Looking for the best destinations for a Europe girls trip? Maybe you’re wondering what exciting hen do destinations Europe offers, or just want to kick back and have a relaxing holiday with your best mate.
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From beautiful girls city breaks in Western Europe to outdoor adventures and fun activities, there are so many places to go on a Europe girls trip.
Hopefully, this list will get you and your bestie excited for a girls weekend in Europe and inspire you to book that trip!
Quick links for your European trip
✈️ Book a flight
To find affordable flight options and get cashback, use WayAway
🎫 Find cheapest bus and train tickets
RailEurope makes it easy to book tickets online
🚗 Rent a car
Rentalcars offers wide range of options and great customer service
Вut before you go, look through the list of recommendations above!
Best places for a girls trip in Europe:
BARCELONA, Spain
by Katie from You Me Under the Palm Tree
Barcelona is an incredible destination to explore with your best girlfriend! This gothic city has everything essential for a girls’ getaway: rooftop pools and bars, the famous La Rambla market, beautiful shops, and an incredible beach. If you are planning a girls’ holiday, Barcelona is perfect.
With so much to offer, you can do as much or as little as you want. Everything is easy to explore on foot, so you can see the sights quickly and spend your days strolling the streets and soaking up the Spanish sun; sounds like heaven, right?
Our favourite rooftop has to be Hotel 1898 on La Rambla itself, get a good seat and a mojito, and this is the perfect place to chill with your girlfriend and watch the day go by with insane views over the city. The best vegetarian restaurant would have to be Teresa Carles, for the perfect atmosphere and service! However, the options for good food are limitless. If you also think Barcelona is the ideal girls’ getaway, check out our full 3-day itinerary.
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🎟️ See top Barcelona attractions for a lower price. With an all-inclusive city pass you can save money and control your sightseeing through the app.
PORTO, Portugal
by Stephenie from Bey Of Travel
Porto is one of the prettiest cities to visit in Europe. Located in Portugal, Porto brings in the perfect mix of culture and cuisine, which makes it a great holiday destination for an all-girls trip.
In Porto, one must wander through the historic centre whilst taking each other’s Instagrammable shots. Girls who love to learn a city’s history can join a walking tour. If on your own, just let yourself fall in love with the stunning alleys and capture the epic ‘Blue tiles route’.
Porto is also great for an active girls’ getaway, you and your friends can enjoy a nice hike to the Luis Bridge and soak in amazing views of the city from up there. There are a ton of cafes nearby where you can enjoy a glass of wine! Porto is one of the most affordable cities in Europe, for an all-girls trip, you must book a boat trip in the evening to enjoy scenic views from the Douro River.
Most of Portugal’s cities are blessed with stunning viewpoints, and Porto won’t disappoint vacationers. Popular views like the Serra do Pilar Viewpoint are accessible all day long.
For looking for Instagrammable shots, must visit the lovely Church of Saint Ildefonso and the Livraria Lello – that the library where J.K. Rowling got her inspiration for the famous Harry Potter book. One must also visit the Sao Bento station, which is one of the most gorgeous train stations in the whole of Europe!
PARIS, France
by Ophelie from Limitless Secrets
Paris is definitely one of the best places to visit with your best friend! Although it’s called the city of love, Paris is undoubtedly a great place to have a fantastic girls’ trip! In fact, Paris is an iconic city you will love to discover together, and it also offers a ton of fun activities and many girly places!
Here are some of the things you can do with your bestie in Paris. First of all, Paris is very photogenic, so you can simply wander in the streets, with a fancy outfit or a beret on your head and take a million photos together! Of course, one of the best places to do that is the Eiffel Tower. Head to the stairs in Trocadero or the Quai below Pont d’Iena to get some great photo spots.
If you want to enjoy traditional Paris, you can go to Montmartre. This neighbourhood perched on top of a hill looks like a village and is very charming. One of the best girly activities in Paris is to have brunch in an instagrammable café.
You can try Bon Bouquet Café, one of my favourite brunch places in town, Wild and the Moon if you like vegan food, Angelina for their famous pastries and hot chocolates, or Ladurée for their iconic macarons.
