4 Holiday Ideas for Groups of Friends

Going on holiday with your friends can elevate your travel experience like nothing else. You all get the opportunity to try new things and explore new places together, creating special memories whether you’re celebrating a particular occasion or just enjoying getting away from your day-to-day lives.

Different groups of friends will be on the lookout for different kinds of holidays. You might be searching for the perfect destination to completely relax and enjoy some quality time together, or you might all be keen to spend your trip exploring and keeping active in a brand new part of the world.

Whatever your style when it comes to planning a holiday with your friends, in this article we’ve suggested four different ideas that are sure to appeal.

Self-Catering Cottage Holiday

Starting with a classic suggestion - if you’re just looking for a holiday where you can spend time together then there’s nothing like booking a large self-catering property. This is an especially good idea if you and your friends are scattered in different locations, as you can choose a holiday home that’s an easy distance for everyone to reach.

Whilst you’ve got plenty of options abroad, self-catering cottage holidays are great if you’re looking to stay in the UK on your holiday, with a wide range of British destinations to choose from. A classic stay in the Cotwalds promises plenty of natural beauty, whilst a property in the Lake District puts you on the doorstep of many unforgettable walking opportunities.

Alternatively, choose to stay somewhere on the south coast of the country and make the most of lazy days at the beach or relaxing in the garden. A great thing about splitting a holiday with a group of friends is that you can opt for luxury group holiday homes and get a great deal on the cost of the whole trip, allowing you to enjoy features like private pools, games rooms and even home cinemas.

European Backpacking

If you and your friends want to tick off several destinations during your holiday, you should definitely consider planning a backpacking adventure. Europe is a classic continent to explore in this way, hopping on trains to travel between countries and enjoying several days in a variety of cities.

This kind of holiday will require a fair amount of planning in order to decide on your route, purchase the right train tickets and make sure you’ve got accommodation sorted in every country. Smaller groups might be able to enjoy some more freedom and flexibility with their itinerary, but the advantage of this type of trip for larger groups is that you can plan visits to places that tick something off everyone’s list.

Classic European backpacking destinations include Split in Croatia, Berlin in Germany, the Amalfi Coast in Italy and Prague in the Czech Republic. An advantage of visiting cities is that there’s no need to stay in a hostel or B&B when you travel - you can find an Airbnb or holiday apartment to share with your friends and enjoy your own private space to relax.

Fitness Retreat

Perhaps you and your friends are the kinds of people who love to stay active and pursue adventure in your free time. In which case, group fitness retreats might be the perfect option for your next holiday.

Fitness retreats are usually catered towards a certain kind of activity, whether that’s running, yoga, CrossFit or strength training. You’ll be guided by coaches through a range of activities every day with the opportunity to gain personalised guidance and advice and train somewhere new.

These kinds of trips are ideal for friends looking for a challenge or new experience on holiday, especially if you’re all people who keep fit and enjoy these kinds of activities when you’re at home. Fitness retreats tend to have all the catering included and are hosted in places that offer brilliant scenery and other attractions to enjoy when you’re not working out, making them a perfect option if you want a busy holiday without the hassle of planning everything yourself.

Hiking and Hostels

Our final suggestion is another great option for friends who don’t just want to lounge around by the pool and sip cocktails every evening (although there’s nothing wrong with that as a holiday itinerary!). It’s a holiday that you can plan in the UK but is also one that works further afield; hiking along an established trail and staying in hostels along the way.

Hiking holidays are best planned in the late spring or early autumn when the weather is likely to be dry and warm but not so hot that you’ll end up burned and dehydrated spending most of your time walking in the sun. Whether you decide to tackle an entire route like the Coast to Coast or Via di Francesco, climb a series of mountains like the Yorkshire Three Peaks, or just enjoy a walking holiday with a variety of different treks and terrains, you and your friends can enjoy incredible scenery and take the time to talk and think as you walk.

Staying in hostels is certainly not an experience to be wary about, as the quality of this kind of holiday accommodation is much higher than you’d expect. From options all over the UK as part of the YHA to boutique hostels around Europe, bookend your days of walking with nights in cosy and quirky places where you can chill with your friends and meet all kinds of other travellers.

It can be tricky to plan a friend group holiday that is going to keep everyone happy, and once you’re also trying to factor in your friend’s partners and children, it can seem like a logistical nightmare. Don’t despair however; as long as you’ve got enough space for everyone to sleep, socialising and enjoy time on their own, and enough activities to keep those who want them busy, you’ll have a holiday that your friends are certain to love.