19 Dreamy Weekend Breaks in Europe
Looking for the most stunning weekend breaks in Europe? You’re in the right place! Europe is perfect for a weekend break and here are 19 of my favourite spots!
Europe is full of beautiful cities and one of the best things about living so close is that it’s only too easy to hop across the continent for a weekend. With plenty of budget airlines to choose from, travelling around Europe doesn’t have to be expensive.
And with the wealth of history and beauty at your fingertips, your only challenge when deciding on the perfect weekend breaks in Europe might be where to go!
Plus, for full-time workers travelling at the weekend is even better because it uses almost zero holiday days (or none at all, if you time the flights very carefully).
So, if you’ve been looking for some inspiration for the perfect weekend away, here are the best 19 places for a weekend break in Europe.
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1. Prague, Czechia
The capital of Czechia, Prague is a wonderful European city break. Most of Prague’s major attractions are reachable on foot, making it the perfect place to visit if you’re not looking to splash a lot of cash.
Visit Prague Castle, walk across Charles Bridge and explore the delightful old town. A great place to escape for a weekend, Prague is not a city to be overlooked.
2. Paris, France
One of the prettiest cities in Europe, a trip to Paris is always a good idea. With so much to see in Paris your weekend trip could easily spill into a week. However, many of the top sights can be seen over a weekend in Paris.
Getting around Paris is super cheap and be sure to use the metro. You can quickly get from the Eiffel Tower to the Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe and the Moulin Rouge. You can even take a train to Disneyland in less than an hour (use Omio to find transport).
Perfect all year round whether you’re after a Halloween trip or to see pretty Christmas lights, Paris is one of the most wonderful weekend breaks in Europe.
For more Paris planning tips, check out my 1-day itinerary and 2-day itinerary for Paris.
✅ Discover the best places to stay in Paris if you’re on a budget
3. Split, Croatia
Of all the places we visited in Croatia, this was easily one of my favourites. It’s such a great place and one of the most beautiful old towns in Croatia.
There’s so much to do in Split. You can walk through the cutest cobbled streets, see some of Croatia’s best historical sites in the Diocletian’s Palace, and see some pretty impressive views such as the photo below.
Plus, due to its location along the coastline, you’ll also be able to visit some fantastic beaches and relax in the cool waters. Don’t forget to take a day trip to the nearby town of Trogir while you’re there. This is another of my favourite places in Croatia.
4. Gdansk, Poland
This is one of the most underrated places in Europe but it’s such a great city break. The buildings are beautiful and some of the museums are incredible.
We spent a weekend in Gdansk for my birthday in January and it was a snowy, wintery wonderland. However, it’s also fantastic in the summer months and, you can even visit a beach nearby!
Be sure to visit the Museum of the Second World War, which was very sobering but also really interesting. I also recommend heading to Westerplatte where the war began and seeing the historic memorials there.
5. Brussels, Belgium
A quirky and wonderful food-lover city, Brussels is a wonderful place to spend a weekend. There are so many wonderful things to do in Brussels, plus, it’s within easy reach of the neighbouring cities of Bruges and Ghent.
Spend your time wandering the cobbled streets, exploring the fascinating buildings and eating chocolate waffles! Also, pay a visit to the Grand Palace, explore Brussels’ beautiful parks and hunt the streets for the Mannekin Pis.
Once you’re done exploring, head to a local restaurant for generous helpings of Belgian Frites, scrumptious Flemish stew and even more waffles.
For more tips for Belgium, check out my guide for exploring Ghent and spending a day in Bruges.
6. Amsterdam, Netherlands
This beautiful city is perfect for weekend breaks in Europe. Riddled with canals and stuffed with more thin houses than you can count; Amsterdam is a great city that will both charm and delight. Take a cruise down its many canals and be sure to wander the streets of the old town.
Visit Anne Frank’s House and have a drink at the Heineken Experience. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even explore the Red-Light District.
Whatever you decide to do in the city, you will undoubtedly have the best time as there’s such a relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to unwind.
7. Stockholm, Sweden
In Sweden’s capital, you’ll find plenty of both natural and man-made beauty. The cosmopolitan city is set over many islands and exploring them is one of the best things to do.
It’s the perfect balance between modern sights, nature and history with a Viking museum containing relics that date back centuries. You’ll also find a beautiful palace, a magnificently restored warship, and a delightful subway network full of art.
8. London, England
There’s always so much to see and do in London, whether you’re travelling as a family, couple or on a solo trip. There are timeless classics like Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and Big Ben and also some stunning views, hidden gems and wonderful markets.
There are so many different cultures from around the globe in London, that it makes for plenty of diversity. Plus, there are some truly delicious restaurants serving everything from spectacular international cuisines to fancy afternoon teas.
So, if you fancy spending a day in London, or a few days, it’s easily one of the best weekend getaways in Europe.
9. Budapest, Hungary
There are so many wonderful sights in Budapest, it truly is one of the most perfect weekend breaks in Europe.
Visit the magnificent Parliament building, climb to the top of Gellert Hill for some wonderful views across the Danube and admire the wonderful structures of the Fisherman’s Bastian, St Stephen’s Basilica and the Mattias Church.
Plus, Budapest is so affordable, you won’t even have to worry about all these things costing a fortune. In fact, it’s one of the more affordable cities to visit in Europe and you’ll certainly be able to splash out on a lot more.
10. Rome, Italy
Italy’s capital should be on everyone’s bucket list. We recently spent 3 days in Rome and had the best time. It’s the perfect weekend trip to Europe.
