There’s something uniquely energising about travelling with friends: the shared decisions, the in-jokes over dinner, the photos that end up as screen savers for years. A well-chosen girls’ weekend away gives you something to look back on. The only question is where to go.
City Breaks with a Twist
Few things match the electric feeling of arriving in a great European city with your group and a whole weekend ahead. Paris is the obvious answer with rooftop bars in the Marais, private gallery previews, and dinner that stretches past midnight, but Barcelona and Milan are equally compelling. Barcelona has world-class architecture, packed beaches and a nightlife scene that genuinely goes until dawn. Milan, meanwhile, suits anyone who wants to spend Saturday morning in the fashion district and Saturday evening eating the best risotto of their lives. Whichever city you choose, look beyond the tourist trail: book a cooking class, find a cocktail bar with a view, or hire a private guide for an afternoon. The best city breaks reward those who go a little deeper.
Spa Retreats and Wellness Escapes
If the group’s priority is switching off rather than stepping out, a luxury spa break delivers something a city simply can’t: genuine quiet. Europe’s wellness scene has expanded considerably, with destinations across the UK, France, Greece and Portugal offering world-class experiences. Condé Nast Traveller’s 2025 edit of the best spas in Europe highlights options ranging from geothermal retreats in Iceland to vineyard spas in Bordeaux, reflecting just how varied the category has become. The World Spa Awards named Palazzo Fiuggi in Italy as Europe’s Best Wellness Retreat for 2025, with strong showings from Champneys Tring in England and Euphoria Retreat in Greece. The key to choosing well is being honest about what the group actually wants: a structured programme of treatments or a beautiful setting with a spa attached and good wine at dinner. Both are valid, and they just call for different bookings.
Mountain Magic and Unexpected Adventures
A mountain escape brings a completely different kind of glamour with thick snow, hearty food and the particular satisfaction of a full day outdoors. For groups after something a little unexpected,affordable Bulgaria ski holidays that combine Bansko’s lively après-ski scene with mountain spa facilities offer a stylish alternative to the Alps at a fraction of the price. The resort has developed in recent years, with solid skiing, boutique accommodation and a social atmosphere that suits groups well. For those who prefer the classic alpine experience, Méribel, Val d’Isère or the Pyrenean resorts all deliver great scenery, excellent mountain restaurants and spa hotels to retreat to when the slopes close.
Coastal Chic: Sun, Sea, and Style
For warmth and water, Europe’s coastal destinations offer some of the most effortlessly glamorous weekends around. The Amalfi Coast ticks every box with cliffside villages, seafood at tables hanging over the sea, and light that makes every photo look professional. The Canary Islands work year-round, with Lanzarote offering a more relaxed alternative to the busier resorts. Further east, Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor has emerged as one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful and under–visited coastlines. Look for beach clubs with good sunbeds, sunset dinner reservations made in advance, and at least one boat trip, as coastal weekends deserve a sea view from the water as well as the shore.
Making Memories That Last
The destination matters less than the decision to go. Wherever the group lands, such as a Paris rooftop, a spa in the Greek mountains, a Bulgarian ski resort or a Canarian beach, the value of time with friends has a way of becoming clearer the older you get. Document it properly: the group photo at the airport, the unflattering one over dinner, and the stories that only make sense to the people who were there.