When it comes to European city breaks, there’s no shortage of options. Across the continent, there are magnificent capitals — Paris, Rome, Vienna to name a few — that weave a web of history spanning more than two millennia and provide a playground for culture hunters. For those who think they might have done it all, there are charming second cities showcasing different sides of their countries, from wine-fuelled Porto to the coastal charms of Dubrovnik. Modernity is there in abundance too, if you want it, whether that’s Berlin’s club scene or the capital of Scandi cool, Copenhagen. Need more inspiration? Here are the best city break destinations in Europe.
Main photo: the Grand Canal in Venice (Alamy)
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1. Cordoba, Spain
A Roman city that became a centre of Islam in the Middle Ages, Cordoba is a fascinating meeting point of cultures. See this in the majestic architecture strewn around its cobbled streets, with the Mezquita-Catedral de Cordoba a particular highlight — a Unesco world heritage site that began life as a mosque before becoming a cathedral. Equally interesting is the food scene, which borrows from the Muslim, Jewish and Spanish heritage of the people that now call this city home.
Don’t miss Home to a thriving flamenco scene, Cordoba is also the place where you can visit Centro Flamenco Fosforito, a museum charting the history of the dance with free performances
Flight time Around 2¾ hours to Seville and then 50 minutes by train to Cordoba
Fly from Birmingham, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester
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• Best weekend breaks from London
2. Riga, Latvia
Don’t dismiss Riga, capital of Latvia, as stag-do central — although there is an element of that — because its charming old town, with its cobbled streets, is ripe for exploring on foot, especially on a Sunday morning when many visitors are nursing their hangovers. Beyond the obviously photogenic spots there are picnic-friendly parks dotted with sculptures and water features, and handsome streets lined with architecture ranging from extravagant art nouveau to Soviet-style utilitarianism. There are some fascinating museums too, including the former KGB headquarters, the Corner House.
Don’t miss Museum of the Occupation of Latvia expanded into a new location in 2022 and offers an insight into life under Soviet rule
Flight time Around 2½ hours
Fly from Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Nottingham
• Best affordable city breaks in Europe
3. Basel, Switzerland
Right on the border of both France and Germany, this Swiss city is the perfect tri-nation pitstop. How many other cities have an airport in one country, museums in another and public transport to seamlessly connect them all? Summer and winter are the best seasons to visit. The Rhine cuts through the city and a favourite summer activity is to stuff your belongings in a Wickelfisch swim bag and use it as a float to gently drift down the river. Its fountains provide a place to cool off if it gets too hot. And in winter, Christmas markets make it a magical winter wonderland.
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Don’t miss Crossing the river on one of the water-powered boats, which uses the current to push the vessel from one bank to another
Flight time Around 1½ hours
Fly from Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester
4. Valletta, Malta
Small in size but big in stature, Malta’s elegant, golden-hued capital Valletta is one of the most compact city break destinations in Europe. Built in 1566 on a peninsula between two natural harbours, the entire place is Unesco-listed, with gilded cathedrals, fanciful pleasure gardens and grand mansion houses hugged by bastion walls. Enter through the latest incarnation of the City Gate, designed by Renzo Piano, saunter along the breezy cobbled streets and finish with a boat tour of the Grand Harbour.
Don’t miss The Saluting Battery and firing of a cannon that takes place daily at midday
Flight time Around 3-4 hours
Fly from Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham
5. Athens, Greece
Ancient history plays out daily in this rich theatre of ruins. Originally centred around fifth-century BC hilltop citadel the Acropolis, the Greek capital has since sprawled into an urban mass with gritty appeal. Spend a morning weaving through the Parthenon’s crumbling columns and an afternoon admiring politically charged street art in this diverse city break destination. Escape the heat on day trips to beaches along the Attica coast.
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Don’t miss Exploring the marble stands of the Panathenaic Stadium. Built around AD143, centuries later it was excavated and hosted the first modern Olympics in 1896
Flight time Around 3½-4 hours
Fly from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle
• Best hotels in Athens
• Best things to do in Athens
6. Budapest, Hungary
A grande dame of Europe with designs on being the most attractive city in the world, Hungary’s capital seduces visitors with her golden-age glamour. From sensational art nouveau façades to stately baroque architecture, the streets are filled with photogenic backdrops, many reflected in the River Danube, which separates hilly, historic Buda and vivacious Pest. You’ll find an abundance of hot springs all over Budapest, where thermal baths have been popular since Roman times. Relax beneath elegant marble archways at 16th-century Rudas, or party with the masses at Szechenyi.
