Discover the top travel picks designed with retirees in mind… Your next senior trip starts here!
Think about it: There’s a little more freedom in life once you’ve retired. The kids no longer require your undivided attention, and your mortgage might even be paid off. So now’s the perfect time to look at that travel bucket list and start checking some things off, maybe even have some off-the-beaten-path adventures.
And before you even ask: Yes, travel is a great idea for anyone able, regardless if they’re 60, 70, or beyond. In fact, research shows that travel helps keep us young! Plus, travel provides meaningful, enriching, stimulating social connections to hundreds of thousands of older adults.
That’s why retirement is the perfect time to get out and explore the world, visiting places you’ve always dreamed of seeing in person. The only question remaining is, where to go? Well, don’t worry! As always, Must See Places has got your back. These 9 senior trips are sure to spark your motivation to get packing NOW!
Prague, Czech Republic
-This senior trip is best for: Walking around
Prague isn’t just one of the top senior trips. It’s also one of my favorite hidden gems in Europe. This flawlessly preserved city has bright red trolleys traveling across original cobblestone streets bordered by charming stone structures.
Around every corner, you’ll find a new delight, including the Charles Bridge, which is lined with Michelin-starred restaurants, majestic stone statues, and classic pilsner bars. Another huge draw is an entire “castle district” centered around the magnificent Prague Castle.
It ranks high on the survey for its public transportation and walkability, making it an easy city to explore without worrying about finding a ride.
Istanbul, Turkey
-This senior trip is best for: Activities
Istanbul’s recognition as the best destination for senior trips highlights its cultural richness with highly rated things to see and do and high-quality healthcare services.
This city is an ethnic and cultural melting pot, a unique city straddling two continents (Asia and Europe), with Byzantine, Greek, Roman, Ottoman, and modern Turkish structures. While here, you’ll see a dazzling skyline of minarets and domes of churches, mosques, synagogues, palaces, castles, and towers.
And, of course, amazing cultural landmarks, including the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. The Turkish city scored highly across many travel lists, particularly for its quality of things to do and ease of walking.
Riga, Latvia
-This senior trip is best for: Performing arts
Another under-the-radar gem of Eastern Europe is Latvia’s coastal capital, Riga, which sits right on the Baltic Sea. Its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features a labyrinth of medieval streets dotted with Baroque and Gothic churches and concealed courtyards.
The lively town is an expanse of wide boulevards chock full of grand Art Nouveau architecture. And while I’ll admit that there’s no shortage of wonderful places to visit in Europe, Riga scored high for the quality of things to see and do.
For instance, the Latvian National Opera dates all the way back to 1782 and presents hundreds of ballet and opera performances all year long. Besides that, Riga is the home of the biggest food hall in Europe: Riga Central Market.
Berlin, Germany
-This senior trip is best for: Museums
A modern and dynamic metropolis, Berlin draws travelers from all corners of the world to experience its nightlife, contemporary arts, and historic cultural sites, including the Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island, where you’ll find five popular museums on a Spree River island.
Reminders of the city’s difficult past, including the graffitied remnants of the Berlin Wall, are ever-present and worth your time. And if you wish to experience a different side of Berlin, go gallery hopping, wander through the diverse Kreuzberg neighborhood, eat street food at Markthalle Neun, or see a burlesque show.
Rome, Italy
-This senior trip is best for: Ancient architecture
It’s tough to talk about visiting Italy without beginning at this classical city, where ancient architecture stands shoulder-to-shoulder with contemporary culture.
Landmarks of the Eternal City include the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Piazza Navona, and you can even travel to another nation by crossing into Vatican City to check out the Sistine Chapel.
The inclusion of Rome in this list is thanks to its number of tours for senior citizens, which is 107, and high-quality things to do, making it a dream city for many older travelers. The average age of the population is 47 years old and is among the highest in the study, making it ideally suited for seniors.
Helsinki, Finland
-This senior trip is best for: Public transportation
The capital of Finland is one of the least polluted capitals in the world. One reason for this is that locals routinely use bicycles and public transportation to get around. And the city makes it leisurely by maintaining approximately 2,400 miles worth of cycle lanes.
According to a study, it’s also the most honest city worldwide. It turns out that in a test, 11 out of 12 people returned a lost wallet. Helsinki also scores pretty high for health services, so you won’t have to worry if any unexpected events pop up.
While here, you can tour Suomenlinna, bike to Esplanade Park to unwind at a free outdoor concert, or visit one of the seaside city’s many museums, including the Contemporary Art Museum, the Finnish Museum of Photography, or the National Museum of Finland.
Bangkok, Thailand
-This senior trip is best for: Low-cost travel
Bangkok is the top spot to visit for inexpensive bucket-list travel.
Here, palaces and golden temples line the winding Chao Phraya River, and you can take advantage of budget-friendly luxuries like authentic Thai spas, with prices beginning as low as 10 bucks for a two-hour massage, excellent local cuisine for just a couple of dollars and a ride on a tuk-tuk costing a mere $1.50 an hour.
This city’s quality of things to see and do, golden-Buddha-filled temples, and healthcare is what helped secure its spot in the top nine senior trips.
Tallinn, Estonia
-This senior trip is best for: Winter charm
There are some surprises on this list, including a few spots in Eastern Europe. And the truth is that nowadays, Eastern European cities are hidden gems for seniors. They might be lesser-known vacation destinations, but there are many studies that highlight the fact that they have plenty to offer for retirees.
Tallinn has been experiencing a major boom in tourism, with a 33% increase in foreign tourism this year alone. The quality of things to see and do and healthcare also contribute to its high score. This well-preserved medieval city is lovely to visit any time of the year.
But it’s one of my favorite snow-covered towns to visit in winter when the twinkling lights of the Old Town against the crisp snow create plenty of warmth and charm.
You can stroll the historic district and visit the walled fortifications any time of year, then stop into a cafe for a cup of coffee or wine. Just remember to pack some comfy and warm boots for your trip!
What do you think about this list of senior trips? Be sure to let me know in the comments section below. But don’t leave yet! Must See Places has much more to offer its retirees!
For instance, if you liked this post, I highly recommend also checking out: 8 Fantastic Senior-Friendly Travel Groups to Explore the World
