The best summer holiday destinations for over 60s

When it comes to travel, age isn’t a factor when discovering some of the most incredible destinations around the world. But while younger travellers may be keen on a busy and bustling scene – complete with nightlife – there’s certainly something to be said for the peace, quiet and calm of a more laid-back holiday environment. For over 60s, there are plenty of beautiful destinations to be discovered that are ideally suited to that particular walk of life.

If you’re looking for a little inspiration for your next jet setting holiday, or you’re not quite sure where is best to go, we’ve collected some of the top spots from around the world that are perfectly suited to older travellers. Whether sunning yourself on a tropical beach is more your thing, or exploring ancient history sounds like your ideal holiday, we’ve got a little something for everyone.

Australia and New Zealand

While this far-flung destination may seem more suited to gap year students, there’s plenty Australia has to offer for older generations too. Every type of holidaymaker is catered for, whether your preference is the accessible cities and shopping destinations or walking tours and beach days are more your style. Ideal for group holidays as well as solo trips, there’s so much to see and do in this destination that you’ll be spoiled for choice.

With incredible natural sights, New Zealand should also top your list of holiday choices. Many pack both unique destinations into one visit, with cruises and boat tours available around the islands alongside escorted vacations and mobility-friendly destinations. If you want to plan the holiday of a lifetime, then Australia and New Zealand is a great place to start.

European and Caribbean Cruises

While not strictly one destination, cruises are a fantastic and accessible way to explore a wide range of destinations. Laid-back, relaxed and often with ample activities to suit people of all ages and tastes, cruises are the perfect option for those that like downtime and the opportunity to rest between seeing the sights and discovering new things.

Dedicated over-60s cruises are available, which makes this option even more appealing for those looking for a quiet, child-free destination holiday. Comfort, accessibility and practicality all make cruises a top pick – the biggest challenge is figuring out exactly where you’d like to go.

Italy

Sun-soaked and historic Italy is already a top holiday destination for millions of people. But for the over-60s crowd, there’s even more reason to love this beautiful European location. First of all, the wealth of art galleries, museums and cultural activities make the cities of Italy a wonderful place to visit, but for those that enjoy engaging their brain a little more then Italy is the perfect place to pick up some new skills to bring home.

Wine-tasting, cooking classes and even jewellery-making are all available at various locations throughout the country, allowing you to make the most of this destination. The less metropolitan parts of Italy are also fantastic for those that prefer quiet evenings, with plenty of laid-back bars and restaurants available to soak up that unique atmosphere at its best.

Spain

For walking tours and holidays, combined with incredible food and beautiful architecture, Spain is your number one pick. Away from popular resorts and club-centric towns and cities, the Moorish parts of Spain are filled to the brim with beautiful walks.

The Sierra Nevada, in particular, holds plenty of walking options for travellers of all levels of skill and ability. For those that prefer to wander on their own time, the Natural Park offers ample opportunity for bird-watching, quiet contemplation and even painting or photography, if that side of travel interests you.

Ireland

For destination holidays a little closer to home, Ireland is the ideal pick. With accessibility by boat or plane, travellers can explore the historic streets and local culture of the towns and cities to discover what makes the Green Isle such a favourite for millions of holidaymakers. Outside of the cities, plentiful countryside, crumbling castles and walking routes criss-cross each county.

For old-world charm, convenience and practicality, Ireland is the ideal way to get away from home without straying too far. Plenty of flat ground is complemented by charming old-world fishing villages and farming towns – so if you want to get away from the modern world for a while, venturing to Ireland might be the ideal pick.

With any destination, it’s all about what you do as opposed to where you are. With a little imagination and research, there are plenty of peaceful, laid-back and charming sites to visit around the world that are ideally suited to over-60s travellers.