Temple in Kyoto Japan
Trip Ideas

The Best Vacation For You, Based on Four-Letter Personality Type

Not sure where to cash in that PTO next? Just leave it to 16Personalities. Whether you're a sensitive introvert or an extrovert who loves to plan ahead, we've got getaway ideas for every personality type.

Style + Travel Editor | Instagram @jackiehoman | jackiehoman.com

See recent posts by Jackie Homan

If you ever took Psychology 101 in college, you’re probably familiar with four-letter personality tests, many of which are still used today (everywhere from workplace seminars to BuzzFeed quizzes) to determine how a person perceives and reacts to the world around them. Though the reliability of the model has been hotly debated, finding a personality type to identify with can be insightful and entertaining—even if the science isn’t foolproof.

Each of the four letters that make up the 16 different personality types represents a different aspect of a person’s personality: Introverted (I) or Extraverted (E), Observant (S) or Intuitive (N), Thinking (T) or Feeling (F), and Judging (J) or Prospecting (P).

Curious? Take the free assessment to find out what you are, then scroll down to see our interpretation of where you should travel according to your four letters. 

View of Petra Jordan
1

INTJ: Petra, Jordan

INTJs have a thirst for knowledge and are proud of it, according to 16Personalities. Folks with this personality type will enjoy a solo trip to a history-filled destination, so long as they skip the guided excursions and tourist traps and find their own path instead. The ideal location for this type of travel? Petra, Jordan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of sandstone structures and famed ancient sites, as well as lots of less-visited spots any explorer will love discovering. Shobak Castle, situated in a wild, remote landscape, gets our vote for the best hidden gem.

RELATED: 4 Easy Ways to Be a More Sustainable Traveler in 2019

See Hotels in Jordan
2

INTP: Banff National Park, Canada

Sensitive INTPs are creative, drawn to nature, and value inspiration. These daydreamy types should consider a trip to a natural wonder like Moraine Lake in Canada’s Banff National Park. With a backdrop of pine forests and towering mountains, the picturesque spot is unbelievably beautiful but much less crowded than parks in the U.S. like the Grand Canyon or the Great Smoky Mountains.

RELATED: 22 U.S. National Parks to See Now

See Hotels in Banff
3

ENTJ: Mt. Everest, Nepal

“If there’s anything ENTJs love, it’s a good challenge, big or small,” writes 16Personalities. For ENTJs keen to take on a test of the physical sort, a trip to Nepal—home to Mt. Everest—is the perfect getaway. For a trek up to Everest Base Camp, we recommend booking a guided trek with a tour operator like World Expeditions, which organizes everything and puts extroverts in the company of like-minded hikers.

RELATED: 9 Transformative Trips for Inspiration and Restoration

See Hotels in Nepal
4

ENTP: Berlin, Germany

ENTPs value intellectual competency and curiosity; they’re smart thinkers who enjoy challenges and aren’t afraid to be blunt. This personality type is best served in a bustling city environment that hosts a variety of experiences and learning opportunities. Enter Berlin, a hub for history buffs and intellectuals, creatives and extroverts. Here, ENTPs can check out specialty museums and architectural sites, visit food markets and cool restaurants, and otherwise explore in the scene-y city where curiosity rules.

RELATED: What to Do and Where to Play in Berlin Now

See Hotels in Berlin
Blue Lagoon in Iceland
5

INFJ: Iceland

Idealistic INFJs often need to remember to take care of themselves. According to 16Personalities, “the passion of their convictions is perfectly capable of carrying them past their breaking point.” A vacation to Iceland would make for a relaxing retreat for INFJs, who can enjoy the country's dreamy landscapes and natural beauty and revel in the spa-like thermal springs of the Blue Lagoon.

RELATED: 13 Tours of Iceland That Will Get You Off the Tourist Trail

See Hotels in Iceland
6

INFP: Zürich, Switzerland

INFP personality types are extremely creative and keen to understand their place in the world, often excelling at language and communication. Always striving for harmony, INFPs will feel most comfortable in a country known for introversion, like Switzerland. In particular, the charming Swiss city of Zürich is full of creative energy that will inspire INFPs—especially those who are drawn to art, since Zürich is acclaimed for its museums and galleries. We recommend Kunsthaus Zurich and Rietberg Museum to start.

RELATED: 9 European Cities You Probably Haven’t Visited Yet, But Should

See Hotels in Zürich
Barista coffee shop in the Pearl District of Portland Oregon.
7

ENFJ: Portland, OR

According to 16Personalities, ENFJs are “intelligent, warm, idealistic, charismatic, creative, and social.” The best place to let all those qualities out? Portland, Oregon, a city known for its wackiness and creative locals. ENFJs will love taking in the overwhelming-but-amazing Powell's City of Books before heading out to The Elvis Room, a spunky bar and restaurant with cool décor and a sense of humor.