Don’t miss The views from 13th-century Unesco-listed Buda Castle’s courtyards, which are free to enter and open all night
Flight time Around 2½-3 hours
Fly from Belfast, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester
• Best things to do in Budapest
7. Galway, Ireland
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Come for excellent live music, dynamic theatre and a refreshing arts scene. Perched on the west coast in Connemara, straddling the River Corrib and part of the scenic Wild Atlantic Way, Galway is a beautiful city. On cold days, visit historic pubs with cosy snugs; in milder weather, cycle along the promenade to Salthill, along a rocky coastline dotted with lighthouses. Although not an obvious choice for a break in Europe, it’s a refreshing find.
Don’t miss Enjoying the craic at pubs like Tigh Neachtain on Cross Street, famous for its beers, whiskeys and talented musicians
Flight time Around 1½ hours
Fly from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle
• Most beautiful places to visit in Ireland
8. Tbilisi, Georgia
A complex past has left its mark on Georgia’s intriguing capital, where cobbled streets were once ruled by Prussian and Russian forces. Art nouveau buildings share the skyline with modernist Soviet structures and sixth-century Orthodox church towers, and a bohemian spirit breezes through hidden bars, restaurants and vintage-style cafés. Disused factories have been converted into boutique hotels, and the natural sulphur bathhouses (widely believed to have given the city its name, which roughly translates as “a warm place”) are still in use.
Don’t miss The wines, made here for more than 8,000 years. They’re cheap too; pay around £6 for a bottle of table wine
Flight time Around 6-7 hours
Fly from London Gatwick via Istanbul, London Heathrow via Istanbul
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9. Split, Croatia
Hugged by mountains and kissed by the sea, this up-and-coming port has blossomed into one of Croatia’s top cities to explore. Dating back 1,700 years, the old town of Split has the most must-see sights, including the Unesco-listed Diocletian’s Palace — thought to be some of the best Roman ruins in existence. The sprawling fourth-century complex now houses many bars and restaurants, and you’ll find plenty more affordable pitstops along the Riva promenade. Visit a seventh-century cathedral still in use and climb a 57m bell tower for sweeping views of the peninsula.
Don’t miss Dipping your toes in the sand at Bacvice beach, a ten-minute walk from the old town
Flight time Around 2½-3 hours
Fly from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, Manchester
10. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Lapped by shimmering Adriatic waves, Croatia’s prettiest city is a Unesco-listed gem. Wrapped by ancient walls, the old town is an open-air museum; explore the cobbled streets admiring gothic and baroque architecture, and seek out backdrops featured in Game of Thrones. Boutique hotels built into the cliffs command breathtaking views, and sandy beaches such as Banje are a short distance away. Options for day trips from Dubrovnik are plentiful: hop over to lush, forest-covered Lokrum or car-free Kolocep.
Don’t miss Climbing Fort Lovrijenac for views of the city walls and bay
Flight time Around 3 hours
Fly from Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham
11. Madrid, Spain
The life and soul of Spain’s finest fiestas, this high-spirited European city gets under your skin. Cultural highlights in Madrid come in the form of fine-art galleries such as the Prado and historic squares such as Plaza Mayor, although it’s easy to get sidetracked drifting between charming tapas bars that range from the delightfully boisterous to the reassuringly serene. The Mercado de San Miguel showcases a whirlwind culinary tour of the country, while higgledy-piggledy Sobrino de Botin, founded in 1725, claims it’s the oldest restaurant in the world.
Don’t miss Picasso’s Guernica, on display at the Reina Sofia museum
Flight time Around 2½-3 hours
Fly from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted, Manchester
12. Barcelona, Spain
If this Spanish city were a Tinder profile, you’d certainly swipe right: striking looks and a fun-filled personality are at its core. Architectural maverick Gaudi dominates the cityscape with his surreal designs — relax in the fairytale Parc Guell and marvel at the fantastical Sagrada Familia cathedral — although you’ll find more traditional buildings in the enchanting Gothic Quarter. A number of Michelin-starred restaurants and plenty of fine tapas bars make dining out in Barcelona a dream, with food served alongside the spectacle of street performers on Las Ramblas to provide an entertaining evening out.
Don’t miss The Joan Miro Foundation, a beautiful hilltop museum exhibiting some of the artist’s finest work
Flight time Around 2-2½ hours
Fly from Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle
• Best things to do in Barcelona
13. Paris, France
Whether you’re strolling along the Seine or sipping chocolat chaud from a Saint-Germain café, France’s devastatingly sexy capital is still the most romantic city in the world. Breeze through bohemian Montmartre, where artists set their easels on cobbled streets, or spend a day gazing at masterpieces in the gargantuan Louvre. From vintage stores on the left bank to designer boutiques along the Champs-Élysées, shopping in Paris is world class. Admire the swirling motifs of art nouveau façades and slip into a world where everything feels effortlessly chic.
