Thanks to cheap airlines, short travel times, efficient train networks, and great hostels, you’ll be able to hope around Europe easily for quick weekend getaways! Whether you’re solo or in a group, these destinations will surely make for some of your best memories. Here’s my list to the top 5 locations for your weekend trips in Europe!
1. Lisbon, Portugal
A perfect mix of sun, coastline, cuisine, and culture, Lisbon is one of the best places for a weekend trip in Europe! Take the metro or an uber from the airport and quickly arrive in the city center. The city center of Lisbon is extremely walkable and is easy to see in a weekend.
Explore the Alfama neighborhood, take one of the famous yellow trams, sip a sangria in the old town center, try the famous anchovies, and watch a beautiful sunset from Miraduoro da Graca.
2. Copenhagen, Denmark
Venture up to the Nordic states and book a flight to Copenhagen, Denmark. Copenhagen is starkly different from most of Europe and has countless things to see and do. The most unique part of Copenhagen is Freetown Christiania.
It’s a small “Free Town” that is legally separate from the country of Denmark. You can walk right into Freetown Christiania from the streets of Copenhagen. Tourists are not supposed to take photos or videos inside.
Looking for a day trip from Copenhagen? Take the train to Malmo, Sweden or a bus to Dragor, Denmark! Both of these locations are doable in a day and are worth the trip. Check out the Andy Warhol museum in Malmo if you’re there! Make the most out of your weekend trips in Europe by exploring other day trips if you’re interested.
3. Rome, Italy
If you’re in Italy, book a quick train ride to the eternal city, Rome. The FCO airport is also extremely accessible. This might be your favorite weekend trip in Europe.
It goes without saying, but it’s impossible to run out of things to see and do in Rome. By spending a weekend here, you will you will only scratch the surface.
Things to See: The Vatican Museums, The Colosseum, The Forum and Palatine Hill, The Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon, The Capitoline Museums, Borghese Gardens and Villa Borghese, The Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, and more! The list could seriously go on forever.
Itinerary for a Weekend in Rome.
Looking for a great hostel? Try the Beehive Hostel! I stayed here in October of 2021 and absolutely loved it. It’s located near the Roma Termini train station and has a great community atmosphere.
4. Madrid, Spain
Madrid’s weather makes it a great city to visit year-round. March to October in Madrid are arguably the best months. Get ready for Madrid to be very hot in the summertime, but still completely worth the visit.
Madrid is often overlooked for Barcelona, but after spending a lot of time in this wonderful city, I would recommend Madrid over Barcelona any day. The epitome of Spanish architecture, food, and culture, (and nightlife!) is here in Madrid.
The best hostel here is called The Hat. Located right outside of Plaza Mayor, this hostel is centrally located and is full of young travelers from around the world.
Fly into the Madrid airport and take the metro to a centrally located station (Opera, Sol, Callao) and enjoy one of the best weekends you may spend in Europe!
5. Paris, France
Spend a weekend underneath the blue rooftops in beautiful Paris. No matter what time of year it is, Paris is a city waiting to be discovered. Paris in the Winter is possibly even more romantic than Paris in the Summer, if that’s even possible.
If you’re a museum junkie, then Paris is for you. Explore the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, The Conciergerie, and more. Window shop in Montmartre, and book a wine tasting class in the 5th arrondissement.
