21 Jan 8 EASY Weekend Trips from Amsterdam to Other Countries (Updated 2026)
Why would you want to take a weekend trip from Amsterdam? So many reasons! You could live in Amsterdam as we do. Perhaps you are a local or an expat that lives in the Netherlands and it’s easy to get to Amsterdam as a starting point. Maybe you are in the city for work for an extended period of time and you want to make the most of the experience. Or maybe you are making Amsterdam your base for a longer European adventure!
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Whatever your personal reason for wanting to take some easy trips from Amsterdam as your jumping off point, there are an amazing amount of quick weekend getaways to nearby countries that are short flights or train journeys away! It’s super easy to get around Europe from Amsterdam thanks to a well-connected central train station and an easy (and cheap to get to) international airport.
I love how many weekend trips from Amsterdam by train you can take! Of course, flights can be quicker (not always thanks to checking bags, security, and delays) but it can be so much more relaxing to hop on the train with a spacious seat and watch the countryside go by. Some of the destinations are a bit far for a train trip if you’re only going for a weekend, but I’m excited to give you a mix of places you can visit to see which is perfect for you!
Related: Day trips from Amsterdam
Weekend trip #1 // Amsterdam to London
How to get there: Quick flights (Check flight prices) are about 50 minutes or the international train, the Eurostar takes a little over 4 hours.
Somehow, I actually don’t write much about London even though I go often as it’s one of my favorite places to go from Amsterdam. It is such an interesting and large city with so much going on and great food. I’ve taken a couple of food tours: one in SoHo and one by the London Bridge so that I could get introduced to proper British food. Every time I go, I try to make a reservation for an afternoon tea. I recommend the Bridgerton-themed afternoon tea at The Lanesborough. The location is stunning, the food and tea are excellent, and wonderful service. I highly suggest using this opportunity to dress up!
There are so many neighborhoods that I keep exploring and finding new ones. I’ll walk around and think “I could live here.” Then I go to another part of the city and think, “Nope, this is the perfect spot.”.
Then, I laugh at myself because I’ll never be able to live in the center of London! Besides, I’m perfectly happy with the house we bought in Amsterdam. To be fair, I never thought that could happen either. Isn’t life a funny thing?
Anyway, back to London. If you like history there are plenty of museums and even non-museum places to enjoy. But sometimes it’s nice to just look at the city. Look at Buckingham Palace. Look at the Parliament Building. Look at Tower Bridge. Other times it’s nice to dive into the culture on Carnaby Street, or in SoHo. Walking in the area of Little Venice is so nice and relaxing and climbing up Primrose Hill is perfect for an awesome view.
With so many options, you might want to think about what kind of accommodation you want before you even start looking. But check out a full listing of hotels to see what fits you best. This is such an easy trip from Amsterdam when you fly from Schiphol airport to London City Airport because you are already in the city!
Hint: Stay near an Underground station (metro) or train station and stay farther out to pay a little less but not be too inconvenienced.
Weekend Getaway #2 // Amsterdam to Paris, France
How to get there: Quick flight (Check flight prices) about 1 hour and 15 minutes or the Eurostar train (used to be the Thalys) that takes around 3 hours and 20 minutes. I recommend the train for this one!
I try to do this every year so I’m definitely partial to this long weekend trip. Even though I’m not in love with Paris like many people are, I still love visiting as a weekend getaway from Amsterdam.
Yeah, I don’t understand myself either. Then again, I love to eat real French food every once in a while and my favorite tea brand is there! There’s just something about walking around Paris. The best thing is when you discover your spots…the places you like the most for some random reason you can’t fully explain.
One of my favorite things that I’ve done in Paris was to grab an eclair, go to the big grassy area called Esplanade des Invalides with Edna and hang out. So simple, yet so nice.
It’s always nice to get a good view of the iconic landmarks in Paris. Though I haven’t put together a post on this, Edna did! She also has a lot of articles on Paris in general, so definitely check those out. Stay an extra day and make a long weekend out of the trip!
Weekend Excursion #3 // Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland
How to get there: Quick flight (Check flight prices) about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
For a quick weekend trip, hopefully, you’d be able to just take a carry-on. It’s very quick and easy to get to the city from the airport by bus so you don’t waste time.
If you like old town centers and bridges that give you the most incredible views, Basel will not disappoint. Even in the winter when most people don’t think to come to Europe it is such a beautiful place no matter when you are able to visit. Being able to walk around and see so many beautiful places and buildings makes it a great escape. The pace is calm and there is plenty of places to eat and drink once you are ready for a break.
If you stay in a Basel hotel, you get the BaselCard which gives you free public transit and discounts around town. Now, that’s a nice bonus and adds a bit of value to your trip.
