The best city breaks immerse us in a different way of life for a few blissful days. It’s the chance to stay in magical places – perhaps providing the perfect excuse to dip into a world far from our everyday realities – whether you prefer to live like a local, cram in a visit to every tourist attraction you can, or experience life as luxuriously as possible.
Our pick of the best city breaks in Europe includes ideas that are easy to get to from the UK for a weekend break. Perhaps, like Paris, they’re hosting world event or have some fabulous new hotels (we’re eyeing the ballet-inspired W Budapest). Maybe they’re a destination on the rise – like gorgeous Valletta in Malta – or a city break classic, like Italy's timeless Florence.
And while the best city breaks in the UK are on our doorstep, sometimes, there’s no substitute for flying somewhere for the weekend or hopping on the oh-so-handy Eurostar. Whether you're looking for February, March or November city break ideas, you've come to the right place as we've selected our favourite short break spots, from Spain to Hungary.
Read on as we bring you the best city breaks in Europe for 2025 – all with endless potential to delight couples, keep families occupied, entertain groups of friends (even those with differing interests) or provide the perfect urban setting for a long sought-after solo adventure. Which one stokes your wanderlust?
Bologna
Easily one of the most underrated cities in Italy, Bologna is called 'La Grassa' (The Fat One) thanks to its incredible food. The perfect city break for the epicurious allows you to nibble on nutty chunks of Parmigiano Reggiano and snack on slices of prosciutto di Parma in Mercato di Mezzo, or feast in the numerous nonna-style trattorias. Aside from fabulous food, Bologna is famous for its 38 kilometres of Unesco-listed porticoes which snake around the city. Climb the Asinelli Tower for panoramic views over the hills, visit the oldest university in Europe or just hang out with the gorgeous locals in Piazza Maggiore, the city's central and oh-so-grand square. All this and it's only two hour's flight from London.
Where to stay: Nudging shoulders under the porticoes of the Medieval Museum, Casa Conoscenti is a heavenly boutique hotel which simply oozes Renaissance charm. Housed in a 14th-century mansion, its trio of gorgeous rooms are furnished with Italian-made pieces and feature original frescoes. It also has a highly-lauded fine dining restaurant and a stylish little cocktail bar. Words Tracey Davies
Paris
Surely there isn’t a more classic city break than this: the City of Light. Happily, it’s easy to get to with Eurostar trains departing from London St Pancras multiple times throughout the day, taking a little over two hours to reach Paris. You’ve also got plenty of easyJet flight options from the UK’s regional airports, including Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool, and Scottish airports.
Paris is having a moment in the spotlight ahead of hosting the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024. World events like this always bring energy to a city, even if you’re not there for the Games themselves. Spend your days strolling along the Seine and pausing for coffee and pastries – as all the best days in Paris are spent.
Perhaps you’ll make time for a peek at the Mona Lisa at The Louvre or see what’s on within the eye-catching, silvery building of the Philharmonie de Paris.
Where to stay: While the best hotels in Paris are in hot contention, staying around the Champs-Elysees puts you within easy reach of the significant landmarks, even if there are more fashionable neighbourhoods. If you’re looking for an affordable stay, look no further than citizenM Paris Champs-Élysées, where you even get a view of the Eiffel Tower from the rooftop bar.
Bruges
Once a favourite stop on the European Grand Tour, Bruges has been wooing visitors with its world-class chocolatiers, medieval breweries and art collections for centuries. A fantastic city break destination at any time of year, its cobbled streets, atmospheric canals and medieval architecture is almost too Instagrammable.
Visit the great Flemish Masters at the Groeningemuseum, climb the 366 steps of the Belfry of Bruges for sweeping views of the city or hop on a canal cruise and get a swans-eye view of the beautiful ornate bridges.
Where to stay: For the ultimate grand gesture, check into the Grand Hotel Casselbergh Brugge, a palatial pile next to the Burg, the most charming of Bruges' main squares. Formed of three historic mansions, including Huis de Zeven Torens, which housed Charles II during his exile in 1650s, this elegant hotel combines medieval charm with modern luxury. Our favourite rooms overlook the canal. It also has a fabulous subterranean spa with a sauna and steam room. Words Tracey Davies
Venice
Like a Canaletto scene bought to life, Venice is a masterclass when it comes to memorable city breaks. With a labyrinth of atmospheric canals, historic art galleries and grand palaces, it's a dream destination for the culture lover. Of course, Piazza San Marco is at its heart, where you can visit Basilica di San Marco, the towering Campanile and the Doge’s Palace in all its Gothic glory. Cruise the Grand Canal in a gondola or vaporetto, visit Peggy Guggenheim Collection’s of modern masterpieces and enjoy a spritz and cicchetti in Harry's Bar at sunset. Absolute heaven.
Where to stay: There is no finer place to stay than Venice's ultimate grande dame, The Gritti Palace. Overlooking the Grand Canal and a hop and a skip from Piazza San Marco, this immaculate 15th-century hotel has been graced by Grand Tour explorers for centuries. Expect rooms with frescoed walls, priceless chandeliers and oh-so opulent furnishings. But don't miss aperitivo hour in the beautiful canal-side cocktail bar. Words Tracey Davies
Oslo
Oslo is a quick two-hour flight from London, with British Airways, Norwegian, Finnair, and SAS all flying direct. Oslo has undergone huge urban regeneration in recent years, and now, everything that could be considered Scandi-cool can be found here, hot on the heels of the likes of Stockholm and Copenhagen.
On a city break to Oslo, you can bike a new waterside promenade, take a look around the Munch Museum (there are over 26,000 artworks here), or even take a bracing swim in the Oslo Fjord, then warm up in one of the fjordside saunas.
