Whether you are booking a week in a luxury hotel or a one-way train ticket across multiple continents, being a vegan traveler can create a few extra challenges. But it can also lead to incredible connections and some beautiful moments. And we know one thing for sure: No matter how intrepid the traveler, it is possible to stay vegan just about anywhere in the world.
The Vegan Holiday
The first question is: what do you want from your trip away? Are you looking for adventure, relaxation, nature, culture, or pampering? Are you looking to get off the beaten track or spend some time soaking up the atmosphere in one of the world’s great cities? With vegan-friendly holiday options growing all the time, there are so many opportunities available and the world is finally our ocean-dwelling oyster.
Fully Catered Vegan Holidays
If you want to let someone else take the strain, a fully catered destination allows you to get on with the serious business of having a great time. There are exquisite top-end hotels that provide every meal in a glorious location, as well as fully vegan cruises, and plant-based retreats for those who may be looking for some reconnection and personal growth. These are just a few of our top picks for each.
Vegan Luxury Hotels
If you are looking for something extra special where everything is 100% vegan and you don’t need to read labels, or peer into your plate wondering, then choosing a fully vegan hotel could be right for you. And there are plenty to choose from, including:
- Stanford Inn by the Sea, USA: for pampering, this one is hard to beat
- La Vimea, Italy: gorgeous rooms and grounds with gourmet organic meals included
- Sugar Pine Vegan Resort, Canada: opening soon and we cannot wait!
- Saorsa, Scotland: indulgent, cruelty-free luxury in the Scottish Highlands
- Mother Earth Luxury Boutique Hotel, Costa Rica: a paradise of tranquility and beauty
Vegan Cruises
- Vegan Travel; offers cruises in Europe, through the Amazon, and in the Caribbean
- Holistic Holiday at Sea: choose from Caribbean islands or Alaska, 100% vegan
Mindful Vegan Holidays and Retreats
A plant-based diet is deeply associated with good health, and so it is no wonder that so many of the leading wellness resorts and retreats are 100% vegan. Try these:
- Kapuhala Koh Samui, Thailand: a stunning location and a focus on holistic wellness
- Wanderlust Yoga Retreat, Norway: yoga and wellness among the mountains
- La Crisalida, Spain: yoga, walking, daily activities, and a plant-based menu
- Aro Ha, New Zealand: an immersive, personal-development retreat in the Southern Alps
- Beyond Yoga Retreat, Mexico: stay in a treehouse villa as you reconnect and reground
Vegan Bed and Breakfasts
For those who like the flexibility of being semi-catered, there are thousands of dedicated vegan bed and breakfasts all over the world. And some of those are at animal sanctuaries! While some offer evening meals, too, it is best to check and to research the area to make sure you can find a place to eat locally. If in doubt, ask the host because they will certainly know.
Cosy Vegan B&Bs
Is there anything better than a cosy B&B with a delicious home-made breakfast waiting for you when you wake up? We don’t think so!
- The Beet Retreat, Australia: lovely rooms and a tasty breakfast, too
- Michael House, England: a stunning location and delicious home-cooked food
- Black Sheep Inn, USA: kayak, swim, or paddleboard on the lake after a filling breakfast
- A Pousada Vegana, Brazil: a warm welcome and close to the beach
- Valkenbos, the Netherlands: cosy rooms in the heart of The Hague
Holidays on Animal Sanctuaries
Spending time around rescued animals is one of life’s greatest gifts. It’s a chance to recharge, meet like-minded people and —if you are lucky—cuddle a cow or two. We recommend:
- The Retreat, England: comfortable lodges at this sanctuary with a vegan cafe on site
- Farm Sanctuary, USA: super cute tiny houses and cabins, plus sheep cuddling
- Jacob’s Ridge, Spain: go glamping at this much-loved vegan sanctuary
- Peepal Farm, India: stay in their mud bungalows, with vegan meals included
- Quinta das Águias, Portugal: a sanctuary for animals, wildlife, and visitors
Vegan Adventure Holidays
Nothing is off limits as a vegan, so if your dream is to see giraffes or orangutans in their natural habitats, or you want to swim, cycle or hike in the wilds, there are plenty of opportunities for you.
Vegan Wildlife Safaris
During a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see iconic animals in the wild, none of us want to see dead animals on a plate. Thankfully, there are many ethical wildlife-seeing trips that understand what makes vegans tick:
- Vegan Safari Africa: delicious plant-based meals AND elephants? Yes please.
