Top 10 Weekend Getaways from London to Europe

Do you know what is awesome about living in or near London? You can literally go to Europe easily. There are lots of cheap flights and fast trains that can take you to many European cities in less than three hours. This means you can take a break from work or see new places on a weekend. And the interesting part?  You can do this without using up your main holiday time.

If you don't know where to start, no problem! Here are 10 top weekend trips you can take from London. I've chosen places that are worth your time and money.

1. Rome, Italy

Travel time: 2 hours and 30 minutes by flight

If you want to see a lot of cool things in a short time, go to Rome. It is perfect for a weekend trip because everything important is really close together. You can see famous places like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and the Vatican in just two days. So, if you are planning to take a flight to Italy from the UK, go for it. You don't need to plan much in advance. Just wear comfy shoes.

2. Paris, France

Travel time: 2 hours 20 minutes (Eurostar from St Pancras)

Paris is perfect for a weekend visit. You can leave work on Friday, take the Eurostar, and have dinner looking at the Eiffel Tower right away. Feels amazing, right? Over the next two days, it's simple to see the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Montmartre. You can walk to many places.  And getting around by bus or train is easy. You will find delicious bakeries everywhere. It's a great way to enjoy some culture quickly.

3. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Travel time: 1 hour flight from London airports

If you are thinking of a fun and fast trip, Amsterdam is a great choice. It's a small city, meaning everything is easy to get to. You can easily ride bikes next to the canals, visit the Anne Frank House to learn some history and look at cool art by Van Gogh in just a weekend. And you won't even need a car since most attractions are just a walk or bike ride away. Moreover, it's super easy to fly to Amsterdam from London.

4. Brussels, Belgium

Travel time: 2 hours by Eurostar

How about Brussels for your next weekend adventure? People often forget about it, but it's a good and fun place to go. You'll be impressed by the Grand Place. And the food is super tasty, especially if you love waffles, fries, and good drinks! If you wake up early, you can even take a short trip to another pretty city called Bruges. It's a great choice for a relaxed trip that doesn't take much effort.

5. Barcelona, Spain

Travel time: 2 hours 10 minutes by flight

You can also go to Barcelona for a weekend trip. It has beaches, city fun, and tasty food all in one spot. You can see the amazing Sagrada Família church, walk down the busy Las Ramblas street, or just chill on the beach. You can easily go there. There are direct flights from all big London airports, making it super easy to go Friday night and be home Sunday evening.

6. Lisbon, Portugal

Travel time: 2 hours and 30 minutes by flight

Do you want to visit this amazing city without spending much money? Lisbon is the perfect place to go. It is a small city. But it's full of things to see and do. You can ride the old trams and enjoy tasty food at the Time Out Market. And if you want to see beautiful city views, visit São Jorge Castle. And do you know it's one of the cheaper big cities in Europe to visit, especially for meals?

7. Copenhagen, Denmark

Travel time: 1 hour 50 minutes by flight

Are you planning to have a nice, easy city trip? Go to Copenhagen without having a second thought. It's famous for its cool, clean style, amazing food (you have to try the street food markets!), and fun spots like Tivoli Gardens or the Little Mermaid statue. You can get around easily with their good public transport. And almost everyone speaks English, so it's a very friendly place to visit.

Berlin, Germany

Travel time: 1 hour 50 minutes by flight

If you want to see a place that mixes old history with modern life, Berlin is an excellent choice. You can visit famous spots like the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, and the museums on Museum Island. It is also famous for its lively nightlife. And things are cheaper here than in many other European cities. It's a great choice whether you're travelling with friends or by yourself.

Nice, France

Travel time: ~2 hours by flight

You can go to Nice if you want to have a sunny trip with beautiful views. You'll see amazing sea views and nice pebble beaches. And it's easy to visit places like Monaco or Cannes from there. You can walk on the famous Promenade des Anglais, see the old town, or just relax. It's best to go in warmer months to enjoy everything the most.

10. Prague, Czech Republic

Travel time: 1 hour 50 minutes by flight

Prague is awesome because it has a beautiful old town. Things are cheap, and it has a great culture. You can easily walk from the Charles Bridge to Prague Castle and grab some tasty street food as you go. It's one of the cheapest places on this list, making it perfect for a quick trip that won't cost much.

If you want to have an amazing weekend, it doesn't have to cost a lot or be hard to plan. Thanks to budget airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, and Vueling, you can fly from London to dozens of European cities without spending much. You can leave London for the weekend, and lots of cities are nearby. You can pick one that you like best: beaches, old places, good food, or just a new view. All it takes is a little bit of planning. You could leave work on Friday and be in a new city by dinner.