💫 Hidden gems of Montmartre
Discover one of the most romantic enclaves in Paris, with a local guide leading you to the best hidden spots.
Book the tourYou can stay in the 25 Hours Terminus Nord. Located close to Gare du Nord, this 4-Star boutique hotel has the prettiest rooms and decorations and excellent service.
ROME, Italy
by Jiayi from The Diary of a Nomad
The incredible city of Rome, Italy, is definitely one of the best places to visit with your girl best friend. There are a variety of fun and cultural things to do there, not to mention all the delicious food and wine to indulge in together! Spend at least 3 days in Rome with your best friend to be able to relax and enjoy your experience fully.
One thing you absolutely can’t miss in Rome is visiting the Trevi Fountain. Toss a coin into the magnificent fountain with your best friend and make a wish together. Close to the fountain is Via del Corso, the most famous shopping street in Rome. Grab a gelato and take a relaxing stroll there — this is where many local teens hang out with their friends!
Another cool thing to do with your best girlfriend in Rome is to rent a 2-people tandem bike in Villa Borghese, the biggest park in central Rome. Ride the park together, and be sure to pass by the Pincio Terrace inside the park. From there, you can get one of the city’s best views at sunset! There is also plenty of Vespa or segway tours in the historic centre to take with your friend.
🏛️ Idea for a fun activity in Rome: discover the highlights of historic city on the segway!
Book hereNo trip to Rome would be complete without tasting the fantastic cuisine there. Be sure to stop by Cantina & Cucina for some delicious food and wine in the historic centre, and to treat yourselves to the best tiramisù in town at Two Sizes Tiramisù!
PORTOVENERE, Italy
by Terri from Female Solo Trek
Instead of staying in Cinque Terre, my daughter and I chose Portovenere. It is located on Italy’s Ligurian Coast, dates back to Roman times and serves as a gateway to the UNESCO Heritage sites. Portovenere offered ferry services to the five Cinque Terre villages—Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore—as well as Positano.
Since I was staying for two weeks, I couldn’t afford a hotel – the 5-star choice is Grand Hotel Portovenere – I chose an Airbnb. It had a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean sea. We could sunbathe. Dinners were served al fresco—homemade pasta with fresh tomato sauce slow simmered. Sweet grapes and Brie for dessert. Oh, and Cinque Terre’s own wine!
You will find so much history in Portovenere: Doria Castle, the black and white-striped Church of St. Peter, the Genoese church of St. Lawrence and centuries-old homes. We walked in the same steps as Lord Byron, who swam across the Bay of Portovenere to visit his poet friend Shelley. (Posing at the Grotto of Byron—nicknamed the Bay of Poets—is an Instagram moment.) But our favourite part of Portovenere was visiting the shops tightly stacked together in a medieval alley. There are so many wonderful cafes!
From Rome airport, reach Portovenere by a long train ride to La Spezia, followed by a local bus. The city is quite walkable.
THE COTSWOLDS, UK
by Fiona from Travelling Thirties
Picture sitting in a quaint English pub peering out onto an old town square lined with gorgeous stone buildings. The Cotswolds is one of the most (if not the most) picturesque areas in the United Kingdom and perhaps Europe.
The Cotswolds are the perfect place to go for a girls’ weekend getaway. From driving down old English lanes, snapping pictures in front of perfect stone houses, indulging in a clotted cream tea to visiting the spa in Bath, there are more than enough things to keep you and the girls busy for a few days, or maybe even weeks.
The Cotswolds span over 2038km and several counties such as Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. Due to this, it is best if you hire a car to make the most of your trip.
There are also so many villages to visit that you might want to do some research to find the best villages to visit in the Cotswolds. However, you don’t want to miss Arlington Row in Bibury; this has been named the prettiest street in England, Bourton on the Water has some beautiful cafés and restaurants, and Stow on the Wold is a personal favourite. During your stay, you could also check out the Broadway Tower, Blenheim Palace and The Roman Baths.
