As the “back-to-work” season approaches, companies worldwide are swapping virtual meetings for face-to-face retreats to beat remote work fatigue and align organizational culture.
To identify where teams can genuinely build connections, Holafly has launched its first Global Team-Building Index, ranking destinations based on group activity infrastructure, accessibility logistics, overall experience, and value. Instead of simply highlighting the cheapest options, the index identifies the destinations offering the best overall balance for a successful corporate retreat.
The results reveal that the world’s best destination for a corporate retreat is Lisbon, Portugal, thanks to its exceptional coastal activity offerings, rapid flight connectivity, and highly competitive ground costs. It is followed by Barcelona (Spain), Praga (Czech Republic), Mallorca (Spain), and Budapeste (Hungary).
The rise of the active corporate retreat
For years, corporate travel was synonymous with grey airport hotels and rigid conference rooms. However, as hybrid and remote work structures become permanent, travel preferences have shifted towards experiential connection.
Instead of sitting through endless slide presentations, organizations are prioritizing places where employees can naturally bond outdoors, whether that means sailing together, embarking on city scavenger hunts, or hiking in the mountains. This growing demand for active team-building is reshaping how companies plan their budgets and select destinations.
The Iberian Peninsula takes the crown
One of the clearest trends from the index is the absolute dominance of the Iberian Peninsula for business retreats and offsites.
Lisbon secured the number one spot overall due to its stellar performance across all categories. Humberto Delgado Airport sits exceptionally close to the city center, minimizing group transit times, while the nearby Tagus River and Cascais coast provide a spectacular playground for private sailing regattas and surfing challenges. Barcelona follows closely in second place, acting as a global favorite for brands that require large hotel room blocks alongside high-end cultural experiences, such as private wine-tastings in the Penedès region.
Eastern and Central Europe emerge as budget-friendly champions
For companies looking to maximize the impact of their retreat budget without sacrificing experience quality, Central Europe offers incredible alternatives.
Prague (3rd) and Budapest (5th) rank exceptionally high for value, with ground costs for dining, accommodations, and private venue hire running up to 30% lower than in Western Europe. Both destinations make up for their lack of coastline by offering memorable group activities like medieval castle banquets, historic old-town scavenger hunts, and private evening cruises along the Danube and Vltava rivers.
Top 10 global destinations for team-building in 2026
1 - Lisbon, Portugal 2 - Barcelona, Spain 3 - Prague, Czech Republic 4 - Mallorca, Spain 5 - Budapest, Hungary 6 - Antalya, Turkey 7 - Athens, Greece 8 - Milan, Italy 9 - Chamonix, France 10 - Berlin, Germany
Where should Californians go for a team-building retreat?
As companies across Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, and San Francisco seek meaningful ways to align teams and build culture, corporate retreats are moving beyond standard in-state hotel ballrooms.
To find the perfect balance, the California Team-Building Index evaluated destinations within a 3-to-4-hour flight radius. Cabo San Lucas (Mexico) claimed the top spot, offering direct flights under three hours, immense luxury resort capacity, and premium outdoor activities ranging from desert off-road expeditions to catamaran sailing in the Sea of Cortez. It is followed by Denver (Colorado), which serves as a mountain oasis for wellness-oriented trekking retreats, and Mexico City, an urban culinary giant offering world-class dining at highly favorable regional rates.
Top 10 Team-Building Destinations for Californians
- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Denver, United States
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Portland, United States
- Vancouver, Canada
- Scottsdale, United States
- Austin, United States
- Jackson Hole, United States
- Guanajuato, Mexico
- Kauai, United States
Where should European companies go for their next offsite?
While Southern Europe dominates the global index, the ideal retreat location changes significantly based on where a company’s journey begins, as flight networks and direct routes heavily influence group travel times. For British companies, Lisbon ranks first, combining sunny coastal dynamics with rapid flight access. German teams are best served by Prague, which offers seamless rail and air accessibility with high budget efficiency. Meanwhile, Spanish-based enterprises find their top international match in Lisbon, benefiting from geographic proximity, zero jet lag, and excellent local value.
Top 5 team-building destinations for UK companies
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Barcelona, Spain
- Mallorca, Spain
- Chamonix, France
- Prague, Czech Republic
Top 5 team-building destinations for German companies
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Barcelona, Spain
- Mallorca, Spain
- Budapest, Hungary
Top 5 team-building destinations for Spanish companies
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Budapest, Hungary
- Milan, Italy
- Antalya, Turkey
