9 Best European Day Trips for Ambitious Travelers

Venice is a city like no other and its a place I recommend to anybody who has never been.

For first time visitors, this Venice in a day itinerary will take you to the city's biggest attractions with plenty of time to spare.

At the end of your day you can relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of this truly unique destination.

Plus, the train station lets you out right on the Grand Canal, so a Venice day trip couldn't be easier.

One of my best travel tips for Venice is to plan your visit during the shoulder season.

Venice gets uncomfortably crowded during the high season in the summer months, so instead plan to visit between September and May.

If you're looking to tackle the most iconic of Paris experiences, this guide has you covered.

From sunrise at the Sacre Coeur to sunset atop the Eiffel Tower, you'll have the chance to see it all.

If you have a few extra hours to spare, I highly recommend a small group tour of the Louvre in the evening. Book the one with champagne for an especially good time.

For a Paris day trip, I recommend arriving as early in the morning as possible.

For the very ambitious, arrive early enough to catch sunrise from the Sacre Coeur. Then enjoy a full day exploring the city.

Less than a one hour train ride from Brussels, you'll find the beautiful and historic city of Ghent, Belgium.

Visitors to Ghent can explore the very walkable old town to see Gravensteen Castle, St. Michael's Bridge, and St. Bavo's Cathedral.

Plan to arrive in the early morning and stay long enough to enjoy an early dinner along the cobblestone streets at sunset near St. Michael's Bridge.

If you want to see a castle or two and prefer to explore somewhere a bit off the beaten path, then consider a day trip to Luxembourg City.

Luxembourg City is known for its historic fortifications and castles, which you can find right near the city center.

You'll also find tons of impressive musuems, trendy restaruants, and lively bars. For the best nightlife, head to the Grund neighborhood.

If you're visiting in December, be sure not to miss the Luxembourg Christmas Market in the city center.

If you prefer a slower pace for your European day trips, then Riga, Latvia makes an excellent choice. The city's gorgeous old town and famous Art Nouveau architecture are sure to impress.

If you have the extra time, consider catching a show at the historic Splendid Palace or Latvian National Opera.

If you're interested in photographing the old town (highly recommended) plan to arrive in the early morning on a weekend day. You'll pretty much have the streets to yourself.

One of my personal favorite European day trips, Copenhagen will be quick to steal any travelers heart.

From the iconic Nyhavn harbor to the quirky sreets of Christiania, this itinerary has it all.

Since Copenhagen is known for its incredible food scene, you'll also get to sample some of the city's best restaurants.

I highly recommend renting a bicycle and exploring Copenhagen like the locals do. Trust me, it's a lot more fun that it sounds.

If you're looking for the perfect day tour in London, you can try to keep up with this ambitious London in a day itinerary.

This guide will take you from Buckingham Palace to the London Eye, and just about everywhere else you might want to go.

There's even time for afternoon tea, just be sure to make those reservations in advance.

If you plan to enter any of the major attractions, be sure to book your reservations online in advance to save time.

If you're looking for historic architecture and good food at the same time, Brussels will likely be one of your favorite European day trips.

In the Brussels city center you'll find Grand Place, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with plenty of options for sampling the city's best Belgium waffles, fries, and beer.

If you have a full day, you can also sqeeze in a trip to the Atomium and European Parliament.

Try to end your evening at Delirium Cafe. Here you can sample hundreds of international craft beers and even enjoy some live music.

Delirium Cafe is also a great place to meet other travelers if you're traveling solo.

For those looking to sample perhaps the world's most delicious pizza, consider a European day trip to the famous city of Naples, Italy.

If you're a foodie, or just love Italian cuisine, Naples is a must visit city in Europe.

Just be sure to leave room for more than one stop at a traditional pizzeria, you won't regret it.

In the evenings, head out to one of the many jazz clubs around the city for cocktails and live music.