When it comes to downtime after long exam seasons, what’s in order is a well-deserved city break, and what’s even better, a break that won’t break the bank!
Finding a cheap holiday online is easy – after all, there are plenty of cheap flights out there. But what about finding some sterling holiday destinations for students? That’s where we come in.
Here are the top student-friendly holidays on our must-visit list.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, has reached legendary status as a holiday destination. It’s easy to see why, as it has so much to offer: history, art, culture, bike rides and beautiful canals.
You can take a trip to Anne Frank’s house and visit the many museums in the city, such as the The Stedelijk Museum, before recharging your batteries in one of the numerous coffee shops with a caffeine fix, stroopwafel, and other delicacies.
Make sure you grab some Heineken as it’s brewed here. The nightlife is iconic, and wandering around you’ll find plenty of risqué Instagram opportunities for your feed.
Berlin
Berlin in Germany is a great place to find student-friendly holidays, thanks to its rich history and culture, cool art scene, buzzing nightlife and fair prices.
It’s also a student city, so there are plenty of young people around. Berlin’s electronic/techno scene really comes alive in the early hours of the morning, with great bars and clubs making it one of Europe’s party capitals.
The food is also amazing in Berlin, and there are some fascinating walking tours that you can take advantage of to learn more about the city’s fascinating history.
Make sure you get a pic at the iconic Brandenburg Gate, take a free guided tour of the Reichstag Building, and spend a day on Museum Island. Take a deep breath at the remnants of the Berlin Wall and wander around Kreuzberg and Neukölln to experience the clash of cultures from street to street.
Palma de Mallorca
If you’re looking for sun, sea, sand, and sangria, then Palma de Mallorca is the one for you.
Think warm Mediterranean waters, picturesque cobbled streets and colourful public squares packed with bars and restaurants – and you’ve pretty much got it.
Spend the day visiting Palma Cathedral, with parts designed by Antoni Gaudí (architect of Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia), before spending the afternoon laid out on the Blue Flag Pere Antoni beach or the quieter Portixol beach.
By night the island transforms into a partygoers paradise, so enjoy the endless array of bars, drinks offers, and clubs as the sun goes down.
Ibiza
Another iconic party haven and a rite of passage for many uni students is a trip to Ibiza on the Balearic Islands.
This was the original party island of the 1990s, and is still up there with the best. It’s all about topping up your tan on the beach by day and dancing the night away to the wee small hours in world famous clubs soundtracked by DJ legends. And the next day you repeat it all.
By day you can also explore the beauty of the island, its stunning views and architecture. Make sure you get some Insta pics of the Dalt Vila ‘Upper Town’ and its winding cobbled streets, if only to prove to Mum that you’re not JUST partying non-stop!
The best part is that flights are cheap and the accommodation is normally pretty decent too (though you will have to pay for entry into the biggest and best clubs) . The city is packed with young people, so there’s a real sense of adventure here, and party season starts in June and lasts til October.
Lisbon
Gaining in popularity as one of the top student-friendly holiday destinations is Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. It’s an epic combo of beach holiday and city break, flights are cheap, and as a city it’s glorious to walk around.
Soak up the sunshine as you admire colourful architecture, grand avenues, and historic points of interest like the Belém Tower. Make sure you sample the local speciality, pasteis de nata (the best custard tarts that will ever cross your lips), and visit the free museums. In fact, most of the main tourist sites offer 50 percent discounts to students.
A must-do on your list should be getting on board one of the old-fashioned trams that take you up and down the steep hills.
By night, get stuck into live Fado music and dance, and head to Bairro Alto, Arco do Cego, Santos, and Cais do Sodré to find the best offers on cheap drinks.
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary and makes for a great holiday destination.
There are underground labyrinths to be explored, geothermal bathhouses to relax and forget exam stress in, and you can even take a trip on a boat down the famous River Danube.
The nightlife is cracking too, with some unique spots like the wildly popular Ruin Bars, basically bars set up in neglected pre-war buildings. Also, in many parts of the city you can get hold of £1 pints – need we say any more?
Aside from all that, there’s some incredible architecture to see, and plenty of history and culture to immerse yourself in, such as Buda Castle and St Stephen’s Basilica, where concerts are regularly held. Oh, and don’t forget to try some authentic Budapest goulash!
Prague
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, also known as the ‘City of a Thousand Spires’, has become one of the most popular destinations for student holidays.
Not only is it super cheap, but its gorgeous cobbled streets are packed with culture, museums, landmarks like the stunning Prague Castle and well-preserved historical buildings.
There are lots of places to sample delicious food, and when the night falls the city lights up with buzzing nightlife!
Flights are cheap and so is accommodation – definitely a winner!
Zante
If Ibiza appeals to you but you want to save even more money, then Zante is a great option.
This Greek island is home to stunning beaches and explorable caves like the Keri Caves and the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, amongst many others.
The nightlife here could be described as insane nightlife – it’s certainly not for the faint hearted! Along the main Zante club strip there’s an abundance of clubs and bars, and with shots with an average cost of around 50p, you’re guaranteed a great time and plenty of unforgettable memories!
Vienna
Vienna in Austria is right up there with the cheapest, yet quality, top student- friendly holidays.
There’s loads to do. If you fancy being classy, you can visit museums and pretty parks, take in the city’s classical music, Art Nouveau and jazz scene, or capture some Instagrammable pics in chic coffee shops.
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you can let all the uni deadline stress out with some screams at the Prater Amusement Park, or you can simply enjoy some surprisingly cheap drinks at some outstanding bars.
UK and Ireland
Last but not least on our list of top student-friendly holidays – how could we leave it out?! – a staycation in good old Blighty!
There are tons of vibrant cities to explore across the UK, whether it be a clubbing weekend in Liverpool or Manchester, Edinburgh Fringe vibes in bonnie Scotland, or a beach/surfing holiday in quaint Newquay on the north coast of Cornwall.
Wherever you’re studying in the UK, there are plenty of iconic places around like London, Cardiff, Glasgow, and of course the entirety of Ireland to enjoy and discover!
Belfast with its Titanic Museum and drinking spots is a strong contender for a city break, or there are coastal getaways throughout the Republic of Ireland like stunning Galway and the Cliffs of Moher.
Limerick, Galway and Killarney all offer picturesque scenery and calming vibes. Or, if like us, you’ve already fallen in love with the Emerald Isle you can also opt for private student housing in Cork instead and just spend your entire uni life immersed in the beauty of Irish culture!
Wherever you decide to go, all of these destinations are guaranteed to give you some great memories and a well-deserved boost in the midst of your uni studies!
