The Best 5 Places to Visit While Studying Abroad in Europe
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Weekend trips are what MAKE the study abroad experience. Jet-setting off to a new country every other weekend makes life literally feel fake, or like a dream. People from back home are shook that you’re visiting so many places, you’re basically the embodiment of living life to the fullest, and you’re making incredible memories. They enable you to meet other travelers just like you, to get closer with the people on your study abroad program, and they are even one of the best teachers when it comes to learning about how to be independent.
Weekend trips were a huge factor in me deciding to study abroad in Europe, as weekend trips on a continent such as South America are much more expensive (thanks to transportation that is not as efficient as Europe and countries/cities that are much more spaced out). If you study abroad in Europe, you get a lot of bang for your buck and lots of trips for your money!
My main advice when it comes to taking weekend trips while studying abroad is to be super flexible when it comes to where your weekend trips take you, especially if you’re working with a tight budget. But speaking realistically, I know that you’ll probably come in with your heart set on a few specific locations. I know I did! You can do them super cheap by flying anywhere you can get a cheap ticket, and by staying in Hostels! To be honest, hostels absolutely MADE some of my trips simply from the people I met and the experiences they offer, so definitely go this route! Some are as low as 12 dollars a nights and they are literally SO FUN.
While some of my trips I had already planned in my head, some I went on simply because I found a cheap flight! Some of those turned into my favorite trips anyway, so never discount a city just because it wasn’t your ideal trip - you may be surprised!
You’re reading this post, which means you’re probably a planner like me! Picking out potential weekend trips is so hard, because every city in Europe sounds like so much fun. How do you choose between them all when everything seems to be at your fingertips and the options are limitless?
It’s always good to have an idea of places that you might want to visit before heading out, even if spontaneity wins in the end. So, whether you’re planning way in advance, or searching for ideas last minute, this is the post for you. Without further ado, here’s a list of my top 5 places to visit while studying abroad in Europe!
Top 5 places to visit while studying abroad in Europe:
Lisbon, Portugal
My #1, my future home, the love of my life. This city took my breath away in every way. Some people on my program who went a week before had mediocre feelings about the city, which confused the HECK out of me, but I will rave about Lisbon til the day I die.
Pastel buildings, gorgeous ceramic tiles covering every available surface, the ocean GLITTERING off in the distance, custard pastries with cinnamon… I literally can’t get enough. ITS CHEAP TOO like excuse me what more could you want??
I went with one other friend, and we stayed in a party hostel that offered free tours of the city and bar crawls every night. We stayed in a dorm, had “family” dinner and game night every night, and met some incredible people. They said something on the tour about Lisbon having the most bars/pubs per square foot or something crazy like that so if you’re looking for lively nightlife in a gorgeous, picturesque city, Lisbon is the place for you.
Read More: 2 Days in Lisbon: The City of My Dreams
Additionally, the beautiful castles of Sintra are just a days trip away, and are definitely a bucket list, big ticket item that you have to see before you leave Europe! I went and it poured rain and it was still one of the most beautiful, unique places I’ve ever seen. There are so many different palaces to visit that all look entirely different, so it makes for the most interesting day of exploring and is 100% worth the trip out.
My flight from Spain to Lisbon was 17 Euros round trip. I would’ve spent that on dinner back at home so for me to be able to visit Lisbon and coincidentally find my future home, you could say it was a bargain. By far the best place to visit while studying abroad in Europe, if you don’t choose to study there in the first place.
If colorful castles in the mountains of Portugal isn’t your thing (if it isn’t, you’re crazy), you could take a day and go the the Cascais riviera for some time at the beach! Cascais is simply gorgeous, but seeing as I only had two days (the shortest two days of my life), I wasn’t able to visit! If you have a longer break from school you should definitely base yourself in Lisbon and discover all of what Portugal has to offer.
Beware though, Lisbon has like 1000 STEEP hills to walk up and will give your calves a run for their money LOL proceed at your own risk.
2. Budapest, Hungary
Just a clarification: I didn’t go here while I was studying abroad, I went a few years earlier, but It is the PERFECT city for a study abroad weekend trip. It’s CHEAP cheap, the food is incredible (like seriously some of the best i’ve ever had), the city is pristine, easy to get around, and has some incredible photo ops. The only downside is how far east in Europe it is, which could equal an expensive plane ticket if you’re studying in England or Spain or somewhere further west. If you can find a good ticket, however, SNATCH IT UP ASAP. Budapest is one of the best places to visit while studying abroad in Europe for so many reasons.
There are so many fun things to do in Budapest. Spend a day at the many thermal baths scattered throughout the city, take a walking tour that leads you to the Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, or St. Stephen’s Basilica. The nightlife is also spectacular, with ruin bars stealing the show and sparties (spa-parties? In the thermal baths? like hello??) nearly every weekend, as the thermal baths stay warm even in the colder months.
Read More: Things to do in Budapest, Hungary
I loved Budapest. most everyone speaks English, transportation is super convenient to figure out, and the architecture reminds me of a grungier Paris. But it’s so much cheaper, and perfect for a weekend trip where you need to crank out all the must-see attractions in a limited amount of time. The food is to die for, I never felt unsafe, and there are so many unique experiences to be had. If you’re balling on a budget, Budapest is definitely the city for you, if you can get there inexpensively!
