Weekend in Europe: 15 European cities to visit in 3 days

Destination Recommended period Average cost weekend (flight + hotel) Rotterdam Summer from € 296.00 – find out more Copenhagen Summer from € 300.00 – find out more Krakow Winter from € 300.00 – find out more Prague Spring from € 176, 00 – find out more Dublin Summer from € 298.00 – find out more Nice Summer from € 216.00 – find out more Brussels All year round from € 240.00 – find out more Geneva Summer from € 234.00 – find out more Lisbon Spring from € 162.00 – find out more Munich Autumn from € 266.00 – find out more Stockholm Spring from € 226.00 – find out more Budapest Spring from € 152.00 – find out more Barcelona Summer from € 164.00 – find out more Vienna Winter from € 168.00 – find out more Oslo Spring from € 414.00 – find out more

Rotterdam is a surprising city in the Netherlands: it suffered serious damage during the Second World War, and reinvented its identity by becoming the cradle of experimental artists , becoming a destination especially for young people . With its contemporary architecture it stands out from other European capitals in a clear way: no castles and royal palaces, but skyscrapers, modern bridges, houses with a cubist design and an intense nightlife.

Very interesting from this point of view the Church of St Laurens, one of the few historic buildings still standing, albeit damaged. For the rest, the symbols of the contemporary futurist architecture of the city are the Cubic Houses of Piet Blom, the Erasmusbrug Bridge which connects the historic center of the city with the new Kop van Zuid business district, and the Euromast Tower, an icon of the city from over 50 years. 186 m high, 100 meters high there is a viewing platform that offers a 360 ° view of the city complete with glass elevators. Of course, don’t miss the Markthal, the first covered market in Holland , shaped like a horseshoe, a unique structure in the world. 

Prague is the perfect destination for fans of myths and magic. Located in the heart of Continental Europe, the city has its roots in legends of monsters and ghosts. The most famous is that of the Golem, an animated clay monster created by Rabbi Loew to defend the city from persecution. For this reason, one of the most original ways to discover it is through a tour of ghosts and legends. Prague is also known as the city of a hundred towers , due to the numerous Baroque and Gothic buildings in the historic center.

Unmissable activities and attractions in a weekend ? It starts of course from the Prague Castle complex, which also includes the Old Royal Palace and St. Vitus Cathedral. Malá Strana is the area of ​​the city rebuilt after the great fire of 1541, with a Renaissance and Baroque appearance. Then stroll on the Charles Bridge, a true icon of Prague, but do not miss to visit the Jewish Ghetto, the Josefov, and the old cemetery, a truly suggestive place.

The Irish capital is located on the east coast of the country, at the mouth of the River Liffey. The center is small enough not to require too many days to visit: in just one weekend, moving on foot you will be able to see all the main attractions , from the Norman castle to the Guinness factory, the national beer most loved by the Irish. Do not miss the Old Library inside Trinity College, where you can relive the enchanted atmosphere of the Harry Potter school of magic.

Other attractions not to be missed are the Temple Bar, certainly the liveliest area of ​​the city, with its pubs, restaurants, clubs, exhibitions and theaters. On a weekend you can also see St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle and the old Kilmainham Gaol prison. And even if you’re not a beer lover, a tour of the Guinness Storehouse is still a piece of the city’s history! Even if a weekend may seem short, try to carve out at least half a day for a tour to the Cliffs of Moher, an impressive place with immense charm, with cliffs over 200 meters high overhanging the sea, which also inspired the film ” Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince “. 

Nice is called the pearl of the Côte d’Azur . It is located in the south of France, a short distance from the Italian border, and is one of the most visited cities in the nation. The city had already been elected as a chic vacation spot by the nineteenth-century Russian elites, who spent their winters here in search of a more pleasant climate. Since then, Nice has evolved to become a tourist-friendly city: from the shopping streets, through the fish bistros to the numerous marine itineraries, it is ideal for a relaxing holiday in the Mediterranean.

On a weekend, don’t miss a walk along the 7 km long Promenade des Anglais, which runs along the picturesque sea of ​​Nice and reaches the airport. In the historic center, the Vieux Nice, you will encounter historic buildings such as the Palais Lascaris and the Sainte-Reparate cathedral, while small alleys open onto the splendid Cours Saleya, the most cheerful and lively square in the city. But the most famous square in Nice is Place Massena, where the Fountain of the Sun dominates with the statue of Apollo. But if you are here in the summer … also think about taking a bath in the sea of ​​the Côte d’Azur! 

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and seat of the European Parliament . An excellent choice for those who are tired of the most inflated European capitals and want an equally interesting but less crowded destination, to be able to visit in peace. However, do not choose Brussels if you are on a diet: the most famous products of the city are in fact chocolate, beer and french fries , temptations that will be impossible to resist!

Among the attractions not to be missed absolutely the Manneken Pis, Grand Place, the Atomium, the Sablon district, the Magritte Museum and the Cinquantenaire Park. 

