Are you planning a multi-city trip across Europe? Are you on a mission to explore, witness, and experience Europe in its truest elements? Do you want a little extra from your trip to feel more fulfilled? If yes, then you need to plan short day trips to destinations near your location. An excellent way to engage with the culture of the continent, day trips are the perfect bonus to any trip. However, since Europe is full of gorgeous destinations worth a day trip, it seems nearly impossible to choose one while you are on your trip. If you find yourself stuck in the same dilemma, we have something that might help you.
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Following are some of the best Europe day trips you should never miss while visiting Europe. Read through the details and decide which destination would suit you the best for a day trip.
1. Paris to Luxembourg City
Luxembourg is a tiny city in the very small country of Luxembourg. Its size is home to a plethora of travelers’ destinations, ranging from stunning natural landscapes to amusing historical and architectural remnants. Therefore, it very easily names it to our list of European destinations worth a day trip.
There is a lot to do when it comes to Luxembourg City. Many people, for instance, like losing themselves in the narrow, cobblestone alleys of the city, lined by historical buildings. Others enjoy walking through the Casemates du Bock, an underground tunnel carved by the Spanish in the 17th century, which seems to take people back in time. It is also a protected UNESCO World Heritage site, something that makes it more attractive. Visiting the imposing Notre-Dame Cathedral, with a remarkable Baroque-architecture, is another popular activity. Its breathtaking architecture and embellishments astound people.
And of course, no trip is ever complete without some mouth-watering food. The food in Luxembourg City is as diverse and pleasant as its people. If you are looking for an exquisite Michelin-star experience, you should head to Le Bouquet Garni and delight yourself with the irresistible flavor of its food.
How to Get to Luxembourg City?
You can take a high-speed train from Paris to Luxembourg City. The ride to this one of the best Europe day trips only takes two hours and cost about $31 (one way).
Things to Do in Luxembourg City:
Need to add more fun things to your day trip itinerary? Find incredible things you can do on your day trip to Luxembourg such as a private Luxembourg city tour with ParisRio Local Guide or a Romantic tour in Luxembourg and so much more. Click here to see a full list of things to do in Luxembourg.
Other Europe Day Trips You Can Do from Paris:
Need more ideas? See a full list of Europe day trips you can do from Paris here.
2. London to Brussels
Brussels is one of Europe’s most overlooked destinations, despite numerous spots and activities in the city. The city has a lot to offer, from exciting and lively outdoor festivals to amusing art to delicious beer, and is for this reason, one of the best European places to travel for a day.
Don’t worry, for there is a lot that will keep you busy in Brussels. You can explore the Grand Place in Brussels and be left awestruck by its striking and imposing architecture. Or you could step into history by visiting the 19th-century departmental store, Old England Building. Not only does this building has a mesmerizing façade, but it also holds within it an impressive collection of musical instruments of great historical significance. When you get done with that, you can go marvel at the stunning modern and ancient art present in the Musee Royaux Beaux-Arts. Some of the world-renowned works present here include the Fall of Icarus.
Quality dining is one of the finest experiences Bruxellois enjoy, and so should you on your visit here. La Quincaillerie is a fancy restaurant with elaborate decorative accents and delicious food.
How to Get to Brussels?
The two most popular ways of commuting between the cities are via air and train. Although a flight from London to Brussels takes only one hour, when one accounts for other associated factors, i.e., long wait between reporting and departure time at the airport, one finds that the train is the faster option, despite taking around three hours. The cost of a train trip starts from $115.
Things to Do in Brussels:
Need to add more fun things to your day trip itinerary? Find incredible things you can do on your day trip to Brussels such as the Chocolate Beer Waffle and Belgian Whiskey All-in-One Tour, Private Tour Guide Brussels with a Local and so much more. Click here to see a full list of things to do in Brussels.
Other Europe Day Trips You Can Do from London:
If Brussels is not on your list, click here to see a full list of other Europe day trips you can do from London.
3. Trapani to Favignana
Favignana is a small Aegadian Island that is very often compared to the Caribbean, and there is a good reason. The gorgeous crystal-clear waters and unique beaches of this island provide an incomparably aesthetic and exotic experience.
There is no shortage of natural beauty when it comes to Favignana. Exploring nature is the best way to make use of your day trip to the island. Favignana is home to several small beaches, some very popular, some very difficult to access. The sandy, clean beaches facing the clear waters provide the perfect relaxing spots, which you should take advantage of.
