Are you planning a vacation from Paris? With this comprehensive guide, you can find the greatest day excursions outside of France. Discover the best day trip locations, tips for traveling, and must-see sights for your next excursion.
The famous sights, rich culture, and intriguing history of Paris, the City of Light, captivate tourists. However, France’s fascination stretches well beyond its capital.
Just outside the borders of this enthralling country, you’ll find a tapestry of adjacent sites promising similarly unforgettable experiences within a day’s drive of Paris.
Here are some day tours that will give you a taste of Europe’s different landscapes and civilizations.
Things you'll find in this article
5 Best Day Trips From Paris That Are Outside Of France
1. Amsterdam
Amsterdam, one of the world’s greatest tourist attractions, is a cosmopolitan city that encourages visitors to explore its beauty and history. There are numerous locations to explore in Amsterdam and a wide range of new experiences to try.
When it involves exploring Amsterdam, there’s more than its common caricature of cannabis cafés and the famed red light district. This is an excellent holiday place for you to visit. It’s popular, deserving, and guarantees a good time for friends and family.
Best Places to Visit in Amsterdam
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is a national museum of art and history. The current museum structure, constructed by Pierre Cuypers, features neo-Gothic ornamentation with allusions to Dutch artwork.
At the Rijksmuseum, you may learn about history through the visual elements. Thousands of pieces of art from the Netherlands and all over the world. Admire works by Dutch masters as well as bright pieces by talented Italian painters and sculptors.
Begijnhof
This is one of the greatest spots to visit in Amsterdam if you want to get some peace. It was once a Béguinage and is now the location of two churches.
It offers a private garden where one may relax and marvel at the amazing Mondrian-designed pulpit panels.
Heineken Brewery
Yes, you can visit the Heineken brewery! The journey will begin with a 1 hour and 30 minutes self-guided tour of Heineken’s oldest brewery.
Throughout this tour, you will find out about their history, how they make beer and much more. The trip concludes with two wonderfully cold beers at the Best ‘Dam Bar.
Royal Palace Of Amsterdam
The palace is as accessible to guests as allowed. A living structure in which you may walk in the footsteps of royal visitors through its majestic chambers and hallways.
The admission price to the Royal Palace Amsterdam is $10.91 for adults (18 and up), and free for children (17 and under). You may purchase the ticket online via its official website, avoiding huge lines.
How to get to Amsterdam from Paris
You may travel from Paris to Amsterdam via rail, bus, ridesharing, car, or aircraft. The train is the quickest method to go from Paris to Amsterdam. The distance from Paris to Amsterdam is around 425 kilometers.
The price for this choice will be between 116.37 USD and 250.64 USD and take roughly 3 hours and 20 minutes.
There is a direct bus that runs from Paris To Bercy Seine to Amsterdam City Center To Sloterdijk. Services run on an hourly basis and throughout the day. The travel lasts around 6 hours and 40 minutes.
Amsterdam Travel Tips
Restaurant and service sector workers in the Netherlands are well compensated and do not demand tips. While it is common in other European nations to leave 10% or tip a tour guide, this is not the case in the Netherlands. If you wish to tip someone, they will gladly accept it.
If you want to visit more than one museum, an I Amsterdam City Card is a good investment. This is a city travel permit that allows you to enter practically all of the museums.
You should avoid getting excessively drunk when visiting the Red Light District. Every night, a slew of inebriated visitors make a mockery of the people around them in the Red Light District.
While much of Amsterdam has loose open container restrictions, the Red Light District has a rigorous no-alcohol-on-the-street ban.
2. London
London is arguably possibly the most well-known city in the world. It is rich in tradition and has been used for years as the Royal Family’s palace.
Visitors adore its modern atmosphere, but much more so, they are enchanted by its old-world appeal, which can only be sensed when you visit the city.
Best Places to Visit in London
London Eye
It sits 135 meters from the ground and is a must-see for anybody wishing to see the beautiful London skyline. It is the world’s biggest cantilevered observation wheel, with views in all directions.
Adults pay 49.09 USD for the tickets. It’s open from early morning till late at night. The early hours and nights are less congested than the afternoons. Consider going in the early morning or late evening for a more peaceful experience.
Kew Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, being one of the largest and most renowned gardens in the entire world, is a popular destination for travelers visiting the United Kingdom.
It’s a magnificent refuge only 30 minutes from the center of London that provides an ideal retreat from the city’s bustle. This garden has The Great Pagoda, The Temperate House, The Marianne North Gallery, and many more attractions.
London Dungeon
The London Dungeon is a one-of-a-kind exciting experience that will transport you to the capital’s most hazardous past. See and hear the terrifyingly entertaining characters from the ‘bad old days’ as they come to life in front of your eyes and ears.
