Girls Trip 2026: Best Destinations and Group Travel Planning Guide

Numbers that reveal a revolution

The World Tourism Organization has made it official: 65% of solo travelers worldwide are women. Intrepid Travel recorded a 59% increase in bookings for its Women’s Expeditions in 2024 compared to the previous year. And major specialized agencies like Copines de Voyage (founded in Annecy in 2016) now boast over 1.1 million members and more than 40,000 clients who have already traveled with them.

Yet the main barrier remains safety: according to a Tourlane-Ifop study, 78% of French women have never traveled alone outside of Europe, and 66% cite safety as the main obstacle. This is precisely where small women’s groups make the difference: they allow you to take that leap, venture into dream destinations, with the freedom of travel and the safety net of female solidarity.

What the research says

• Women who travel in female groups spend 34% more on local experiences than those who travel alone or with men (Global Travel Network, 2025)
• 68% of female travelers under 35 actively seek out other women during their trips
• Organized women’s tours limit groups to 6–15 participants to preserve intimacy

Far more than a safety question

Women’s travel is often reduced to a question of safety. That’s reductive. According to WomenTravelAbroad, one of the greatest advantages of women-only travel is the ability to forge deep friendships that last for years. Shared adventures, cultural discoveries, and mutual support in the face of challenges create connections of rare intensity.

Without the need to navigate mixed-group dynamics, women feel more comfortable expressing themselves fully. This leads to richer conversations, bolder travel decisions, and deeper immersion in local culture.

The 3 concrete transformations

• Economic: a shared villa between 4 friends often costs less than 4 separate hotel rooms. Group excursions, transportation, and meals allow savings of 20 to 35%.
• Cultural: local female guides, women-run riads, craft workshops — these experiences open up naturally to groups of women.
• Personal: shared adventure creates lasting memories and strengthens friendships that stand the test of time.

Between Europe and Asia, the destination that captivates

Still largely overlooked a few years ago, Georgia has established itself in 2026 as one of the most fascinating alternative destinations in greater Europe. For a group of friends, Tbilisi makes a perfect entry point: the old city with its carved wooden balconies, the Abanotubani sulfur baths where you can rent a private bath with friends (€10–20/hour), the creative Fabrika district converted from a former Soviet factory, and the wineries of Kakheti for an introduction to Georgian natural wine.

For adventure lovers, the 4-day trek from Mestia to Ushguli in Svaneti remains one of the most beautiful mountain routes in the world. According to Ulysse.com, a round-trip flight from Paris to Tbilisi can be found from €190, and the cost of living in Georgia is 43% lower than in France. A dinner for two with wine costs no more than €30.

Ideal 7-day itinerary

• Days 1–3: Tbilisi (baths, Fabrika, Mtatsminda)
• Day 4: Road to Sighnaghi, « the city of love » in Kakheti
• Days 5–6: Kakheti wineries and vineyards (tastings, monasteries)
• Day 7: Back to Tbilisi and shopping at the Dry Bridge market

30 to 50% cheaper than Greece, for identical beauty

Still under the tourist radar, Albania is one of the surprises of 2026. The Albanian coast, especially the Riviera, reveals crystal-clear beaches without the crowds of Greece or Croatia. According to Simbye, Albania is 30 to 50% cheaper than its Mediterranean neighbors for comparable experiences.

For a group of friends, Albania offers stunning diversity in a tiny territory: Tirana and its Soviet bunkers converted into cafés, Berat « the city of a thousand windows » listed by UNESCO, the wild cove of Gjipe accessible only on foot, and the Osumi river canyon for the adventurous. Note: Albania is not in the EU roaming zone — plan for an eSIM before departure.

Women’s workshops, riads and the Agafay Desert

Marrakech offers an intoxicating blend of traditional culture and modernity, making it an ideal destination for a girls trip. The recently renovated medina, Moroccan cooking workshops in riads run by female chefs, the souk’s dye workshops — these experiences take on a special dimension in a female group. According to Bobea.net, Marrakech ranks in the top 5 girls trip destinations for 2025–2026.

