Sometimes, all you need is 72 perfect hours away to feel totally refreshed and renewed. And that’s where the 3-day getaway comes in. But, rather than book a nearby trip this year, why not go for a big swing and head to Europe instead? 

With direct flights to and from many U.S. cities straight to Europe, it’s easier than you may think to hop the pond for a quick escape. But where, exactly, should you go? Slot.Day, an online slots website, has a few ideas. 

To help travelers determine the best European cities to visit for weekend getaways in 2024, experts from the site analyzed data and ratings from Tripadvisor reviews for every European capital city, specifically looking into the quality of nightlife at each and the cost of accommodation. (It excluded Kyiv, Ukraine, due to the ongoing conflict; Vatican City for, well, obvious reasons; and Vaduz in Lichtenstein due to a lack of Tripadvisor ratings.) After analyzing the data, it named London the top spot for a European break. 

“The U.K. capital has a staggering 854 highly rated bars, clubs, and pubs to choose from on a typical night out,” the findings, shared with Travel + Leisure, explained. “It is worth noting that London is the fifth most expensive European capital for accommodation, estimated at an average of €116.9 ($127.65) per person for one night. However, the unmatched range of things to do on a city escape outweighs the steeper hotel costs.” 

While London may be a fairly obvious choice thanks to its frequent non-stop flights between New York City, Miami, Chicago, and Los Angeles, the website did point to some more under-the-radar cities too. That includes destinations like Prague, which clocked in at the No. 2 spot, followed by Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, which came in third. 

“Bulgaria also has its capital city as a major tourist attraction,” the findings noted. “Sofia offers its visitors a choice of 112 bars and clubs rated four stars and above, while hotels are a reasonable €41.9 ($45.75) per person for one night.” 

Skopje in North Macedonia took the fourth spot in the study, followed by Tirana Albania at No. 5. Rounding out the rest of the top 10 are Bucharest, Romania; Belgrade, Serbia; Warsaw, Poland; Berlin, Germany; and Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina at No. 10.

“It is surprising to find places like Skopje, Tirana, and Sarajevo offering a good balance of high-quality nightlife and affordable accommodation,” Michael Slot, the main author of the study, said. “Other hidden gems off the beaten path include Vilnius, Riga, and Chisinau. These findings offer fantastic insight for anyone planning their 2024 holidays with their partner or BFF. You can tick off your culture quota during the day, explore another capital city full of history, and top it off with a great night out, all in just one fun weekend without breaking the bank.” 

Now all that’s left to do is toss out the idea to your group chat, book the ticket, and go.