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City Breaks To Europe 2024/2025
Our Guide To European City Breaks
European city breaks are a great way to escape in 2024/2025. From the beaches of Barcelona to the museums of Milan, there are so many fantastic cities to discover and enjoy depending on what you're after and who you're travelling with.
Certain cities in Europe can be ideal for a romantic couples escape while others are better suited to groups of friends, and many are suitable for families with young children too. Be sure to check out our guide to European city breaks below.
Top European City Break Destinations
The Best City Breaks In Europe
The best cities in Europe are very subjective, depending on what you love to see and do. From getting lost within the endless corridors of an art gallery, or hitting the hotel spa after a long day of shopping, there's so much to choose from. So here are a few of our favourites:
Barcelona
We love Barcelona. Combining exquisite Spanish cuisine, fine art and architecture, as well as soft sandy beaches, makes for an ideal city escape, even in the winter months. Getaways of even just a night or two here can be perfect.
Prague
Often known as a bit of a party place for stag dos, Prague is rich in history and full of lots of culture.
Paris
Paris is a wonderful city. If you've never been before you should certainly add it to your list of must-see destinations. A bit like London, once you've done the main tourist traps, there are plenty of hidden gems in and around the city to enjoy like a local.
Venice
The beautiful canals of Venice are a spectacle to behold. With rising sea levels, you should certainly add Venice to your list. Of course there are a number of popular tourist traps, however, you can easily lose yourself along the canals and narrow pathways through this stunning city. Be sure to check out some of the other stunning city breaks in Italy.
Amsterdam
Despite the stereotypes, Amsterdam really is best seen by bike, and boat, and foot. Simply wandering the streets and canals are a wonderful way to explore the city and with plenty of museums and galleries, you'll certainly stumble upon some fantastic hidden gems.
Unusual European City Breaks
While you're typical cities like Barcelona, Paris and Rome should be on anyones bucket list, there are lots of fun and exciting, unusual cities to visit depending on what you might be interested in. For some ideas and a bit of inspiration, why not discover the historic, hidden underground streets of Edinburgh where legends and myths are in abundance, or enjoy 2 nights exploring the magnificent street art in and around Berlin, where self expression is encouraged and celebrated?
Or how about adding in unusual tours or attractions into your itinerary? Like visiting Istvantelek Train Yard in Budapest, quite literally a train graveyard. Or if you love understanding the traditional music of a place, head to the Alfama area of Lisbon to experience a taste of Fado music, a relaxing, local style of folk music.
A Krakow city break is another great option which is becoming more and more popular. This medieval city is rich in history and culture, and you can take a day trip to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum too.
City Break Discounts & Promo Codes
There are some great ways to save on your next city break. Many tour operators and travel companies offer a variety of discounts and deals, including money off discounts and promo codes. Many also feature some sort of loyalty offer. This can be in the form of free nights like with Hotels.com or exclusive money off the price for being a loyal customer and previously booking with them.
You may find that booking your flight and accommodation separately can save you some money, especially when booking an airline like Ryanair, or private apartment on AirBNB, however, your trip won't be ATOL protected, meaning the cost of your trip could be at stake.
Visiting during certain times of the year can also help keep the cost down. For example, stay in the run up to Christmas, especially for an Xmas market destination and you can expect to pay a premium, so try Jan or Feb. Or try avoiding the weekend and staying midweek, when flight prices can be lower and departing on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. The price of a hotel room will usually increase on a Fri or Sat night in tourist areas.
Hotels in the tourist areas can also come at a premium because of the volume of people and the extra cost for the hotel. Take a look at staying at a budget friendly hotel in the suburbs where you might need to travel in a little, although always check the latest travel advice and search for the area you intend to stay to make sure it is safe.
European City Breaks Near The Beach
Discovering a new city is a wonderful experience, but sometimes it's lovely to be able to combine culture with some much needed time in the sunshine on the beach to make for the perfect city break. Top cities like Palma in Majorca or Nice in France can offer these sorts of experiences, with cheap flights from the UK and where hotels can be close to both the city centre and the sea. You might even be able to get yourself a beautiful room with a sea view. Why not spend the morning wandering the shops, while in the afternoon, you're enjoying some delicious gelato as you soak up the rays on the hotel sun deck?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Book A City Break
City breaks, especially ones in Europe can be an affordable and easy way to escape the daily grind and enjoy a few days away. Taking a break, especially when things like Covid are about, is so important. Spending quality time with family and friends can help you escape, unwind and take a step back from your life to learn or see something new. Before you travel, it's always worth looking at reviews online of places to stay and things to do. You might have your eye on a stunning hotel but it's in the wrong location, or are into your health and fitness so it might be good to know what facilities the hotels have or how close they are to a local park or promenade for running along.
We are privileged to support the Family Holiday Charity, an incredible organisation which helps families get away together.
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