LONDON, UK
by Evelina from Evbeing
Voted as the best city in the world for the sixth year, London offers a wide range of cool and unique things to do. A bustling metropolis, London is one of the best places to visit with your best friend. All you have to do is experience a great list of landmarks London offers. Things like shopping together in Oxford Street and treating your friend and fish and chips in Camden Market feature on the bucket list.
Whether you enjoy breathtaking views at the Shard, drop by Sky Pod Bar to drink cocktails with a killer view, or watch the Changing of the Guard in Buckingham Palace, London will impress you with its top attractions. Joining Enigma Escape room for two, working together and solving the puzzle at the price of £70 is a funny activity to do with your friend.
Be sure not to miss one of London’s ultimate tourist attractions, the London Eye. A thoughtful way to save money while travelling with your buddy is to book your activities with a 2FOR1 offer featured by Daysoutguide. At Wombat’s The City, a budget luxury hostel, you can choose to spend the night in a girls’ dorm or a twin room.
HEVER CASTLE, UK
Want to stay overnight in a castle with your best friend? How about a castle that was also the childhood home of Anne Boleyn? Step back in time and become a fabulous queen consort for the weekend at Hever Castle (only one hour from London).
During the day, walk around the castle grounds, which include beautiful flower beds and a stunning lake, before taking a tour of the castle itself. The castle’s history, best known for the times Henry VIII came here to meet with the Boleyns, will truly capture your imagination – and there’s really no better way to learn Tudor History than to visit the places where it happened.
On this trip, I also learned why Anne of Cleves was a badass divorcee who did well from her marriage to Henry, despite him generally being considered a notorious husband. She actually ended up getting Hever Castle and living her remaining life here, though this is not as publicised.
My bestie and I treated ourselves to her birthday and stayed in the wing, which now has sumptuous hotel rooms. Here we drank pink prosecco before heading out to the Henry VIII pub for a warming country meal.
This was the fanciest weekend of my life, and to this day, my best friend and I look back exceptionally fondly on ‘that time we stayed in a castle.’ (More recently, we also took a Tudor-inspired trip to Ludlow! Another fun girls trip idea.)
Do you also dream of staying in a castle? Yes, you really can at Hever Castle. Find out more here.
MANCHESTER, UK
by Rachel from Average Lives
Manchester is a great destination to go to with your best girlfriend. The city is vibrant and fun, and there are so many exciting things to do.
First, you should check out the street art and brunch scene in the hipster Northern Quarter. Who doesn’t love a tasty brunch with their best friend? Try Evelyn’s for an Instagram-worthy and relaxed interior.
Depending on your interests (or if it’s raining), you could check out one of Manchester’s many museums and galleries. Alternatively, you can shop at the iconic Arndale or Trafford Centre or go for a drink at Duke’s by the canal in Castlefield if it’s sunny.
You have so many options for food: head to Noi Quattro for fantastic pizza and Mackie Mayor for independent food stalls in an old meat market. Or, if you’re looking to go all out, head to 20 Stories for an experience you won’t forget. It’s a beautiful bar/ restaurant with impressive views over the city. Then if you decide to continue the night, head to the quirky bars in the Northern Quarter or party on Canal Street with the locals.
Ways to explore Manchester
- ⛴️ Scenic cruise around city center
- 🚶 The city’s secret spots discovery with a local guide
- 🌭 Food tasting tour in Ancoats and the Northern Quarter
- 🗺️ Trip to picturesque North Wales and Chester from Manchester
A girl’s trip wouldn’t be complete without a fun place to stay. Consider staying at King Street Townhouse because they have the most incredible infinity pool for hotel guests. They have a spa too.
A trip to Manchester is unforgettable!
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands
by Jenn from The Solivagant Soul
Amsterdam is one of the most cultural and eclectic cities in Europe. This beautiful town, has a lot to offer beyond the red-light district and the typical coffee houses. One of the nicest areas in the city, mostly unknown to tourists and great to spend a day with your bestie, is Zuid. There, you can find some of the largest parks in the city, although one of the best is Amsterdamse Bos, covering a significant section of Zuid. This fantastic place is excellent for spending a morning walking the trails or having a picnic.
