Holiday for two 19 year old lads

That is wonderful that you and a friend are beginning to explore on your own.

You do not say where you are located. Are there any limits on distance?

I have recently returned from a Mediterranean Cruise and I really loved Monaco / Monte Carlo, Malta, and Sorrento, Amalfi but keep in mind that i only spent hours in each location because they were cruise excursions.

I think that you will be getting many more suggestions from the very well traveled members of this site.

Portugal. Not the Algarve, but someplace like Porto or Coimbra. Pick any place with a good university and you find like souls to hang with.

I had liked the idea of Cote D’Azur or somewhere along the western Italian coast, however I was unsure about how lively these places will be in terms of nightlife involving younger people. Perhaps some suggestions of places in these areas with good nightlife? Cannes?

I am based in the UK, so anywhere in Europe isn’t too far away at all for me. We are looking to go for a week.

I haven’t really seen much of Portugal, so I’ll look into those places!

Are you looking for smaller communities or would you consider a city?

This last cruise, I spent a few days in Barcelona. Previous cruise, I spent a few days in Lisbon, Both cities were wonderful with lots to do and great nightlife.

Barcelona has beautiful beaches and it's a hopping city.

The size I would probably say is ideal would be a small city. Not too big that we never get to see it all, and not too small that there’s not much to do.

I’ve previously been to Barcelona and felt as if I was unsafe quite a lot of the time, and from what I’ve seen of porto, that seems quite large?

I have never been to Ibiza but I hear that it is a big party scene. In fact, some tourists have complained because of the heavy partying.

I have also heard that it is beautiful. And it has beaches, beautiful beaches.

Yeah, it’s another place I’ve considered. My concern was it was too far the other way - crazy nightlife and not much else to do, however seems like Ibiza town looks nice plus the beaches etc. Another place to look into!

Barcelona, Mykonos, Ayia Napia, Malta.

Oh, and Sunny Beach, Bulgaria

I do like the sound of Mykonos, of course I’d imagine nightlife being good. Is there a young but classy feel to the place? And enough to do during the day for a week?

You have the whole of the Cyclades to explore.

I recommend to have a look at the Balearic Islands. Mallorca, the largest one, offers of everything you mentioned. Had several stays and you can experience this island in various tastes - from silent and hidden to partyish. It is interesting to explore the island with its various landscapes during the days.

Mykonos super expensive. Ibiza/Ayia Napa etc prob too party hard for what you’re after. I think Valencia could be good. Porto isn’t that big but although it’s on the coast it isn’t really a beach resort type place.

Thessaloniki on Greece might also suit. It’s a young city with beaches.

Where in mallorca/balaeric islands in general would you recommend, and for what reasons for each? Thank you for the suggestions!

Yeah that was my concerns with some of those places - the cost. I’ll have a look at both Valencia and Thessaloniki!

Neither of those will be very expensive. Both Spain and Greece have lower prices than UK as long as you’re away from mega popular places like Barcelona.

But in your opinion, would Mykonos still be expensive?

I haven’t been to Mykonos but it’s known to be very, very expensive.

Yeah might give Mykonos a miss then!

Crete is really nice. Rythmnon is a good town to stay in. There is a lot to see there but it’s a bit spread out. If you drive it’s fun to hire a little car for a few days and explore that way.

Nice, I’ll check that out.

Do you or anybody else know any costal towns in Italy/islands surrounding that fit my criteria?

Malta is cheap

St Julian’s?