With a 143% increase in people searching for ‘fitness retreats’ and a recent study finding that 37% of holidaymakers would choose fitness activities over sipping a cocktail while on holiday – it seems many may want to keep their healthy habits when booking this year.
In light of this, we teamed up with the travel experts at loveholidays to rate Europe’s top holiday destinations for 2024 for fitness lovers.
Dublin appeared in the top ten, ranking in 6th place by looking at factors such as the number of parks; the number of gyms, the number of sporting camps, the number of tennis clubs and the number of rugby clubs in each location.
Being away from home can allow more time to focus on mental and physical wellness so, whether you like to get out running or get involved in a new fitness class or activity, where are the best destinations to travel to?
Looking at factors such as the number of parks, gyms, tennis courts and more, a study by loveholidays has revealed the best cities in Europe for those looking to stick to their healthy lifestyles while travelling.
The top 20 European destinations for fitness lovers
London takes the top spot for fitness fans also wanting a city break, with 187 parks and over 151 fitness centres and gyms to choose from – not to mention the almost 9,000 fitness-related activities listed around the city.
| Rank | City | Country |
| 1 | London | United Kingdom |
| 2 | Paris | France |
| 3 | Lisbon | Portugal |
| 4 | Istanbul | Turkey |
| 5 | Barcelona | Spain |
| 6 | Dublin | Ireland |
| 7 | Prague | Czechia |
| 8 | Rome | Italy |
| 9 | Madrid | Spain |
| 10 | Athens | Greece |
| 11 | Bucharest | Romania |
| 12 | Berlin | Germany |
| 13 | Vienna | Austria |
| 14 | Milan | Italy |
| 15 | Amsterdam | Netherlands |
| 16 | Glasgow | United Kingdom |
| 17 | Budapest | Hungary |
| 18 | Brussels | Belgium |
| 19 | Belgrade | Serbia |
| 20 | Manchester | United Kingdom |
Paris comes in second place and again is home to plenty of parks, 174 in fact, so lots of outdoor space to get active whilst exploring. Lisbon, Istanbul and Barcelona round off the top five best fitness destinations.
Commenting on the research, Al Murray, Chief Marketing Officer at loveholidays, says: “Whilst it’s perfectly understandable that most people just want to relax and unwind on holiday, some may prefer to keep up with their usual fitness routine.
“Holidays are also a great opportunity to try new experiences so whether you’re just looking for a destination where you can get out for a run with a new backdrop or an excuse to try a totally new activity, these destinations have plenty to offer.”
Find out more about the best destinations for sports and fitness lovers and loveholidays here: www.loveholidays.ie
