Are you looking for a place to begin your study abroad program or do you need a hot destination for spring break? At the end of the long winter months of dark nights and cold mornings, who wouldn’t want to celebrate the new year in a beautiful European city?
Our list of recommendations includes the best European cities for students to enjoy in spring. While we can’t speak to the quality of individual universities and programs, our expertise on the continent’s cultural highlights will give you a flavor of where to visit or choose to study.
If you don’t want to settle on just one city, try our Florence 2 The Western Loop Tour, which covers a whopping five European countries in 10 days! This whistlestop tour takes in the wonders of Berlin, Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, and Barcelona, which will give you plenty of inspo when deciding on the best country for you.
At Bus2alps our motto is, “You only study abroad once… Do it right.” So let us help you beat the summer heat by making the most out of your spring semester abroad. Get in touch if you have any questions about your early-year adventure; we’re always happy to help!
Paris, France is in Bloom for Students in the Spring
See the city of love comes alive in spring! The French capital is full of blossoming trees and verdant green parks, which are perfect for enjoying with a special someone or for if you want to fall in love with Paris itself.
In spring, the temperatures are mild and mostly sunny. But we recommended packing a raincoat in case of spring showers. Take advantage of the city’s ‘off-season’ to explore the streets without throngs of tourists.
Outside of the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, explore the winding streets of the arrondissements for hidden gems. For book lovers, Shakespeare and Company is a must-visit! Located in Paris’ trendy Left Bank, this English language bookstore has hosted many international writers.
Explore the Left Bank’s history on our Paris Latin Quarter Walking Tour to learn about Ernest Hemingway’s and James Joyce’s houses, plus film locations from Midnight in Paris!
Split, Croatia, is a Beautiful, Affordable Student Destination
With temperatures ranging from 15 degrees to a balmy 25 degrees, Split is perfect to visit in the spring months. Take in the bright blue waters of the Adriatic Sea from the town’s iconic city walls. While it may not be warm enough to swim, the views more than make up for it!
History lovers can explore the ancient Diocletian Palace in the Old Town. Built for the Roman emperor at the turn of the fourth century AD, this beautiful structure is far from ruins. Many archways have been converted into bars, restaurants, and stores for you to enjoy.
If you’re keen to explore Croatia off of the beaten path, try our Croatia Long Weekend – Meet Us There Tour to see Split’s historical center and the nearby natural wonders of the Blue Lagoon.
Brussels, Belgium, is a Student Haven in Spring
Spring in Brussels means bustling early morning markets, hunting for the best Easter chocolate, and exploring the beauty of the city parks.
This Belgian city is great to cycle around, with plenty of beautiful scenic spaces dotted throughout the center.
We recommend visiting the ‘green lung’ of Meise Botanical Garden, which has a collection of 18,000 types of flowers.
As you can imagine, it’s quite the spectacle in spring with its giant water lilies and orchids. Nearby is the pictured Atomium, where visitors can walk through its surreal tubes and spheres.
Reykjavík, Iceland has Natural Splendor for Students in Spring
While Reykjavík is one of the more expensive cities on our list, its natural splendor and diverse landscape are like no other European country.
While spring in Iceland is short, sweet, and quite chilly, the melting snow means thunderous waterfalls and the chance to witness the landscape emerging from behind its winter veil.
While it’s easier to spot the majestic aurora borealis in the darker months, visitors can still see the Northern Lights until mid-April.
To explore the epic Golden Circle, we recommend hiring a car since the prices are cheaper and the drive a little easier, with much less snow than in winter!
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, is Cheerful in Spring for Students
Much like Istanbul, spring in Amsterdam means it’s tulip season, baby! If you want to take a trip to see the fields opening their brightly-colored flowers, Keukenhof Tulip Garden is just 30 minutes outside of the center.
But if you’re keen to stay in the center, there are 85 sites in bloom across the city.
Amsterdam is an excellent city for students to visit in spring. With many museums offering a student discount and activities for under €5, like The Cat Cabinet museum, you’ll never run out of places to explore in this vibrant city.
With mild temperatures between 10 and 15 degrees, with frequent showers, we recommend grabbing a book and cozying up in a canal-side cafe or taking a bike ride through one of the city’s many green spaces.
Berlin, Germany has Culture and Clubs for Students in Spring
Germany’s capital city is a great place for students to visit. In spring, Berlin has plenty of gardens and parks to enjoy in between its historical must-sees. Tiergarten is in the city center and is full of landscaped gardens and picturesque points.
It’s ideal for exploring by foot, with several of the landmarks nearby. Visit the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Reichstag by day, then hit up the eclectic mix of clubs by night for a perfect balance of Deutschland and dancing!
Kick off a tour of five countries in 10 days on our Florence to the Western Loop Student Tour of Europe. Starting in Berlin, you’ll travel to Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, and Barcelona for an epic adventure of Europe.
Barcelona, Spain, is a Balmy Spring Destination for Students
The must-see city on every list is Barcelona. If you’ve always wanted to explore this Catalonian
cultural capital, good news! Bus2alps has plenty of Barcelona student tours for you to check out.
Visit the awe-inspiring Sagrada Família and revel in the rainbow-colored stained glass windows designed by Antoni Gaudí. If architecture isn’t your vibe, stroll along La Rambla and enjoy fresh churros or pick up some artisanal souvenirs.
Head to Ciutadella Park for a picnic or row on the idyllic lake. The Zoological Museum is in the heart of the park, home to diverse wildlife from all over the world. This green space is a breath of fresh air from the bustling streets.
If you want to travel to five cities in 10 days, you’ll love our Western Loop Tour of Europe. Travel through Berlin, Amsterdam, Bruges, and Paris, then end in beautiful Barcelona for a well-deserved glass of sangria!
Are you ready for #SpringBreak? We hope this list has got you reaching for your passport and researching your soon-to-be favorite cafes in your chosen European city.
Whether you’re looking for a central city to call home or a base from which to explore natural wonders, Europe is a blooming beautiful place to visit in spring!
Whichever way you choose to visit Europe in spring, our local outdoor experiences and multi-day student tours can be tailored to meet your traveling needs. All you have to do is decide where you want to go! Get in touch to find out how we can make your European springtime experience superb.