Don’t miss Royal chapel Sainte-Chapelle for a fix of gothic glory
Flight time Around 1½ hours
Fly from Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, Manchester, Newcastle
By train Eurostar from London St Pancras International takes 2hr 16min
• Best hotels in Paris
• Eurostar guide: everything you need to know before you travel
14. Reykjavik, Iceland
Framed by snow-glazed mountains and lurid green lava fields, Iceland’s capital is an excellent base for day trips and a standalone city break destination. Whale-watching tours depart from the harbour and northern lights safaris operate in the winter season. But it’s the quirky bars, pubs and restaurants of Reykjavik that give a flavour of this tiny population’s offbeat way of life. The glass-domed Perlan museum provides an overview of Iceland’s geology and wildlife; walk 15 minutes from here to find the Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach.
Don’t miss Steaming in hot springs — stop at the Blue Lagoon en route from Keflavik airport
Flight time Around 2½-3 hours
Fly from Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester
• Best things to do in Reykjavik
15. Lisbon, Portugal
Once a jumping-off point for 15th-century explorers, this underrated European city is now the big discovery. An explosion of fashionable bars and restaurants in Lisbon has invigorated downtown neighbourhoods Bairro Alto and Principe Real, transforming the streets into an open-air party, but there’s still something seductive about the city’s dusty, clandestine art nouveau venues. While medieval Sao Jorge Castle presides over the azulejo-tiled Portuguese capital from one of its seven hills, you’ll find Unesco-listed treasures further out in Belem.
Don’t miss Trundling across town on the old-fashioned 28 tram and exploring the cobbled streets of Alfama, the city’s oldest neighbourhood
Flight time Around 2½-3 hours
Fly from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester
16. Florence, Italy
The birthplace of the Renaissance still bears artistic fruits. While works by Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci are on display in world-class galleries and museums in Florence, dynamic, modern art collectives operate in various pockets around the Arno river. Climb one of the Tuscan city’s surrounding hills for views of Brunelleschi’s knockout terracotta-tiled Duomo — or worship it from a rooftop bar at one of several boutique hotels. Soak up the sights and smells of open-air food market Sant’Ambrogio, then venture into the countryside on day trips to sample produce at its source.
Don’t miss Getting lost in the epic collection of masterpieces on display at the Uffizi Gallery
Flight time Around 2-3 hours
Fly from Edinburgh, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow
• Best things to do in Florence
17. Venice, Italy
Byzantine gold mosaics, baroque architecture and opulent palaces vie for attention in Venice, and every church interior, ornate doorway and elaborate façade is a work of art. Connected by nearly 400 bridges, the entirety of this beautiful city is Unesco-listed. Stumble down narrow passageways to find hidden bars and restaurants, or salute triumphant palazzos on a cruise along the Grand Canal.
Don’t miss Island-hopping between lace-loving Burano, glass-blowing Murano and sleepy, historic Torcello in the Venetian Lagoon
Flight time Around 2½ hours
Fly from Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester, Nottingham
18. Porto, Portugal
Porto serves up great food, sights and sass. It’s home to vintage port houses, such as Taylor’s, which has manicured rose gardens, a terrace restaurant with a view and peacocks strutting in the grounds, as well as its much-loved ten-year-old tawny. This ravishing city is all about the views, but it’s a schlep to catch every angle because of the river crossings involved. So see it all from the river, with Porto’s tumbling tropical gardens, tiled monasteries and space-age bridges revealing themselves on an easy-breezy hour’s sail on a traditional rabelo boat.
Don’t miss Working up an appetite while feeding your Insta-fans at the Victor Hugo food market, where the stalls are stacked with gourmet displays of langoustines, oysters, meats and cheeses, as well as cakes, flowers and wine
Flight time Around 2-3 hours
Fly from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester
19. Prague, Czech Republic
History sings from the cobblestoned streets of Prague, but amid the spires and domes you’ll find a modern, cosmopolitan city, with industrial areas transformed into arty hubs and a hip avant-garde restaurant scene. Step inside St Vitus Cathedral to admire its stained glass, then take a tour of the quirky Lobkowicz Palace with its dazzling balcony views.