Children are allowed to visit The London Dungeon, although the suggested age for admission is 12 years and older.
Many youngsters visit us and like the experience; but, because some portions of the attraction are especially dark and noisy, some may not.
St Paul’s Cathedral
The internationally recognized dome of St Paul’s Cathedral dominates the London skyline. They will invite you to worship, sightsee, and participate in a lively schedule of events ranging from symphonic concerts to interesting panel discussions.
Their daily services are free and accessible to the public, and they provide an opportunity to hear the amazing sounds of their Cathedral choir.
How to get to London from Paris
You may travel from Paris to London via train, bus, ridesharing, car, boat, or aircraft. Train travel from Paris to London takes 2 hours and 25 minutes and costs between 125.32 USD and 393.87 USD.
Alternatively, you may take a bus from North Greenwich stop for 44.76 USD to 64.45 USD and travel for 9 hours and 5 minutes, or you can fly for 87.73 USD to 286.45 USD and travel for 4 hours and 10 minutes.
London Travel Tips
Renting a car in London can be one of the worst mistakes you can make. The public transportation system is fantastic, and there are several methods to travel around London, with driving being the most inconvenient.
One of the finest money-saving recommendations I can provide to people visiting London on a budget is to acquire The London Pass. If you plan on visiting several attractions, the fees might quickly pile up if you buy each ticket separately.
London receives a lot of rain. Today, you can get extremely little fold-out umbrellas, and I suggest keeping one with you at all times.
3. Brussels
Belgium’s capital is perhaps most famous as the European Union’s headquarters and the residence of the nation’s Royal Family. However, it is also a fantastic tourist site.
Whether you come for a day excursion to stock up on sweets and beer, an extended stay to lose yourself in culture, or your yearly getaway, you will have a fantastic time in Brussels.
Best Places to Visit in Brussels
The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is the city of Brussels’ major plaza. It is famous anywhere in the world for its architectural and aesthetic prosperity.
There are no Grand Place passes available, so anyone can come for free. The location is ideal for sightseeing. There are admission fees to several ancient museums, palaces, as well as monuments in this city.
Royal Museums of Fine Arts
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium is an organization of six of Belgium’s top art museums. The Museum of Ancient Art along with the Museum of Modern Art, both located in the center of Brussels, are the two most recognized and frequented museums.
They conserve the creations of various artists, including the Flemish Primitives, Jacques Jordaens, James Ensor, Paul Gauguin, Paul Delvaux, Marcel Broodthaers, and more.
The Manneken Pis
The Manneken Pis in Brussels represents the city’s most iconic statue as well as one of its most popular tourist attractions. The monument, which represents a tiny kid peeing into a fountain of water, has been here since around 1618 and is well-loved by both residents and visitors.
According to the most popular narrative, the figurine portrays a little child who saved Brussels from calamity. The enemy was waiting at the gates, preparing to blow up the city walls using gunpowder.
Atomium
The Brussels Atomium was created for the 1958 Brussels World Fair and has a vintage feel about it. The Atomium is eccentric and it’s worth a visit if you’re touring the city or are nearby.
Children under 45 inches are allowed free, while tickets for those over 65 cost $15.27. Your admission ticket includes admission to the whole Atomium museum as well as an additional ticket to the Design Museum, situated right adjacent to the Atomium.
How to get to Brussels from Paris
You may get from Paris to Brussels via rail, bus, ridesharing, car, or aircraft. Train travel from Paris to Brussels takes 1 hour and 25 minutes and costs between 28.65 USD and 161.13 USD.
You may also take the bus, which costs 19.69 USD to 37.60 USD and takes 4 hours and 2 minutes, or fly, which costs 107.42 USD to 322.26 USD and takes 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Brussels Travel Tips
Make a reservation at a centrally located hotel. Many of Brussels’ most popular tourist attractions are within a short stroll of one another, so if you’d like to make the most of your stay in the city, book a hotel in the middle of the action.
If you’re visiting the city for the first time and want to cross a number of these locations off your list, look into money-saving cards like the Brussels Card, which offers you entry to almost all of Brussels’ museums for one fee, so you can sightsee your eyes out.
When going on a tourist trip, avoid packing large luggage. In reality, most large bags are not permitted at museums, and you must secure your belongings in a tiny locker that can only hold a small backpack.
4. Bruges
Bruges sits in West Flanders and is renowned as one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. There are several locations to see in Bruges on your next vacation, and I have picked some of the most popular things to see in Bruges for your consideration.
If you’re wondering what to visit in Bruges, you’ll be relieved to hear that there are endless things to do and see to keep you entertained.
Best Places to Visit in Bruges
The Canal
The greatest way to observe the Gothic city is by boating along its waterways. The city may be seen by horse or on foot, but the most effective way to appreciate its stunning architecture is by boat.
