Group travel in Europe: top destinations and tips

Looking to make memories abroad with your friends? A group trip in Europe is a great choice, whether you’re a seasoned traveller taking friends for a tour around the continent, or you’re celebrating a birthday or achievement.

While group trips can take a little more logistical planning, they’re a fun way to commemorate important milestones or reconnect with people you love.

Here, we take a look at some of the different types of group trips you can take in Europe, with recommendations for activities as well as planning tips.

Wherever you decide to go, don’t forget to pack a Wise card for spending like a local across Europe. Wise makes it easy to pay for your trip, split bills with friends, and track your spending.

💳 Learn more about the Wise debit card

Benefits of group travel trips to Europe

Travelling with a group of friends comes with plenty of perks. When it comes to accommodation, you might be able to pick a more luxurious place to rent, and split the total cost with others to make it more affordable.

Some trains, airline operators, and other modes of transport might also offer group discounts where you can save on fares.

Of course, you also get to experience things together, taking in the sights and visiting places with people you love. Group travel usually means you can split off into pairs and smaller groups, so you always have some company wherever you’re headed.

💶 Learn about group spending with Wise

Group travel city breaks: Best spots in Europe

There’s a reason why city breaks are so popular. Often, cities are hotspots for the arts, culture, food, music, and entertainment. Groups with varied interests can usually find something to satisfy everyone in a city.

Here are three locations to consider.

Lisbon, Portugal

Don’t be put off by the steep, hilly streets – walking around Lisbon you’ll see the iconic colourful buildings and historic sights like Belém tower and São Jorge Castle.

Street art walks are an affordable daytime activity and a great way to get stuck into Lisbon’s creative scene. Pick up some Pastel de Nata for a sweet treat and energy boost.

For groups who like to go out when the sun goes down, Bairro Alto is the place to be. It’s an old neighbourhood with plenty of lively night life, where people flow out of the venues and onto the streets. Nearby, you’ll find TimeOut Market, a huge foodhall home to countless restaurants – perfect if you’re looking for a quick bite between bars.

📚 Travel to Portugal from the UK

Budapest, Hungary

There’s plenty to explore in Budapest – for the more relaxed groups, head to one of the many thermal spas, where you can move between natural hot spring pools, saunas and steam rooms.

If you’re feeling adventurous, Budapest’s ruin bars and quaint, quirky, and full of strange artefacts and antiques. Grab a drink and spend some time looking around the bustling bars that have sprung up out of old, derelict buildings.

Budapest is also home to the Sziget festival and Sparty – a regular rave that takes place in the Széchenyi Thermal Baths.

📚 Cash or card in Budapest?

Berlin, Germany

There’s plenty of history and culture to explore in Berlin. Around the city, you’ll still find pieces of the Berlin wall to walk beside, with the East Side Gallery a particularly memorable section, known for its graffiti.

Head to Museum Island in the heart of Berlin, situated on the river Spree, for a selection of five museums. It’s a UNESCO world heritage site, and with several places to choose from, there’s sure to be an exhibition for everyone in your group.

A trip to Berlin wouldn’t be complete without currywurst or a doner, and for those with dietary requirements, vegetarian and vegan options abound.

📚 Cash or card in Germany?

Beach and coastal holiday destinations for group travel in Europe

Opting for a coastal or beach break means relaxation is always within your grasp. A day lounging on the sand with a good book and a picnic is both great value for money, and a soothing way to spend the day.

Here are some locations to consider.

Barcelona, Spain

Arguably, Barcelona is a city break, but with the famous Barceloneta Beach only a stones throw away, this Spanish hotspot also makes a great coastal break.

It’s easy to please the whole group in Barcelona; those who like a slower pace can spend the day by the sea, and friends who want more adventure have a whole, vibrant city to explore full of good food, history and culture. Popular spots include the stunning Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, one the largest green spaces in the city with some great views.

You can reach many beaches including Barceloneta via the metro line, and there are amenities including showers, shops, bars and restaurants that provide everything you need for the day.

📚 Tourist tax in Spain

Sicily, Italy

Italy’s largest mediterranean island, Sicily, is packed with ornate architecture, ancient ruins, arts and culture, and delicious cuisine.

The island’s most recognisable landmark and UNESCO world heritage site, Mount Etna, makes for a great hiking trip if your group is up to the challenge.

For historic ruins, head to Teatro Antico di Taormina, a Greco-Roman amphitheatre that remains in great shape – and still hosts performances today. Or, take a trip to Mondello beach in Palermo for something more relaxing.

Pro tip: opt for a weekday to avoid the crowds.

📚 Cash or card in Italy?

Paphos, Cyprus

The coastal city of Paphos is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love. And given the ancient architecture and picture-perfect beaches, it’s an easy place for group travellers to fall in love with.