For a non-touristy experience, you need to leave the medina. The Agafay Desert (1 hour from Marrakech) offers a night in an eco-luxury tent. Essaouira, 3 hours away by road, offers its trade winds, thuya wood artisans, and Gnawa musicians. And the Guéliz creative district, where young Moroccan female artists exhibit their work, deserves a dedicated half-day.

Wellness, rice paddies and off-the-beaten-path temples

Bali remains a top destination for groups of friends seeking renewal and creativity. But the influencer’s Bali is only a tiny part of the island. For a group of friends, the real Bali is found in Munduk (mountain village with its waterfalls and coffee trees), in the east around Amed (diving on Japanese wrecks, sunrise facing Mount Agung), and in the Jatiluwih rice terraces listed by UNESCO, far less visited than Tegalalang.

Bali’s wellness program is unbeatable: traditional massages, natural cosmetics workshop, sunrise yoga class, meeting with a Balinese healer, sound healing and discovery of ancestral chanting. According to Tour Hebdo, Bali consistently features in the top 3 destinations of French women’s travel agencies.

Glaciers, northern lights and a historic eclipse

In 2026, Iceland adds a unique event to its credentials: on August 12, a total solar eclipse will cross the country — the first since 1954 and the first visible from Reykjavik since the 15^th century. For a group of friends, it’s an extraordinary reason to plan an unforgettable trip. According to ShortGirlTravels, Iceland stands out as one of the most anticipated destinations of 2026.

The Ring Road is ideally done in a camper van with friends: total freedom, Skaftafell glaciers, wild geothermal baths at Reykjadalur (free, accessible on foot), Geysir geysers and northern lights from September to March. Iceland is one of the world’s most gender-equal countries — traveling here in a small female group feels completely natural.

Azulejos, tawny port and cobblestone strolls

Porto is the perfect city for a blend of fun and relaxation. With its winding cobbled streets, colorful azulejo-tiled buildings and spectacular views over the Douro, it’s the city for the traveler who wants to soak up culture without the pressure of a packed itinerary. According to MobiMatter, Porto consistently features in the top 5 female city breaks in Europe.

The girls trip program in Porto: tawny and ruby tastings in the Vila Nova de Gaia wine cellars, street art in the Bonfim neighborhood, Livraria Lello bookshop (one of the most beautiful in the world — visit on weekdays at 9am to avoid queues), tram ride to the wild beaches of Foz, and a day trip to the wild coast of Viana do Castelo by train.

Money, dates, apps — everything they don’t tell you

Organizing a girls trip means juggling incompatible schedules, varied budgets, and sometimes conflicting desires. Here are the 6 pillars that make the difference between an epic trip and a mixed memory.

1. Budget — settle it first, not last

Ask each participant about their allocated vacation budget before choosing the destination. Money is the most explosive topic in a travel group — settle it first. According to Namastrip, it’s the number one cause of tension in a travel group.

2. Planning ahead — 6 to 12 months in advance

For popular destinations (Iceland in summer, Rwanda for gorillas), book 9 to 12 months in advance. For standard destinations, 3 to 4 months is enough. According to Travel & Vous, planning 6 months ahead saves an average of 25% on flights.

3. Shared space — WhatsApp + Google Drive

Create a WhatsApp group from the start and a shared Google document with the schedule, bookings, emergency numbers and projected budget. This avoids « but I told you… » moments and loss of information.

4. Tricount — the app that saves friendships

The Tricount app (free on iOS and Android) lets you track all your shared expenses in real time and rebalance at the end of the trip without any tension. According to Baage, it’s the number one tool for travel groups in 2026.

5. Autonomy — the right to solo time

Even in a group, plan free half-days where everyone does what they want. Some people are early risers, others prefer sleeping in. The best travel experiences often emerge from these unplanned moments.

6. Emergency plan — never leave without one

Make sure the whole group knows the local embassy contact details, emergency numbers, and procedures in case of lost documents. Travel insurance covering repatriation is essential for destinations outside Europe.