Stuck on where to go for your next trip? Try picking a destination based on your psyche! The list below pairs destinations perfectly with your Enneagram type. Like a good wine and cheese combo, these pairs bring out the best in each other.
The Enneagram is a model of the human psyche, primarily understood and taught as a typology of 9 interconnected personality types. Myers-Briggs is so yesterday compared to the Enneagram. Unlike your Zodiac sign, which is determined by your birth, your Enneagram is determined by your answers to a series of assessment questions.
Don’t know your Enneagram type? Let’s fix that quickly! Take this free 5-minute assessment so you can discover where in the world you should travel next based on your personality type.
Type 1 – The Reformer: Copenhagen.
The Reformer has a checklist for everything, including checklists for their checklists. If you’re a Type 1 Enneagram, you’re the 3Ps: principled, purposeful, perfectionist. You are self-controlled and have impeccable standards.
Few cities are known better for their orderliness and efficiency than Copenhagen. The city is a haven for those of us who love good rules, like my Type 1 friends. It is very clean, with well-maintained infrastructure and efficient public transportation. These modern aspects blend seamlessly with the city’s historic significance.
Copenhagen is also culturally rich. Its museums, galleries, and historic sites are plentiful and among the finest in Europe. Not to mention, the city’s architecture could keep your eyes busy for days on end. Everything about the city is well-maintained and intentional, perfect for a Type 1.
Last time I took the assessment, I was a Type 1 (previously some 3 and 8), and boy, do I love order and some good rules.
Type 2 – The Helper: Scotland.
The Helper will bake you cookies, pick up your dry cleaning, and somehow still manage not to smother you with how much they care (most of the time, anyway). If you’re a Type 2, you’re likely very caring, generous, and love building deep, personal connections.
Scotland is renowned for its warmth and hospitality, making it ideal for Type 2 personalities. Scots are incredibly welcoming, even if you end up in Glasgow and can’t understand a word of their accent (it takes some getting used to), you’ll appreciate their warm reception.
Scotland boasts breathtaking landscapes across its terrain. Everywhere you go, nature is incredible. The rugged Highlands, stunning coastlines, and numerous hills and lochs will allow you, as a Type 2, to connect with nature and recharge emotionally.
If you’re a Type 2, check out my 7-Day Scotland Itinerary. It includes time to explore several Scottish towns and villages known for their strong sense of community, visible even to us tourists. Since Type 2s thrive where genuine connections are fostered, you’ll feel right at home in Scotland.
My husband is part of the Type 2 crew, and he absolutely thrived chatting with locals all over Scotland.
Type 3 – The Achiever: Japan.
The Achiever: Type 3s don’t just climb the corporate ladder; they hosted all of the planning and design meetings prior to its construction. Type 3s are self-developing, efficient, and drawn to success. To a true-blooded Type 3, second place is just first loser.
Japan is the perfect place for a Type 3 Achiever to feel right at home. It’s a world leader in technology and innovation, known for its pursuit of perfection and excellence in various aspects of life. Type 3s will relish being in an environment with high standards and a focus on achievement.
Although Japan excels in technology in the 21st century, it also boasts thousands of years of rich history and proud heritage as an island nation. Centuries-old traditions such as tea ceremonies, origami, and kabuki theater will fascinate Type 3s seeking to understand the origins of excellence.
My Type 3 friends appreciate that Japan overachieves and is perfect to visit any time of the year. Whether you’re admiring cherry blossoms, skiing in the mountains, or enjoying pristine white beaches, Japan is always perfect.
Type 4 – The Individualist: Mexico City.
The Individualist exudes big main character energy. Type 4s are expressive, individualistic, and creative. They’re the definition of ‘extra’ – extra dramatic, extra thoughtful, always exploring their own uniqueness as individuals. For those who often live in their own heads, they’re quite interesting.
Mexico City is the perfect place for a Type 4 vacation for several reasons. It’s vibrant, diverse, and filled with artistic expression and depth everywhere you turn. Not to mention, it’s a renowned foodie’s paradise, something Type 4s tend to appreciate.
Artistic creativity is at the heart of Mexico City. From traditional Mexican folk art to contemporary museums and galleries featuring works by famous artists like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, Type 4s will find inspiration in the diverse forms of creativity.
In general, Mexico City is authentic. Many travelers to Mexico head to Cancun or Cabo and stay at all-inclusive resorts (which might incidentally be a good vacation for Type 3s when they’re burnt out from overachieving). Those who visit Mexico City get to experience the real country in a way that many others have not.
Type 5 – The Investigator: London.
The Investigators are naturally drawn to depth and learning. They consume knowledge as some of us consume ice cream: insatiably. They’re not just book-smart; Type 5s are known for their keen perceptiveness. If you’re a Type 5, you might have a bit of a know-it-all side. Own it; you’re great to have on a team at bar trivia.
London, steeped in centuries of history from one of the most influential empires in the world, the British Empire, is perfect for Type 5s. Its museums house some of the world’s greatest treasures, including the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, and marble carvings from the Parthenon in Athens (all of which they should 100% give back).
