31+ Elegant Vacation Nails You’ll Love For Your Next Getaway

Are you planning a getaway and need inspiration for chic holiday nails? You’ll love our list of over 31 holiday nails that are modern and sophisticated. Whether you’re heading to a tropical destination or planning a winter trip, we have the perfect holiday nail designs for you!

Perfect holiday nails

Are you getting excited about a tropical vacation in your near future? The season of relaxing by the sea and sunbathing is almost here, and we know that a beach holiday is the perfect way to unwind. Whether you want to work on your tan or play in the ocean, you’ll have a fantastic time surrounded by salt water and palm trees!

Going on holiday also means dressing your best, and a chic and sophisticated manicure is a fantastic way to add some extra style and flair to your outfits. So you know the drill. We searched the internet and found it amazing holiday nail designs that are perfect for days (or weeks) on the beach!

We also have nails for winter vacations, European adventures, urban hotspots and more! Whatever you’re looking for, we have beautiful nail designs that will help you look stylish day and night while you’re on vacation.

Nails for beach vacation

We start our list with our favorite beach vacation nails. Whether you want a manicure inspired by ocean waves and tropical plants or a classic and neutral nail design, we’ve got it covered below!

Colorful French tips + flowers

Bright colors are always a good idea if you want a beach nail design. The floral accents are so cute and perfect for summer nails!

Tropical colors + abstract nail art

If you’re planning to visit a warm tropical destination, you can definitely rock these beautiful tropical colors! Go for something chic and playful with an abstract design like this.

If you love the colors in these nails, you will love this list of coral peach nails.

Match your bikini

Are you planning to sit on the beach in a stylish bikini and sip cool drinks from a coconut? Match your nails with the color or pattern of your swimsuit for a beautiful and Instagram-worthy manicure!

What to do with your nails when you go on holiday?

When you’re getting ready for a vacation, you can do everything from a DIY nail design to press-on nails and a salon manicure. The nail design you choose may depend on where you are going and what aesthetic you want to have.

Bold manicures are perfect for the beach, while neutral and classic nail designs can be worn on any vacation and look great in the winter. Some people prefer to purchase gel or acrylic nails before going on vacation because these nails are less likely to crack or break during the trip.

If you go for press-on nails, you can always take a few extra sets with you to replace broken ones. You can also bring a top coat to touch up your nails as needed to prevent chipping or cracking.

Blue waves on matte nails

Beautiful nail art will always take your manicure to the next level, and beautiful blue waves are perfect to wear on a beach vacation! We love the sophisticated look of this short nails with matte finish, although you can add a glossy top coat or glitter details for a youthful vibe.

Matte nails and tropical art

Tropical destinations are known for their sunny skies and lush plant life, so a mani featuring beautiful plant art and an exotic bird is perfect for vacation!

Blue French tips

Classic French tips get a makeover with baby blue nail polish, and we’re here for it! The soft blue shade has a summery look and with a timeless nail design such as a French manicure you will certainly look chic in any outfit.

Retro summer nails with waves + flowers

This is another perfect look if you want chic summer nails. The vibrant shades are a summer holiday must, and the wave details and floral art add a retro vibe that we can’t get enough of.

Pink shell nails

If you want aesthetic mermaid nails that will stand out from the crowd, then this beautiful seashell nail design is a perfect choice for you! The design is simple but so unique, and you can rock this beautiful pink look or try blue, green or purple seashell nails instead.

What kind of nails should I wear on a beach vacation?

There really are so many nail designs to choose from when going on a beach vacation! You can stick to minimal designs and neutral colors, like classic French tips or solid colored nails, so you can pair something chic with any outfit. These are great nail designs for a beach-inspired look:

• summer colours (pink, blue, yellow, etc.)
• wave accents
• ocean nail art
• floral art
• palm trees or tropical plants
• seashell nail art
• pearl accents

You can also choose any nail shape you like, and the same goes for the length. Long nails are beautiful and bold, or you can opt for short nails to avoid chipping!

Pastel rainbow nails with chrome finish

Pastels and chrome are two popular nail trends, so combining them for a holiday nail design is a must! You can stick with this rainbow gradient design or choose your favorite pastel shades. Either way, you’ll have a beautiful manicure!

Beach nails with your besties

Are you planning a girls trip to a warm and sunny resort? Head to the nail salon together and get everything from colorful French tips to ocean wave nail art to trendy glazed donut nails. Then you’re ready for a beautiful vacation photo, like right in front of the ocean!

Neutral nails with tropical leaves + gold flakes

If you want a sophisticated manicure that still has a holiday feel, try elegant tropical nails like these! Milky white nails are the perfect base to let emerald green and gold leaf pop, and we love the addition of gold flakes for some extra flair.

Glazed donut nails with leaf accents

Glazed donut nails get an upgrade with chic floral nail art! Leaf accents are definitely summer vacation worthy, and we love how the white leaves add a chic and feminine touch while still keeping these nails minimal.

Pink gradient manicure

Gradient nails are simple but so beautiful and will elevate any outfit you wear on vacation. We love the pink shades between red and white, and you can rock this nail design on square nails or opt for stiletto or coffin nails for a bold look!

