Girls' trip: 15 best places in Europe to visit with friends

According to a 2017 study by the University of Michigan, "friendships are a stronger predictor of health and happiness than relationships with family members." This means that staying in touch with high school friends or a former work colleague can have a significant impact on your day-to-day happiness and your life expectancy. While a phone call or coffee date is a great way to accomplish this, there's nothing like travelling to rekindle a friendship that's been on the back burner for too long.

And when it comes to spending a week or more reconnecting with the people you love, Europe is hard to beat. Not only is it relatively easy to get to, but there's also something for everyone: from a spa vacation in Switzerland to the perfect combination of food, dance and architecture in Barcelona. Travelandleisure.com has prepared a list of European cities and destinations that are guaranteed to break you out of your daily routine and renew your most important friendships.

Paris, France

If your group is into art, skip the lines at the Louvre and head to the Pompidou Centre to see Europe's first collection of contemporary art. If museums aren't your thing, explore the works of great artists at the Atelier des Lumières. When night falls, watch the Eiffel Tower light up on an evening boat cruise on the Seine River with Bateaux Parisiens or enjoy an aperitif at Maison Sauvage, a beautiful, flower-covered cafe, before heading to Le Champo, an art-house cinema that shows old classics.

Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm spans 14 islands and has a strong connection to the water. For a taste of life on the archipelago, take a day trip to the tiny island of Fjäderholmarna, a 20-minute boat ride from Stockholm, and spend the day lying in the sun, swimming, and picnicking.

This Scandinavian city is all about food and a tempting cocktail menu. It's all too easy to spend your days visiting restaurants and bars, but make sure your culinary journey takes you through Gamla Stan, the Old Town, where you'll find cobblestone streets and ochre-coloured buildings worthy of posting on Instagram.

For a meal, don't miss Schmaltz Bar & Delicatessen or the pizza at 800 Grader. And when it comes to a sophisticated girls' night out, it's hard to beat Vina for wine and first courses, followed by Adria, an Italian restaurant. Follow it up with a drink at the Erlands cocktail bar.

Bad Ragaz, Switzerland

If you're looking to reset and relax, spend time in the resort town of Bad Ragaz in Switzerland. Just an hour's drive southeast of Zurich, the area is home to a famous natural spring as well as a world-renowned spa and wellness resort.

The Grand Bad Ragaz boasts large thermal baths, including outdoor pools with mountain views, as well as a "Sauna World" that includes a sanatorium, Finnish sauna and infrared sauna. You will be entertained by the resort's eight restaurants and four bars, as well as an on-site casino and two golf courses. For a day trip, go on a tour of the region's vineyards and wineries or explore the ancient Swiss villages by bike.

Barcelona, Spain

There's more to Barcelona than drinking cava (sparkling wine) and dancing until 5 a.m., but no one is going to judge you as these are the top items on your agenda. Grab a late dinner of sangria tapas at Sensi Bistro in the historic Gothic Quarter, then dance the night away at Jamboree or Razzmatazz.

Take time to explore the city. Walk along the open pedestrian street La Rambla until you come across La Boqueria, a giant open-air food market. To get a taste of the culture, plan a city tour. Stop by what is arguably its greatest architectural work, the Sagrada Familia, before taking a stroll by Parc Güell to see Gaudi's many installations and city views.

Prague, Czech Republic

With its cobblestone streets, castles, and bridges, Prague will make you feel like you're back in the Middle Ages. Spend the day pretending to be queens at Prague Castle, then head to Old Town Square. Here, in the heart of the city, you'll be surrounded by Gothic churches, colourful Baroque buildings, and a one-of-a-kind astronomical clock that performs an animated show every hour. Finish the day with a stroll across the Charles Bridge, stopping to listen to street musicians and buy trinkets.

City of Monaco, Monaco

A tiny country located on the French Riviera. Day trips to the neighbouring countries of France and Italy require little more than a short drive.

The Fairmont Monte Carlo overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy the hotel's four restaurants and bars and relax like a queen by the rooftop pool.

After you've spent enough time exploring the grounds, sunbathe on Larvotto Beach and visit the Princess Grace Garden. For more gambling fun, spend an evening at Casino de Monte-Carlo, which is one of the most famous casinos in the world.

Biarritz, France

For a relaxing beach vacation with your girlfriends, head to this tiny coastal town on the southwestern Basque coast of France. This seaside town is popular with surfers and beachgoers who come for the slow pace of life and stunning views of the Bay of Biscay.