You can also go to Lido Burrone, which has a lively bar and travelers’ accommodations to suit your needs. And when you’re done resting, go rent bicycles and discover the island by yourself. The wonderful town on the island is perfect to be explored this way. The day can be ended perfectly with a visit to the site of tufa quarries and observing the fascinating and intricate patterns on the limestones.
Eating delicious food is also a must-activity to be done in Favignana. If you wish to please your taste buds, do yourself a favor and dine in Osteria del Sottosale. The restaurant provides a great environment to enjoy Sicilian cuisine.
How to Get to Favignana?
Getting to Favignana is most conveniently done via ferry rides or boat shuttles that only take 30 minutes to transport you. Tickets cost $13 – $15.
4. Copenhagen to Dragør
If you wish to escape the hustle of Copenhagen and lose yourself in a medieval Danish town, Dragør should be your day-trip spot. The small town is home to narrow cobblestone streets, lined by low, flower-decorated houses, that would want you to quit your city-life and move here permanently.
Dragør might be small and tucked away, but it, in no way, has a shortage of engaging sites and activities to offer. You need to remember that it is not a place that would always demand you to keep on your toes. You will need to pause and admire what is in here. For starters, you can go visit the streets and admire the cozy yet attractive architecture of shops and art galleries. You should walk around the town’s rich museums that preserve the local history, and marvel at the collections. Later, perhaps, explore the Dragør Havn and observe fishers go about their daily activities. You can also enjoy a gorgeous view of the mesmerizing Oresund Bridge from the Dragør Rogeri smokehouse situated at the harbor.
You should also enjoy delicious cuisine while here. And there is no better spot in all of Dragør than Kongelundskroen, a place that combines ambiance and quality in the perfect mix.
How to Get to Dragør?
Given that Dragør is just 12km from Copenhagen, it is easily accessible via car, bike, and bus. If you are traveling in a car, it should not take you more than 20 minutes to reach Dragør via Englandsvej.
Other Europe Day Trips You Can Do from Copenhagen:
Need more ideas? See a full list of Europe day trips you can do from Copenhagen here.
5. Florence to Bologna
One could call Bologna the city of food or the food capital of Italy. Not only is the town the birthplace of many exotic foods we enjoy in our daily lives, but it is also home to some stunning architecture. And it is for these reasons that it makes to our list of best European cities worth a day trip.
There is plenty to do and plenty to witness in Bologna. Several things are so remarkable that it is difficult to find a similar example elsewhere. Take the city’s leaning towers as an example. The towers’ slope is much more dramatic than that of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. You can climb one of the two towers and get a panoramic view of the city. Moreover, you can explore the local gorgeous churches that hold immense historical and architectural values. You can even find the mummified remains of St Catherine of Bologna in one of the local chapels.
And, of course, no trip to Europe’s food capital is complete without food. Although all of Bologna’s eateries are superior in their ways, nothing tops the finesse and quality of Trattoria di Via Serra. Treat yourself to tantalizing flavors of the delicious pasta served here.
How to Get to Bologna?
The best way to commute between Florence and Bologna is via train. An average journey between the two cities takes approximately 40 min. The cost of a standard class ticket starts from $12.
Things to Do in Bologna:
Need to add more fun things to your day trip itinerary? Find incredible things you can do on your day trip to Bologna such as the Bologna Food Experience: Factory Visits with Gourmet Lunch and Wine Tasting, Classic Walking Tour Bologna, and so much more. Click here to see a full list of things to do in Bologna.
Other Europe Day Trips You Can Do from Florence:
Need more ideas? See a full list of Europe day trips you can do from Florence here.
Travel Resources for Planning a Trip to Europe with Day Trips
To make planning your trip to Europe easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do in each destination during your trip.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator and GetTransfer
Train: EuroRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Need help planning a trip to Europe?
Want to plan a trip to Europe and add day trips to your itinerary but don’t know where to begin? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as multi-city, multi-country trips with day trips are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city vacations at the best price.
Don’t want to start from scratch and need some trip inspiration? Check out our marketplace for customizable pre-designed packages available right now for many amazing destinations.
To learn more about how our process of trip planning works in detail, please see our “How It Works” page or check out our video on “How to Plan a Multi-City Trip to Europe in 5 Easy Steps” here.
Have questions for us? Schedule a FREE Call with us here or contact one of the travel experts/destination specialists at [email protected], call/text us at (888)223-2316 today.
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