Pink bachelorette nails

Are you going out of town for a bachelor party? Go for a cheerful and playful look like this one! Pink nails are feminine and flirty, and the floral nail art is perfect for a summer nail design.

Colorful French tips

Colorful French tips are perfect for sitting poolside with a frozen drink or lounging on the beach and soaking up the sun. Add some glitter details to make this manicure stand out even more, or keep it simple with these beautiful colors.

Classic mani with royal blue polish

Bright blue nails are definitely a good look for relaxing by the pool and listening to your favorite songs! And this classic manicure goes well with everything from summer dresses to a chic matching set.

Nude almond nails with gemstone accents

If you prefer neutral tones but still want something unique and glamorous, try accentuating your nails with gemstones! Your nude nails will match any outfit perfectly, but the gemstone accents will definitely give you that luxurious holiday vibe.

Asymmetrical French tips

Are you planning to go to South Florida during your summer vacation? Go for asymmetrical French tips in bright shades for a cool and playful look that’s perfect for the beautiful beaches and nightlife in Miami!

Seaside nails with gold details and pearls

Be inspired by the ocean and rock a shimmering pastel blue manicure! The gold flakes, chunky blue glitter, and pearl accents fit the beach aesthetic perfectly, making these gel nails one of our favorite holiday nail picks.

Blue coral nails

Blue polish immediately gives a summery feeling and coral nail art is a simple but chic design to wear during a tropical vacation. If you want a more complicated look, add glitter, pearls or white accents to make this manicure even more striking!

Holiday nail colors

Just like nail design, the nail color you choose can depend on where your journey takes you. You can choose a nail polish color based on the weather at your destination and the reason why you are going.

A beach vacation is the perfect time to rock a bold mani with summery coastal shades, including:

• pink
• blue
• vegetable
• peach
• coral
• naked or glazed donut

Goes on one winter getaway like a ski trip to a beautiful chalet in the mountains? With classic winter colors such as:

• red
• vegetable
• blue
• white
• naked

You can also stick on neutral colors like cream, beige or black for a sophisticated nail design. And whether you’re going somewhere sunny or snowy, you can take any manicure to the next level with beautiful gold and silver accents!

Chic nails for holidays

Are you going on holiday to a cold place? Or perhaps you are leaving the country? Either way, we’ve got more gorgeous nail looks for every occasion!

Shiny nude nails

You can always opt for a classic nail design, like these shiny nude nails. Nude shades go well with almost everything, so your manicure always matches your outfits and you look beautiful and well-groomed!

French manicure

A French manicure is also a beautiful, timeless design. Whether you’re on vacation in South America, Europe or Asia, this nail design will look beautiful as you explore a new place or an old favorite!

Classic manicure with white nail polish

Plain white nails always add effortless style to any outfit, and this manicure is suitable for everything from a sunny beach to a winter wonderland!

Glazed donut nails

We’re in love with the glazed donut nails trend that emerged, and we’re happy to see it going strong! This look is simple yet so gorgeous, and these nails will quickly add a stylish and chic vibe to your holiday outfits.

French tips + Mickey Mouse

Traveling to the happiest place on earth? Show your love for all things Disney with this beautiful nail design. A colorful French manicure is perfect for the theme park, and the Mickey Mouse nail art certainly adds that little something extra to this look!

If you’re visiting Disney World, you need to read this guide on What to Wear in Disney World!

Purple Disney nails with glitter

You can also rock some Disney nails with a youthful and feminine feel. Shimmering purple ombre, glitter accents, and Mickey Mouse art are a must if you spend time at Disney parks during your vacation!

Don’t miss these adorable Disneyland outfits to try on during your trip!

Hot pink + glitter

When it comes to holiday nail designs, we love bright and stylish looks.

Bright pink nails with a glittery finish are so beautiful. This nail design is perfect for a trip to Las Vegas, a city known for being bold and glamorous!

French tips with white animal print

If you’re planning on going on the wild side and going on an African safari, wear a chic animal print nail design like this one! It is beautiful and neutral in color and therefore fits with any look, but the animal print certainly fits the safari atmosphere.

Winter outing nails

On holiday to a winter wonderland? Go for a refined manicure that still has a winter atmosphere with snowdrops, pine trees and a red snow-covered house! Add glitter if you want to be bold, or keep it minimal for a subtle manicure.

Christmas red nail polish and snowflakes

If your holiday turns into a Christmas getaway, red nail polish with snowflake nail art is the perfect look. Nothing says Christmas more than bright red hues and white snowflakes, and this beautiful manicure is sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Blue glitter + candy stripes

Blue glitter polish and white details are also a perfect combination for a winter aesthetic! This look is a must if you plan on hitting a snowy slope on a winter ski trip!

Which nails should I buy for holidays?

The best holiday nails for you will certainly depend on the destination and the atmosphere you are going for. Go for bright colors and playful nail designs for a tropical vacation and try something winter-inspired when the weather is cold at your destination.

We hope you enjoyed this list of holiday nail designs and found the perfect look for your next getaway!

More nail inspiration you’ll love:

27+ chic swirl nails you’ll want to copy

23+ Cute Spring Holiday Nails

28+ beautiful baby blue nails and light blue nails to try

21+ chic neutral nails for a stylish, minimal aesthetic

27+ perfect summer nails to obsess over