Top Ten Cities to Travel to in Your 20s

As a young 22-year-old, I have traveled extensively throughout Asia, Europe, and the USA. I have composed a list of the top ten cities you should travel to in your 20s. These are some of the places I have had the most fun doing the types of things 20-something-year-olds love to do (which is a bit of everything honestly).

In these places, you may meet other 20-something-year-olds, party it up, get lost on the streets at night, make mistakes, find love, or grow as a person- there’s really no telling the kinds of adventures that will fall your way.

1. Berlin, Germany

The second I landed in Berlin I felt the electric excitement of promised life to be lived and fun to be had. Walking around the streets at night, young adults were everywhere. They were getting food with their friends, getting drunk, getting ready to go somewhere dancing, or they were just chilling. Everyone seemed to be having a good time.

Berlin is filled with opportunities for fun, whether it be bars, clubs, thrifting, or really amazing restaurants. As I strolled down the streets, I could imagine a life for myself there- a really fun and happy one.

2. Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

I’m going to mass group the entirety of the Thai islands into position #2. Whether it be Koh Phi Phi, Koh Phangan, Krabi, Phuket, Koh Tao, or wherever else, the Thai islands are game-changingly fun.

I have been to both Koh Phi Phi and Koh Phangan. Koh Phi Phi is a lot smaller of an island but has a very party vibe. There are also so many fun things to do during the day, like kayaking, scuba-diving, chilling at the beaches, and more. At night, there are beach parties, bar hopping, and even some fights you can go watch (and participate in).

Koh Phangan is bigger and has more of a relaxed vibe. However, the parties are also no joke. This is the location of the famous Full Moon Party (which I had serious fun at by the way. Lots of people say it’s overrated, but I loved it).

3. Miami, Florida – USA

Miami is just a different creature, especially if you know where to go. Within the central city area and Miami Beach, there is some seriously renowned nightlife. There is a certain kind of late-night energy that buzzes around the city and makes you feel like you’re at the center of the world.

4. Kyiv, Ukraine

I can’t even speak to how much fun I had in Kyiv. I had so much during the day riding an electric scooter around the city and doing fun activities with my friends (like paint classes, renting a photography studio for super cheap, etc), and I also had a boatload of fun at night dancing it up at the hottest clubs (and also not the hottest clubs, but those had a different sort of fun about them).

5. Hanoi, Vietnam

Every night in Hanoi was a different adventure. I stayed at the Central Backpackers Hostel, which was a really great location. At night lots of people from the hostel would get some drinks at the rooftop bar and then head out onto the town. I made so many friends and had so many good laughs. There’s also a bit of an underground pot scene if you’re into that.

6. Barcelona, Spain

I am in love with Barcelona. It’s such a beautiful city with so many fun things to do. There are so many incredible museums to visit, architectural masterpieces to see, and amazing restaurants to eat at. At night, there is always something happening. Even during covid when all the bars and clubs shut down early, the entirety of young adults would flock to the beach to blast music, get drunk, and dance. You will definitely make friends here and have a lively experience.

7. New York City – USA

Obviously, my home of 3 years would make this list. I lived in New York from 18-21 and I deeply enjoyed every second of it. Of course, it’s way better when you’re 21+ (but there are so many other things to do even if you’re not of age). NYC is the land of my coming-of-age story, where young, naive, fresh-out-of-high-school me met independence, freedom, and rejuvenation.

Whether you want to check out the nightlife scene, or simply want to get a feel for that incredible buzzing energy of NYC life, this is definitely a place to put on your list.

8. Tel Aviv, Israel

I can’t even tell you how much I loved Tel Aviv. While I only went out a few times, it was always so much fun. Plus, I love the people who live there. Everyone I met seemed so down-to-earth and like the kind of people I want as friends.

The beaches are super fun. Wandering around the older parts of the city is mesmerizing. And the nightlife is one-of-a-kind.

9. Athens, Greece

It was the night before I had a 6am flight and I was having too much fun to care about the fact that I was not going to get any sleep. Multitudes of young travelers sat on the hilltop near the acropolis, watching the sun as it set over the city. Music was blasted, drinks were being passed around, and conversations were going every which way.

I had so much fun that night that I barely made it to my flight. And when I did, I was out-of-this-world exhausted (with zero regrets). Athens is a great choice, trust me.

10. Shanghai, China

There is no way I could make this list and not include Shanghai. I lived here for one year of my life and I have never experienced such a fun nightlife scene, not even in NYC. There’s a feeling in China, caused partly by the excitement of being on the other side of the world, but also because there are no stiff rules like there are in New York. Clubs are easy to get into if you are a foreigner and there’s not that uptight, waiting in line, security checking your IDs scene. You get drunk, you go to the club, you dance, you have fun, and you make some of the wildest memories you ever will.