We all know that student life can be a little stressful sometimes. Meeting deadlines, intense revision sessions, and exam season can all take their toll.
That’s why it’s important to make the most of your free time, and to let your hair down. One of the best ways to do just that is to make a getaway to somewhere new, even if just for a weekend or a day trip.
We’ve come up with a list of some of our favourite holiday destinations for students, all with cheap flights, so they won’t break the bank either.
Amsterdam
This is one of the student holiday destinations that is evergreen in its popularity.
Getting there, you can either take a flight or a coach – either way, it makes for a cheap holiday, and you’ll find yourself in one of the most student friendly cities on the planet.
You definitely won’t get bored here. You can take a tour of the most famous areas, hire a bike and cycle around the quaint cobbled streets and
picturesque canals, enjoy some delicacies in the numerous coffee shops. The nightlife is pretty buzzing too, so if you’re around for the weekend make sure you take advantage.
Berlin
Berlin, the capital city of Germany, is another high up on the list of student friendly cities. Whether you’re a History major, or modern history isn’t your thing, you’ll still find yourself impressed by the vibes in this ultra open-minded city.
History comes alive here, and every inch is steeped in culture. By day, you can take a trip to Museum Island, take a free tour of the Reichstag building, take a selfie with the guards at Checkpoint Charlie, and reflect for a moment at the remnants of the Berlin Wall.
By night, Berlin is also home to legendary nightlife thanks to its electro music scene and jazz clubs.
Oh, and don’t forget to sample some incredible traditional food like Currywurst and Schnitzel.
Barcelona
Not just a summer holiday destination, this lovely city makes for a wonderful city break inbetween deadlines.
Barcelona is truly vibrant, and packed with stunning architectural gems from its most famous son, Antoni Gaudí. His most famous work can be found in Barcelona, the iconic Sagrada Familia, over a hundred years in the making and STILL not finished (set to be completed in 2026, the architect’s death centenary!) So get your camera out to capture some unique Insta shots before the process of construction ends!
Go shopping on Las Ramblas, or book ahead to enjoy music festivals like Primavera, or simply head to the beach to get some well-deserved rest. There’s something for every occasion here.
Budapest
Budapest in Hungary might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of a student city break, but we can assure you that it’s worth a visit.
It’s formed of two towns, Buda and Pest, and there are lots of unique things to see and do here. Check out the creepy underground labyrinths, chill out in the geothermal baths, take some pics in the fascinating sculpture parks, and visit Buda Castle.
There are various ‘Ruin Bars’ spread throughout the city centre too, which are basically bars set up in old pre-war buildings – they are more impressive than they sound, and are hot with tourists right now.
Krakow
You can generally find cheap flights to Krakow all year round, which is why it makes for a great student break. That’s not the only reason, though.
Krakow is truly magical. You can wander around the beautiful old town with its views of Wawel Castle, Krakow Cathedral, and Krakow Market Square, as well as Kazimierz, the former Jewish Quarter. You can even access the Dragon’s Den (Smocza Jama) , a dark cave which legend says was once the home of the Wawel Dragon.
You can get guided tours or hire bikes to discover the city and its many museums and attractions.
If you like to learn History’s lessons, then you can take a sobering trip to Auschwitz, but make sure you’re in the right frame of mind to do so – it makes a real impact.
When it comes to eating in Krakow, there are reasonably priced soup cafes which serve traditional Polish hot broth, as well as U Stasi restaurants (milk bars), which are based on communist era eateries. They serve three course meals with wine for around £16 per person.
Just make sure you wrap up warm – Krakow can get really chilly!
UK Destinations
If you’re looking for student breaks a little closer to home, then we’ve got some suggestions for Irish and UK trips.
Ireland
Once you’ve realised there are some amazing student accommodation options in Cork and you’ve settled in, it’s natural to want to get exploring more of Ireland.
The Emerald Isle boasts some of the most breathtaking countryside and coastlines in the world, so it’s worth taking the time to check them out.
Some of our favourite spots to see are Galway, Limerick, Kilkenny, and of course, the iconic Cliffs of Moher, which have served as a stunning backdrop in Game of Thrones.
Belfast
In Northern Ireland, Belfast should be on your to-visit list.
Not only can you visit the Titanic Museum in the very dockyards where the fated ship was built, but you can also go on board a replica of the ship and feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Take a stroll in the gorgeous Belfast Botanic Gardens, with its vast array of flora and fauna, housed in an enormous Victorian era cast iron dome.
And of course, a trip to Belfast wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Crown Liquor Saloon, a Victorian gin palace that’s owned and maintained by the National Trust.
Edinburgh
If you fancy a trip to mainland UK, there are fewer cities more beautiful than Edinburgh, with its Harry Potter-esque magical vibes and unrivalled culture and nightlife.
The city is packed with students thanks to its academic institutions, so there’s loads of fun to be had, alongside cultural stuff like art exhibitions and museums.
Check out some of the festivals that take place here, like the famous Fringe in August, or the Edinburgh Art Festival every July.
Explore the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat, all reachable on foot – and don’t forget your camera, these are all pretty photogenic places and you’ll want to remember them!
Glasgow
Another of Scotland’s treasures is Glasgow, widely recognised as one of Europe’s coolest cities.
It’s a great place for a student break, as it’s full of trendy bars, artsy cafes and a huge veggie and vegan food scene, not to mention the banging nightlife.
For something a little more tranquil, grab a train from Glasgow and you’re in the Scottish Highlands in no time. You are unlikely to see more
stunningly breathtaking views in the UK than in this remote, mountainous region. Even the air feels different, and it’s not unusual to have a chance encounter with deer and other wildlife as you’re navigating the winding roads and visiting the crystalline lochs.
Keep your eyes strictly OFF your phone and on the scenery passing by the train window – you won’t want to miss the jaw-dropping views.
Have a wee dram of whisky and see if you manage to spot wee Nessie (the Loch Ness Monster) in this truly magical place.
Manchester
Moving down to England, we thought we’d mention another vibrant – or should we say buzzin’ – student city.
Manchester has a long-held reputation as a party city with an amazing music scene. Thanks to regeneration projects in recent years, it’s becoming ever-more cosmopolitan and is giving London a run for its money in many ways.
There are museums to visit, and if you like football you’ll be in your element as Man Utd and Man City have their grounds here, and there’s even a National Football Museum.
Manchester Pride hits in August, but the city is well worth visiting, whatever stage of the academic year you fancy getting away from it all.
In terms of nightlife, the Northern Quarter gives boho vibes, Oxford Road is where the student areas are, Spinningfields is for a fancier night out with posh cocktails, and Canal Street is where you’ll find a big old hunk of cheesy pop to bop away to.
London
Finally, we think it should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit London at least once in life.
It’s one of the most exciting cities on the planet, is teeming with life and different cultures, and literally never sleeps!
So if you’re looking for an energetic break after too much time spent with your head between the books, then London’s calling.
There are so many attractions, it’d be impossible to list them all, but some obligatory stops are Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, a Thames boat ride, a stroll through Hyde Park, thrills and spills at the London Dungeons, and a Meghan Markle-esque selfie at Buckingham Palace. Wave to King Charlie from us!