Summer Destinations for Youth: The Best Places for a Vacation

The Mediterranean island that enjoys worldwide fame is the beautiful Spanish island of Ibiza, always on the travel list of young people from all over Europe.

Known mainly for its vibrant nightlife, the Balearic island actually offers much more than just clubs and the party atmosphere that has shaped nightlife history for decades. Ibiza boasts stunning natural landscapes, limestone islands, hilly villages, forested areas, whitewashed houses, cobblestone streets, cave systems like Can Marca, crystal-clear bays, and salt flats like those of Ses Salines, near the chic seaside town of the same name.

Among the many beaches to choose from are true natural oases such as Santa Gertrudis with its countryside houses set in nature, Cala Comte and Punta Galera washed by incredible aquamarine waters, and the beach of Cala Conta with beautiful inlets surrounded by green pines, golden dunes, and turquoise sea, while the ancient hilly area of Ibiza, Dalt Vila, guards local history with a castle, cathedral, and old fortifications.

On the beautiful island, there is a spiritual air that stems from the 1960s when it was home to numerous hippie communities, an atmosphere still found today at the Las Dalias market in San Carles de Peralta, among local artists and artisans, and Cala Benirrás, where sunset celebrations occur during the summer months with singing and dancing to the rhythm of drums. Additionally, its forests are home to numerous retreats for yoga and meditation.

The beautiful Greek islands are among the most loved by young travelers, and among them shines a crescent-shaped gem that attracts visitors from all over the world thanks to its beaches, cliffside houses, lunar landscapes, and cosmopolitan atmosphere-its name is Santorini.

This magnificent volcanic island is formed from the remnants of a crater, giving it a unique atmosphere.

From the hills of Oia, one can enjoy a breathtaking view of the sea at sunset, while the cube-shaped whitewashed houses perched on the cliffs of Fira offer a vivid color contrast with the dark rock on which they are carved.

In Santorini, you can relax on its incredible beaches like the black beach of Perissa or the red Vlychada, trek one of the most beautiful trails in the Mediterranean, such as the nine-kilometer route from Oia to Fira, visit picturesque towns like Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Akrotiri, or sample quality wines produced in local vineyards.

Ponza is the largest among the Pontine sisters in terms of history and size and is considered one of the most beautiful islands in Italy.

Rising gracefully off the coast of Gaeta, it was inhabited by the ancient Romans, whose presence can still be seen through an ancient port, numerous villas, aqueducts, cisterns, and fish ponds where you can swim, as well as the remains of an ancient vessel found on the sea floor.

Today, Ponza is beloved for its crystal-clear sea, wild vegetation, and festive atmosphere, making it one of the most popular beach destinations during the summer season, particularly among young people.

It is a strip of land with a total area of about 8 km² consisting of two main settlements connected by hilly promontories.

Due to its volcanic origin, its coasts are often rocky, jagged, and rich in stunning cliffs and sea stacks, such as those of Lucia Rosa, La Guardia, and Punta Incenso, and the picturesque cliff of Chiaia di Luna.

Between land and sea, there are also spectacular marine caves with stunning colors accessible by sea, as well as crowded sandy beaches such as the famous Frontone beach, the bay of Cala Feola, and the more remote inlet of La Parata.

The identity of this beautiful island is also shaped by its lively town center composed of colorful houses, narrow alleys, fishermen's homes, trendy boutiques, and charming venues carved into the rocks.

Rotterdam is a young, dynamic, and international city that continually reinvents itself at a rapid pace filled with cultural and social events that make it an ideal destination for young people even in summer.

New Rotterdam has been designed with experimental and modern structures that have reinvented its identity.

Today, the city bears little resemblance to classic European metropolises with an ancient flavor; its innovative skyline, cube buildings, skyscrapers, the Euromast Tower, and floating buildings make it unconventional, iconic, and proudly different.

Home to the largest port in the world, Rotterdam also offers a large variety of museums, restaurants, and numerous entertainment activities with a nightlife made special by a world-famous music and club scene.

The wonderful and renowned beaches of Salento are one of the most sought-after destinations by young people in summer, thanks to a long series of rare beauty beaches and bays that dot the Adriatic and Ionian coasts.

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The most renowned beach towns are those around San Cataldo, Torre dell'Orso nestled between two beautiful white stacks of the Due Sorelle, with its white sand kissed by crystal-clear water, and those around Otranto, where the nature becomes more varied and the contrast between sand, rocks, and clear sea creates a spectacular scenic view with wild and unspoiled places, such as the beaches of Porto Badisco, the Bay of the Turks, one of the most iconic in the Adriatic coast, and the Alimini beach within a protected nature reserve.

One of the Salentine locations most loved by young people in summer is Gallipoli. Founded by the Greeks and ruled by many different civilizations, Gallipoli has accumulated historical and cultural treasures over the centuries while maintaining its natural beauty.

The city today is divided into two distinct areas: the historic center, perched on a limestone island, and the new town connected to the island by a 16th-century bridge.

Visiting the old town means breathing in a special, elegant atmosphere in a maze of picturesque streets filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants, baroque churches such as Santa Maria della Purità and the Cathedral of Sant'Agata, convents, historic palaces, an impressive castle complete with walls and fortification towers, and an ancient underground olive mill: the Frantoio Ipogeo at Palazzo Granafei.

Near the village, you can relax on a crescent of golden sand or move a short distance to some of the most beautiful beaches in Salento and across the entire region of Puglia.

An appealing solution favored by young people for an adventurous vacation is to take a road trip to discover Croatia and Montenegro.

With a car trip to the east or by boarding a ferry from Ancona, you reach a land rich in enchanting natural landscapes like the wild beaches of the Dalmatian coast, its pristine islands, historic cities like the capital Zagreb, the Istrian coast, the mountainous interior of the Dinaric Alps with rocky gorges, dense forests, and lakes.

Numerous are the places to visit while in Croatia, from the Plitvice Lakes National Park to Split with its ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site Diocletian's Palace, to Krka National Park, Rovinj, and the islands of Hvar, Brač, and Korčula.

Particularly noteworthy is the spectacular Dubrovnik with its ancient buildings, enchanting beaches of Orebic, Cava, and Lapad, and breathtaking views. The entire old town and the massive walls surrounding it are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Driving south brings you to Montenegro, which boasts some of the most scenic landscapes in the Balkan region with hills overlooking the sea, sandy beaches, rugged mountains, canyons like Tara, and historic towns like Kotor and lakes in the woods such as Skadar Lake, immersed in nature.

Its coastal cities like Budva perfectly combine ideal swimming beaches with a charming medieval old town.

A nice alternative for crossing and discovering Montenegro is the Balkan Express tram that, along one of the most scenic train routes in Europe, takes you to the beaches of Bar, a picturesque town where many ancient fortresses overlook the Adriatic coast. Don't miss the pink sandy beach of Stevi Stefan.