RELATED: 10 Cool Things to do in Portland, Oregon

See Hotels in Portland
8

ENFP: New Orleans, LA

Often called a free spirit and the life of the party, an ENFP personality knows how to have fun. New Orleans, with its buzzy bars and jazzy beats, is one and the same. While in this wild city, ENFPs should flock to hotspots like Latitude 29 and Hot Tin for cocktails and party-hardy vibes.

RELATED: Girls’ Weekend Guide to New Orleans

See Hotels in New Orleans
Washington Monument in Washington DC
9

ISTJ: Washington, D.C.

“ISTJs have sharp, fact-based minds, and prefer autonomy and self-sufficiency to reliance on someone or something,” writes 16Personalities. These independent folks will enjoy a solo trip where they can learn a lot and feel comfortable doing it, and Washington, D.C. fills those requirements to a T. While there, ISTJs can spend hours browsing the myriad museums including classics like the National Archives, which is home to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and modern marvels like the Newseum, which tells the story of news and the free press.

RELATED: The Best Restaurants in D.C.

See Hotels in Washington, D.C.
10

ISFJ: Budapest, Hungary

Making up a large portion of the population (nearly 13 percent), ISFJs have a unique blend of traits that, together, create highly-balanced personalities. “Though possessing the Feeling trait, ISFJs have excellent analytical abilities; though Introverted, they have well-developed people skills and robust social relationships; and though they are a Judging type, ISFJs are often receptive to change and new ideas,” 16Personalities explains. This special combination of qualities is perfect for Budapest, a unique, balanced city that offers both historic sites and new hotspots, as well as areas where these two sensibilities merge (like in the city’s many ruin bars, where old abandoned spaces have been reclaimed and made modern by artists).

RELATED: The Best Hotels in Budapest We’d Love to Check Into

See Hotels in Budapest
11

ESTJ: London, England

ESTJs love bringing people together and creating order, and they’re known for being outgoing and enthusiastic around friends. This personality type would be excellent at organizing a friends group getaway to London, where there are enough activities to keep them planning all day long. We’ll leave all the itinerary-building up to them; that’s their specialty, after all.

RELATED: Our Favorite London Attractions for a Long Weekend

See Hotels in London
Traffic on Hollywood Boulevard at dusk
12

ESFJ: Los Angeles, CA

ESFJs are known for their popularity, service to others, and great fashion sense, and they often take pride in their social status. In Los Angeles, these types will enjoy seeking out the hottest places in town and making like-minded friends. A few recommended social scenes: the hyped-up party spot The Highlight Room at DREAM Hollywood and super-hip tiki bar Lono for coconut-infused sips.

RELATED: 11 Hottest Things to Do in LA Right Now

See Hotels in LA
13

ISTP: Oaxaca, Mexico

According to 16Personalities, “ISTPs love to explore with their hands and their eyes, touching and examining the world around them with cool rationalism and spirited curiosity. People with this personality type are natural makers...learning from their environment as they go.” These makers will find their calling in artisan-filled Oaxaca, where they can craft clay ceramics and pottery with Thread Caravan and Innovando la Tradición, cook traditional dishes with El Sabor Zapoteco, or learn textile weaving at Isaac Vasquez Studio.

RELATED: 5 Creative Things to Do in Oaxaca

See Hotels in Oaxaca
Boat on a river in Kyoto Japan
14

ISFP: Kyoto, Japan

“ISFPs live in a colorful, sensual world, inspired by connections with people and ideas,” writes 16Personalities. This often-spontaneous personality type revels in reinventing, experimenting, and seeking out new perspectives. While a trip around the world to Japan might seem overwhelming for some introverted types, ISFPs will uniquely appreciate this change of pace, especially in a calmer city like Kyoto. From picnicking in Maruyama Park to exploring ancient temples, there’s enough to do to inspire ISFPs for days.

RELATED: 7 Tours of Japan You Need to Take

See Hotels in Kyoto
15

ESTP: Dubai

ESTPs live in the moment and enjoy drama and passion—just like over-the-top Dubai. The ever-changing city is full of luxury and exciting things to do, from camel rides in the desert to shopping in the artsy design district. Dubai’s top-notch restaurants, spas, and stays (seven-star hotel, anyone?) are sure to delight an energetic ESTP.

RELATED: The Coolest Things to Do in Dubai Now

See Hotels in Dubai
refreshing water with Austin texas skyline background
16

ESFP: Austin, TX

Center-of-attention ESFPs love the spotlight and make every outing feel like a party. “There’s no greater joy for them than just having fun with a good group of friends,” writes 16Personalities. ESFPs are also known for their strong aesthetics and eye for fashion. In Austin, Texas, ESFPs can revel in dynamic party vibes, trendy fashion spots, and cool music and art scenes. It’s also the perfect place for a girls’ getaway, complete with bar-hopping on Rainey Street, vintage shopping, and galleries. To be in the center of it all (as ESFPs usually prefer), we recommend a stay in the new Fairmont Austin.

RELATED: How to Plan a Girls’ Weekend Getaway to Austin, Texas

See Hotels in Austin

Want more?

Comments

comments

All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. If you buy something through our links, Jetsetter may earn an affiliate commission.