After discovering the park, another great thing to share with your bestie in Amsterdam is an afternoon enjoying the massages and Spa facilities at the Hotel-Wellness Zuiver, also located next to one of the entrances of Amsterdamse Bos. This hotel has high-rated facilities, including a dry and wet sauna, a pool, and massage rooms. It is a great spot to spend a relaxing afternoon with your best friend, although it may not be suitable for everyone: swimsuits are only allowed twice a week!
FLEMISH BRABANT, Belgium
by Bhushavali from Travel Bhushavali
Brussels is a uber cosmopolitan city and is the beer capital of the world, and it is definitely one of the best places to chill with your best buddy! While there are many activities to spend all your time in Brussels, the most beautiful places are just on the outskirts of Brussels in the province of Flemish Brabant.
The best thing to do in Flemish Brabant with your best buddy would be to hire a bicycle and go on the wine cycling route, explore the vineyards, and taste some authentic Belgian wines! We visited Linden, which has not only a vineyard but also a castle and a nice restaurant. While cycling on this route, you’ll cross several farmlands and spot unique views of the Brussels skyline, some picturesque castles, Belgian horses and many more.
If it is spring, stop at Groot Bijgaarden and enjoy the stunning tulip gardens. Last but not least, if you all are a super adventurous gang, don’t miss skydiving in this region!
PRAGUE
by Charu from Travel With CG
Prague is one of the most famous yet inexpensive cities to visit in Europe. With cobblestone streets, orange-topped roofs, expansive parks and incredible architecture, it might very well be one of the most charming cities on the continent. Being a destination that is ideal for partygoers, history buffs, Instagrammers and foodies alike, Prague, without a doubt, is a perfect place to explore with your best friend.
Home to an ample number of landmarks to view that are reasonably close, Prague can be easily seen by foot or public transport. From free walking tours to stunning castles and otherworldly bridges to admire, there is quite a bit to discover when travelling to the charismatic Czech capital.
Having visited the city with my best friend a few years ago, I personally loved climbing the watch-out tower at the well-known Charles bridge and watching the sun go down from there. Taking a private vintage car tour to get the feel of the city and discover beautiful neighbourhoods along the way is another great thing to do whilst visiting Prague.
Lastly, if you and your best friend have a sweet tooth, you might even want to grab some Trdelnik. Available in nearly every touristic pathway of the city, it is a chimney cake that is made from grilled rolled dough. Maitea, a vegan and vegetarian restaurant in the Old Town of Prague, is also a must-try.
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🌙 If you are into some non-typical touristic routes, this one is definitely a must-try! Wander around old town and listen to the mysteries, legends and tales from darker sides of Prague’s history.
BUDAPEST, Hungary
By Or from My Path in the World
As cliche as it may sound, Budapest really is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and it is a fantastic girls’ trip destination. It has everything you’re looking for in a city break, like impressive landmarks, museums, restaurants, parks, and much more, but there are a couple of things in particular that you and your BFF will love.
If you love spending hours taking photos of insta-worthy spots, you’ll be amazed by fairytale-like landmarks such as the Fisherman’s Bastion and Vajdahunyad Castle. However, other monuments in Budapest, like the Parliament and Buda Castle, are also impressive.
We girls also love beautiful (and delicious) food, and luckily, you’ll find dozens of incredible breakfast and brunch spots in Budapest, like À la Maison Grand and Vintage Garden. If you enjoy museums but are looking for something unique, you must also visit the Museum of Sweets and Selfies.
As for nightlife, Budapest’s ruin bars provide a fantastic experience. Primarily found within the historic Jewish Quarter, these old buildings turned into quirky drinking joints and are a must-see when in Budapest. Visit Szimpla Kert, the city’s most iconic ruin bar, or head to Mazel Tov for something a bit fancier.
Other fun things to do in Budapest with your friend include going shopping, taking a free street art walking tour, strolling through Margaret Island, visiting a thermal bath, and so on.
