Top Europe Day Trips

Visit two countries in one day—and explore castles, cathedrals, skyscrapers, and more—on this tour from Copenhagen. Travel via luxury minibus to Helsingør (Elsinore), where you can visit the UNESCO-listed Kronborg Castle (own expense), immortalized in Shakespeare’s 'Hamlet.' Then, hop on a ferry to Sweden. Enjoy free time to explore the historical university city of Lund, and get to know buzzing Malmö before returning to Copenhagen.

Travel to the highest point reachable by train in Europe on this full-day tour of the Swiss Alps and Saint Moritz, a luxury alpine resort town in Switzerland’s Engadin Valley. After some free time in Saint Moritz for shopping or pastry tastings (own expense), hop aboard the Bernina Red Train for a cliff-hanging 2.5-hour ride through the Alps—on a route with UNESCO World Heritage status.

Checking off the highlights of Italy’s stunning Amalfi Coast usually takes days—and a lot of planning. On this attraction-packed full-day tour from Rome, cover major sights in Pompeii, Sorrento, and Amalfi in limited time, without worrying about the logistics. Ride in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach, with a guide on hand all day to keep things running smoothly.

Retrace the steps of American D-Day troops on a full-day tour of Normandy’s US landing sectors from Bayeux. Travel by air-conditioned minivan with your expert guide, and stand at key landing and drop points, including Omaha Beach and St-Mere-Eglise. See the battle sites at Pointe du Hoc and visit the Utah Beach Museum and Normandy American Cemetery to remember those who gave their lives in June 1944.

Cinque Terre and Pisa are true wonders, usually requiring several days or more to explore. Ideal for travelers short on time, this one-day extravaganza covers both on an excursion from Florence. Travel by coach through the Tuscan countryside, enjoy a scenic train ride along the spectacular Cinque Terre coastline, explore colorful seaside villages, and see the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Munich is an ideal jumping-off point for day trips along Bavaria’s famed Romantic Road. But escaping the city usually requires negotiating a stressful car rental. Instead, leave the driving to someone else during this full-day sightseeing tour, so you're free to admire the scenery. In just one day, you can explore Harburg Castle (admission tickets own expense) and the picture-perfect medieval town of Rothenburg.

Explore two of Iceland’s most popular attractions in just one day during this time-saving trip to the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon. Visit Thingvellir National Park, where the North American and European tectonic plates meet; the 65-foot (20-meter) geyser at Strokkur; the mighty Gullfoss waterfall; and the Kerid volcanic crater lake. Then, wind down from the sightseeing with a soothing soak at the famous Blue Lagoon.

The Golden Circle is Iceland's most-famous sightseeing route. This tour from Reykjavik takes you beyond the route's three attractions—UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park, Gulfoss waterfall, and the Geyser geothermal area—with a visit to the mighty Kerid Crater, which most visitors miss. Travel through an endless panorama of photo-worthy scenery and enjoy your guide's insights into natural history and culture.

Mountain day trips are fun, but when you have to plan transportation and gondola tickets, they can quickly become a hassle. This day trip from Zurich allows you to experience all the fun stuff at Mt. Titlis and see the city of Lucerne, without any planning of logistics. Rotating cable cars, a chairlift over frozen crevices, and Europe’s highest suspension bridge await. In winter, there’s also a snow experience upgrade for first-time skiers.

Visit Segovia, Ávila, and Toledo—three cities that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites—on a full-day tour from Madrid that features ancient battlements, a soaring cathedral, a historic monastery, and more. Coordinated tours and transport make the most of your travel time so you can cover more ground without rushing to catch trains or find buses; traveling with a guide takes you straight to the three cities’ essential sights.

Visit one of Greece’s most picturesque coastal viewpoints on a half-day small-group tour from Athens to Cape Sounion. Travel by minivan along south Attica’s scenic shoreline roads to reach the ancient Temple of Poseidon, built atop a towering sea cliff with fantastic views of the Aegean. Explore the ruins of this temple dedicated to the Greek god of the sea, and opt for an afternoon tour to catch a famously beautiful sunset.

