Europe Spring Break: Best Places to Visit in Spring for Sapphics

Where to Travel in Spring? Sapphic Travel Suggestions

As far as the Hags are concerned, the answer is almost always “Europe”. Now that we live on this side of the pond, the U.K., Ireland, and the mainland continent have our full attention. Let’s be real: it’s hard to beat the history and aesthetic of a European spring break. 

Oh, but it is important to point out that spring break can mean different things to different people. In Europe, it tends to be a whole family holiday, in general, because the schools are out for a couple of weeks around Easter. In America, it’s often associated with college kids raging poolside. As two childfree lesbians, we see spring break as a pre-summer getaway to relax, explore, and enjoy ourselves. Regardless of what it means to you, our selection of travel destinations is sure to leave you with incredible memories and grid-worthy photos (all three have for us!) 

3 Best Places to Visit in Spring

1. Paris

Paris is breathtaking year-round, but it’s extra special in spring. As the flowers and trees bloom, the air becomes perfumed, and the streets come alive with color, turning the already picturesque roadways into pieces of art, which is why it’s at the top of our best places to visit in spring list. Who needs the Louvre when you can just walk across Pont Neuf and look out onto the City of Light in bloom? (Just kidding! Be sure to stop by the Louvre, too.) 

Spring in Paris Itinerary: Take a sunset stroll along the Seine, enjoy a picnic amongst the fragrant lilacs and chestnut trees under the Eiffel Tower in the Parc du Champ-de-Mars (Field of Mars Park), and spend the afternoon spotting the magnolia trees in the Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Garden). 

2. London

Rain or shine, spring or fall, London is a great destination to visit any season (I might be a bit biased). BUT in spring, there are parts of the city that will take your breath away (literally if you have allergy-induced asthma) thanks to the numerous cherry blossom trees.

Virtually every part of London has an area loaded with the gorgeous white and pink blooms, but some of the most famous landmarks, like Greenwich Park, take it so over the top that upon seeing them in person, it quickly becomes obvious why it’s a top recommendation for the best places to visit in spring. 

Spring in London Itinerary: Begin your journey in Greenwich Park by traversing down avenues lined with trees that create a blossom arch. Now, you can spend your entire spring getaway exploring the park’s 183 acres, or if you want a change of scenery, you can also catch the blooms at St. James Park by Buckingham Palace, Regent’s Park north of the Thames, or Kew Gardens on the far west side of town. 

3. Copenhagen

Even coming from somewhere as far north as London, spring in Copenhagen is very chilly, but somehow, the blooms still be blooming. As with London and Paris, you can catch cherry blossom trees across the city, with the most famous spot, Bispebjerg Kirkegård, actually being a cemetery. But don’t worry, it’s an incredibly popular location for foot traffic, from tourists to runners, so just be sure to keep the noise down and respect others who may be there to mourn.

Or, if that feels a bit too creepy or sacrilegious for you, opt for Langelinie Park instead. The site features over 200 cherry blossom trees gifted by the Japanese embassy and even hosts Copenhagen’s annual Sakura Festival in April. 

Spring in Copenhagen Itinerary: Start at Langelinie Park next to the marina and explore the gardens, and be sure to stop by The Little Mermaid statue for a pic for the scrapbook. Next, step aboard a local boat for a traditional Copenhagen canal tour to see the city, its architecture, and its blooms from its famous waterways. Finally, round out your spring Danish itinerary with lunch along the colorful Nyhavn waterfront, followed by a walk down to the Botanical Garden. 

What to Pack for a Spring Getaway in Europe

Warning; It’s going to feel much colder than you think it’s going to be. If you’re traveling from the U.S., just know that temperatures don’t typically translate to the same feeling in Europe. For instance, when we visited Paris in late April, we were all bundled up in wool trenches, beanies, and thick sweatshirts, even though it was in the lower 60s (Fahrenheit) with full sun. In Missouri, we could’ve gotten away with a t-shirt with those temps. 

Like with traveling to Iceland, layers are your friend when it comes to packing for a spring getaway in Europe. I highly recommend having a t-shirt, long-sleeve shirt, button-up shirt, and a trench coat, light peacoat, or rain jacket. Additionally, a warm hat, like a beanie, or a scarf can help keep you warm when there’s a cool breeze. Finish off your wardrobe with jeans or a mid-weight trouser and a light-weight tennis shoe – pleather is ideal for rainy days. 

What Luggage to Bring for Spring Break in Europe

After many, many trips across Europe, I’ve been able to perfect my packing process down to only one small shoulder bag and my mini Baboon To The Moon go-bag. I’m able to make this work by packing a capsule wardrobe that allows me to mix and match pieces to create multiple outfits. I also plan ahead by determining when and where laundry can be done on my trip.

If you’re feeling boujee, most hotels offer laundry service for a fee. Or, if you prefer a budget-friendly option, plan for a morning at the local laundromat; grab a coffee, bring a book, and get to know the locals in their domain. Additionally, there are now many pick-up laundry services that can be arranged via an app, which are usually priced somewhere in the middle of the other two options. 

Now, if you’re coming from the US to spring break in Europe, then you’re probably tempted to bring multiple suitcases for all your fits and must-have items (Imodium, anybody?). BUT I’d argue against it for the sake of your back, ribs, and sanity. Even if you can’t whittle your travel gear down to two small bags, try to keep it to a backpack and a single suitcase, if physically feasible, which leads us to a hot topic: wheelie bags. 

Listen, rolly bags get a bad rap in Europe as they’re considered an easy identifier of (mostly) American tourists, which often comes with a negative connotation. Ugh, I get, I get: historically, we (collectively) haven’t been the greatest guests in foreign lands, and if you’ve watched enough TikToks, it seems some of our brethren are working extra hard to maintain that negative image.

However, the resulting disgust shouldn’t be directed at wheeled suitcases! Seriously, they’re an excellent way to maneuver, especially for any sapphic travelers with mobility issues or lesbian couples traveling with their kids. Just stick to a smaller option, and you may be lucky enough to avoid the European judgment. 

Choosing the Best Places to Visit in Spring for Sapphic Travelers

The resurgence of life brought about after winter sets the perfect landscape for a new adventure. When choosing the best places to visit in spring, we placed a high emphasis on safety for lesbian, queer, and bi travelers as much as the aesthetics to ensure that our readers can pick any of the list without an extra layer of worry. For that reason, whether you’re going solo, as a lesbian couple, or with a group of fellow sapphics, our top selection of spring destinations is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories and frame-worthy pictures.