There’s no better travel companion than your best friend or a group of your closest pals. You usually enjoy doing the same things, so putting together an itinerary can be easy and fun! It’s also an excellent opportunity to spend quality time together and strengthen your bond.
Choosing the right destination makes all the difference! You need a spot with suitable accommodation for small groups, plenty of activities that you’ll all enjoy, and sometimes a place that is budget friendly so that everyone can enjoy traveling together without any money awkwardness.
With that in mind, these are my top 10 recommendations for the best fun places to go with friends on vacation in 2023. There are options for beach lovers, culture buffs, and party animals.
New to planning trips with friends? Read tips and tricks on how to plan a vacation trip with friends.
10 Fun Places to travel to with Friends
Here are the top 10 fun places to go with friends. From the USA to Australia, there are some brilliant destinations all over the globe, and what better way to discover this planet than with your friends?
10. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is unforgettable during Mardi Gras in February and Halloween in October. But it’s also a fantastic place to visit with friends all year round if you enjoy music and partying. You can find affordable shared accommodation near the French Quarter, where most bars stay open late, and scores of excellent Creole and Cajun restaurants exist.
During the day, stroll through the beautiful garden district and several fascinating cemeteries. Get some culture at the National WWII Museum, or hit up the amusement rides at City Park. In the early evening, take a Voodoo tour or get your fortune read. Next, hit up some Jazz and Blues venues before taking to Bourbon Street until dawn.
9. Reykjavik, Iceland
If you and your friends prefer to explore the world’s natural wonders and disconnect from life’s stresses, head to Reykjavik in Iceland.
Reykjavik is an excellent base for exploring some of Iceland’s best sites via the Golden Circle. This ring road lets you take in some of the country’s best waterfalls, national parks, lava fields, and glacial lagoons.
Plan many inspiring hikes together, including a trip to one of the country’s famous hot springs to relax and rejuvenate. A boat trip to encounter whales and puffins and an evening watching the aurora borealis, the northern lights, is an unmissable experience. This guide on things to do in Iceland is sure to inspire you.
8. Lisbon, Portugal
Suppose you’re looking for an affordable Mediterranean destination for a trip with friends. In that case, Lisbon should be at the top of your list.
Lisbon perfectly combines old European culture, Mediterranean weather and cuisine, art and culture, beaches, and lively nightlife. There’s something for every taste, and it won’t break the bank.
During the day, wander the Alfama district for old Portuguese charm and visit some of the city’s incredible museums. The Museu Coleção Berardo is a contemporary art gallery displaying works from the twentieth century. Or visit the Museum of the Orient for a cultural explosion of beauty and ancient history.
You can catch the train to Cascais to find beautiful sandy beaches or spend the day shopping at Feira da Ladra, a top flea market since the 13th century. There’s so much to see! This guide on things to do in Lisbon will help you narrow the options!
In the early evening, you’re spoiled for choice with excellent Mediterranean food and places to taste local wine and rich sweet port. The club scene is one of the best in the country, but don’t expect Lisbon nightlife to get started before midnight.
7. Prague, Czech Republic
Suppose you and your friends enjoy catching up over a drink and making new friends with travelers worldwide. In that case, Prague is an ideal destination. It’s also one of the most affordable cities in Europe, so you can travel on a budget that suits everyone.
Prague is famous for its beer and has more bars per capita than anywhere else. Line your stomach with heavy Eastern European cuisine, including sauerkraut, goulash, bread dumplings, and fried cheese. At every bar and restaurant, you’ll encounter other travelers looking to share stories and make new memories.
This is all done against a Medieval backdrop, with layers of architecture dating from around the 10th century onwards. Go to Old Town, see the Astronomical Clock and Church of Our Lady, explore the fascinating 15th-century Jewish cemetery, and hike up to Prague Castle.
Prague is undoubtedly one of the most fun places to go with friends and caters to every type of traveler and budget. This guide on where to stay in Prague will help you and your besties find the perfect pad.
6. Bogota, Colombia
Colombia is the most biodiverse country in the world, bordered by the Amazon Rainforest, Andes Mountains, and the Caribbean Sea. The country is safer than its reputation suggests, but it will still be more fun to explore within a team’s safety. Taking on this destination is a bonding experience for besties.
The capital, Bogota, is a great place to stay to find a mix of historic charm and modern urban culture. Take a bike tour of the city when you arrive to get the lay of the land, and then stay in the La Candelaria or Callejon Embudo districts for the best restaurants, bars, and shops.
Expect great coffee and fruity cocktails. The city is home to some surprisingly good museums, including the Gold Museum and the Botero Art Museum.
