Published 1st Jul. 2024
Reading time
Teenagers and holidays – a recipe for equal parts family feuds and family bonding. According to Tom Barber, co-founder of Original Travel and Conde Nast Traveler’s Top Family Specialist, ‘teenagers tend to be forgotten, even though there are just as many considerations to factor in for that age bracket’. Luckily, that’s where we come in. Teens are hard to please, but we love a challenge. And the good news is that if you nail the location, that’s half the work done. When a city has enticing landmarks, trendy shops, beautiful beaches and fantastic food, you’ll be amazed at how enjoyable it can be alongside your youngsters. Whether you’re after New York’s bright lights or Lisbon’s sunny beaches, read on to discover the five best city breaks with teenagers.
As the city that never sleeps, your near-nocturnal teens may meet their match with New York. While the city’s smorgasbord of daylight fun – from the Empire State’s Instragrammable views to MoMA’s artsy aesthetic – offers plenty of excitement, save some energy for the glitzy nightlife. See the stars of the stage at Broadway’s Hamilton and Wicked or sip a mocktail at one of the sky-high rooftop bars. Make sure to leave space in your suitcase, as the oversized shopping centres and quirky flea markets are likely to catch a budding fashionista’s eye.
Thanks to Netflix’s Emily in Paris, a new set of eyes has fallen upon the city – the series-bingeing teenager. If the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Mona Lisa’s smile weren’t iconic enough, then scouting out the series’ stunning filming locations will add an extra layer of appeal to your Parisian adventure. When your feet need resting, visit Tuileries Gardens to admire the flowers, grab a pastry down the wisteria-covered Cour Damoye or cruise down the Seine and admire the French architecture.
Are your teens tired of history lessons? Reignite their interest and bring schoolwork to life with a city break to Rome. The towering Colosseum has plenty of in-person appeal, and landmarks like the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and the Catacombs effortlessly transport you back in time. Make sure to leave plenty of time to eat your way through the city, indulging in scoops of sweet gelato, local delicacies from Campo de Fiori and expertly prepared pizzas at trendy trattorias. Rome’s gorgeous mix of culture and indulgence makes it one of the best city breaks with teenagers.
Settle the city vs beach-break arguments with a getaway to one of Europe’s hippest hotspots – Lisbon. Its cobble-stoned centre is best explored by bike, and the Time Out Market (housing the best of Lisbon’s culinary scene) makes for the perfect pitstop. Top up your tan with a quick trip to beaches like Carcavelos, Costa da Caparica or Dafundo, and even challenge the teens to a surfing contest. Come evening, experience Portuguese passion with a musical fado performance in a cosy bar or restaurant (and try not to embarrass your teens by dancing).
Los Angeles isn’t just one of the best cities in the world; it’s also one of the best city breaks with teenagers. Whether spotting your favourite celebs along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, riding the Ferris wheel at Santa Monica pier or exploring iconic movie sets at Universal Studios, there’s a whole host of bucket-list-worthy adventures to tick off. You can even sink your toes into Malibu’s soft sands, a location that will most likely leave the teens humming Miley Cyrus’ hit song and you scratching your head.
Written by Evie Buller | Header Image by Birgit Sfat.
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
What if, in addition to making happy memories, children came back from their holidays having learned something new? How to light a fire, create an authentic Neapolitan pizza, identify a paw print. Holidays are an amazing opportunity for children to interact with, and learn about, the world around them – often without even realising it. Welcome to ‘Stealth Learning’. Whether it’s studying constellations with an astronomer in Chile’s Atacama Desert,
26th February 2025 - Family Travel
In a longstanding family tradition, every year Original Travel Co-founder Tom Barber takes his children and parents on a bike ride around the medieval walls of the lovely Tuscan city of Lucca. It’s the perfect 3G (Three Generational) experience. Most of the time. It’s official: my children are spoilt rotten. Having a father who founded a travel company specialising in tailor-made family holidays means they’ve been lucky enough to visit some of the most magical destinations in the world.
30th December 2024 - Italy Family Travel
Ask any parent what their children really want on holiday and they’d probably feel fairly confident coming up with the right answers, ‘ice cream’ among them. But what if Original Travel’s boffins had surveyed the children of hundreds of our clients on this exact same subject, analysed the results and come up with the definitive list of what children really love when they go away? You’re welcome. Even better,
28th October 2024 - Family Travel
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
