18 Affordable Spring Break Destinations for 2020

There are so many wonderful places in the world that are amazing for a Spring Break trip. I personally prefer avoiding the standard destinations people visit during Spring Break becasue they’re too crowded and prices are usually jacked up. Where’s the fun in going somewhere over priced and overcrowded?

These 18 affordable spring break destinations are just what you are looking for to have an afforable, adventurous spring break!

Antwerp, Belgium

Lieze, Glitter Rebel

Ah Belgium… the place of amazing chocolate, great beer and delicious fries. The Flemish city Antwerp is a cheap spring-break destination and a MUST for travellers who love delicious food, interesting history and a great party.

During the day you can visit one of the many lovely museums or stroll over the medieval streets and have a beer on the beautiful market square. At night Antwerp knows how to throw a party – with famous clubs open all night and cute bars serving craft beers, this amazing city has a great nightlife! Locals are very friendly and during a night out you will have made new friends in no time!

Being an all-time favourite for many Erasmus students, Antwerp is a vibrant and international-minded city. Yet, as most tourists will head to Brussels and Bruges the city is unspoiled by mass-tourism which means you can easily discover Antwerp as a “local”.

Prices in Antwerp are incredibly reasonable with €2.50 to €4 for a craft beer (depending on how rare it is) and (when you do a bit of research) less than €15 for a 3-course meal, this medieval city and hometown of world-famous painter Rubens is very affordable.

Things you should not miss in Antwerp are: the Vlaeykensgang, the Cathedral, The House of Rubens, the many amazing bars and pubs, De Grote Markt and the vintage district. LGBTQ+ travellers will be happy to hear that Antwerp is the LGBTQ+ capital of Belgium and that there is a great number of clubs and pubs catering to the community.

In short: Antwerp is that perfect European city where you can get lost in old streets, explore cute little shops but also find amazing food and beer for a very reasonable price.

Belize

Sean, Living Out Lau

Belize, one of the most forgotten countries in Central America, is usually overshadowed by its neighbors, Mexico and Guatemala. A small country in size, Belize has a lot to offer in terms of activities. Turquoise water and Caribbean vibes are located on the coast of Belize in places like Caye Caulker. It is the perfect place to party or relax on the beautiful sandy beaches. If you want to experience the rich Mayan history, go inland to the city of San Ignacio. Situated in the rain forest region of Belize, San Ignacio is surrounded by Mayan ruins and ceremonial caves. For example, the ATM (Actun Tunichil Muknal) cave still contains a full set of skeleton and ceremonial pottery inside that can only be seen after venturing into the water-filled cave for about an hour. There are just full of amazing things to do in San Ignacio. The best thing about visiting Belize? Belize is the only country in Central America that has English as its official language. No more trying to get by with your Spanglish like you were in Mexico. You can speak English and everyone will understand you.

Denmark

Nick, The Danish Nomads

The Kingdom of Denmark is not your typical spring break destination. Although this little Scandinavian country sure knows how to party, there are many more reasons to visit. You’ve probably already heard that Danes are amongst the happiest people in the world and that much of this can be contributed to the unique concept of “Hygge”. For the uninitiated, “Hygge” is an unofficial activity all Danes like to participate in. It can best be explained through an example: Imagine you’re sitting in a small cabin deep in the woods. It’s snowing outside, and you are drinking a hot cup of mulled wine. Crackling sounds emerge from the fireplace and you are surrounded by your loved ones. You’re all playing a board game, while the smell of popcorn slowly fills the room. That’s Hygge. You won’t see much snow during spring, but the concept can be applied all the same. As the long winter finally comes to an end, you will find that the locals all take to the streets. All over Copenhagen, people will be out and about, sunbathing and enjoying cold beers in public places such as Nyhavn (illustrated in the picture here). That’s Hygge! If you’re looking for more than that, there are also all the prominent old castles from the Shakespeare period, countless museums, and some of the best restaurants in the world. Thanks to Noma, you must have heard of Nordic cuisine? You should also consider visiting the beautiful Danish countryside, for example by going to the wonderfully picturesque Northern part of the country! To help you get off the beaten path, here’s your itinerary for visiting Skagen – the top of Denmark.

Gdansk, Poland

Holly, Four Around the World

If you are looking for a Spring Break destination in Europe that offers history and culture, plus a coastal location, Gdansk is a great option.

