Top 7 Scientific Trip Locations

Teaching science in class can only go so far. The real spark happens when students get to step out, see it for themselves, and realise that science isn’t just theory. It’s everywhere around them. A school trip abroad gives them that “lightbulb moment” and gives you a break from the usual routine, too.

If you’re planning a science school trip, these seven stops are worth putting at the top of your list.

How Geneva's Tech Museum Brings Science to Life

CERN’s Science Gateway is such a good trip for school groups. The students get to do some experiments, watch a few short demos about the Big Bang and antimatter, and actually see how the Large Hadron Collider works. The Globe of Science and Innovation always catches their attention. From the outside it looks all high-tech, but inside it’s full of stuff that explains physics in a simple way and keeps them interested.

They’ll also get to see the Synchrocyclotron, CERN’s very first accelerator, and step into the ATLAS control room, where scientists still keep an eye on real particle collisions.

Fascinating Stories in Berlin’s Natural History

Taking students to the Natural History Museum in Berlin is always something special. When they walk in, the first thing they see is this huge Brachiosaurus that fills the room. A bit further along there’s Tristan Otto, a full T. rex skeleton that everyone ends up staring at for ages. Nearby is the small Archaeopteryx, and it sort of makes the idea of dinosaurs turning into birds make sense.

Beyond the dinosaurs, the museum’s mineral hall and vast wet specimen collection reveal the Earth’s long story, from its fiery beginnings to the creatures that fill our oceans today. With hands-on displays and real research happening behind the scenes, it’s a highlight of any educational trip to Berlin, where science feels alive, not locked behind glass.

What Makes Cité des Sciences Worth Visiting

If you’re planning a school science trip to Paris, the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie is worth a full day. It’s the biggest science museum in Europe, filled with things students can touch, try, and actually understand. They can wander through space in the Planetarium, explore the Great Story of the Universe, or test out experiments in the Robotics and Maths zones. One of the highlights is stepping inside the Argonaute Submarine, a real vessel from the 1950s that shows what life was like underwater.

The museum sits inside Parc de la Villette, a huge green area that’s great for lunch or a quick breather before heading back to the city. It’s a trip that always gets students curious and excited about science—not from books, but from seeing it right in front of them.

Exploring Space at Belgium’s Euro Space Center

If your students are fascinated by space, the Euro Space Center in Belgium is the kind of place that keeps them wide-eyed the whole day. They can see a real Europa rocket, try out astronaut-style activities like the Mars Walk and Space Rotor, and even take a ride on a free fall slide that simulates re-entry to Earth.

There’s also a fun 5D space show and an area where they can learn about European astronauts and what life is like on a space mission. Trips like this remind us why school trips are important—they let students step outside the classroom and experience science in a way that sticks, sparking curiosity that lasts long after the journey home.

Discovering Tomorrow at Berlin’s Futurium

If your students are curious about what the world could look like in 50 years, Berlin’s Futurium is the place to explore. It’s part museum and part ideas lab, a space that brings together science, sustainability and imagination in one modern building near the River Spree.

Inside, students can test interactive exhibits that look at how technology, nature and society might evolve. They can experiment with robotics, explore climate-friendly cities or see how urban gardens could help shape a greener future. Every corner invites them to think critically and creatively about real-world challenges, making it an inspiring stop on any science school trip to Berlin.

Exploring Time and Space at London’s Royal Observatory

If you’re taking your students on science school trips abroad, the Royal Observatory Greenwich is one of those stops that actually makes science feel real. They can stand on the Prime Meridian Line, one foot in each half of the world, and see where global time really starts. Inside, there’s John Harrison’s marine clocks, Flamsteed House, and that massive Great Equatorial Telescope that once helped astronomers study the stars.

Don’t miss the Peter Harrison Planetarium either—it’s where students can sit back and travel through galaxies without leaving London. And once the exploring’s done, Greenwich Park is just outside for a bit of fresh air and a great city view. It’s a simple day out that sticks with them long after the trip.

Exploring the Future at Futuroscope

At Futuroscope, science takes on a whole new life. It’s one of the most popular choices for a science school trip to Brittany, where students can blast off on Objectif Mars, chase storms in Chasseurs de Tornades, or even try dancing with real robots. And if they’re a bit younger, Futuropolis is where they’ll probably spend most of their time. It’s a whole mini city built just for them, where they can play as pilots, firefighters, or engineers while figuring out how science fits into everyday life.

Between hands-on exhibits, interactive shows, and immersive rides, there’s never a dull moment. The park also makes things easy for international visitors with the ListenWIFI app, which translates attractions into English. Whether it’s watching a futuristic light show or testing out new technology, a day at Futuroscope sparks curiosity and shows students how fun science can be.

Planning Your Scientific Trip

From space missions in Belgium to future tech in Berlin and astronomy in London, every stop gives students a fresh way to explore science beyond the classroom. These trips turn curiosity into real-world learning and make lessons come alive.

Interschool Travel has helped schools plan science trips across Europe for over 40 years. If you need support with planning, bookings, or just want ideas for your next destination, we’re here for you. Just send us a message and we’ll help you put together a trip your students will love.