Best weekend trips from London to Europe

If you are lucky enough to find yourself living in London, then you have so many opportunities for a city break (post Covid, of course). London is located very close to many European cities, so some of the best weekend trips from London to Europe do not even require you to hop on a plane!

The best part about weekend trips is that you can visit a whole new country without having to sacrifice precious holiday days at work. And for those of us working the 9-5, we are always eager to make the most of our weekends.

Since most weekend trips are short, I have picked a list of destinations, most of which you can be at in under 2 hours.

Best for the sun: Madrid

Madrid is also only a two hour flight away from London which makes it an ideal destination for a weekend break.

Did you know that Madrid is the sunniest capital in Europe with 350 out of 365 sunny days a year? This does not compare to approximately 62 days of sunshine a year that we get in the UK… If there is only one reason to visit Madrid, then this is it!

This is not to mention the amazing food and the cheap prices compared to London that you will find in this city. Even the fruits and vegetables are a lot fresher, and who doesn’t love themselves a little bit of Spanish croquetas and cheap beer?

Best for Christmas markets: Brussels

Brussels is a city that may surprise you. Before visiting Brussels, I did not have high expectations, as the city has a reputation of being a corporate city with nothing much interesting to see.

However, the weekend trip I took last year in November to Brussels was one of my best weekend trips from London to anywhere in Europe.

Firstly, it could not be easier to get to – just one hour by train and you are there! Some places in the UK take longer to get to by train from London.

Secondly, there is seriously nothing better than a city full of waffles, chocolate and cheese. Good thing is that you are only going for a weekend, so you can indulge as much as you want!

Thirdly, the city is also very well known for its magical Christmas markets, so a trip in late November or December is best. You can discover some cute local souvenirs and try some amazing food. Just make sure to bring a warm jacket so that you don’t freeze!

If you are convinced, you can read also check out my weekend guide of Brussels here.

Best for romantic vibes: Paris

Paris is one of those cities that does not need an explanation. As they say, a trip to Paris is always a good idea! If you have recently watched Emily in Paris, then you may be feeling even more inspired.

Better yet, the Eurostar from London to Paris only takes 2 hours. This is why Paris is one of the best weekend trips from London to Europe.

The activities you can do in Paris are endless – stroll through the romantic streets, eat croissants all day every day, visit the Eiffel tower and watch it sparkle at night.

My favourite part of being in Paris however is admiring the architecture and having a drink in one of their infamous outside cafes. These are just some of the things we don’t get in London and Paris has an abundance of!

The vibes in Paris are very romantic, so if you can go with your special somsone, then do. If not, Paris is also ideal for a friends trip.

Best for a break with friends: Amsterdam

Amsterdam is another one of those easy to reach and very fun destinations with lots to do.

I would recommend hiring a bike in Amsterdam as this is by far the best way to get around. If not, walking around is also very nice as you find lots of hidden gems along the way.

On my weekend trip to Amsterdam, I really enjoyed walking around the Nine Streets, checking out a lot of unique boutiques and taking photos by the canal. And of course, don’t forget the narrow houses of Damrak and the Red Light District at night is a must!

Going on a boat tour is also a great way to see the city as two days is not always enough to explore everything by foot. I would recommend doing this on the first day, in case you spot a place you would like to return to!

Best for a culinary experience: Lisbon

Lisbon is a wonderful place to visit on a weekend. Mostly sunny, there is so much to see, eat and do in Lisbon that you will definitely want to go back.

I don’t think I need to explain Pastel de Nata, but this heavenly Portuguese pastry is worth a trip to Lisbon all together. In my Lisbon guide you can find out where to have the best Pastel de Nata – they also make it fresh right in front of you!

Since the flight to Lisbon from London is slightly longer (2h 45), I would recommend staying here for a long weekend. In this way you will also be able to explore neighbouring beautiful towns like Cascais, and take a day trip to the beautiful Palacio de Pena. This colourful fairytale castle is definitely worth the trip and cannot be missed.

Best for beer lovers: Prague

There are several reasons why Prague is a great destination for a weekend trip with friends. Beer is cheap, the food is delicious, architecture is pretty (they also have trams!). So many picture perfect opportunities and views to check out pretty views of the city from a beer garden.

Prague is probably best to visit in the summer, when the weather is nice and warm. Then you can really enjoy the strolls outside, the tram rides and visiting the parks. Prague Castle is also very much worth a visit if you still have time over the weekend!

Best for sunsets: Barcelona

Barcelona is probably one of my favourite cities in Europe. Luckily, flights to Barcelona most of the time are pretty cheap from London, so you can go from gloomy and cold London to sunny Barcelona affordably and in under 2 hours.

The last time I visited Barcelona, it was one of the best weekend trips I ever went on. It was January and very cold in London, about 10 degrees Celsius. However, Barcelona was sunny and warm, with temperature in the 20s. There is no feelings like escaping a cold city into a warm one without having to go halfway across the world! We stayed in a hotel called Royal Passeig de Gracia which offered us amazing views of the sunset from its rooftop bar.

Of course, Barcelona also has the beach. You can even enjoy it in the winter months – there is just a different vibe that the city has thanks to the beach! It is a very relaxing feeling to be able to walk around barefoot in the sand and feel the salty breeze from the sea gently caress your face.

Which of these destinations have you been to? Which would you like to go to? Let me know below in the comments!