If not for the delicious cuisine and the amazing history, then for the fact that it contains Europe’s only Wonder of the World. However, the Colosseum isn’t the only wonderful sight in Rome.
Be sure to visit St Peter’s Basilica, and the Trevi Fountain and take a trip to the smallest country in the world, the Vatican City. Rome is one of the finest and most historic cities in the world – steeped in history and legend, this is a place you could return to time and time again.
11. Oslo, Norway
Norway’s capital is an interesting city and a great way to spend a weekend getaway in Europe. With stunning sculptures, fascinating museums and lots of natural beauty, Oslo is a great place to explore.
If you’re a fan of even more natural beauty, you can very easily take a day trip to the Norwegian fjords from Oslo, either through a boat tour or simply by taking the train.
Like most Scandinavian cities, Oslo pairs nature effortlessly with modern beauty and you’ll certainly have an incredible time exploring here.
12. Copenhagen, Denmark
Famous for its Tivoli Gardens, there’s a lot more to Copenhagen than meets the eye. This playful city features a lot more than the world’s oldest amusement park.
You can find some of the trendiest bars, restaurants, and shopping centres in Copenhagen along with a wealth of historical sites and museums.
The food scene is also pretty incredible and the city has some truly incredible restaurants. Perfect for relaxing, eating and playing, Copenhagen is a wonderful weekend getaway in Europe.
13. Cinque Terre, Italy
This colourful Italian coastline is undoubtedly beautiful. You’ll find gorgeous coves surrounded by towering cliffs dotted with a rainbow of buildings. We had the best time here, hopping between the villages, admiring the colourful buildings and eating seafood by the ocean.
It’s one of the most picturesque weekend breaks in Europe. Don’t forget to hike the cliff path here. It’ll give you the most beautiful views and, while there are certainly a few steep parts, it’s not too difficult to hike.
14. Frankfurt, Germany
If you’re looking for a city that will give you the perfect blend of history, museums, and beautiful architecture, you can’t go wrong with a few days in Frankfurt. It’s located in the west of Germany and is such a fantastic city to explore.
We spent some time in Frankfurt over the Christmas season and if you’re looking for great German Christmas Markets, you’ll love this city. The festive scene here is wonderful.
But, it’s great all year round. I recommend heading to the Senckenberg Nature Museum to see one of the most magnificent collections of dinosaur bones in Europe. You also can’t miss Romerberg, the historic square with so many gorgeous buildings.
Plus, if you fancy exploring more of Germany, it’s just a short train ride away from Cologne.
15. Reykjavik, Iceland
This large and beautiful city is an absolute gem and well worth a visit any time of year. The capital of Iceland is famous for its thermal Blue Lagoon, striking Hallgrímskirkja church and, if you book a guided tour outside of the city, the chance to see the spectacular Northern Lights.
You can also feast on some very peculiar cuisines including dried fish and fermented shark! Two-thirds of Iceland’s population lives in Reykjavik, so it’s also a city with plenty to do including exploring parks, wonderful museums and a vibrant music scene.
Nature lovers can also go puffin spotting and whale watching.
16. Edinburgh, Scotland
A perfect city to visit all year round, the crown of Scotland is truly beautiful. Scotland, in general, is known for its rugged landscapes and stunning scenery – Edinburgh is no different and has an additional fascinating history to explore.
In fact, Edinburgh is almost an artwork in itself and wandering the beautiful cobbled streets, you’ll see exactly what I mean. We spent several weekends in Edinburgh over the years and each time it has been a wonderful trip.
Don’t forget to hike up to Edinburgh Castle and visit the infamous Arthur’s Seat. Plus, Harry Potter fans will love it here.
17. Dublin, Ireland
Ireland’s energetic capital is a great place to blow off steam. Despite being the largest city in Ireland, Dublin is compact enough, and the public transport system is efficient enough, to explore most of the sights in a weekend getaway.
To get completely immersed in the Irish culture, head to Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Guinness Storehouse! Don’t forget to visit the famous Temple Bar too, although it might be pretty busy.
18. Barcelona, Spain
The Spanish city is the perfect clash of city and beach and features some of the greatest artwork in Europe. With famous sights like the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and Casa Mila to explore, you certainly will fall in love with Barcelona.
It’s one of the cities where the touristy things to do definitely live up to the hype. Plus, pair all the wonderful sights with Spain’s delicious cuisine and you’ll never want to go home.
19. Lisbon, Portugal
This stunning Portuguese city is one of my favourite places to visit. Full of beautiful gothic buildings, colourful red-roofed houses, winding streets and plenty of hills, Lisbon is a wonderful combination of historic charm and beauty.
We spent a few days in Lisbon before heading down to the south of Portugal and it really is a great way to get a taste of Portuguese culture.
It also has some seriously delicious food including cataplana, fresh seafood and plenty of its famous pastel de nata! An easy place to spend an amazing weekend in, if you do decide to travel to Lisbon, don’t forget to take a day trip to Sintra!
Overall…
Europe is one of the most amazing places in the world to go for a weekend break. It has so many great cities and you can easily hop between them with public transport.
Plus, there are so many great cultural attractions, fantastic museums, and so much great food.
If you’re planning a weekend in Europe, I hope this article has given you plenty of inspiration for your next adventure. Trust me, you can’t go wrong with a European city break and I hope you have the best time.
👉 Looking for more European inspiration? Check out the most beautiful cities in Europe.
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