Canals wind through the old heart of Bruges and extend into the city beyond. Beautiful structures may be found in every path, with the rocky skylines reflected in the sea.
Belfry Tower
The Belfort, a fifteenth-century bell tower, is in the midst of Bruges’ the city’s heart a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Climb the 366 steps every hour to hear the tower’s amazing array of bells sound out their unique tones. Because only a limited number of people are permitted to climb the belfry tower at one time, the lines can become rather long.
Market Square
The Brugge Markt, frequently referred to as the Market Square, is a must-see attraction in Bruges. Today, the area is packed with restaurants and stores and serves as a gathering spot for people.
Market Square also happens to be where you may take a horse-drawn carriage trip throughout the city. A journey here is one that you should not miss.
The Basilica of the Holy Blood
It is considered one of the most popular sights in Bruges and should not be skipped. This historic twin church, titled Our Lady and Saint Basil, is supposed to have a vial containing droplets of Jesus Christ’s blood.
You will see two separate portions on your visit because it is a twin church. An upper church of neo-Gothic construction that houses the relic of the Holy Blood, as well as a lower chapel with Romanesque characteristics.
How to Get to Bruges from Paris
You may get from Paris to Bruges via rail, bus, automobile, or air. There is an express bus that runs from Paris to Bruges. Services run twice a day and are available every day. The travel lasts around 4 hours and 30 minutes.
There is no direct rail service between Paris and Bruges. Services, on the other hand, originate from Paris Nord and arrive in Bruges via Bruxelles-Midi. The travel, counting transfers, takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes and costs between 39.39 USD to 179.03 USD.
Bruges Travel Tips
Spring is one of the main shoulder seasons, and I believe it is an excellent time for a trip to Bruges. Each nook and crevice of the city is covered with bright flowers.
Bruges in spring is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. If you travel in the spring, be sure to stop at Beguinage, which will be blanketed with white and yellow flowers.
Because of its tiny size, the city may get overrun with tourists at peak seasons. So, before the throngs arrive, take an early morning stroll around the city. It’s the finest time to view Bruges’ pristine streets and breathtaking beauty in all its grandeur.
5. Luxembourg
Luxembourg is a small nation, yet it has some of the most gorgeous sites you have ever seen. While many of the country’s main viewing possibilities and areas of interest are concentrated in bustling Luxembourg City, the old quarter that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the country’s numerous little villages are equally beautiful and well worth seeing.
The Old Quarter of Luxembourg City
There is no better spot to start visiting Luxembourg City than inside its ancient Old Quarter. This beautifully maintained historic city center, known commonly as “d’ Stad,” was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The medieval defenses have been replaced by beautifully landscaped parks and gardens, and its cobblestone alleys are lined with fascinating old homes and structures.
National Museum of History and Art
The National Museum of History and Art can be found in the old Fish Market district and is recognized for housing a large collection of art artifacts, tools, coins, archeological findings, furniture, and documents.
All of these objects are evidence of the country’s rich past. With various artistic, spiritual, community, and intellectual treasures on exhibit, the museum focuses on the Gallo-Roman period.
Bourscheid Castle
Your trip to Luxembourg is not complete unless you see this magnificent castle, which rises high on a plateau bordered by the rivers Wark and Sure.
This location has a wonderful view, making it one of the locations for exploring near Luxembourg City. If you are passionate about nature, here is the place for you.
The Notre-Dame Cathedral
The medieval Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg City was completed in the beginning of the seventeenth century, with numerous elegant Renaissance embellishments added later.
Both of the original choir bays, as well as the three unique towers, a single of which, the west tower, was constructed at the same time, are notable aspects of the country’s sole cathedral.
How to Get to Luxembourg from Paris
You may get from Paris to Luxembourg via rail, bus, ridesharing, car, or aircraft. P+R Bouillon is a direct bus that departs from Paris and arrives in Luxembourg. Services run three times a day, seven days a week. The travel lasts around 5 hours and 15 minutes.
There is no direct rail service between Paris and Luxembourg. Services, however, depart from Paris l’Est and arrive in Luxembourg via Metz Ville. The travel, including transfers, takes around 2 hours and 50 minutes and costs between $50.13 to $161.13 USD.
Luxembourg Travel Tips
Luxembourg is best visited between May and September. It has a pleasant summer temperature, making it ideal for trekking and camping.
Luxembourg is quite safe. It has an extremely low crime rate and is a very rich country. People are quite nice and laid-back. Even though Luxembourg City is host to all of the major corporations, the city, like other parts of the country, maintains an easygoing environment.
You won’t be stranded lacking internet during your visit to the city because it provides free wifi everywhere.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.