwitz, which is a place everyone should visit if they get the chance. Full of history, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see it first-hand and take in the sober history.
Market square and Krawkows old town are great to have some drinks and catch a bite to eat whilst you explore the city. It is beautiful and definitely a city that does not get enough credit.
Check out this incredible hotel! It is probably one of the best hotels we have ever seen for such an affordable price.
Oslo
Another unconventional choice but Oslo has to make the list of the best holiday destinations in Europe for young adults.
Henry's friends actually surprised Henry with a trip to Oslo when he finished University and absolutely loved it. Norway is such a clean and naturally stunning country that it often gets overlooked.
Oslo seamlessly blends the natural attractions with the cutting-edge vibrant city. Similar to Iceland, Norway is known as the land of the midnight sun, where most of the year, the sun never goes down.
Norway is also one of the most affluent countries, so the transport and facilities in the city are high quality and luxurious.
Henry's top recommendation would be to go swimming in the Oslo Fjord where you can jump into the water or relax and sunbathe on the side. Henry spent hours here with his mates jumping in the water and messing about.
So what is the Best Holiday Destination in Europe for Young Adults?
We really don't think there is the best holiday destination in Europe for young adults as there are too many to pick from. We have only mentioned a fraction of the fantastic destinations in Europe; there are so many more to explore.
Our favourites so far are Amsterdam, Greece, Edinburgh and Oslo. However, that could change once we go to Italy! That is the beauty of travelling when you are young, you can always discover new favourite destinations.
If you like this blog, check out some of our other blogs. As always, if we have missed anything, get in touch with the Couple Things To Do Team
