These are cheap vacation ideas with friends
Cheap vacation with your friends? Yes please. Just the thought of plopping down together in a sunny country with a cold drink in hand and zero responsibilities already warms you up. But yes, with current prices, you'd rather not sacrifice your savings for a cocktail with a little umbrella. Therefore: the most fun and cheapest vacation ideas with your besties, without having to live on dry bread later.
First up: the outbound journey! Scoring flight tickets like a travel pro
Let's start at the beginning, because getting to your destination often costs you an arm and a leg. It all starts with those tickets. Pro tip: open Google Flights in a private browsing window, choose ‘one-way’, click on ‘explore’ and let yourself be surprised. Mix & match your outbound and return flights, and you can sometimes save dozens of euros.
Oh yes: Hand luggage is your bestie. Leave that mega suitcase at home and go for hand luggage. Not only does it save you a lot on baggage fees, but you also get creative with outfits - and believe me, in a sunny country you only wear bikinis and thin fabrics anyway, so it all fits. Think: 7 smart items = 21 looks. And definitely score a foldable backpack for all your day trips (handy). Here you can read about the most useful packing tips.
Cheap destinations for you and your friends group
1. Albania – a hidden gem
The first tip and also my favorite hidden gem: Albania. Think: pearl-white beaches in Ksamil, crystal-clear water, and budget-friendly hotels. Nice to visit: the charming town of Berat, the ‘city of a thousand windows’. You can eat here for €5 and easily sleep with everyone for less than €20 p.p.
A round trip? You pay about 200 euros for that - pretty good when you consider how cheap life will be once you're there. The fun thing about this country? The people are super hospitable: how often you're invited for a raki (strong drink), even if you've just met, is not normal.
2. North Macedonia – chilling by Lake Ohrid
Have you never been there? Make that a thing of the past and go to the town of Ohrid. It feels a bit like southern France, but for a quarter of the price. Stroll along the lake, visit ancient churches, or rent a boat and picnic on the water. With a daily budget of €25, this is the destination for a relaxed girls' vacation with a bit of culture.
Where you really have to go? Skopje – the city with 100 faces – is a must-see. Also fun if everyone feels like doing something active, but opinions on which activity is the most fun are divided: The Mavrovo National Park. There’s something fun for everyone to do, think: hiking, being a tourist, taking photos of the sunken church, or just enjoying nature.
3. Portugal – Porto’s easy vibes
Yup: Go to Portugal. My favorite city? Porto. Porto is cheap and instagrammable. Think: port wine in authentic cellars and tapas until your belly bursts by the water. Overnight? In a cozy hostel or atmospheric Airbnb, you can sleep for just €15 p.p. Bonus: the Atlantic coast is nearby, so hello hours of beach days (I'm already getting instant cravings to go here).
Why this is your perfect destination for a girls trip? There’s something fun for everyone to do and the cocktails here are only five euros - that saves you some awkward situations: ”Oh dear, I don't know if I want to go for a second drink here, it's so expensive”.
4. Georgia – unknown and irresistible
Tbilisi is a colorful city full of street art, markets, and affordable restaurants. And if you have time: travel to the wine region Kakheti for tastings and views (believe me: in Georgia you can have wines, wines, and more wines). For €30 a day, you eat, drink, and discover everything about this country. Some locals are a bit more conservative. A crop top on the street? Fine (it really can). But bring something to cover your shoulders at churches or traditional places.
Where else in Georgia should you go? To Kazbegi for mountains and mega views, Sighnaghi for wine and romance, for when partners come along (this way you avoid arguments with them) and Mestia in Svaneti for hikes and old towers - hello sporty day (you have to love it).
The best tip: Eat like a local (yes really)
Now you're there, in your favorite country with your favorite girls. Here’s my last tip on how to keep your vacation as cheap as possible. Eat like a local. Avoid touristy main streets – a street further you often pay half. Go for street food or local cafes: think of burrata in Georgia, curry in India, or cevapi in Macedonia. Secretly much tastier and believe me: cozier (at least you can understand each other here).
Prefer something homey and still a tenner under your budget? Plan an evening of cooking with groceries from the market. Saves a lot and it’s just fun. Tip: choose an Airbnb with a kitchen and let everyone make one dish. For breakfast, get bread with dips and fruit and eat this while walking to the beach. Insta-worthy and budget-proof.
Image: Instagram |elaisaya