Don’t miss Prague Castle. For the maximum wow factor, enter through the courtyard of Queen Anne’s Summer Palace
Flight time Around 2 hours
Fly from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester
20. Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is hands down the most underrated city break in Europe: just two hours by train from London, full of delightfully absurd architecture, plus bars overflowing with interesting beers and the world’s best chocolate. It’s packed with top-notch museums but, let’s be honest, you didn’t come for them. The writer Jean Cocteau called Brussels’ main square the “finest theatre in the world” and, although it’s full of camera-toting tourists, its gold-leafed gables and gothic spires make this one of Europe’s most gobsmacking public spaces. Duck down the Rue de l’Etuve for Brussels’s other laid-back landmark, the Manneken Pis statue of a chubby little boy having an unabashed wee.
Don’t miss Watching the winding streets of the medieval city centre unfurl below you from the top-floor café of the Musical Instruments Museum, a bizarre art nouveau building covered in jet-black wrought iron, on the stately Mont des Arts
Flight time Around 1-1¾ hours
Fly from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, London Heathrow, Manchester
By train Eurostar from London St Pancras International takes 1hr 53min
21. Amsterdam, Netherlands
With direct Eurostar trains whisking you there in less than four hours from London, and super-short flights from elsewhere in the UK, few destinations offer as easy a getaway as the Dutch capital. Amsterdam wears its history lightly, with pretty canal streets dusted with sublime art and architecture, and cosy pubs making it a great city for walking. There are some obvious standouts: the graceful Herengracht has some of the city’s most lavish buildings, particularly along the stretch between Leidsestraat and Vijzelstraat, while Prinsengracht has some of the cutest gables overlooking it (don’t be afraid to look inside either — window-dressing is a statement here).
Don’t miss The Rijksmuseum. From Vermeer to Van Gogh, the Rijksmuseum has a collection spanning 800 years of Dutch art. Rembrandt’s brooding The Night Watch is its most famous piece, but don’t miss Van Dyck’s high-society portraits or Vermeer’s tender The Milkmaid (who could be the sister of his Girl with a Pearl Earring). And it’s not just the art that’s impressive — the stunning neo-gothic building is now shining after a decade of renovations
Flight time Around 1-1½ hours
Fly from Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Inverness, Leeds, Liverpool, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Southampton
By train Eurostar from London St Pancras International takes 3hr 52min
• Best boutique hotels in Amsterdam
22. Vienna, Austria
Can any centre rival Austria’s capital for architectural grandeur? Doubtful: with its majestic castles, imperial palaces and baroque streets, Vienna is endlessly elegant. The City of Music also packs a cultural punch. Waltzing probably began here, while the Vienna Philharmonic and Vienna State Opera both stage world-class performances. With neighbourhoods arranged in rings, explore outwards from fairytale St Stephen’s Cathedral: first the cobbled old town, then the restaurant and beach bar-lined old Jewish quarter, Leopoldstadt.
Don’t miss Some chocolatey Sachertorte in one of Vienna’s magnificent, marble-lined coffee houses
Flight time Around 2-3 hours
Fly from Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted, Manchester
23. Berlin, Germany
An exceptional creative scene is the chief draw here. From hedonistic, 24-hour nightclubs with brain-bending installations to continent-leading street art, Berlin has heaps to inspect — and often in the least likely locations. Great graffiti even lines most surviving Berlin Wall remnants. Other engrossing sights evidencing the city’s traumatic past include Hitler’s bunker, Checkpoint Charlie and the Norman Foster-designed Reichstag dome. Power your sightseeing with currywurst, and try also to incorporate some greenery: a 22,000-acre botanical garden accompanies hundreds of parks here.
Don’t miss Walking — or sailing up the Spree — through hip Kreuzberg, the district most emblematic of Berlin’s rebirth
Flight time Around 2 hours
Fly from Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester, Nottingham
24. Copenhagen, Denmark
In this easygoing design hub, furniture (Hay), ceramics (Stilleben) and fashion (Holly Golightly) brands’ sharp stores prove as enticing as chocolate-box waterfront houses. Set on two islands, Copenhagen also does food famously well. Noma is here for the time being — it is set to close in 2024 — while chefs who graduated from Rene Redzepi’s pioneering restaurant now offer Nordic fine-dining, tacos or seafood close to bright, svelte coffee dens. More classic sights include the Little Mermaid and Tivoli’s retro, family-friendly amusement park. With winters so long here, summer is a joyous, buoyant time to visit.
Don’t miss In leafy Assistens Cemetery, sunbathing couples and red squirrels neighbour the graves of Hans Christian Andersen and Soren Kierkegaard
Flight time Around 1½-2 hours
Fly from Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted, Manchester, Newquay
• Best twin-city breaks
• Best European cities to visit this winter
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