As the autumn trimester draws to a close, exams are looming large, and most students are yearning for a change of scenery.
As the autumn trimester draws to a close, exams are looming large, and most students are yearning for a change of scenery. While summer travel often gets most of the attention, winter can be a tremendously budget-friendly time to book a trip. With off-peak prices, festive charm, and fewer crowds, it’s the perfect time to explore new destinations without draining your savings. Whether you’re craving sunshine, snow, or a mix of both, here are a few destinations that are sure to brighten up the dark days of winter!
Let’s start with Marrakesh, a vibrant, sunny alternative to the frosty cities of central Europe. This imperial Moroccan city offers an explosion of colour, sound, and spice, far from the grey skies and drizzle we’re used to in Dublin. This city’s heart rests in Jemaa el-Fnaa, a bustling square found in the Medina quarter filled with storytellers, musicians, and food vendors. Wander through the maze-like souks to pick up some homemade goods (make sure to haggle though!), or sip mint tea on a rooftop terrace as the call to prayer echoes across the old city.
Throughout winter, the temperature sits between 18-22°C, a refreshing change from the single digits. Flight costs are lower in winter, with prices falling in and around €170-200 for a round trip. Despite the flights costing a little more than the upcoming destinations, you can expect to spend much less on accommodation and food - with hostels for around €20 as well as night and daily expenses usually tallying at around €25-30. Marrakesh is a warm and budget-friendly escape that feels worlds away from the typical European winter!
If you’re looking for snowflakes and fairy lights (and have your hats and gloves at the ready), then I’d recommend a Baltic multi-city trip, starting in Tallinn and making your way to both Helsinki and Riga. These three capitals of Estonia, Finland, and Latvia offer a blend of medieval charm, Nordic design, and festive spirit. There are regular, inexpensive flights to Tallinn from Dublin, in which you can experience as the Old Town transforms into a winter wonderland from November 21st to December 27th. Take the chance to visit a Christmas market dating back to 1441 and explore the city’s cobblestone streets and pastel buildings covered by a layer of freshly fallen snow!
From Tallinn, you can hop on a return ferry to Helsinki for as little as €40! Here, you can warm up in a traditional Finnish sauna, eat some traditional Finnish meatballs or have a delicious Nordic cinnamon bun with a warm coffee. Helsinki offers a modern contrast to the old, cobbled layout of Tallinn. Upon your return, you can hop on a bus to Riga costing around €20 and take a 4-hour bus ride through the pretty Estonian countryside.
Riga truly is a city like no other, with stunning Art Nouveau architecture, enriching historical museums, and budget-friendly food and nightlife options, it’s a must-visit for students! All three of these cities are compact, walkable and relatively inexpensive, with hostels costing around €20-€30 per night. If done right, this multi-city adventure can be done for less than €400 total, the perfect itinerary for students wanting to maximize travel and minimize their spending!
For students looking for more classic European winter experiences, Kraków delivers history, culture, and snow-dusted beauty at unbeatable prices. The city’s main square hosts one of central Europe’s most charming Christmas markets, where you can eat pierogi, sip mulled wine, and shop for handmade ornaments. Beyond the festive cheer, Kraków is a deeply historical location, with the grandeur of Wawel Castle to the intricate details of St. Joseph’s Church all within 50km of Kraków. The Jewish Quarter, Kazimiers, offers a bohemian vibe as well as cozy cafes, proving a great place to unwind following a day of sightseeing. Flights typically range from around €100-140 return and hostels can be found for as little as €15 per night. Make sure to add this to your list of budget-savvy adventures!
Winter travel doesn’t necessarily have to mean expensive, luxury ski resorts. The off-season offers a vast array of budget-friendly, adventurous holidays, ranging from the warmth and colour of Marrakesh to the snowy rooftops of Tallinn, or the beauty, history, and Christmas spirit of Kraków. So, book your flights, pack your bags, and reward yourself for all your hard work this first semester with the perfect winter getaway!