From Benalmadena to Berlin, Puerto del Carmen to Positano, designer shopping in Vilamoura, to outlet shopping in New York – check out my top picks for a girls weekend away.
I’m pretty sure all girls love a girls weekend away. Whether it’s lying on a beach, or shopping till you drop; add in some cocktails and no matter where you are – it’s paradise! I have 12 ideas to suit all tastes, from city breaks to sun holidays – one for every month of the year 😉.
1. Costa del Sol
It is hard to beat the Costa del Sol for a girls weekend away, in fact I enjoyed many girls trips there over the years. There are flights available from most Irish airports and a wide choice of resorts to suit all budgets.
Choose Benalmadena for the lively marina, Fuengirola for excellent value shopping and restaurants, or Marbella for glitz and glamour.
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2. London
London is not only one of the world’s greatest cities, but it is also an ideal choice if you are short on time. I went last year with my girlfriends – we flew out early Saturday morning and returned Sunday evening. Although we only went for one night, it felt like we had a girls weekend away.
We shopped, had a delicious lunch in London’s oldest wine bar, and even managed to catch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Make sure you book the hop-on hop-off Big Bus Tour – not only will you get to see London’s highlights, but you will also get a cruise on the Thames for free!
3. Algarve
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The Algarve is great value for short break. There are over ten flights per day from Irish airports, so you probably pick up a bargain, particularly if you travel off peak.
Choose Albufeira for lively night life, Vilamoura for upmarket shopping and dining, or Alvor for a more relaxed vibe with great restaurants and a beach that stretches for miles.
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I have some good hotel and villa options in the Algarve here:
The best beach hotels in the Algarve
4. Paris
Paris is always a good idea, and it doesn’t have to be springtime! Combine some sightseeing with boutique shopping, and take time out for a long lunch with some delicious French wine.
Visit the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre – the list is endless. Of course no girls weekend away to Paris would be complete without a trip to famous department store – Galeries Lafayette!
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Read: Where to stay in Paris and the top things to do
5. New York
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New York is on every girls holiday wish list! Shop till you drop, feel the buzz of Time Square, dine at celebrity hangouts, and dance the night away in some of the world’s best clubs.
Of course there are also lots of sights to see too. Four is the perfect number to save on expensive hotel bills and cab fares, not to mention you will have the whole ‘ Sex and the city’ vibe going on…
Read: My top 25 things to do in New York
Read: Where to stay in New York, from great value apartments to luxury hotels
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6. Lanzarote
If you are looking for a winter sun break, Lanzarote is the ideal choice. Expect year round sunshine, good value hotel prices and duty free shopping. Although a slightly longer flight than mainland Spain or the Algarve, the main resort of Puerto del Carmen is located less than 10 minutes from the airport – so you will be relaxing on a sun lounger in no time!
Choose Puerto del Carmen for a lively holiday, or Playa Blanca for a quiet more relaxed vibe.
Read: Why Lanzarote is my favourite Canary Island
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7. Berlin
Fancy a city break? Berlin is a great choice for a girls weekend away. Not only does it have some of the best nightlife in any European city, but you can also enjoy great sightseeing and shopping too.
The Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall are all located in the heart of the city, so you can combine some culture with cocktails, and get the best of both worlds.
Berlin has some of the best basement nightclubs, cocktail bars and craft beer houses, so if nightlife and sightseeing is what you seek – look no further!
Read: My city guide to Berlin
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8. Dubai
Dubai may be the celebrities choice for a girls weekend away – but if you can afford it, why not? With daily direct flights from Dublin Airport, you can choose to extend your stay to five, six or even seven nights. You can expect year round sunshine, deluxe hotels and the world’s largest shopping malls.
Go to the top of the world’s tallest building, enjoy a desert safari, and if you really want to push the boat out, pop into the Burj Al Arab for Afternoon Tea. Dubai is expensive to dine out, my top-tip would be to book a hotel on a half-board basis.
Read: My top ten things to do in Dubai
9. Positano
Positano is one of those places that is ideal for a 30th, 40th or even 50th birthday treat. Grab a few friends together who are celebrating a birthday in the same year, and just book it!
It has to be one of Europe’s most idyllic resorts. Take a day trip to Capri and marvel at the designer shops, enjoy some delicious Italian food and take in the Amalfi Coast’s stunning sea views.
Top Tip: Check out some of the amazing villas on Airbnb – prices are a lot less than you might think. It is also nice to have the place to yourself and maybe even have your own private pool. New to AirBnB? Sign up here and get €30 off your first stay. I have some more hotel ideas as well as some top tips on where to stay here:
Read: The Ultimate guide to the Amalfi Coast and where to stay
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10. Ibiza
Contrary to what you might think, nightlife in Ibiza is not just for students… If you are looking for top class hotels and celebrity-style hangouts, Ibiza is where it’s at. Party all night in the chic Ibiza Town or catch the best sunset in the original sunset bar, Café del Mar.
If you want a more sophisticated choice, stay in the uber cool Ushuaia Beach Hotel, and dance the night away at Pacha. Ibiza town wins my vote though -it is a beautiful old town and is ideal for shopping. Stop by Bar 1805 for some cocktails!
11. A girls weekend in the Greek Islands
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Greece is becoming more and more popular for short breaks as there are direct flights to many of the islands, making a girls weekend away very accessible.
Choose the old towns of Chania and Rethymo in Crete – Ryanair fly thrice-weekly to Chania, or a weekend in Rhodes Town, one of the Seven Wonders of the World – also served by Ryanair from Dublin airport.
Santorini is the celebrity choice, served by both Ryanair and Aer Lingus, but you better be prepared to share its stunning sunsets with 1000s of other holidaymakers! And Corfu and Thessaloniki should not be overlooked either – when it comes to a girls weekend away, there are plenty of options in Greece.
Read: The best luxury hotels in Greece – my top 20 picks.
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12. Nice, South of France
The South of France is the sophisticated choice for a girls weekend away. Not only does it have a gorgeous old town, but it also has a long sandy beach – what more could you want?
Check out the French style on the Promenade des Anglais, enjoy mouthwatering food from morning till night, and contrary to what you might think, you can enjoy some great value boutique shopping there too.
Another big advantage of booking a girls weekend away in Nice is that you are only 7km from the airport, and the train station is located right in the centre of town.
You can visit Cannes, Antibes, St Tropez or even Monaco without having to hire a car – and if you really want to splash out you can go by boat! Although hotel prices can be expensive, airfares are usually good value, and dining out is not as expensive as you may think.
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Sarah