As a whole, Poland is an affordable country in Europe and one that you won’t want to miss. They have delicious food and beautiful architecture. Gdansk is one of the prettiest cities in Poland, with colourfully painted buildings lining the main streets.

Gdansk is also part of the tri-cities along with Gardinia and Sopot. Catch public transport between the 3 closely situated towns to enjoy the Polish coast. You may even want to dip your toes in the ocean. During hot days, the beaches are packed!

There are many restaurants serving up local dishes for reasonable prices. Alternatively, visit the nearest supermarket and cook yourself a feast at your Airbnb. This is one of the best ways to enjoy the city on a budget.

Gdansk has something for all ages and interests and is one of our favourite places in Poland.

Medellin, Columbia

Emily, Wander Lush

Dubbed La Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera, the City of Eternal Spring, Medellin in Colombia’s Antioquia province is a wonderful place for a spring break. Temperate weather draws visitors year-round, but spring is a particularly pleasant time to visit due to thinner crowds and blooming plant life.

Medellin is set in a valley, surrounded on all sides by barrios pitched sharply on sloped hills and connected with the rest of the city via a network of cable cars and outdoor escalators. In one such barrio, Comuna 13, you can join a street art walking tour and learn how the area has transformed from one of the world’s most dangerous neighbourhoods into a cultural hub.

Downtown Medellin is devoted to museums, galleries, sweeping public plazas and green spaces, Colombian coffee houses, and of course plenty of empanada and arepas stands. Endowed with heritage facades and beautiful Catholic churches, Medellin is the perfect size for exploring on foot or by bicycle.

Pad the leafy streets of the Laureles neighbourhood, go shopping at craft markets, climb the hill to Pueblo Pasia, a model Antioquian village in the centre of town, and visit the Museum of Antioquia, which houses a vast collection of sculptures by locally born artist Fernando Botero. Medellin has a reputation for being Colombia’s fruit bowl, so no trip is complete without visiting a few of the vibrant flower and fruit markets around the city.

Denver, Colorado

Estella, Around the World in 24 Hours

When it comes to spring break destinations, most people don’t think of a landlocked city like Denver, Colorado. But in fact, springtime, especially April, is the perfect time to visit the Mile High City. The weather is dry and sunny, but not scorchingly hot. So you can join the locals in exploring the great outdoors by foot or bicycle without worrying too much about getting caught in a downpour or melting from summer heat. And on the plus side, you won’t be overrun with annoying tourists.

For people looking to party, there’s plenty of spring break options in Denver. The city is known for its craft beer and brewpubs. After all, its former mayor, John Hickenlooper, founded the local Wynkoop Brewing Company. But excellent libations can also be found at local small batch cideries and distilleries. (Not to mention the fun at Denver’s many legal dispensaries.)

But people looking for a more low-key spring break will find just as many great times. History buffs will love visiting the home of the Unsinkable Molly Brown of Titanic fame. Denver is also well known for art, whether in its award-winning Denver art museum or the stunning street art of the River North Arts District, aka the RiNo. On a gorgeous spring day, nothing is more fun than looking for little rhinos hidden in the RiNo District’s murals!

Wrocław, Poland

Marta and Milosz, BackpackersWro

Wrocław is a fourth-largest city in Poland, located in the southwestern part of the country. There are several universities there, and so during the academic year, the city is full of young people from around the world.

Spring is a great time to travel to Wroclaw. First of all, you can fly to Wroclaw directly and conveniently from almost all of Europe. Also, the season for outdoor concerts, cultural events, and festival starts at the beginning of spring.

Wrocław is located on the banks of the Oder River. When the weather is getting warmer, you can party till dawn at numerous beach bars. If you are not a party person, you will not get bored. There are various museums, viewpoints, parks, gardens as well as many pubs, bars, and restaurants offering not only polish cuisine but also international dishes. We love it, especially for a wide range of vegan restaurants.

Wroclaw is the largest city in the historical region of Silesia. If you want to spend a weekend away in the mountains or have a day trip from Wroclaw to the nearby castles or palaces, it is easy to get there by bus or train within one or two hours.

Uzbekistan

Ellis, Backpack Adventures

Uzbekistan is the perfect spring break destination if you are looking for a unique place to visit. The country has just opened its doors with the new visa-free regime for most nationalities. With its ancient Silk Road cities and colourful Islamic architecture, there are plenty of reasons to come to Uzbekistan.

Spring is one of the best times to visit Uzbekistan. The cold days of winter are gone and the summer heat hasn’t started yet. Temperatures are just fine for walking around the beautiful cities where you travel back in history to the days of the Silk road. The trees are also blossoming giving the air a sweet fragrance.