Weekend Getaway #4 // Amsterdam to Lisbon, Portugal
How to get there: Quick flight (Check flight prices) about 3 hours which isn’t bad for a long weekend.
There are so many flights from Amsterdam to Lisbon, but also, it’s a quick ride from the airport to the center of town on public transportation.
I don’t know about you, but everyone I know has been talking about Lisbon. It’s for a good reason! With the pretty great weather, amazing food, and the treat of Vinho Verde, it’s a great place to be.
Take a food tour to discover the flavors of Portugal, make a reservation at a delicious restaurant that is known for their seafood like Cervejaria Trindade, head to the Time Out Market, or simply grab a drink and sit waterside to enjoy the sunshine. It’s one of those places that you can easily find touristy things to do, or just sit back and relax.
Weekend Trip #5 // Amsterdam to Berlin, Germany
How to get there: Quick flight (Check flight prices) about an hour and 25 minutes.
Oh, Berlin! Berlin is such a popular destination for so many reasons. It has a great vibe, clubbing, its own unique culture, and the food scene is impressive. Summer is the best time to go since you’ll find festivals and markets everywhere, including in the parks to take advantage of their green spaces. Food trucks and music come together to create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Hardly seems fair to think about if you are currently experiencing not-so-friendly weather.
For a weekend away, there are a ton of possibilities of what to get into, but I’ll leave that part up to you. What’s awesome about Berlin is that the variety makes it so that there is something for all us travelers. Indoor museums, outdoor events, historical significance, and so on. It’s easy to go back for multiple trips and always have something new to discover. Discover the best place to stay that fits you best! I’ve recently discovered the Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood with great green spaces, brunch spots, and bookshops. It felt like a place I could easily use as a base while in Berlin.
Weekend Trip #6 // Amsterdam to Warsaw, Poland
How to get there: Quick flight (Check flight prices) about 2 hours
Warsaw isn’t always the first place that comes to mind for a weekend trip, or even as a short break from Amsterdam. But with a direct flight, a stunning old town, a castle and lots to see, why wouldn’t you go? Since a weekend isn’t super long and you want to have your money stretch farther, it’s a good thing it’s cheap to get from the airport to the old town center by bus and takes less than one hour. If you’re more concerned about time than money, a taxi or Uber is always an option as well.
Agness in Warsaw’s old town.
Our friend Agness from eTramping.com has put together a full post here on A Wanderlust For Life on what to do in Warsaw over a weekend. Don’t forget about the food! Over on their blog, they have a drool-worthy post of their favorite Polish dishes.
Weekend Trip #7 // Amsterdam to Groningen, Netherlands
How to get there: By train (Check train prices) just over 2 hours
We all love Amsterdam, it’s just one of those places you have to experience. But when you want to see stunning Dutch architecture in a small city with lots of energy, but without all the tourists, Groningen is a perfect weekend getaway from Amsterdam. It’s a university town, so it’s incredibly lively without being overwhelming. See the full post we wrote up about planning a weekend in Groningen.
You easily get that local feeling by simply strolling down the street. When you start getting peckish, pop into one of the many restaurants available. Because it’s a city with a younger population, the offerings range from traditional to eccentric. There’s something for everyone here. I found it to be a super relaxing place to be with plenty to do if you want, but nothing that gives you FOMO. It’s a nice balance.
Find the right accommodation for you in Groningen.
Weekend Trip #8 // Amsterdam to Hamburg, Germany
How to get there: Super-quick flight (Check flight prices) about an hour long.
You may notice that this is the second time I’ve mentioned Germany, but Hamburg is quite different (and pretty far) from Berlin. It’s one of those places that truly surprised me with how cool it really is. You’ll find some great activities to do and areas to visit. My favorite is down by the water in the area called HafenCity with tons of great restaurants and shopping. But the old town with its stunning buildings is pretty spectacular as well.
This probably isn’t a shock to anyone, but one of my favorite parts was the variety of food. We ate at so many amazing spots all over the city, from pulled pork bbq to fine dining, to a breakfast worthy of getting up early, this city has it all. Read about all our favorite spots including things to do in our post all about a weekend in Hamburg. Don’t forget to find a place to lay your head down each night.
While there are many great options all over Europe, I really think these are perfect for quick trips to be able to get a nice taste of that city. Visitors to Amsterdam can use the city as a hub and still get a really great European experience while exploring more cultures, food, and iconic sights. And those who are local have easy access to great travel opportunities just by living in or around a city like Amsterdam.
I hope I have inspired you! Whether you are taking weekend trips from Amsterdam, or from where you are right now, take the opportunity to use a weekend to explore something new. 🙂
What do you think? Would you take quick trips to these places or do you have other ideas?
Wishing you love and travels!
