Games for 2 people on holiday

The best games for 2 people on holiday

Ahoy there!

Are you counting down too? Here it is only 29 days, 18 hours and 27…26….25 seconds until… the holidays! And then of course comes the most important moment: which game (or games) do you throw in your suitcase this time? At the Captain’s home – on board, I mean – we suddenly have time to play a game together during the holidays. With the children worn out by trampolines, swimming and adventuring and fast asleep, Mum and Dad suddenly have their hands free!

Sound familiar?

Good, because we have a few great tips for you!

Abalone

Abalone is a classic two-player strategy game in which strength and finesse meet on a hexagonal board. With black and white marbles, you try to literally push your opponent off the board. But watch out: you can only win with well-thought-out positioning and by reading your opponent well.

Every move feels important, because one misstep can weaken your position. The game looks simple, but offers deep strategy and calls for thinking ahead. For anyone who loves abstract games and enjoys one-on-one duels, Abalone is a wonderful, timeless challenge.

Orbito

Orbito is a surprisingly fast little game in which you try to outwit each other tactically with just a few magnetic balls. With clever turns of the rotating board you shift the positions of the balls and try to be the first to get four in a row.

The game is explained in under a minute, but immediately challenges you to think more deeply. Ideal for players who love speed, a clear overview and overturning strategies at the last moment. Compact, exciting and just a little bit different every time.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza sounds like a string of random words, but it quickly turns into chaos at the table. Players take turns calling out those five words as they lay down cards, and as soon as the word and the card match, everyone slaps the pile. Whoever is too slow has to take cards.

The pace is high, the rules are ridiculously simple and the laughter is guaranteed. Children love it, but adults work up a sweat too. This game is pure energy in a little box and the best filler for any group.

The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game

In this trick-taking game you step into the shoes of Frodo, Aragorn or another member of the Fellowship. Together you try to win tricks and see the Ring’s journey safely through. Every card has its own power and meaning, so good teamwork is essential.

The strength of this game lies in its combination of suspense and story. Every game feels like a chapter from an epic adventure. It is accessible to trick-taking fans, but offers enough atmosphere and challenge to win over Tolkien fans too.

Hitster

Hitster is the music game par excellence, where recognition, nostalgia and speed come together. You scan a card, hear a well-known song and place it on your timeline: did this hit come before or after the previous one? Everyone plays along and everyone sings along.

The simple rules make it accessible, but the surprising clips cause astonishment every single time. From ’80s classics to the latest pop hits: Hitster is one long party of recognition and the ultimate mood-maker for any games night.

The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-Earth

In this fast card game for two players you pick a side in the battle for Middle-earth. Are you the Fellowship, fighting for good, or do you play as the dark forces of Mordor? Each turn you take a card from a shared display, just like in 7 Wonders Duel. That lets you send armies to the regions of Middle-earth, win the support of the races or move the Ring quest a step further.

The game is small in size, but big on atmosphere. Thanks to the illustrations and ingenious mechanics, you really feel part of the story. Made for Tolkien fans or for players who love a strategic two-player duel.

Hive

Hive is an abstract strategy game without a board, in which you build an ever-growing network of insect tiles. Each creature moves differently and your goal is simple: completely surround your opponent’s queen. But you will only get there with planning, nerve and a sharp eye.


Because there is no board, you can play Hive wherever you like. The sturdy tiles make it perfect for travelling, and the compact size makes it extra appealing. It is quick to learn, hard to master and endlessly replayable.

Katmai: The Bears of Brooks River

Katmai is a two-player game that takes you to the Alaskan wilderness, where brown bears jostle along the river for the best fishing spots. You play cards to position your bears tactically, challenge your opponent and try to catch as many salmon as possible.


The setting feels vivid and unique, and every game is a new puzzle. The fight for the best spots is fierce, but never unfair. For anyone who loves a game that is both thematically strong and strategically challenging, Katmai is a real discovery.

With these games you are guaranteed a fun evening, a game you will want to play more than once, and more than enough room left in your suitcase for the rest of your holiday things.

You're welcome!