Living in Europe means that on weekends I can go on vacation without using any of my annual leave. This might be my favourite thing about Europe, other than all of the other amazing things I also love (different cultures/great food)! However, having been on MANY weekend city breaks across Europe whilst living in London for 3 years and Amsterdam going on 2 years, I think it’s time I compiled a list of my favourite places for a quick weekend-er!
Some places can easily be a long-weekend or even longer, however I tried to include only places that I really feel are the best when you only have a weekend and you want to have a quick trip without breaking the bank!
Best Of: European Weekend City Breaks
1. Amsterdam, Netherlands
I live in Amsterdam so this one is close to my heart. The capital of The Netherlands has lots more to offer than the Red Light District! Amsterdam has plenty of museums, festivals, great food, gorgeous architecture everywhere, it is easy to fall in love with the UNESCO heritage listed canals. Also, Amsterdam’s centre is extremely walk-able with rich history at every turn making it a great destination to explore in one weekend!
Airport/s: Amsterdam Schiphol is the closest, though if you are looking for cheap fares, Ryanair flies into Eindhoven, a 75 minute train journey away.
2. Barcelona, Spain
I love Barcelona. I could live there and decided this on my 2nd day in this city, probably over a large goblet of sangria. Drunk or not, Barcelona is an incredible place! Whether you are enjoying the tapas in the gothic quarter, touring Camp Nou, checking out the Gaudi architecture or catching some sun along the beach, Barcelona is one city that will make sure you have a packed and fun weekend.
Airport/s: Barcelona El Prat is just a 20 minute drive from the city, though again with cheap flights, you might find yourself at Barcelon Girona airport which is over an hour away by car!
3. Bruges, Belgium
What is so great about Bruges is its size and pace. In Bruges, you can spend your day meandering around the cobble-stone streets, shopping, eating or even just gazing at the stunning buildings. On a weekend it would be easy to see all of the tourist sights in one day, and leave day 2 to enjoying life with delicious Belgian beer, Belgian waffles, Belgian chocolate and Belgian fries.
Airport/s: The closest airport is in Antwerp or Brussels. However trains from many directions also come directly to Bruges.
4. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is a city FULL of history! Also being a very walk-able city, Edinburgh sits high on my list of favourite cities world-wide. There’s just something in the air in Edinburgh that is special. Not to mention it is basically a large-scale version of Harry Potter. And unlike most city breaks, you can take a good hike here, to Arthur’s Seat which has a fantastic view over the city.
Airport/s: Edinburgh airport is located just 30 minutes from the city and is connected by the airlink tram.
5. Lisbon, Portugal
I spent my birthday weekend in Lisbon with a bunch of friends. So, all I can really say is that Lisbon ranks high on places I’d like to re-visit since I mostly only saw the party district of Chiado & Barrio Alto. What I did see though, I loved. Lisbon also has great weather and is a great place to go if you are feeling thrifty!
Airport/s: Lisbon Airport is located a short 20 minutes on the train from the centre of Lisbon, very handy.
6. Madrid, Spain
Spains capital has heaps to do, and also a lot of history. Being the heart and soul of the nation, Madrid also has a great foodie scene and a capital city buzz. One thing I would make sure you do not miss is a flamenco dancing show! Seeing flamenco in Madrid was such a fun experience and should not be overlooked as too touristy, in my opinion.
Airport/s: Madrid Airport is well connected to Madrid city centre, running an underground from the terminals direct to the centre.
7. Paris, France
Paris just never gets old, and is always a fantastic place for a weekend getaway. With so many sights, and a whole city full of amazing cuisine and charm, there’s no better place to go for a quick weekend getaway!
Airport/s: Paris is serviced by 2 major airports – Charles de Gaulle and Orly. Both are located about 30 minutes from the centre of Paris and are well connected. For cheap flights you can fly into Paris Beauvais, however it is over an hour to travel into Paris.
8. Salzburg, Austria
What could be better than a weekend surrounded by the Alps, eating and drinking Austrian cuisine in a small city? Salzburg is a fantastic place for a weekend due to its size and amount of things to do! Don’t miss out on checking out the Sound of Music hot spots, Mozarts house, the castle or the Augustiner Beer Hall!
Airport/s: Salzburg Airport is super close, connecting in under 20 minutes to the centre. You can also fly into Linz, Austria and take the Austrian train which is around 70 minutes. Not as ideal, but sometimes those Ryanair flight deals strike!
9. Seville, Spain
Clearly I have a love for Spain, this being the 3rd city I’ve mentioned in this list. However, with Barcelona not feeling really very Spanish (Catalan) and Madrid being the capital city, taking a weekend in Seville will give you an entirely different (and slow) vibe from Spain!
Airport/s: Seville Airport is just 10 minutes driving to the centre of Seville, though the bus connection takes 30 minutes.
10. Venice, Italy
For me, Venice is one of those places that needs to be explored. Sure, there’s some tourist highlights here, but what is really the reason to stay for a full weekend is the fun of just getting lost in the myriad of streets and canals. Don’t miss out on going to both Murano and Burano islands & scoffing yourself full of Italian cuisine!
Airport/s: Venice Airport, which is located on the mainland of Italy, is still just 20 minutes by bus to the city of Venice.
Honourable Mentions: European Weekend City
Rome
Rome really has so much to do, it surely can’t be given just a weekend. I’d go for a minimum of 4 days, but I’d recommend even longer to really appreciate the eternal city.
London
London is GREAT for a weekend trip! However, if it is your first time to London, please do yourself a favour and stay longer than a weekend. I’d recommend a week, a month, or just move there!
Bucharest
Bucharest is certainly do-able in one weekend, so go for it! However, Romania for me was such a diamond in the rough, with so much more to the country than Bucharest, you’d be leaving the country without seeing so much of its awesomeness if you didn’t stay longer than one weekend!
Need a hotel? I use Booking.com to find the best deals! Alternatively, Airbnb is another favourite of mine for booking cheap stays – and I enjoy feeling like a local! Book a room on Airbnb.
Where are your favourite European cities for a weekend city break?
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Australian expat, married to a Dutch guy, living in Amsterdam. Previously lived in London for 3 years, too! Lover of travel, coffee, brunch, beaches, fresh flowers, and family. Now a new mum, navigating life with a baby!