Start your day with some shopping at Les Sandales d'Eugénie. Then take a leisurely stroll to the Rocher de la Vieille, a cliff topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary that is only accessible via a narrow iron bridge. From there, follow the seaside path along the Grand Place to the Faro de Biarritz, the iconic white lighthouse to the north. After your walk, enjoy tapas and wine at Olatua Biarritz and watch the sunset.

London, England

London is an ideal destination for first-time visitors to Europe. You can stroll through Buckingham Palace, take a group selfie with the Queen's Guard, and see Big Ben without worrying about the language barrier.

Take the double-decker bus and visit Piccadilly, London's Times Square, or take the tube to Euston station and try the Indian buffet at Chutney's on Drummond Street. When it comes to lodging, few things can beat the luxury and history of the Savoy.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

A graceful canal system winds along quaint, narrow houses, and romantic bridges and bike paths crisscross the city. Join the Dutch and explore the city on two wheels, or stop by Joy Ride Tours and organize a bike tour of the countryside.

For a healthy dose of culture, spend an afternoon at the Anne Frank House and then taste your way through the Amsterdam Cheese Museum. The city's rich Museum Quarter is home to the Van Gogh Museum and the State Museum.

After a long day, grab a stroopwafel - a crispy wafer cracker with a soft caramel filling - at Van Wonderen and sip a cocktail at Door 74, a Prohibition-era bar.

Berlin, Germany

From the famous Holocaust Memorial to the Berlin Wall, Berlin is home to much of Europe's history, and there's plenty to do and see. It's Germany, so beer is plentiful and quirky places like Café Cinema, an alley full of art, bicycles, and revelers, will have you hooked in minutes. For food, try Mrs. Benedict at Hilde or Sunday brunch at Nola's in Weinbergspark.

In addition to the Berlin Wall tours, take the city's Alternative Culture and Street Art Tour, where you'll learn about street art, Berlin's underground culture, and its world-famous club scene. End the day with drinks and dancing at Clärchens Ballhaus.

Santorini, Greece

When you think of Greece, you probably imagine perfect whitewashed houses with blue roofs over turquoise waters. If that's what you've been dreaming about, gather the girls and book a flight to Santorini. You can spend days admiring the sea and also do some fun things.

See the Santorini caldera, a large, perfect volcanic crater, and take a group photo at the top of Mount Mesa Vouno, where you can see the ancient remains of the city of Thera. For an incredible sunset view, gather the girls and head to the family-friendly PK cocktail bar, then dance at the always fun Koo club.

Rome, Italy

A truly unforgettable destination, Rome will welcome you and your team with an endless list of things to see, do, and eat. You won't want to leave without visiting the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, or the Colosseum, but make sure to set aside time to eat and drink a lot.

Grab a morning cappuccino at the Barnum Café or buy some pastries at Antico Forno Roscioli. If you don't have time for breakfast, you can always stop by for a slice of Roman pizza at lunch. Piazza Campo de Fiori is a lively open-air market for fruits, vegetables, and flowers in the morning and afternoon. After dark, it turns into a centre of nightlife.

Hvar, Croatia

There are thousands of islands off the coast of Croatia, but Hvar is developed enough to be comfortable without compromising its natural beauty. Located in the Mediterranean Sea, the island has everything you need for a bachelorette trip: beaches, nightlife, and vineyards.

Spend the day relaxing on Dubovica beach or head inland to see the island's lavender fields. Try gregada, a stewed dish of local fishermen, in Makondo or browse the wine list in Passaroli.

Dublin, Ireland

Gather your best beer lovers and head to the birthplace of Guinness. And while the Irish capital offers much more than dark Irish stout, you'll want to make time to visit the Guinness Storehouse, where you'll hear the history of the famous Irish beer and enjoy a jam at the rooftop bar.

Next, visit Dublin Castle and the majestic St. Patrick's Cathedral, the tallest and largest church in Ireland. For an experience not every tourist gets, book the Dublin Dark Side Tour, an evening walk that takes you through the supernatural city.

Brussels, Belgium

The city of Brussels is home to some gorgeous parks - Bois de la Cambre and Parc du Cinquantenaire among them - but the real reason to make this European city your girls' trip destination is the food. In addition to being the birthplace of Belgian waffles, the Belgians know how to make incredible frites (French fries) and have perfected moules marinières (mussels).

After a few cocktails at Le Belgica, a popular gay bar with a creative drink menu, you'll naturally want some nighttime food. Enter the Friterie de la Barrière, a popular deep-fried shop. After a hangover breakfast at Peck 47, spend the day shopping for luxury brands on Avenue Louise.