Having a weekend for a trip may not seem like much time at first glance, but it can be more than enough if you are lucky enough to find a flight with a good schedule on Friday afternoon and another to fly back late on Sunday. This milestone will give you almost 2 full days that you can use to see most of Europe's most beautiful cities or get your first taste of larger cities such as Rome, London or Paris that you can return to and continue discovering at a later date.
Based on the experience of our numerous multi-day European getaways, here is a list of some of the 10 best weekend getaways. Let's get started!
1. Porto
Porto, located on the banks of the Douro River and world-renowned for its wine, is one of the best getaways for a weekend or two days.
This small city in Portugal is a perfect destination for travellers looking for a place that is close by, not too crowded, easy to get around and with a great gastronomy.
In addition to completing this list of places to visit in Porto, including the Lello e Irmão bookshop, the Ribeira or the Clérigos Tower, we recommend a walk along the river and listening to fado in a typical tavern, which we are sure will be an unforgettable experience.
One of the best ways to make sure you don't miss anything important is to follow these personalised routes by day:
Porto in one day
Porto in two days
Porto in 3 days
2. Copenhagen, one of the best weekend getaways in Europe
Copenhagen, another of the most beautiful cities to visit in Europe, stands out for its beautiful historic centre full of colourful facades, palaces, parks and fairytale castles.
Its small size makes it an ideal city for travellers with little time on their hands, as most of the city's attractions are concentrated in the city centre, which is easy to explore on foot or by bike.
Copenhagen' s most charming sights include the Nyhavn Canal, the free city of Christiania, Tivoli Gardens and the famous Little Mermaid sculpture, a tribute to Hans Christian Andersen, one of Copenhagen's most famous neighbours.
Tallinn
Tallinn, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, is another great weekend getaway.
Just strolling through the cobbled streets of the beautiful World Heritage-listed Old Town alone is worth the 3-hour flight from Spain. And if you add to that the fact that many months of the year it is covered in snow, it is a paradise for children and adults alike.
To make sure you don't miss anything important, we suggest you complete this list of places to visit in Tallinn, which includes the spectacular viewpoints of Toompea, the Town Hall Square and the Medieval Walls.
4. Florence
Although Florence is an open-air museum full of monuments, churches and palaces, it is a city where two full days are enough to see its main tourist attractions.
It also has the advantage of being just an hour by train from Pisa airport, where several low-cost airlines land to help you save on travel costs.
Once in the city, you can walk around the historic centre and be amazed by the Duomo, della Signoria and Santa Croce squares, crossing the fantastic Ponte Vecchio and going up to Michelangelo square to have the best views of the city.
To get to know all the most beautiful places to visit in Florence we recommend you to follow these guides optimized according to the days you have available:
Florence in one day
Florence in two days
Florence in 3 days
5. Edinburgh
Edinburgh, divided between the New Town and the Old Town, and dominated by an imposing castle, will take you back to medieval times and is another great weekend getaway.
After completing this list of places to visit in Edinburgh you can enjoy the good atmosphere and friendly locals in one of the historic pubs in the Old Town over a large pint of stout.
If you've got a bit more time, you can drive to some of Scotland's most impressive castles such as Dunnottar Castle or to stunning natural landscapes such as the famous Loch Ness.
To follow a logical route around Edinburgh, check out these guides:
Edinburgh in one day
Edinburgh in two days
Edinburgh in 3 days
6. Berlin
Berlin, more than a city with a lot to see (which there is), is a city with a never-ending cultural and leisure offer, perfect for a fun weekend with friends or a partner.
Reborn from the ashes after its destruction during World War II, Berlin has become a modern, multicultural city, open to all kinds of travellers looking for unique experiences.
Among the best known places to visit in Berlin are the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall and the Jewish Quarter, although the best thing about the city is the great atmosphere in its streets, parks and bars.
Depending on how many days you have, we suggest these 3 routes:
Berlin in one day
Berlin in two days
Berlin in 3 days
7. Budapest, on a weekend getaway
Budapest, the jewel of the Danube, is another of Europe 's most beautiful cities by day and night, and one of those places that is worth making every effort to see.
Crossing the Chain Bridge and climbing up to Fisherman's Bastion to enjoy the views, having a coffee and cake in the historic New York Café, visiting the impressive Parliament or relaxing in one of its spas are just some of the best experiences this city has to offer.
Please note that two full days are enough to complete this list of the most beautiful places to visit in Budapest, which you can combine with these day-optimised guides:
Budapest in one day
Budapest in two days
Budapest in 3 days
8. Stockholm
Located in a privileged position, in an archipelago of more than 24,000 islands bathed by the waters of the northern seas, Stockholm stands out as one of the best getaways for a weekend or two days.
This modern, canal-lined city, with a beautiful historic centre that's a sight to behold, will surprise you with its well-kept parks, fantastic museums and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods dotted with designer cafés, art galleries and alternative shops.
To make sure you don't miss out on anything interesting, be sure to read this list of must-see places to visit in Stockholm while you warm up with a good hot chocolate served in most of the city's cafés.
9. Prague
Prague, the city of a hundred towers and for many people the most beautiful city in Europe, is a destination that although two days may be a little short, we believe that for a first time visitor it may be enough.
If you are travelling out of high season and don't find the city too crowded with tourists, you can invest the two days in completing this list of places to visit in Prague, as most of them are concentrated around the fantastic Old Town Square and also climb up to the immense Castle across the famous Charles Bridge.
To follow a logical route through the city we recommend you consult these guides:
Prague in one day
Prague in 2 days
Prague in 3 days
10. Dublin
Our last city on this list of the best weekend getaways is the mysterious and historic Dublin, always keep an eye on the weather forecast so that rain doesn't spoil your travel plans.
Split in two by the River Liffey, Ireland's capital city surprises with an old town full of historic buildings such as Trinity College and its impressive library, ancient churches, monuments, parks, museums and an endless number of pubs where you can have a good pint while listening to live music.
Although two days are enough to complete this list of places to visit in Dublin, we recommend spending some extra time to visit some of Ireland's natural wonders such as the Giant's Causeway and the Cliffs of Moher.
To help you organise your itineraries around the city, follow these guides:
Dublin in one day
Dublin in two days
Dublin in 3 days
If you feel like helping us to complete the list of the top 10 weekend getaways, add your own in the comments.