Gap Year in Europe

While Australia, Thailand, South Africa and Peru are all great places to visit, they are by no means the only countries with something to offer gap year travellers, and it’s important not to fall into the trap of assuming that further equals better. Europe is perhaps the most culturally rich continent on the planet, so focussing a little closer to home is a great way to experience something a little different.

Europe Gap Year Ideas

Popular Destinations

The decision over whether or not to take a gap year can be a difficult one, and is likely to be determined at least in part by finances.

After all, jetting off around the globe isn’t cheap, but the truth is a year of travelling doesn’t have to cost the world.

Many people tend to overlook the many amazing destinations that can be found in Europe, all of which are just a short bus, train or ferry ride away from the UK.

Here are some of the best places to visit on a European gap year:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, England (London), France (Paris), Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.

Other countries you might also want to consider include:

Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Sweden and Turkey.

Best Europe Gap Year Programs

Gap years can take many forms: an exotic South America tour; a volunteering trip to Africa; following the backpacking trail through Indochina; or doing an epic bus journey down Australia’s east coast.

However, there’s also nothing wrong with looking a bit closer to home. In fact, several hundred years ago, the Grand Tour of Europe was something that every young man aspired to do.

And why not? Europe is home to some of the most incredible cities in the world, featuring stunning architecture, fascinating art and mouth-watering cuisines.

If you like the sound of following in the footsteps of the British nobility of years past, then view our ideas for how to spend an amazing gap year in the European continent.

To the uninitiated, Europe stands for medieval churches, late-night espresso drinking and a healthy dependence on socks’n’sandals. And though all of these things rock the average European’s world, let’s not forget all-night raving in Berlin, surfing the waves in Cornwall and achingly cool Scandinavia.

In fact, for such a small continent, Europe is seriously diverse. It’s got amazing islands, from hedonistic Ibiza to Croatia’s Mljet National Park. City breaks are a doddle when you have London, Paris, Barcelona and Venice to choose from. And the adrenaline junkies among you can climb Europe’s tallest vertical rock face in Norway, skydive in Spain and ski in the world-famous Alps.

Where you want to find gap year jobs in Europe, boost your work experience on an intern program, volunteer, study, or just explore, there are so many trips available.