- World Vegan Travel: offers safaris in Botswana, Tanzania, South Africa, and Rwanda
- Naturetrek: vegetarian and vegan wildlife holidays in Europe and India
- Vegan Travel Asia: lots of choices, including a trip to Sumatra to see orangutans
Vegan Activity Holidays
For those who love to hike, trek, bike, climb, sail, ski, or surf, there are vegan holidays just waiting for you. Among the best on offer are:
- Vegan Surfcamp, France: surfing, yoga, and plant-based meals
- Vegan Adventure Holidays: hiking and trekking in Central America
- Hiking Biking Vegan: amazing treks in Europe on foot or by pedal-power
- Sisi Trekking: offers a fully vegan Kilimanjaro climb
- Vegan Sailing: rent a boat or catamaran with your own vegan chef!
- Vegan Ski Holidays: a fully plant-based chalet experience in the French Alps!
Travel Tips for Vegans
One of the best things about traveling is getting to know other cultures through their food, and for a long time, vegans struggled to do this. Today, it is a whole lot easier but it still pays to do your homework and be prepared.
- No matter how niche your dream trip is, you can make it happen. Just do your research first and be flexible.
- Before you book, check the HappyCow app to see how easy it is to find food at your chosen destination. If it’s not, consider booking self-catering.
- When booking your transportation, confirm you will get vegan food. Otherwise, pack a lunch.
- The concept of veganism is not widely known in many parts of the world, so take a few phrases with you in the local language that can help you explain.
- Be patient with hosts and servers who don’t understand your requests. You may be the first vegan they have met.
- Pack snacks. Outside of cities, it may not always be easy to find vegan food, and no one wants to be hungry on holiday. Dried fruits, nuts, and cereal bars all travel well.
- Armed with your phrases, check out the street food. Wherever you are in the world, there are likely to be great options there for you.
- Be prepared for some culture shocks. The treatment of animals varies widely around the world, and you may encounter upsetting sights. Before you travel, take the time to understand what these may be, so you can be prepared. You may also keep a note of any local animal rescue centers or veterinarians.
- Connect with local vegans before you go. They can advise on the best places to eat and can be a lifeline if you need help for yourself or an injured animal. Make the most of our amazing community!
- If authentic vegan food is part of your holiday ‘must-haves’, then check out our Top Ten Vegan Cities below for some of the absolute best destinations for vegan foodies.
Top Vegan Cities to Visit in 2025
It is possible to get vegan food in every city in the world but some have gone above and beyond and are now incredible vegan paradises. If you want to get to know the culture of a country through its food, then these cities are our top picks for your next trip.
- Paris, France
France is renowned for its incredible pâtisseries, and now Paris has vegan pâtisseries, too. Check out VG Pâtisserie, Jo and Nana Cakes, and Cloud Cakes for some delectable pastries and desserts. Paris also has plenty of vegan restaurants serving both international traditional French cuisines. - Playa del Carmen, México
For authentic Mexican food made plant-based, Playa del Carmen is well worth a visit. Try Deja Vu Tacqueria Vegana for tacos and snacks, ALV Tacos for tacos, tortas and burritos, or the much-loved Plantiovoros for tortilla, sopes, molletes, and gringas. - Kyoto, Japan
OK, so Tokyo has more vegan restaurants, but for historical sites, traditional culture, AND delicious vegan food, head to Kyoto where there are plenty of vegan restaurants to choose from. Try Itadakizen which is one of the most loved vegan eateries in Japan. - Toronto, Canada
Toronto is blessed with more than 50 fully vegan restaurants, which means you can eat in a different one for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on a two-week trip. It has something for everyone but if you want to try the famous Canadian poutine give Copper Branch a try. - New York, USA
With more than 130 vegan restaurants across the city, it would take a very hungry caterpillar to try them all. Perfect for lovers of fast food but also for Asian and Latin American cuisines. For plant-based at its best, try La Botaniste. - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City is a vegan foodie heaven with dozens of vegan restaurants and food stalls. Good news for those who want an authentic food experience, most serve Vietnamese foods but there are also salad bars and fast-food restaurants too. Check out HappyCow and make your selection! - Sydney, Australia
The number of fully vegan restaurants in Sydney is booming, with a wide range of cuisines to satisfy every craving. We love Mama B’s, which serves classic pub fare and has a venue for live comedy and music. - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
In the capital of Mongolia, you’ll find a surprising amount of vegan food, including Agnista which serves traditional Mongolian food alongside international dishes. Also look out for the Loving Hut chain of vegan restaurants, which are reliably excellent. - Istanbul, Turkey
This city is an incredible place to visit with so much to see and do, and so many vegan places to eat. And the food is excellent, from Vegan Dükkan Lokanta, with its varied menu of freshly cooked plant-centric meals to Vegan Food Cartel with a focus on seitan-inspired dishes. - Valencia, Spain
Enjoy a stroll through the old city, enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the beach, and then head to one of Valencia’s fully vegan restaurants. Try La Tavenaire for vegan tapas or Cafe Madrigal for its famous tortilla.
So, whether you are a lover of luxury or a backpacking boss, it is perfectly possible to travel the world as a vegan, enjoying the local cuisines and delicacies as you go. Bon voyage.
