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Summer may be coming to an end (sob), but there’s still time to take a super fun vacation before school starts back up. Whether it’s a quick trip to Greece or a weekend trip somewhere in the continental United States, vacations are a fun time to explore the world, eat new foods, make new friends, and try different activities — like getting a vacation tattoo. Vacation tattoos are a fun way to commemorate your trip, and they’re a great talking point with the people you’ll meet at school when the fall semester starts.

Whenever I go on vacation, I love bringing back souvenirs like T-shirts, magnets, art prints, and the occasional mug (bonus points if it has my name inscribed). Not only are they fun items, but they remind me of all the memories I made during my trip. Another great way to commemorate your vacation is with a tattoo. These vacation tattoos are a permanent reminder of your amazing trip, and will always have a special meaning to you. It’s also fun to get these vacation tattoos with the people you went on the trip with, so you have something that’ll bond you together forever. Here are a few tattoo ideas that are all travel and vacation-themed.

Coordinates

I love this idea because it’s personal, and it gives you a chance to tell others the meaning of the location. Just imagine putting the coordinates into Google Maps and being treated to a beautiful view or amazing architecture that brings you right back to your trip!

State or Country Flower

Get the national flower of wherever you’re traveling to! It’s perfect for those who love nature and flowers, or want to add some color to their body. This one is a hibiscus, which is the national flower of both Hawaii and Haiti.

Small Wave

This one is for the beach lovers! I like the idea of a small wave because of how simplistic it is. Another cute idea is adding a little mermaid tail coming out from the waves. This one has the added details of water droplets and sea foam, creating a very realistic effect.

Airplane Window Seat

This one is perfect for those who simply love to travel. Every time I hop on a plane, I love taking a picture of the view, whether it’s the sunrise or city lights. I like this one in particular because of the gorgeous watercolor effect!

Passport Stamp

Just like the coordinates, this one can be tied to a location you’ve traveled to. You could even get one to model the actual passport stamp you received. 

Local Language

Traveling to other countries also gives you the opportunity to learn another language, so why not get a tattoo of a quote in that language? @sydsmithtattoo did a tattoo inscribed in French, which translates to, “Never without you.” Imagine having one in Italian, Spanish, or Japanese!

Postage Stamp
@lexibrownphoto

thank you Vlad (@sadboyvladink on ig) for this tattoo i love it!! 🫶🏼 #tattoo #italy #traveltattoo #travelphotographer #traveltiktok

♬ DONT BE SAD GO GET A TATTOO – Delaney Bailey

Similar to the passport stamp, a postage stamp tattoo is great way to commemorate any wonderful sights you saw on your trip.

Seashell

One thing I love to do on the beach is find unique seashells. So if you happen to grab one, try getting a tattoo of it! This one is super small, so it can be placed anywhere, or you could get multiple types of shells together.

Road sign

Not all vacations have to be international! For those who love to go road trips, try getting a road sign tattoo. This one features the state of California, but you can easily do this with any states you travel through.

Sieze the day

OK, this one is super cute for you and your besties! @isofbelletravels and her friends got a “24:00” tattoo, which signifies carpe diem (seize the day). I like the significance of this tattoo, and how simple it is.

I hope that these ideas inspire you as you travel, and hope every tattoo you choose to get brings you happiness!

Camille Birdsong is a Her Campus National Writer for the Style section. She writes weekly articles about all things fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and decor. Beyond Her Campus, Camille works as an Associate Producer for CNN Max. She previously worked at NBC News, where she produced heartwarming stories for the TODAY Show audience and viewers nationwide. Camille graduated in 2022 with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in Leadership Studies at Hampton University. She was the Director and Line Producer of her university’s newscast and has interned at NBC Nightly News, the TODAY Show and the Weekend TODAY Show. Camille is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and is passionate about sharing community-driven stories. In her downtime, she loves creating content, visiting new cafes, and obsessing over reality dating shows.