Head to the archaeological site of the Tombs of the Kings, dating back to the fourth century, for a glimpse into the past, ancient world. Or, spend some time at Coral Bay, Paphos’ best rated beach, with calm shallow waters perfect for swimming. Take a boat trip to see turtles nesting close by.

📚 Cash or card in Cyprus?

Booking group travel via a tour group vs doing it yourself

Booking travel via a tour group can take the strain off your trip. There’s less pressure on working out the logistics of getting from A to B, and you’ll likely have a guide who has access to local knowledge and experience. This is handy when you’re visiting somewhere new.

Tour group travel offers the benefit of a structured trip, though sometimes this can be a drawback. You may have less time to explore certain places or do activities, and there’s less scope to wander off and do your own thing. Plus, not everyone will enjoy the same things, so it can be hard to choose activities that satisfy the whole crowd.

A combination of both might be the best idea. If you’re going away for a week, booking a one or two day group tour means you’ll have some structured time, and plenty of freedom on the other days to explore.

Whether you book via a tour or organise everything yourselves, a Wise account is a great way to pay. Using a Wise Card, you can spend like a local in 160+ countries, with no foreign transaction fees*.

💳 Get your Wise card

How to plan group travel in Europe

Getting the whole group organised, splitting costs, and making sure everyone knows the plan can be tricky. Here are some tips.

Choosing the right accommodation

Booking a villa, apartment, or shared home to stay in can work out cost effective if it’s split between a large group. You also get access to communal areas and kitchen space for those who fancy cooking up a storm.

If you’d rather be catered for, and have your own independent space, booking hotel rooms might be a better option. There’s less opportunity for self-catering, but cleaning and tidying is often taken care of for you.

Getting to, from and around Europe

If you’re travelling from the UK to the continent, there are plenty of options for getting across. You can fly directly to your destination, take the Eurostar, or use the Eurotunnel or ferry crossings from the UK to mainland Europe.

If you decide to take a European driving holiday, make sure you have the right insurance and documentation (including your driving license) to drive abroad. It might also be worth running a few checks on your car, or taking it to the garage, to make sure it’s in good shape ahead of the journey. Another option is to hire a car or minivan – perfect, if you need a few extra seats for your whole group.

The availability of public transport within countries, like trains, trams, buses, and taxis, depends entirely on the specific location. Do your research before you travel, download any apps for tickets or services, and make sure you check for group discounts to save yourself some money.

📚 How to get an international driving licence

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is a must, particularly if members of your group have pre-existing medical conditions. Ensure that the whole group also has a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which is in date, so it’s possible to access state medical care in a European country. With a GHIC, your care could either be free, or the same price as a local resident would pay.

Visas

If members of your group require visas, make sure they have valid ones before you set off on your trip. Non-EU and UK citizens travelling to the EU must now register with the EU Entry/Exit System (EES).

On your first entry into the Schengen Area since EES began in late 2025, UK citizens now need to scan their passport, provide fingerprints and a facial image at automated kiosks or booths. This system will eventually replace passport stamps.

📚 90/180 day Schengen rule for UK travellers

Communication

Coordinating a group can be tricky, especially if people split off to do their own thing. Make sure everyone is set up with a sim card that works aboard, has data and roaming access, and that you have an agreed communication channel for organisation and trip updates.

Currency and payment tips

Planning how you’ll spend abroad before you set off can save you costs, whether it's withdrawal fees at an ATM, or foreign transaction charges from your bank.

If you need to take cash with you, getting your travel money sorted before you leave your home country is almost always more cost effective. If you do need to make withdrawals from an ATM abroad, always withdraw in the local currency to save on fees.

Many places accept cards as well as, or instead of, cash. So make sure you have a card that gives you a great deal on foreign currencies, like Wise. If you don’t have the foreign currency in your Wise account, your money will auto-convert to the right currency at the point of payment.

Plus, you can use a Wise card with Apple Pay and Google Pay too, to easily settle the bill from your phone. And you get free ATM withdrawals up to £200 per month.

Looking for family travel inspiration? Check out our article on the best family holiday destinations in Europe.

Use Wise for group holiday spending abroad

Planning a group trip can be complicated enough, without worrying about how to pay. Using Wise can help you save on currency exchange fees when you need to pay in your holiday destination, because you always get the mid-market rate.

With Wise, you can also split bills easily in different amounts and make sure everyone’s paying their fair share or set up group spending with family and friends straight from Wise.

You don’t need to worry about your card working in a new location either – the Wise card lets you spend in 160+ countries.

Open a Wise account today, sign up for a Wise card and start organising your next European adventure.

Sources used for this article: N/A