HVAR ISLAND, Croatia
by Martina from PlacesOfJuma
Hvar Island is located in Croatia, and it’s actually a really cool place to go for a trip with your best friend! Because of its immense beauty, the many lovely beaches and its many party options, it is often named the St. Tropez of Croatia.
The best place to stay for having an unforgettable time with your best girl is the historic old town of Hvar, because there are the most amazing hotels like the Adriana Spa Hotel in a great location right on the harbour, with excellent breakfast and charming rooms.
There are so many cool things to do in Hvar! There are some beautiful beaches to explore so that you can spend wonderful days by the sea. Or you can visit one of the many fabulous beach clubs near the old town to have drinks, fun and relax. In the evening you should see the historic centre to enjoy fantastic nightlife with top restaurants and plenty of cool bars and clubs for dancing.
If you and your friend love wine, don`t miss a wine tasting in one of the many wineries on the island. Hvar is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Croatia and the perfect place to spend an unforgettable vacation.
OHRID, North Macedonia
The lakeside city of Ohrid is one of my favourite places in Europe and proved to be the perfect destination to visit with my wonderful friend Becca after I’d been abroad for eighteen months.
Lake Ohrid itself is huge and gives ample opportunities for boat trips to nearby monasteries and hiking around the water’s edge. In Summer, you can even head to one of the city beaches and sip a cocktail in one of the boardwalk cafes before swimming in the lake for a refreshing dip. If you want even more nature, go hiking in Galicica National Park, which has impressive views back over the lake and beyond.
You can stay in the old town if you want to make the most of the many historical sights here. These include the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid, built in 200BC, Plaosnik, and the 10th-century Samuel Fortress, which has panoramic views over the city. However, Ohrid’s best gem must be the Church of Sveti Jovan Kaneo – the perfect place to watch a sunset with your best friend before heading to dinner.
Best of all, Ohrid is the perfect destination for travelling on a budget. My friend and I shared an Airbnb for just a few euros a night, dinners were even cheaper… and our most expensive activity here cost 80 pence! If you’re really on a budget, you can also use a hostel or Airbnb kitchen to save money on meals. Just don’t ask Becca how we managed to dissolve our budget pasta dinners. Not quite a luxury, but otherwise a lot of fun!
NAXOS, Greece
by Sara from Sara Far Away
Naxos, the biggest island of the Cyclades, is one of Greece’s hidden gems. Often overlooked due to its famous neighbours, Santorini, Mykonos, and Paros, Naxos has managed to keep its authentic Greek charm.
The island is the perfect destination for you and your best friend to experience your own “Mamma Mia-inspired” island getaway. Think of crystal clear, turquoise waters, soft sandy beaches, and rolling hills dotted with quaint Greek villages.
Naxos capital, Hora or Naxos Town, is a picture-perfect Greek town. You and your best friend can spend hours wandering through the maze of narrow cobblestone lanes, sample Greek delicacies and browse the many shops for a perfect souvenir.
The best thing to do in Naxos is to go where your feet (or your wheels) take you. There is so much to see on the island, so many amazing photo spots to stop at, Greek villages to wander through, and secluded beaches to discover. I would definitely recommend renting a car and going on a road trip along the coast and into the backcountry.
Once you’ve done enough exploring for the day, head to Τo Kati Allo in Naxos Town. The family-run restaurant serves traditional, hearty Greek specialities like Moussaka, Souvlaki, and my personal favourite: crispy feta in filo pastry with honey and sesame.
TRANSYLVANIA, Romania
Romania is one of my best girls’ trips and my favourite European country. From learning all about the real history behind Dracula (and visiting his birthplace!) to hopping between the trendy (and vegan-friendly) eateries in Brasov, this trip exceeded my expectations on so many levels.
I loved Sighișoara, one of the most beautiful towns in Transylvania, with its endless colourful buildings and fascinating architecture. In Brasov, walking around the old town captured my imagination and made me keen to read about the region’s history. From here, day trips to Bran Castle (dubbed ‘Dracula’s castle by the tourism industry), Râșnov Citadel and Peles Castle are definitely worthwhile exertions.