If you’re a Type 5, you enjoy delving into history and stimulating your intellect. With iconic landmarks like the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey, Type 5s will thrive in London. Not to mention, the nearby presence of some of the English-speaking world’s oldest universities, Oxford and Cambridge, can be visited.
Type 5s will also love London for its dynamic and historic arts scene. London is home to the West End, England’s equivalent of Broadway. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is a beautifully constructed replica of the 1599 theater where the playwright originally premiered his performances. The National Gallery in London holds some of the world’s finest paintings.
Type 6 – The Loyalist: Portugal
The Loyalist: these folks are the golden retrievers of humans; they’ve got your back. They also have a hidden panic room stocked with canned goods, “just in case.” Trust issues? Possibly. Prepared for anything? Absolutely. If you’re a Type 6, you’re likely loyal to a fault while also being prepared for anything.
Portugal consistently ranks in the Top 10 Safest Countries in the World, which is a dealbreaker when planning your vacation as a Type 6. You want somewhere easy to access with predictable logistics (i.e., not a 30-year-old car without working seat belts along ravines through the Panamanian jungle to get on a rickety boat to a remote island — fair enough, though if you’re not a Type 6, might I recommend the San Blas Islands in Panama?).
Confession: based on the above anecdote, I am decidedly not the Type 6 in my family. I had to consult my Type 6 sister for this country, who insists Portugal is the perfect destination for fellow Loyalists. So, you know who to blame if you disagree with this list.
Portugal is easily reachable with direct flights from the East Coast of the USA to Lisbon or Porto. Public transit in both cities is excellent and easy to navigate. As a Type 6, once in Portugal, you’ll thrive. Portuguese people are warm, welcoming, and eager for you to love their beautiful, historic cities. The beaches and port wine are never far away in Portugal. Look for my upcoming guide on the Algarve Coast.
Type 7 – The Enthusiast: Hanoi, Vietnam
The Enthusiast; they’re the life of the party, always planning the next adventure or trying the latest trend. They’ve never had FOMO because they’ve never said no to a new experience. If you’re Type 7, you’re versatile, constantly excited by new possibilities, and spontaneous.
Vietnam is the destination for Type 7s. If you’re a Type 7, the idea of Europe might not be enticing (except maybe for more obscure destinations like Latvia). A Southeast Asia vacation, with Vietnam as its crown jewel, is a must for Type 7s.
Type 7s will love Vietnam because its tourism scene is still developing. Parts of Thailand, Bali, and Indonesia have become overcrowded with tourists, but Vietnam remains largely off the beaten path. If you’re a Type 7, you probably enjoy indulging your senses. Hanoi’s street food is among the best globally and usually costs less than $2 USD per serving (check out my guide to Hanoi street food).
Vietnam’s topography varies by region. Undulating hills, rice fields, stunning beaches, and limestone bays await you in Vietnam. Every possible landscape will satisfy your Type 7 thirst for adventure. Crossing the street in Hanoi, where there are few traffic laws, is not for the faint of heart, but it’s perfect for Type 7s.
I’m too much of an introvert to be a true Type 7, but man, I totally enjoyed Vietnam.
Type 8 – The Challenger: Rome
The Challenger. If Type 6s are golden retrievers, Type 8s are bulldogs. You want these folks in your corner when it’s time to stand and fight. If you’re Type 8, you’re strong-willed, independent, and intellectually attracted to strength and strategy.
Type 8s will love Rome. The viral trend asking how often guys think about the Roman Empire, with answers much higher than expected, reflects the Empire’s dominance. The masterminds of strategy, the Roman Empire ruled much of Europe for centuries. Rome was called the Eternal City because ancient Romans believed it would always stand.
To their credit, they haven’t been wrong yet.
From ancient Rome to the Renaissance and its role as the seat of power for the Catholic Church, Rome exudes power, authority, and significance. Type 8s will especially enjoy visiting the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Pantheon. Check out my 2 Days in Rome itinerary to see the Eternal City in a short time.
As someone who was technically a Type 8 at one point in my life, I loved Rome. It’s a city that embodies power, authority, and an enduring legacy. Its historical significance and cultural influence left me in awe. My Type 2 husband indulged me in marveling.
Type 9 – The Peacemaker: Switzerland
The Peacemakers are cool cucumbers who strive for harmony and avoid conflict as if it were their full-time job with benefits. If you’re a Type 9, you’re calm, agreeable, and likely used to being the mediator in any group. You thrive in stable environments with minimal conflict.
Switzerland is, of course, the natural choice for Type 9s. Let’s start with the obvious: Switzerland is known worldwide for its neutrality and peaceful diplomacy. If you’re a Type 9, you likely appreciate Switzerland’s stance as a neutral country that promotes international cooperation and harmony.
But the biggest reason you’ll enjoy Switzerland as a Type 9 is its breathtaking landscapes. The Swiss Alps are awe-inspiring, as are the pristine mountain lakes and picture-perfect villages. Whether skiing or enjoying a glass of wine in a UNESCO wine region with those postcard-worthy villages lining the shores of pristine lakes, Type 9s will appreciate the tranquility Switzerland offers.
This was a very scientific list, curated by me based on general vibes. Let me know in the comments if you feel I did injustice to your type.
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