Multigenerational travel is one of the biggest trends of the year, with more and more people searching for queries like “multigenerational vacation ideas” (up 143% YoY). Want to travel with the whole family but don’t know how to keep your teenager, the restless uncle, and your history-buff grandparents all content? Enter Trafalgar Travel’s Multigenerational Travel Index, which uncovers the top tips and destinations for happy all-ages travel.
Here’s how we did it: first, we gathered data from over 40 cities across 18 different travel metrics such as level of accessibility, number of cultural attractions, and amount of sunshine hours. Then, we surveyed three age groups: 18-29, 30-50, and 51+ to uncover which of these metrics was most important for them.
The Top 3 Most Multigenerational Travel Cities
Are you curious to know which city takes the number one spot for multigenerational travel? Barcelona is the winner – and it’s easy to see why this Mediterranean city is a favorite among all ages. With a thirst-quenching 247 wine bars and pubs (that’s a staggering 2.44 bars per km²) and a soothing 5.72 spas and wellness centers per km², totaling a rejuvenating 579 spas – Barcelona has a lot to offer. But that’s not all, because it also scores high for green spaces (hello, Park Güell) with a lush 0.82 parks per km² and also features the highest proportion of nightclubs, with a cool 0.58 clubs per km². With so many activities to suit all ages and travel styles, it’s no wonder Barcelona is the number one city for all-age family vacations!
Paris, the city of lights, also tops our list as the ultimate multigenerational destination. It’s a city where accessibility meets culture, ensuring an enriching experience for everyone. Here’s how it charms travelers of all ages: with a gourmet 43.18 accessible restaurants per km², Paris sets a high standard for inclusivity whilst also catering to the demands of fine diners thanks to its 490 Michelin-starred restaurants. Add its lush 173 parks (that’s 1.64 green spaces per km²) and a whopping 3.82 museums per km² (yes, there’s plenty more to explore than the Louvre) – and whether you’re a foodie, nature lover, or a culturalist, you’ll find plenty of things to see and do in Paris.
And the bronze medal goes to Insta-worthy Istanbul, boasting a staggering 123 million Instagram hashtags and a colossal 56 billion TikTok tags, making it one of the most popular social media cities on our list. Visiting the city’s many iconic attractions, like the UNESCO-listed Blue Mosque and the Sultanahmet Archeological Park is easy for everyone thanks to the city’s 100% accessible metro stations, so don’t forget to snap and share your picture-perfect posts with an #Istanbul tag to show this stunning city some love!
Want to check if your city features in our Multigenerational Travel Index? Check out our interactive!
Alt text: Top 20 most multigenerational cities
Top 3 Multigenerational Travel Tips
“Sun, beach, and free activities: the secret ingredients to multigenerational travel” – Trafalgar Travel Director
Now that you know what the top multigenerational destinations are, you’re ready to pack your suitcases and jet off on your fun family vacation. Our research unveiled what the 3 top tips for multigenerational travel are:
- When it comes to planning a multigenerational trip, all ages agree that discussing costs (51%) and things to do (47%) together is a must. But when it comes to the actual booking, 30-to-50-year-olds feel very strongly about being the vacation planners of the group. For a smooth booking experience, we recommend letting this age group lead the way!
- But how do different ages get travel inspiration for their next vacation? All ages agree Google is the go-to (68%), but 18-29-year-olds love getting inspo via social media (41%), especially around hip locations from movies, series, or influencers. When it comes to ages 30+, it’s all about those personal recommendations (56%). Whether it comes from a friend or a family member, nothing beats a solid ‘I’ve been there before, I recommend it!’
- Organizing a multigenerational vacation but stuck on ideas? Our research unveiled the secret to all-ages adventures: beach city vacations! Cities by the sea like Barcelona or Porto offer the most variety of activities that suit all ages, from downtime on the beach to watersport adventure in the sea and urban exploration in the city.
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Ready to book? Check out Trafalgar Travel’s tours and kickstart your all-age adventure today!
Guest post by the Trafalgar Travel Team
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