We finished our trip in Sibiu, where we saw the famous ‘houses with eyes’ and ended our trip at the ASTRA Traditional Folk Civilisation Museum.
My other best friend loved the look of my Transylvania itinerary so much that she later made the same trip with her sister! So it’s safe to say this is a girls’ trip for your bucket list.
WARSAW, Poland
by Katie from The Travel Strategy
Warsaw, Poland, is still somewhat of a hidden gem, so I find it an ideal place to visit. During WW2, many historical events took place in the city. Today there are many museums dedicated to all that happened; therefore, it’s fascinating to museum hop to learn about it all. Some museums include the Warsaw Uprising Museum and the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews.
Warsaw is a great place to visit with your best friend because besides the array of museums, shopping is excellent and there’s the fun nightlife! Go shopping in Old Town with your best friend to find beautiful amber jewellery for which the country is known, all while enjoying the old, cobbled, stoned streets.
You can experience the city at an extremely low price because of the cheap eats and drinks. Make sure to check out a shot bar while you’re there! Shot bars offer shots for the equivalent of $1, with various unique mixtures to choose from. You’ll find nothing like it anywhere else, and it’ll be a great experience to have with a friend.
With that said, travel to Warsaw, try all the food, take in all the history, see all the sights, and then spread the word about how great it is!
Warsaw exceptional tours and activities
- 🕍 Guided walking tour of Warsaw Old Town
- 🍻 Pub crawl with unlimited drinks and games
- 🎹 Classical concert at the Fryderyk Concert Hall
ICELAND
by Raluca from TravelWithASpin
If the cold doesn’t bother you, Iceland is the best destination. There are few places in the world where you’ll find such a mix of scenery, dramatic landscapes, tiny but sophisticated spas and adventure opportunities. Besides, Iceland has an incredibly low crime rate and feels extremely safe.
Galentine can start as soon as you get off the plane with a stop at the Blue Lagoon. Relaxing in its milky blue water will make any girl happy. Remember to use a lot of hair-conditioner and free mud masks.
The next stop is Reykjavik. Iceland’s capital features colourful houses, interesting graffiti and ample nightlife. While you could easily spend an entire day shopping on Laugavegur street, you might want to check out the Phallological Museum. Yeah, you read it right. A museum dedicated to cocks really exists, and it’s in Reykjavik.
The best place to stay is downtown Reykjavik. Apotek Hotel is a boutique hotel close to the main street with perfectly-sized cute rooms. There are plenty of top-notch restaurants. What about sharing an
Icelandic tapas menu at Tapas Barinn? Reykjavik also features many great cafes where you warm up and have a long girly chat about the beautiful Icelandic guys.
Two tours are mandatory when in Iceland. The Golden Circle Tour includes the Geysir, Gulfoss waterfall, Kerid Volcanic Crater and Thingvellir National Park. The Southern Iceland Coast tour encompasses spectacular waterfalls, glaciers and a Black Sand Beach. One can also pet those cute Icelandic horses on
the way.
The only drawback would be the short days, but Iceland in winter is still outstanding. Besides, although the northern lights are never guaranteed to appear, there’s a high chance of seeing them in February.
BERGEN, Norway
If a quick search of ‘Bergen’ on Google Images doesn’t entice you to book a flight, then I will undoubtedly struggle. If you spend 2 days in Bergen, you can expect to see colourful wooden houses which begin at the shore and rise up throughout the surrounding hills, and nearby fjords beckon.
The best way to see Bergen is on foot. How else will you discover the winding passages lined with buildings of all colours and find hidden shops up narrow wooden staircases? The architecture will stun you, particularly if you’ve never visited Northern Europe.
There is plenty to do in the vicinity of Bergen. Be sure to check the opening times of museums before you go! Museums in Bergen closed earlier than we expected. We enjoyed the Bryggens Museum but could not visit others on our list. You can find a list of Bergen museums, attractions and tours here.