Austria’s Salzkammergut region is home to small lakeside towns worth exploring, but the drive from Vienna is not a short one. Book this Hallstatt and Alps Day Trip from Vienna with round-trip transport and ride worry-free to the area. This guided tour visits Seeschloss Ort castle out on Traunsee lake, Hallstatt, and its popular Hallstatt Skywalk. Hotel pickup from central Vienna is available for added convenience.

Live the dream and reach parts of Santorini that only boats can access when you book this stylish catamaran cruise, available as daytime or sunset options. Bathe in the healing waters of Santorini Hot Springs; snorkel in the crystal sea off Thirasia island; and savor a hearty meal with seafood, Greek signatures, a glass of Prosecco and an open bar. Your comprehensive package includes guide and hotel transfers.

Planning a full day to Ireland’s west coast can be time-consuming, but this guided tour from Dublin simplifies the experience by handling transport and must-see stops. Travel by luxury coach to the Cliffs of Moher with time to walk the cliff paths and visit the on-site visitor center, then continue with scheduled stops along the coast, including the Burren and Galway City.

Exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora by rental car or public transportation from Athens can be stressful. Avoid navigating unfamiliar routes on this tour, which covers all six monasteries—with guided tours of three—plus hermit caves that most tourists miss. Break up the drive with stops in coastal villages (instead of highway rest stops), plus upgrade to add a traditional Greek lunch. Treat yourself to a private tour or opt for an extended, overnight tour with an included hotel stay.

Spend the day exploring Portugal’s famed Douro Valley on this guided excursion. Enjoy experiences that include touring the valley in a comfortable vehicle, enjoying a cruise on the Douro River, savoring a delicious lunch and wine pairing, and tasting a variety of reds and whites at a small, family-owned winery.

Discover some of Portugal's most popular destinations from Lisbon without having to organize a thing. This full-day tour takes you to Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira, Roca Cape, and Pena Palace with a combination of guided tours, free time to explore, and a scenic driving route, perfect for travelers who like to mix and match experiences. Plus, hassle-free round-trip transfers and included tickets make the day seamless.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum marks the site of the Nazi German concentration camp where over a million Jews and other prisoners died during World War II. Your guide leads your tour of the two separate camps, Auschwitz and Birkenau, enhancing your understanding. Round-trip transfers come direct from your Krakow address or a central meeting point, while a wide range of departure times lets you plan ahead.

Avoid hidden costs on a day tour to some of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most popular landmarks from Dubrovnik. Discover the Kravice Waterfalls, tour the historic city of Mostar, see the preserved village of Počitelj, and travel the distance with ease via air-conditioned vehicle. Learn about the region from your guide and relax after a day’s sightseeing with round-trip transfer from your Dubrovnik hotel.

Reaching Pompeii from Rome on your own means sorting trains and connections, and the ruins are vast enough to lose your bearings once you arrive. Join a guided tour to handle both, with transportation from Rome and a route straight to the site's highlights. From there, you can shape the day: add a crater hike, a walk at Mt. Vesuvius, extend your time in Pompeii, or upgrade to include lunch.

Make the most of your time in Catalonia with a small-group tour to Montserrat, including round-trip transportation from Barcelona—so there's no need to rent a car or organize transport. Choose from various tour options, including tickets to the basilica, Black Madonna, and/or the Boy's Choir, a tour-only option with plenty of free time to explore, or a full-day tour that combines Montserrat with a winery visit and lunch. With a flexible duration, this tour allows you to tailor your visit (with six options in total) while discovering one of Catalonia’s top landmarks.

Reaching the sights in Sintra and Cascais by rental car or public transport can be a hassle. Instead, see Portugal's natural and architectural wonders stress-free with this small-group, guided tour directly from Lisbon. Experience the natural wonders of Pena Park with a guided tour and enjoy a visit inside Pena National Palace (if option with tickets is selected). Use your free time in Sintra to take in the highlights, then drive along the Atlantic Coast past the bluffs of Roca Cape to Cascais for a leisurely walk through town to its scenic beaches.

Explore beyond London without renting a car or navigating unfamiliar roads on this full-day coach tour to three of Britain’s historic and culturally important destinations. Visit Windsor Castle to see the State Apartments and St. George's Chapel, then head to the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge, and finish in Bath, famed for its Georgian architecture and Roman Baths.