Weekend breaks have undergone a quiet shift in recent years, driven largely by younger travellers who approach short trips differently than previous generations. Gen Z, broadly those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, tends to prioritise flexibility and spontaneity over rigid itineraries. Their travel patterns reveal a preference for proximity over prestige, with many choosing destinations within a few hours’ reach rather than distant cities requiring planning and deeper pockets.
Downtime plays a notable role in these getaways, too. Evenings frequently involve unwinding in accommodation, catching up on digital entertainment, scrolling through social feeds, or engaging with live-streamed online entertainment from platforms like NetBet or Twitch during quieter moments between activities. The balance between active exploration and passive relaxation reflects broader changes in how leisure time is divided during short breaks, with the expectation of constant sightseeing giving way to more varied rhythms.
Coastal Towns Staging a Comeback
British seaside destinations have experienced a resurgence that extends well past simple nostalgia. Towns like Margate, Whitstable, Hastings, and Scarborough have shed much of their dated reputations, attracting younger visitors who appreciate their slightly rough-edged charm. These locations offer something more tangible than polished city breaks: sea air, open horizons, and a slower pace that feels deliberately analogue in an otherwise digital world.
The appeal isn’t rooted in traditional seaside entertainment. Rather, it’s the combination of independent shops, decent coffee, emerging art scenes, and spaces where you can genuinely switch off. Margate’s Turner Contemporary gallery or Hastings’ Old Town demonstrate how coastal places have evolved beyond candy floss and amusement arcades, though both still exist for those who want them. Many of these towns also offer relatively affordable accommodation, from converted fishermen’s cottages to quirky boutique hotels, making them accessible on modest budgets without sacrificing character entirely.
Experience Over Itinerary
Gen Z travel behaviour often looks less structured than the guidebook approach favoured by older generations. Instead of planning each hour, younger travellers tend to identify one or two priority spots and leave the rest open to chance. This might mean spending three hours in a vintage clothing market, finding a decent pub that wasn’t on any list, or simply wandering without a specific direction.
Social media plays an undeniable role here, though not always in predictable ways. Rather than just seeking Instagram-worthy backdrops, many Gen Z travellers use platforms to discover lesser-known venues, local recommendations, or niche events happening during their visit. A ceramics workshop, a vinyl record fair, or a pop-up food market might draw more interest than a famous monument that’s been photographed a million times already.
Budget Realities and Flexible Planning
Economic considerations shape travel choices considerably for this demographic. Many Gen Z travellers are students, early-career professionals, or freelancers dealing with higher living costs and less financial stability than previous generations enjoyed at similar ages. Weekend trips need to fit within tight budgets, which influences everything from transport choices to accommodation type and dining decisions.
Rail travel, whilst convenient, often proves expensive when booked late. Coach services, rideshares, and off-peak train deals become more attractive options, even if they add journey time. Accommodation choices reflect budget consciousness too – hostels, Airbnbs shared between friends, or budget hotel chains feature prominently. The willingness to compromise on comfort in exchange for affordability allows these trips to happen more frequently, which matters more to some than the quality of any single journey.
The spontaneity that characterises Gen Z travel isn’t purely about adventure or living in the moment; it’s also practical. Waiting until Thursday to book a Saturday departure might secure better prices or align better with shifting work schedules that don’t always follow traditional patterns.
What Makes Destinations Win
Places succeeding with Gen Z travellers share recognisable characteristics. Walkable layouts matter enormously, as does visible public transport connecting key areas. Strong independent business presence – not just national chains – creates appeal and gives places a distinct identity. Affordability remains crucial, though this doesn’t mean everything needs to be cheap; rather, there should be genuine options across different price points so groups with varying budgets can still travel together.
Authenticity, that much-debated term, still counts for something tangible. Destinations that feel like they exist primarily for residents rather than visitors tend to perform better than those that feel purpose-built for tourism. Gen Z travellers seem particularly attuned to this distinction, seeking places with genuine character that developed organically over time rather than manufactured charm designed by committee. Whether that perception always matches reality is another question entirely, but the perception itself drives decisions.