Lots of us look forward to a holiday in the sun with our girlfriends and for many, it’s an annual tradition. You might think that you’ve already found the perfect destination — maybe it’s the place that you visit year after year. But, there is a host of cities and beaches out there that are ideal for a holiday with your best friends. Together with QUIZ, fashion retailers of summer essentials such as maxi dresses, we investigate the top ten places to add to your girls holiday bucket list:
Barcelona
Barcelona has the perfect balance of city and coastal vibes. You can take a 30-minute walk from the shopping centre, El Corte Ingles, to the paella restaurants on the beachfront. Catch up with the girls over a glass of sangria and soak up the culture.
Must-dos:
Aside from the main attractions, such as the Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell, what else is there to do in the Catalan capital?
There are a few rooftop bars, but one with a great view is the 1881 per SAGARDI bar which is situated at the top of the History Museum of Catalonia and overlooks the marina. It’s a place for fine dining before the in-house DJ begins early evening.
For the perfect picnic spot, head up to Carmel del Bunkers. This used to be bunkers during the Spanish Civil War and now overlooks the entire city. Take a blanket up here, some food and drink and enjoy the sunset with your friends.
Miami
Feel uber glamorous and brush shoulders with the A-listers in Miami for your next girls holiday. Aside from endless beaches and art-deco inspired buildings, what else is there for you and your gal pals to do on the coast of south Florida?
Must-dos:
Attend one of the many pool parties that are going on in the city during the summer. Check if there are any events on at the National Hotel which is host to Miami’s longest infinity pool.
Forget shopping in stuffy indoor centres, head to Bayside Marketplace to make some purchases with your girlfriends instead. Situated around the marinas at Biscayne Bay, this open-air mall is a great way to keep cool while trying on clothes and there’s often live music played from the main stage, too.
Why not play spot-the-celebrity with your friends while you’re in the city of the rich and famous? Board the 90-minute boat trip that takes you through Biscayne Bay, narrated by someone who will point out the homes of the stars (cocktails available too).
If you’re in the mood for a beach day, head to Sunny Isles beach for a coastal stretch that’s less touristy than the popular South Beach. Or, head to Haulover Beach — the only nudist beach in Miami — to catch some rays without the tan lines.
Marrakech
Pack your bags and head to the Moroccan city of Marrakech with your best friends. Well-known for its rich culture and stunning palaces, there’s so much to do and explore when you’re here.
Must-dos:
Leave plenty of room in your suitcase for items to bring back. You could spend hours in the souks of Marrakech, exploring the crafted clothes, bags, accessories and spices. It’s unlike any shopping trip you would’ve had with the girls before.
For a relaxing eatery away from the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa, head over to a restaurant called le Jardin. This restaurant is complete with indoor greenery, live music and serves Moroccan classics like tagines and authentic lamb dishes.
If you fancy chilling at the coast instead of by the pool in a local riad, you can take the bus to the seaside city of Essaouira. Scour the local shops and enjoy lunch in one of the quaint side streets.
Ibiza
Although it’s known as the party capital of the Balearic Islands, there’s also places close by where you can relax in the sun and gossip with your besties.
Must-dos:
Head to Café Mambo for sunset. You’ve probably seen the videos and heard all about it, but visitors say it’s an unforgettable experience. Once a smaller venue situated on Ibiza’s sunset strip, it’s now one of the most famous venues on the island — host to the biggest DJs in the world.
Explore the old town. Partying for five nights can get tiring, but San Antonio isn’t that far from a place of serenity. You can wander the cobbled streets and be rewarded with some memorable panoramic views of the island before chilling out in one of the well-loved restaurants.
Marbella
If you and your girls are after a party vibe balanced out by some glam, Marbella is a good place to go. It’s similar to Ibiza in that you’re never far from a DJ set, but it’s often thought of as more refined. The locals enjoy going out in Marbella too and there’s an air of luxe surrounding the city.
Must-dos:
Don’t rely on the organised boat parties to explore the waves with your girlfriends. There are plenty of private boats available to hire from the port for the full day — play music, take your own food and soak up the sun.
Similar to Ibiza, there’s a historic old town to visit where you can soak up the culture and stretch your legs. Head to Plaza de los Naranjos which is lined with open-air restaurants and is often host to street singers playing local tunes.
Bali
The Indonesian island of Bali is well-known for its dramatic mountains and paradise-like landscape. It’s also a great place to get away with the girls and relax on beaches like no other.
Must-dos:
It depends what sort of holiday you’re looking for as to what you do when you’re here — there’s something for everyone.
Why not try a yoga retreat? Head for the Yoga Barn which is one of the most famous retreats on the island, located in Ubud. Here, there is a range of programmes for all abilities and lengths — find one that you can all enjoy together.
If you’re in search of something livelier, make your way to Seminyak which is one of the best party destinations on the island. There is a strip of bars, cafes and restaurants — even some with bean bags on the beach so you can enjoy a drink while the sun goes down.
The Amalfi coast
Situated on the west coast of Italy, the Amalfi coast is a 50-kilometre stretch of land, best known for its pretty fishing villages and rugged coastline. It’s not so much a party destination but it’s still a nice place to soak up some sunshine with your good friends.
Must-dos:
Each village on the coast has something different to offer. From the cathedral in Sorrento to the picturesque town of Positano — each place is unique. Try and visit a few of them, if you can, to make the most of coastal trip.
Head to the main town of Amalfi. It’s the busiest town if you’re looking for hustle and bustle and the restaurants here offer amazing Italian dishes that you’d struggle to enjoy anywhere else.
Santorini
Santorini is recognisable by its hilly landscape and whitewashed buildings. It’s become more of a tourist destination in recent years and it’s clear to see why. The island is an ideal destination to go with your girlfriends, especially if you’re looking to chill out and soak up the Greek heat.
Must-dos:
If you and your girlfriends enjoy a glass of wine here and there, the 18-wine tasting flight by Santo Winery is for you. The winery is one of the top spots to watch the famous Santorini sunset too, an extra bonus.
You have to enjoy the famous Santorini sunset — named the most stunning in the world by many visitors. There are certain spots where it looks its best, so sit back and enjoy the views.
Dubai
Dubai is best known for luxury shopping, rich visitors and residents, and towering skyscrapers. But, it’s also home to a lot more than that, including a very lively nightlife scene — perfect for letting your hair down on a ‘girls getaway’.
Must-dos:
Experience life from the top of the tallest building in the world — the Burj Khalifa. At the observation deck, you can see astounding panoramic views of the city unlike anything you’ve seen before. You can have a drink at the atmosphere bar too — located on the 122nd floor.
Have some fun at the Aquaventure Water Park — ideal for a girly day out with its thrilling rides and slides. You also have the option to swim with dolphins, sea lions and go scuba diving — a great experience away from the city.
Budapest
Another city that has gained popularity in recent years is the capital of Hungary, Budapest. A city of quirky bars and restaurants, as well as beautiful architecture, it’s also somewhere that’s full of life with plenty to do.
Must-dos:
Attend a spa party, or ‘sparty’ for short, at the most popular thermal bath in Budapest — Szechenyi Spa and Baths. You can visit during the day too but on a Saturday, during the summer, it turns into a giant pool party.
Many of the pubs in Budapest are ‘ruin pubs’ which means that they’re old, run-down buildings that have been turned into pubs. A lot of them are based in the Jewish Quarter and it’s worth doing a mini pub crawl around these for drinking spots like no other.
And there we have it! The top ten destinations for the best girls holiday. Of course, it all depends on what sort of thing you’re after but choosing a place that has a mixture of vibes and things to do is always a good idea.