Bogota is a city that boasts a wide variety of things to do. Make time for some day trips out of town to discover some unique natural wonders within just a few hours of Bogota. Visit the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, a glowing underground place of worship, Lake Guatavita, or the fantastic waterfalls of La Chorrera Falls and Tequendama Falls.
5. Bali, Indonesia
If you’re looking for fun places to go with friends, Bali has to find its way onto your travel bucket list. What could be better than renting a private beach villa with your friends or staying together in a luxury resort? You’ll find pristine beaches and affordable accommodations in Bali.
While it’s one of the most expensive places in Indonesia, it’s cheap when compared to the United States or Europe. These tips on the best time to go to Bali will help your group settle on a date that suits everyone.
Stay close to the beach for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing—the waves are excellent. There are also plenty of beach parties almost 24 hours a day if you know where to go. If you prefer a more relaxed day, take a car or a boat to one of the country’s more remote beaches.
If you feel like getting active, there are plenty of beautiful hikes, many of them to gorgeous temples. There are more than 10,000 temples in the area. Recuperate in the afternoon with a massage, and then get dressed with your besties to head out to a high-end restaurant or club.
4. Phuket, Thailand
Phuket is another excellent Southeast Asian destination if you’re looking for fantastic beaches and affordable resorts for a group trip. There are also plenty of beach parties and delicious Thai food to eat. There are so many fun places to go with friends when you’re visiting Phuket.
Bangtao Beach is an eight-kilometer stretch of white sands and crystal clear waters, and you must eat at one of the floating restaurants at Laem Hin Pier. As well as beaches, parties, and clubs, you can visit the Green Elephant Sanctuary Park, the Chalong Bay Rum Distillery, Bang Pae Waterfall, see the Big Buddha, and experience the ladyboy show at Simon Cabaret.
If you’re a little overwhelmed by all the choices, here’s a helpful guide on things to do in Phuket for first-timers.
Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and tends to have the most options, but there are plenty more islands to explore. You can also check out Ko Samui, Ko Tao, and Ko Pha Ngan. Why not take a boat tour around the Phi Phi islands surrounding Phuket - talk about fun places to go with friends!
3. Hanoi, Vietnam
Suppose you’re looking for an affordable but exotic destination where you and your friends can eat, drink, and be entertained without breaking the bank. In that case, Hanoi in Vietnam should be on your list of fun places to go with friends.
Hanoi is a beautiful city with a rich history. While it’s a city of modern skyscrapers, it’s also spotted with ancient temples, Chinese-style pagodas, and French colonial mansions. But the city doesn’t feel like a concrete jungle thanks to the more than two dozen lakes. Plenty of sites like the Temple of Literature and the Museum of Ethnology exist.
As you explore, enjoy some of the world’s cheapest beer and best street food, including unusual delicacies such as ostrich meat and traditional Vietnamese dishes such as Pho and Banh Xeo meat-stuffed crepes.
2. Napa Valley, California
This is for a more luxurious getaway with the besties, especially if you all love wine! If you’re looking for one of those fun places to go with friends that’s just peaceful and easy, head to Napa Valley in California.
As well as finding a luxurious villa for the group, you must book a wine tour and visit some of the 400 wineries in the area. Try French-inspired bubblies, artisanal Pinots, and award-winning Sauvignon Blancs and Cabernets.
You can also spend days boutique shopping in downtown Napa or at one of the many spas in the area. Sign up for a group yoga session or take a bike tour across the valley. If you don’t want to party in your accommodation, then there’s the lively but sophisticated nightlife in Napa.
1. Gold Coast, Australia
If you want to experience the best of what Australia offers on a trip with friends, head to the Gold Coast for fantastic beaches, dramatic national parks, and lively nightlife. You’ll also find some of the country’s largest shopping centers if you do some shared retail therapy too!
The Gold Coast is one of the most fun places to go with friends if you’re heading to Australia.
Find an apartment close to the main beach area with a veranda overlooking the ocean or an Airbnb on a suburban street. Work on your tan during the day, or take a surf lesson at one of the many surf schools in Surfers Paradise.
You might also catch an international surf competition if you’re lucky with your dates.
If you’ve got transport, there’s plenty to do within a short drive. You’ll find hikes, scenic views, and waterfalls up Tamborine Mountain if you love nature. If you’re looking for something to raise your adrenaline levels, head to one of the many nearby theme parks, including:
Make sure everyone is happy with what you’ve planned by reading another helpful guide to trip planning with friends.
Plan Your Trip Collaborative with Pilot!
The logistics of planning a collaborative trip can be challenging. Coordinating schedules and budgets and ensuring everyone gets their top priorities on the to-do list can be a logistical challenge. But that’s where Pilot can save the day!
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