Get a tram and catch a stunning view from Mount Fløyen: You can choose to hike or bike it, but me? Ew, using my own muscles, gross! The Fløibanen funicular is minutes from the city’s centre, and it’s weirdly satisfying to watch Bergen shrink below you whilst you steadily ascent up the hill. As for the incredible views? During my trip, it was super misty, so I whipped out my super-power-positivity and ran around shouting ‘We’re in a clouuuuuddd’ to make sure my best friend wasn’t disheartened. Guys. We were in a cloud. And it was awesome.
Drink cocktails: My bestie and I LOVED ‘No Stress!’ We cosied up by an open fire, and I drank the best whisky-infused cocktail I’ve ever had. In fact, we loved it so much that my BBF/champion of alcoholic beverages walked 15 mins to the youth hostel and back to get more cash – what’s more romantic than your best friend heroically returning with whisky monies?
Vegetarian? Check out Pygmalion! We ate there both nights as it has both vegetarian and meat options. Also, use the HappyCow app to look up where has vegan options in advance.
For those feeling more adventurous: nearby fjords and mountains are easy to get to for a day trip (or as a stunning way to get between Bergen and Oslo). Check out https://www.norwaynutshell.com/ if you fancy a winding train ride on Earth’s most beautiful railway, The Flam Railway, and a boat ride between the immense mountains spotting tiny villages nestled between the slopes.
OSLO, Norway
Oslo would be a great trip with your best friend on its own, but even better if you combine it with Bergen, above. If museums, art galleries or nightlife are your things, Oslo is the way to go. Thankfully, an easily readable bus map can help you discover more of Norway’s capital – there’s much more to it than meets the eye!
You’re spoiled for choosing museums in Oslo, but I’d recommend stepping back in time at the Norwegian Folk Museum. Outside of the modernised Oslo centre, here is a seemingly authentic experience of Norway; you stumble upon buildings from different periods of history as you walk the grounds and marvel at their designs as you come face to face with other ways of life.
Next, step back even further and set sail at the Viking Ship Museum. I’ve always been fascinated by Vikings, so unless I could have literally dressed up in costume and have had a real-life Viking wipe blood on my face and sacrifice me to Odin, I was always going to be disenchanted by a Real Life museum – this is literally just a building filled with old boats right? But honestly, you’d have to be seriously cynical to remain untouched when visiting their final destination.
Finally, if you’re travelling with anyone who is easily bored, the Fram Polar Ship Museum surely cannot disappoint. Not only is the journey that the Norwegians took on their Polar Exhibition genuinely compelling, but you can explore the ship itself, interact with history and enjoy the ‘Northern Lights’, which are projected onto the museum’s roof every twenty minutes—an unexpected favourite.
Art Galleries: You know that famous Scream painting? You can go and look at that renowned Scream painting at the National Gallery. We were informed that all art is Really Important by an equally Important tourist after she overheard us quietly contemplating how the people in neighbouring paintings might interact with one another.
Finally, we loved Vigelandsparken. This is the world’s largest sculpture park by a single artist, and honestly? Gustav Vigeland’s work really moved me. The emotions in the sculptures, human bodies startlingly realistic in their frozen movement, revealed painfully relatable truths.
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Hi, wonderful post! I’ve been to maybe 75% of the places. Basically you can go almost anywhere with your friends and it’s nice to see such a diverse choice of places! If I could go now, the Greek Islands would be my favourite destination.
There are a lot of great destination in your article. I’ve in mostly of the places that you mention and I definitively reccomand to go.
I love this round-up! So many inspiring adventures to be had when we can travel freely with our girlfriends again 🙂
What a great list – thanks for putting it together. It has given me some great ideas!
There are lots of great ideas here! I have been to a few of these with my friends before and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
I’m always on the hunt for great inspiration for girl’s weekends in Europe, and I love this list you pulled together. Some I wouldn’t have thought of as well! I love the idea of escaping to Hvar or Naxons though, a quiet weekend with friends.
I love all of these European destinations as Galentine’s getaways. I would also add the Greek Islands as a nice girls’ trip. I did it with my cousins and our friends back in 2016 and we had the time of our lives. 🙂