Top 10 student holiday destinations
We all deserve a reward for the days of library TikTok scrolling, right?
Ibiza
The well-known classic still retains its clubbing reputation, hailed as one of the best destinations for those looking for a hard night with days spent on the soft sand. Ibiza has nightlife second to none as well as some fantastic beaches and of course the warm Mediterranean Sea, perfect to wash away those hangovers. And on those days when you just need a break from your break away, there are plenty of picturesque beaches and quiet spots outside of the usual resorts.
Barcelona
Everyone and their mother seems to have spent their summer in the capital of Cataluna, which boasts some of the world’s best ranked clubs, as well as your classic tapas and city beach. If you can avoid the pickpocketing and the current anti-tourism protests, which involve getting squirted with water guns, it can be a great balance between city and beach getaway.
Amsterdam
For those who would rather avoid sand everywhere and classic British sunburns, Amsterdam seems to be the place to be. The canal cruises are all over Instagram, but make sure to not hit the coffee shops right before, to avoid disaster. Everything is biking distance, and it offers a historically rich experience, to differ from some of the usual student holidays.
Albufeira
If you’re looking for your classic Strip of endless cheap clubs, and karaoke bars to give a very moving 3am Wonderwall rendition, then Albufeira is the one. Praia da Oura is on your doorstep, and if you’re willing to go just slightly further by car, then the entire Algarve coast boasts an array of golden sands and spots for different water sports.
Tenerife
Often seen as a family resort island, Tenerife caters to a younger crowd drawn to brilliant beaches and interesting daytime activities. The resorts differ greatly in size and appeal, with Playa De Las Americas being the more popular student destination. Flights are regular and the hotels are huge so you’ll be sure to meet other revellers set to enjoy the sun with you.
Thailand
Slightly further afield but not exclusively for those with bags of cash, Thailand really is an accessible country of variety. While flights may cost you £500, you can travel the country on a shoestring by staying at hostels and sticking to street-food, not fancy restaurants. The South islands offer some of the best beaches in the world and the North is mountainous with beautiful jungle landscapes to explore. For those who want a variety of experiences, it has temples, markets, beaches and an elephant or tiger sanctuary or two, amongst other things.
Vietnam
Next on the series of destinations students go to ‘find themselves’, the coast of Vietnam, stopping at picturesque towns such as Hue and Hoi An, both infused with Chinese architecture and landmarks. There is a great variety of nightlife and the street food is exceptional – perfect for those on a budget. Transport is easy, with a fantastic rail network of clean and comfortable sleeper cabins offering a good route up and down the country. And the trip would not be complete without the famous Ha Giang loop, a 3 day motorbike trail across the northernmost region.
Inter railing Europe
Not sure which country to choose for your summer away? The UK’s back-garden of Europe is home to some of the best cities in the world – Paris, Rome, Prague Amsterdam to name a few. Hop on a train with your student card and secure some great discounts including free entry to plenty of sights, or why not look into a group holiday with Contiki? They offer a range of packages to suit every traveller – camping, hostels or hotels – leaving you with nothing more to do than relax, enjoy yourself and make some lifelong friends from far-flung points of the globe.
America - Summer Camps
If you can’t bear the idea of spending the summer away from home and not earning a penny, you could always try to get a place on a summer camp. You usually have to pay for flights yourself but accommodation and food is provided while you are there and you will often earn a small living, enough to see you through a few weeks of travelling after the little ones have departed back home. American Summer camps are a great way to build your CV if you are interested in working with children and young people, and you will also get to see some great sights too.
Home Sweet Home
Can’t afford to head out of the country, but want to pretend on Instagram that you have? All you need is a bit of imagination and a ticket to the South coast of England. Wherever you head to – North Devon or Newquay – you will find gorgeous stretches of coastline and a Brit-favourite ice-cream van or two.