But it is not just the weather why Uzbekistan is a perfect spring break destination. It is also the time Uzbekistan celebrates one of its biggest festivals. Nowruz welcomes spring and the Persian new year and is observed in all of Central Asia. Although the official holiday is around the 21st of March, there are Nowruz festivities in Uzbekistan throughout the month.

Expect to stumble upon musical gatherings, dancing, traditional games, concerts and national food. It’s a joyful time to be in the country. If you love history, culture and food, Uzbekistan won’t disappoint you for a spring break holiday. And as a bonus, prices are still very budget-friendly, especially compared to other top tourist destinations.

Jordan

Keri, Family Travel in the Middle East

There is no better place to start exploring the Middle East than Jordan, and no better time of year than Spring to experience everything that this small but amazingly diverse and historic country has to offer. Jordan is an enchanting slice of tranquillity and beauty in an otherwise fairly unsettled region of the world, but also a great value country to explore.

Most will probably associate Jordan with the Lost City of Petra – and indeed there’s a very good reason why this truly spectacular heritage site should be at the top of your bucket list. But there is plenty more history to explore from the Crusader castles that line the Kings Highway, to the ancient Roman City of Jerash, North of the Capital Amman. The country also contains many biblical sites of note including Mount Nebo, the Madaba Map, Bethany Beyond the Jordan and Umm Qais.

Jordan’s great attraction also comes in its geography. Whilst it is only a relatively small country, you can explore from the vast desert plains of Wadi Rum in the south, the Great Rift Valley (home to Petra) and the coastal city of Aqaba on the Red Sea, all the way along the mountains to the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, famous for its incredibly salty floating waters and the lowest land point on earth. You can tackle the main sites within a week by car, or we recommend spending two weeks for an in depth experience.

A distinctly different type of Spring Break for most, but one which will leave you forever touched and inspired to explore the Middle East region further.

Phoenix, Arizona

Nicole, American Southwest Obsessed

Phoenix during spring break is one of the busiest times of year with so many things to do from baseball spring training, art festivals, or even a concert.

The weather in Phoenix in spring is perfect. It is warm but not too hot in the mid 70s to 80s and cooling at night.

One of my favorite things to do when the weather is cool is to go hiking in Phoenix. There are so many cool trails to check out.

If you’re looking for a quick but challenging hike near Phoenix, then look no further than the Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain.

This is one of the most popular day hikes in Phoenix it is also not for the faint of heart. The trail is only 1.23 miles to the top, but it has an incredibly steep incline and is best for those who are physically fit and experienced hikers.

There are lots of trails around Phoenix or even on Camelback Mountain.

Guatemala

Audrey, Gumnuts Abroad

If you’re looking for a unique destination for your spring break that’s packed with natural wonders, fabulous ruins and endless adventures that’s also affordable, then Guatemala is the perfect place for you. This tiny Central American country is jam-packed with so many things to see and do, that your only problem will be working out how to fit them all in. From climbing volcanoes, swimming in lakes, to exploring Mayan ruins and visiting vibrant indigenous cultures Guatemala is unlike anywhere else.

Pretend you’re Indiana Jones as you roam the enchanting jungle ruins of Tikal. Or watch a volcano erupt from the safety of your tent on Volcano Acatenago. Nature lovers will marvel at the natural wonders of Semuc Champey and its turquoise pools that look like something out of a dream. Then spend a day wandering the cobblestone streets of Antigua and drinking artisan coffee in one of its cool and colourful cafes. And finally, when you’ve done all that kick back and relax in one of the tiny towns that circle the magical Lake Atitlan. For those on a longer break, Guatemala is the perfect place to learn Spanish or to do some volunteering.

Lisbon, Portugal

Wendy, The Nomadic Vegan

There’s been a lot of hype about Lisbon in recent years as an up-and-coming tourism destination, and for good reason. Many of the city’s historic buildings have been renovated, and when that unique Mediterranean sunlight hits the azulejo tiles and orange tiled roofs, it’s a stunning sight. And despite the recent increase in tourism, it’s still one of the cheapest destinations in Western Europe.

While the Atlantic waters may be a bit too chilly for swimming in spring, the vistas over the ocean are nonetheless spectacular. Lisbon is also the sunniest capital city in Europe, with a good seven to eight hours of sunshine per day in the spring. If you can time your visit to coincide with the blooming of the jacaranda trees, you’ll be treated to a scene of streets and city squares covered in purple flowers.

