---
title: "The 19 Most Popular Gap Year Destinations ..."
description: "Fraser Island; Budapest; Queenstown; Chiang Mai; Hoi an; More ..."
url: "https://travel.allwomenstalk.com/the-most-popular-gap-year-destinations/"
category: "travel"
last_updated: "2026-06-02"
---

# The 19 Most Popular Gap Year Destinations ...

So, you’ve finished school for good, you got grades that were good enough to secure your place at your first choice university or college, congratulations! The thing is, do you really want to throw yourself back into the academic fire so soon? You deserve a break, perhaps even one that lasts an entire twelve months! Here are the nineteen **most popular gap year destinations** according to Instagram.

## 1. Fraser Island

![coastal and oceanic landforms, coast, sea, promontory, headland,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/gv/tp/o3u97yds5c3e39d6c08c0196747758_600x750.jpg)

With white sand beaches and crystal blue waters, there is no surprise that [Fraser Isalnd](https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g255078-Activities-Fraser_Island_Fraser_Coast_Queensland.html) in Australia is currently the most Instagrammed gap year destination. You’ll love it so much you won’t ever want to come back to resume real life!

## 2. Budapest

![landmark, winter, tourism, tourist attraction, city,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/os/pu/buidij7e5c3e39ee251ba702803104_600x750.jpg)

Budapest is a great place to gap year because it is relatively cheap thanks to exchange rates. You can [do a lot](https://www.budapesteventsguide.com/) for very little which is great for a young traveler.

## 3. Queenstown

![sky, sea, loch, shore, coast,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/jm/ri/oes0vpnk5c3e3a26a92d0937385133_600x600.jpg)

New Zealand is always going to have gap year appeal, going to the other side of the world etc., and [Queenstown](https://www.nomadasaurus.com/things-to-do-in-queenstown/) is the perfect place to experience it.

## 4. Chiang Mai

![tourist attraction, temple, column, temple, wat,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/k2/yl/nmli1mv55c3e3a48101a2349269332_600x750.jpg)

This beautiful location in Thailand was the subject of a full 1% of the top ten thousand most popular Instagram photos with the hashtag #gapyear in 2018. Must say hi to [Chiang Mai](https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotels-g293917-Chiang_Mai-Hotels.html).

## 5. Hoi an

![hindu temple, landmark, temple, tourism, place of worship,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/dp/f1/gywlemnb5c3e3d4a1285b545972554_600x750.jpg)

[Hoi An](https://www.everysteph.com/hoi-an-vietnam-a-first-timer-guide-things-to-do-in-hoi-an-restaurants-and-hotels/) in Vietnam is another place that is massively shared on social media. Some of the scenery has to be seen in person to be believed!

## 6. Amsterdam

![waterway, reflection, water, canal, city,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/jr/f8/aggnqe925c3e3a7985456166427128_600x600.jpg)

Amsterdam gives a gap year student the best of all worlds, from quaint European culture to lively night life, to [museums](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-museums-in-amsterdam), and everything in between!

## 7. Siem Reap

![vacation, tourism, leisure, girl, sky,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/tp/l2/bwbg00185c3e3a8c45728891825034_600x600.jpg)

This is a [destination](https://www.tripsavvy.com/travel-to-siem-reap-cambodia-1629775) in beautiful Cambodia, a place that gives you a quintessential experience of Asia that isn’t one of the more well-known spots.

## 8. Milan

![reflection, landmark, sky, water, tourist attraction,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/rk/r5/lytim3vv5c3e3dc24a341117621305_600x750.jpg)

Who wouldn’t want to be Italian for a year? Milan is one of the coolest, sexiest, most stylish cities on earth, perfect for any young person with a [passion for fashion.](https://www.auxvillesdumonde.com/en/city-guide/milan/9-ways-to-look-like-a-milanese)

## 9. San Francisco

![sky, morning, sea, sunrise, bridge,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/l6/k4/n7tcwcz45c3e3abcc47c3175396174_600x749.jpg)

It’s got a ton of iconic sights to see, but the great thing about San Fran is that it also a fantastic city to live in on a gap year. It offers a great quality of life and [great food](https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/guides/the-first-timers-guide-to-eating-in-san-francisco-essential-must-visit-restaurants).

## 10. Los Angeles

![sea, body of water, tourist attraction, pier, ferris wheel,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/nh/oq/c8j3o26v5c3e3ad05d507667323683_600x750.jpg)

If you really want to throw yourself into a whole new world on your gap year, then why not just head to [Los Angeles](https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/things-to-do/best-things-to-do-in-los-angeles)! New York might be the city that never sleeps, but LA certainly has something to say about that!

## 11. Bangkok

![historic site, temple, tourist attraction, ancient history, temple,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/pq/er/ujvr4ixa5c3e3e2b692e6014544125_600x749.jpg)

[Bangkok](https://www.bangkok.com/shopping-top10-experiences.htm) is another place that offers unforgettable culture but also a great nightlife and atmosphere for students who are looking to have a good time. The perfect ‘night and day’ destination.

## 12. Venice

![fur, fur clothing, water, girl, vacation,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/fq/j6/efz30vaw5c3e3e90c511f626478397_600x598.jpg)

Here’s the thing, [Venice](https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/venice-i-vn-v.htm) isn’t going to be around forever. It’s literally disappearing into the water, so what better time than your gap year to makes sure you experience it!

## 13. London

![reflection, sky, cityscape, landmark, skyline,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/yc/il/hxz8qhpx5c3e3eda0be9d927940712_600x733.jpg)

Spending a gap year in London is like spending a gap year in one hundred different countries at once! You won’t find a city in the world with as much [varied culture](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk?ref=allwomenstalk.com) and experience.

## 14. Melbourne

![palm tree, arecales, transport, tree, residential area,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/yw/sg/k22wqyye5c3e3fb646eec248624683_600x600.jpg)

If you are thinking about Australia as your destination, then you would be silly not to consider the metropolitan splendor of Melbourne, [the sporting capital.](https://www.virginaustralia.com/inspiration/au/travel-tips/6-annual-sporting-events-melbourne-you-should-travel)

## 15. Paris

![town, plaza, tourism, town square, city,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/qt/cq/xeweoasv5c3e3ff9ee92a954823104_600x701.jpg)

Paris, of course! Probably the most iconic European city ever, there is so much [to do](https://www.timeout.com/paris/en/things-to-do/best-things-to-do-in-paris) in the city of love that you could certainly fill a gap year!

## 16. Rome

![city, landmark, cityscape, sky, town,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/zf/ij/y02hn81j5c3e40a788cb4184651613_600x750.jpg)

[Rome](https://www.mypremiumeurope.com/travel-news/things-to-do-in-rome/9-best-historical-sites.htm) is a city not to be missed. If you are traveling through Europe on your gap year, you need to move heaven and earth to get to the Italian capital.

## 17. Bali

_ If beach parties_ and a laid back lifestyle are your thing, then look no further than beautiful Bali for your gap year.

## 18. Sydney

![beauty, human hair color, photo shoot, lady, summer,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/t8/tj/jcmhbtum5c3e414a0bd53822154236_600x749.jpg)

Are you even a gap year student if you don’t have a selfie outside the [Sydney](https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/australia/articles/20-must-visit-attractions-in-sydney-australia/) Opera House to prove it?

## 19. New York

![metropolitan area, urban area, city, metropolis, cityscape,](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/x4/wk/unj1k10t5c3e41818872f825547534_600x751.jpg)

Start spreading the news! [New York](https://www.nycgo.com/) is a bucket list destination for everyone, so make sure that you make the most of your gap year and get to the Big Apple at some point.

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