Best European Cities for your next weekend getaway

If you live in Europe or have traveled there, you know of companies like Easyjet and Ryanair, who offer flights across Europe at an insanely cheap price. It is perfect for organizing a fast weekend getaway with your partner or your friends. So here are some of my favorite trips.

Barcelona

Barcelona

Now it is no secret that Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in Europe. This was one of my weekend getaways, which you can read all about in more detail in this post. It is the ideal city, regardless if you are planning a romantic weekend, want to have fun with friends, or explore on your own. There is a beach, an old town, and so much more. You can have history and culture, but also fun. Accommodation is not too expensive, and you can also find cheap amazing food if that is a priority for you. On the other hand, you can also live a life of luxury in this city with nice hotels and expensive restaurants. So whatever your goal is for this trip, Barcelona will have you covered.

If you are just looking for a fast beach getaway, this is the place to be. The Spanish Costa del Sol is known for its beautiful beaches and amazing weather. There are many cute boutique hotels in the region which will impress you with their hospitality. Make sure to enjoy the chiringuitos on the beach, which offer drinks and sometimes food. During the night, stating after Easter, there is always at least one party going on in these beach towns. The easiest way to find this is to just follow the people. Now it depends on you if you want to go to the more affordable Torremolinos or the luxurious Puerto Banos, but whichever you choose, you are guaranteed a good time.

Now this one is an obvious one of course, but still worth mentioning. Everybody should make it to Paris at least once in their life. Go explore the small streets, get lost in the subway, have breakfast in a small cafe. These are the charms of the city. Then again I don't think I need to tell you about the things you should do in Paris, you probably already dreamed about this trip way too much. One tip though, take a walk along the Seine, it might surprise you.

Again, one you probably already thought about. However, that doesn't make the trip any less worth it. It is an absolutely amazing city with so many possibilities. I spent a week here and still barely saw any of it. Also, you never know what will happen in the future, with visas and everything, so just hop on a plane while you still can and go enjoy this beautiful city.

Hamburg

This city has a very rustic charm. With the old building running along the canal and the adorable historic center, it is a hidden gem in Europe. It is also one of the biggest ports in the area. If you are looking for some cool things to do, they have a coffee roastery, a toy train land, or take a tour of the port. There are also plenty of parks to just hang out and have a picnic. You will fall in love with this underappreciated city of Germany.

Berlin

One of the many monuments in Berlin

If you have never dreamed of a trip to Berlin, you should. This city is packed with history and culture. Berlin is such a mix of people. Young people all want to move here to start their careers or experience this amazing city. You have to visit the ruins of the Berlin Wall and the holocaust memorial, which are just iconic. Berlin is also known for its amazing street art and underground scene. You can enjoy the city by day, and discover the nightlife later. There is so much to see, you will not be satisfied with one trip and realize why people want to move here.

Now I might be a little biased about this city since it is one of my hometowns. That does not take away from its beauty. The parliament is one of the impressive buildings of the city. Located right on the Danube it is the perfect opportunity. Also, make sure to take a stroll around the castle. There is so much history and beautiful architecture up here, and it is so easy to get lost. Perfect for a romantic stroll or to hang out with friends and enjoy some quality time. If you are here during summer make sure the check out the favorite hangout stop of the locals, Margit Sziget (Margit Island). Great place for a picnic or just to goof off with your friends. You will not have a choice but to fall in love with this city.

This is a city for all of you who love fairy tales. There is a beautiful castle with exhibits on Queen Sisi (one of the most loved monarchs of the Habsburg dynasty). It also has a beautiful garden and a historical center, all waiting to be discovered. They also have an amazing art museum right next to the Castle Schoenbrunn. While now is an amazing time to go and explore all the outdoors, make sure you check back before Christmas for their famous Christmas market. If you are looking for more details, check out this post by To Some Place New.

Milano

If you are a fashionista or just love elegance and grace, Milano will be your favorite city in Europe. It has so many classy cafes and restaurants that are perfect picture opportunities. This city is hyper-styled and made to cater to the fancy tastes. Of course, that is not the only side of Milano. There is so much history and culture hidden in those walls, it just takes a little more time to search for it. Whatever you decide to do, you will enjoy your time in Milano for sure. While you are here make sure to climb the Duomo and walk along the canals to get a appero, it will make your experience memorable.

Roma

The eternal city

Oh, the eternal city. So much to explore, so little time. This is probably the city with the biggest number of famous monuments. From the Colosseum through the Spanish steps to the Vatican, it is almost impossible to see it all in such a short time. You will for sure have sore feet and dead legs at the end of this trip, but it is so worth it. These monuments don't just impress in pictures, they live up to their expectations in real life. Make sure you take a break and enjoy the amazing food in some of the small restaurants along the way. What would a trip to Italy be without the food anyway?

Zagreb

This one is another hidden gem in the Balkans. Such a small charming city, perfect for a weekend getaway. You can walk around the old town, be scared by the cannon at noon, drink some coffee on Trg. Bana Jelacic (failing and trying to pronounce the further), or just enjoying the nature at Jarun, Bundek, or Maximir. If you are up for an interesting museum, make sure to check out the Museum of Broken Relationships. This is a museum where people send in objects connected to their failed relationships and next to them you can read the stories behind them. Some stories are relatable, others are so bizarre you are not even sure they are true. It is a little morbid, but you will end up enjoying it for sure. Make sure you taste the local food, especially if you are a meat or fish lover. If you end up here in the winter Fritule are the best possible treat on a cold day.

Split

If you are looking to go to the coast, Split is the place for you. Once the beach season has started you will find this city coming to life. There are amazing resorts in the area, which are very affordable, compared to Western Europe, and the beach is full of life and people. There is also a charming old town perfect for walks, eating ice cream, and finding a cute cafe (a must in this country). If you want to, you can also venture out to one of the small islands off the coast. There are so many it will be hard to choose.

Dubrovnik

The beautiful Croatian coast

Not going to lie, this might be my favorite city on the whole list. While it is slowly growing in popularity, especially due to the filming of Game of Thrones, it is still a small sleepy coastal town. The old town is absolutely breathtaking. From the main road to the small hidden alleys, it will just take your breath away. Make sure you visit the cathedral, and their collection of relics (in case you don't know those are the bones of saints most of the time cast in gold and there is a whole room of them). You can also take the cable car to the top of the mountain to enjoy a breathtaking view of the city, the surrounding landscape, and the ocean. If you are the active type, go kayaking on the clear blue water. Since the ground is covered in stones it makes the water crystal clear and beautiful. There is also amazing restaurants serving local food and fresh fish. You will not be disappointed by this city. I have fallen in love with it within minutes and will always come back if given the chance.

There they are. My tips for your next city getaway. Check out my other posts on things to consider when traveling alone if you can't find someone to come along to your adventures. Also, I have more in-depth city guides coming up to these and some other cities, so check those out.

As always I would love to know about your favorite weekend getaway. Share them with me in the comments below or on Instagram @lettersfromatravelinggirl

Kisses,

Juli