Most of the tourists tend to flock here during the summer months, so a spring break visit also means you won’t have to share the city with as many crowds. Lisbon has plenty of fantastic restaurants, old neighborhoods to explore, and some very cool street art, and spring is arguably the best time to experience it all.

Istanbul, Turkey

Stephanie, Sofia Adventures

A great destination for Spring Break would be to head straight to Istanbul, a city that is bursting with things to do year-round. While it’s one of my favorite winter destinations, by the time spring break rolls around, the weather starts to be warm enough to enjoy indulging in a Turkish breakfast along the Bosphorus.

No visit to Istanbul is complete without a trip to Sultanahmet to see the Hagia Sophia, one of the most important buildings in all of world history. Yet for spring breakers looking for some relaxation mixed in with cultural tourism, Istanbul is a fabulous destination because you can explore the city by day and enjoy a nice long Turkish bath in the city’s many hammams at night.

Don’t skip the city’s neighborhoods that are further afield. A trip up to posh Bebek or gorgeous Ortakoy is worth the time to get there, especially if you travel along the water.

Budapest, Hungary

Disha, Disha Discovers

When people think of spring break, they typically think of beaches and partying. As fun as that may be, a relaxing spring break is what most of us are after. The perfect place to unwind and relax for spring break is Budapest. Budapest is easily accessible as there’s an airport and it’s budget-friendly. Alternatively, you can take a train here from anywhere in Europe. Budapest is spectacularly beautiful and historic. It lies on the Danube River which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The architecture here is picturesque and you’ll find yourself wanting to take a photo in front of every building, especially the Hungarian Parliament Building. In addition, the main attractions are free such as Fisherman’s Bastion. This is where you’ll get the best view of the city. Moreover, Budapest is a foodie’s heaven. You will find cuisines from all over the world here, but the local food is the best. A bowl of goulash is a must. The sightseeing possibilities here are endless. You can walk down a random street and you’ll find something that grabs your attention. The Hungarian State Opera House is beautiful along with St. Stephen’s Basilica. When you’ve had a long day of sightseeing, grab a beer at a ruin pub. The vibe is fun and the drinks are inexpensive. Lastly, you can’t miss a visit to one of the many thermal baths.

Moab, Utah

Cat, Walk My World

Utah might not be the destination you’d think of for spring break, but it’s the perfect time to visit. 

One of the highlights of this state is Moab, a city in the desert which is the launchpad for so many incredible adventures. The weather is just getting warm but hasn’t yet reached the scorching hot temperatures of summer and you should be clear of the snow that can occur in winter. 

There are so many things to do that you’ll find yourself planning a return trip before you’ve even left! Firstly, you can see fossilised dinosaur bones and footprints up close and without a tour. You can simply drive up and take it all in on a short walking trail.

Then there are two of the USA’s best national parks – Arches and Canyonlands just outside of town. Both parks are full of amazing hikes and views that will simply take your breath away. There’s the iconic Delicate Arch – a spot that is so famous that it is on every number plate in Utah and well as some quarters. Canyonlands is famous for Mesa Arch, a place that lights up at sunrise and frames the surrounding mountains perfectly. For a quieter experience check out Dead Horse Point – an area that is reminiscent of the Grand Canyon for scale but isn’t a national park and therefore sees fewer visitors. This park is set on the top of a cliff and looks out to canyons that stretch for miles and is particularly photogenic at sunset.

A trip to Moab is truly unforgettable.

Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

Eni, Travel Hacker Girl

Lauterbrunnen is a great spring destination for nature lovers. You can reach the town by car or train. The train journey is very scenic and highly recommended. This Instagram perfect location has a lot to offer. Most people visit Lauterbrunnen to see Staubbach Falls. The waterfall is most impressive after heavy rain. In the spring there are lots of wildflowers in the nearby fields. In traditional swiss style, you will also see cows roaming free. The town has many nice restaurants, cafes and shops, where you can buy traditional swiss products. The Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg path offers a nice, flat walk, which is suitable for all ages. It is also possible to cycle this section. There are bike rentals in the town. Along the  4.3 km walk, you will see several waterfalls. Walking in the Lauterbrunnen valley offers fantastic views all around. At the end of the path, you will reach Switzerland’s highest waterfall Mürrenbachfall.

Where was your favorite place to go on Spring Break? Have you been to any of these places?

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