Budapest is definitely another city I could see myself living in, and I can’t wait to go back and spend more time there! There are so many things to do that I didn’t have the chance to do, such as a tour of the Parliament Building, or a Danube River cruise. I didn’t even make it to a SPArty!! Truly horrific, and I can’t believe I managed to leave Budapest with so many reasons to return. Oh well, I can’t be too upset! I’d be happy to go back.
3. Vienna, Austria
Coming in to my study abroad trip, I really had my heart set on visiting Prague. So many of my friends had returned home from their European study abroad trips absolutely raving about the capital of the Czech Republic, so when the only tickets I could find were sitting around 200 bucks, I was so disappointed. Skyscanner proposed an alternative option, however, and I snagged a ticket to Vienna, Austria instead for a solid $60.
I’ve often heard the two cities compared, so I had high hopes. (Vienna being the more mature older sister of the two, Prague being the fun, irresponsible younger sibling. At that point I was all partied out, so that analogy was fine by me).
And boy, was I blown away. I definitely would always recommend Vienna for a weekend trip, but if you’re studying abroad in the fall semester, it is simply a MUST. This city in late November and December is literally Christmas incarnate. As a sucker for all holidays, the city just spoke to me.
Read More: Things to do in Vienna
There are palaces and gardens to visit, cathedrals, and the viennese opera, (read my Vienna city guide for info on how to snag a super cheap ticket to see an opera in one of the most famous opera houses in the world). If you go during the holidays there are countless Christmas markets to visit. think: mulled wine, German sausages in fresh rolls, ice skating, gorgeous ornaments being sold in vendor stalls, cinnamon pretzels, the WORKS. a Christmas explosion.
I had so much fun, and it definitely made up for me missing most of the holiday season with my family. If you’re in need of a little Christmas spirit during your time abroad, (or even just some castles and a taste of high society) Vienna is your girl. Definitely a little on the pricier side, but I did it for cheap by getting a group of friends, overcrowding an Airbnb and splitting it 6 ways, eating cheap sausage rolls from the Christmas markets for every meal, and walking mostly everywhere! Ended up not being too bad, and something I wouldn’t have missed for the world.
4. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
After a chill sophisticated trip to Vienna, take a step into the alternate reality that is Amsterdam. This city is INSANE. If you’re into things that might not be particularly legal elsewhere, (not my scene but you do you boo) this is definitely the place to be.
Navigating the canals is so much fun, and it is so picturesque. I, however, would have loved to come here in the spring, I think some sun and flowers would make the city far more enjoyable than the rain and gloom I got! So if you’re a spring semester study abroad student, definitely consider making room in your schedule for Amsterdam.
The city is a beautiful mix of modern museums, historical sites, and crazy nightlife. Explore the Moco Museum, Anne Frank’s House, and go on a canal cruise/lights tour.
While it wasn’t quite my scene, my friends absolutely loved it here. They stocked up on all the necessities and really enjoyed Amsterdam to its fullest.
And also the city is just iconic. Everyone has to go to Amsterdam sometime in their lives.
Read More: Things to do in Amsterdam
5. Mallorca, Spain
Choosing a last location to include in this post was tricky — Paris is iconic, but far too big to tackle in one weekend. Switzerland is just so expensive, and Croatia is typically too far out of the way. After living it up in the classic European cities, I wanted to include something that felt a little more tropical.
So I settled on Mallorca! I did a road trip around the island in 4 days, and many of my other classmates on my program eventually made a trip here as well. There are dainty coastal cities, long hikes to hidden coves, crystal clear water that could pass for a pool ANY day, and thriving night life in the capital city of Palma. Mallorca has it all.
It is located off the coast of Spain, very close in proximity to other islands such as Ibiza — which is best visited in the summer (all the major clubs typically close the second summer ends, so while flights to Ibiza might be cheap and tempting, it might not be everything you had hoped for if you go during the school year).
Read more: A Four Day Mallorca Road Trip Itinerary
Rent a car and zoom around the small island, there are bays, coves, mountains, and fields of flowers, and it makes for the perfect picturesque drive.
If you’re looking more for the party scene, stay in Palma for the duration of the trip! My only stipulation is that you must take a day trip to Calo Des Moros: it’s worth it! I promise you.
And there you have it folks! My top 5 best places to visit while studying abroad in Europe. Weekend trips truly made my study abroad experience feel like a dream. Jet-setting off to a new country every other weekend is something you’ll probably never get the chance to do again, so plan well, save accordingly, and choose your trips wisely!
Each individual city has a whole city guide dedicated to it, which I have linked! If you take any of my advice, let me know in the comments below!
Where was your favorite study abroad weekend trip to? Tell me all about it:)
Want more study abroad tips and tricks? Keep reading:
10 Things you need to know before study abroad
How studying abroad will change your life
How to be a boss at weekend trips while studying abroad
Study abroad packing checklist
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