Known as the smallest metropolis in the world, Geneva is a small Swiss gem of immense value, for which it has been elected as one of the most liveable cities in Europe . It overlooks the shores of Lake Geneva and is home to the major institutions for the protection of human rights, such as the Red Cross, the United Nations and Unicef, testifying to the great Swiss tradition of peace and neutrality in conflicts.

It offers noteworthy attractions such as the Palace of Nations, the Old Town, the CERN nuclear research laboratory , St. Peter’s Cathedral and the iconic Jet d’eau.

The capital of Portugal is located in the south of the country, overlooking the sea. At the same time, it retains the colors and melancholy typical of southern European seaside towns, but there is no shortage of entertainment and cultural itineraries. It is your ideal destination if you are a lover of cod: here it is prepared in many different recipes, one for each day of the year, according to the Portuguese. Lisbon is located on a very steep hilly area, do not forget to bring comfortable shoes!

The symbol of the city is certainly the Tower of Belèm, but it is not the only marvel to admire. The beauty of Lisbon is released above all in its neighborhoods: Chiado, Alfama, Bairro Alto . The advice is to discover them through a tour of history, stories and everyday life, to experience the soul of the city among the alleys, iconic places and local traditions. And don’t miss a ride on the iconic tram 28 , the historic line that allows you to visit the entire Alfama district. 

Munich is the third largest city in Germany , capital of the homonymous Länder in the south of the country. Despite being an important commercial hub, Munich does not reflect the stereotype of a cold and austere German city: here people are jovial and welcoming, and in fact there are many Italians who choose to stay and live there. You will notice it in one evening at the Hofbräuhaus , the most famous (and huge) brewery in the city where the excellent beer is accompanied by folk music and tasty pretzels .

But Munich and Bavaria in general are also territories of castles ! Don’t miss those by Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau: just think that the first one (Neuschwanstein’s) inspired the Disney design! In Munich itself there is that of Nymphenburg, a summer residence of the court, which houses one of the most beautiful art collections in Europe. Munich’s special attractions include Marienplatz, the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus), the Peterskirche church and the English Garden. If you manage to carve out half a day in your weekend, also take an excursion to the Dachau Concentration Camp , just 20 km away. 

The capital of Sweden is located on a vast archipelago of 14 islands in the Baltic Sea. Each island is different from the others: from the cobbled streets of the historic center of Gamla Stan to contemporary neighborhoods characterized by buildings in glass and steel. It is one of the most expensive capitals in Europe , but luckily it is possible to visit it entirely in a few days without increasing the travel budget too much.

Highlights include the Town Hall (Stadshuset), the Vasa Museum, converted from an old vessel, Drottningholm Castle and the Skansen Open Air Museum. 

Budapest is the capital of Hungary , born from the union of Buda and Pest, on the Danube River. The city has grown in popularity in recent years, partly thanks to its very affordable costs, but it is above all the architectural beauties that attract tourists from all over the world. At the crossroads between East and West, in Budapest Islamic, Jewish, Art Nouveau and Gothic architecture are mixed. The Royal Palace, the Fishermen’s Bastion, the extraordinary Parliament overlooking the Danube … Don’t forget to pack a bathing suit: Budapest has many thermal springs , some of the most beautiful in Europe!

Don’t forget to visit the Statue Park, the Széchenyi thermal baths, Margaret Island and of course the Buda and Pest districts.

The Catalan capital is one of the most popular cities in the Mediterranean for its mild climate, its bubbling nightlife and unique architecture in the world. In fact, here are the works of Antoni Gaudí , which dot the city with buildings with sinuous and dreamlike shapes that recall the sea. For this reason plan your visits in advance by purchasing tickets online to avoid the long lines , the monuments of Barcelona are always crowded!

Pointing out the main attractions of Barcelona is a challenge, as the city is literally full of memorable beauties. But if you only have 3 days available, don’t forget to visit the Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, the Gothic Quarter, Parc Güell and the Rambla. 

Vienna is the perfect city for those who love romantic atmospheres. It was the city that brought Mozart and Strauss to eternal glory , and is still the European reference point for classical music with its prestigious philharmonic. Vienna is also the city of Princess Sissi , the sad empress who entered the hearts of generations of little girls. The Austrian capital is at its best in winter, among the wonderful Christmas markets and the scent of mulled wine that spreads in the streets along with Christmas carols.

During your weekend discovering Vienna, do not miss the Schönbrunn, the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg, the Belvedere Palace and the Luna Park Prater. 

The capital of Norway, on the south coast of the country, is a perfect combination of modernity and nature, which makes it one of the greenest cities in the world , a must for lovers of the outdoors. Retrace the footsteps of the Vikings in the maritime museum and enjoy classical music in the opera house that the city prides itself on, hosting thousands of concerts every year.

Among the beauties not to be missed, note the Akershus fortress, the aforementioned Viking ship museum, the Munch museum , the Vigeland park and the Cathedral of Our Savior. But the real must in Oslo is the panoramic cruise through the fjords, these deep inlets that cut through unspoiled landscapes, between steep green walls, small archipelagos and nice and colorful summer houses.