Where to stay: In the lovely Frogner neighbourhood in Oslo’s west side, Sommerro is the perfect city bolthole and reason alone to travel to Oslo for a city break. It has the irresistible glamour of an Art Deco hotel, but it was built with eco-principals firmly in mind. With Norwegian artwork adorning the walls, a Nordic-Japanese rooftop restaurant (one of five dining venues), and a rooftop pool. It’s one of those places that may prove hard to tear yourself away from to explore the city.
Florence
Beautiful Florence offers so much for fans of culture and spectacular views. Take the Duomo Sky Walk and admire the view over Florence from the terraces. Then, when you’re back strolling the historic streets, you’ve got a choice of many traditional and beloved Italian trattorias.
If you’re in the mood for something different, there’s been an influx of more contemporary options in recent years – step into a world of pure luxury and floral style at Gucci Garden in Florence’s Piazza della Signoria, complete with the fabulous Giardino 25 café and cocktail bar.
You could embrace the slow travel trend and take the 16-hour drive to Florence, but for a quick weekend city break, you can touch down in the city after just a two-hour flight from London with British Airways.
Where to stay: A stay in Florence deserves something that matches the artistic flair and Renaissance splendour the city is known for. It’s a splurge, but the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze boasts the city’s most extensive private garden and is precisely how you’d imagine it, with exquisite fountains and statues. If you’re celebrating, a private dinner in the former home of Leonardo Da Vinci with a perfectly framed view of the Duomo can be arranged.
Amsterdam
You can get to Amsterdam on the Eurostar from London in less than four hours, although there are plenty of flight options, too. Wander the narrow streets of Jordaan, popping into little galleries and boutiques, or join the locals on two wheels to cycle, covering more ground more quickly as you pass those quintessential canal houses and cross pretty bridges.
Where to stay: The Dylan is set along the Keizersgracht Canal and is in a perfect spot for excellent shopping around the 9 Streets, then returning to dine at the Michelin-starred Vinkeles restaurant. If you prefer something casual, the all-day brasserie OCCO is a super spot for a quick bite and a crisp glass of white wine.
Budapest
Thermal baths, a beautiful castle district and the magnificent Danube – what’s not to love about Budapest? Spend some time at the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, the largest medicinal bath in Europe, and take a look around the extraordinarily pretty Vajdahunyad Castle. All this is within a three-hour flight from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, and Edinburgh.
Where to stay: W Budapest opened its doors in July 2023 and still has that fabulously fresh and new feeling. It’s set within Budapest’s former Ballet Institute, and we love the hotel’s connection to the art form with elegant arches and powder pinks and nods to Swan Lake with the all-black and all-white suites. The striking checkerboard bathrooms showcase the city’s connection to chess. What’s more, the hotel’s on the city’s best shopping street and has an astonishingly beautiful spa for more therapy after retail therapy.
Seville
Seville is simply beautiful. Our favourite spots are the Real Alcázar Palace of Seville and the delightful semi-circular Plaza de Espana — although the city is a patchwork of architectural splendour. Seville is the perfect city for walking, enjoying the sunshine, admiring the detail in the buildings, stumbling upon little tapas bars, passing squares shaded with beautiful purple jacaranda trees and happening upon colourful markets.
Hop on a British Airways flight, and you can be there in less than three hours.
Where to stay: The fantastic Nobu Seville welcomed its first guests in July 2023, commanding one of the best addresses in the city (you’re less than a five-minute walk from the cathedral and Real Alcázar) and bringing its elegant style to the city. After exploring the city, it’s a gorgeous place to return to – head up to the rooftop bar for incredible views, platters of tapas and a superb glass of Spanish wine.
Alternatively, you could combine three Spanish city breaks in one trip on a Good Housekeeping Holidays trip in 2024. It starts with three nights in Seville before venturing onwards to Córdoba and Ronda.
Lisbon
Whether you come for the soulful music, to get lost in the charms of the old town, or to gorge on the fabulous food, Lisbon delivers city breaks themed to your specifications. It’s got a lovely climate, which can still touch 20 degrees in the cooler months.
With plenty of flights from the UK, you can be in this sunny coastal city on a short three-hour journey. There are truly excellent restaurants to indulge in here – and equally fabulous wine bars to try after. But if you can’t decide where to try first, the Time Out Market is ideal for sampling dishes from the city’s best chefs, who are invited to host pop-ups here. Try a few, then search out the full experience in their restaurants.
Where to stay: The Lumiares Hotel & Spa in Bairro Alto is a no-brainer if you’re looking for a super hotel in Lisbon. It’s designed to feel properly Portuguese, using local makers and artists to create its fabulous rooms. There’s also a petite spa if a city break isn’t a city break without an indulgent massage after a day on your feet.
Athens
The capital city of Greece is known for its iconic landmarks, such as the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. While these are undoubted must-sees on a city break, there’s a modern side of Athens to experience, such as outdoor cinema and shopping galore – you can even venture to the Athens Riviera for a beach day.
Visit the Historic Triangle for a melee of crafty shops and tiny bars before gathering supplies for a picnic and climbing Philopappou Hill for a superb view of the Parthenon.
With plenty of direct flights to Athens from the UK, you can be under sunny Greek skies in less than four hours.
Where to stay: Look no further than The Dolli at Acropolis for an exceptionally elegant stay in Athens. There are just 46 beautifully finished all-white rooms flooded with light. But the piece de resistance is the fabulous rooftop restaurant overlooking Athens.
Valletta, Malta
If you've explored France, Italy and Spain but want to head slightly further afield for your next Mediterranean adventure, Malta is the answer. It's only a three-and-a-half-hour flight time from the UK, yet this beautiful archipelago south of Sicily famously benefits from more than 300 days of sunshine a year – rather compelling odds, in our book.
Its capital, Valletta, is a historic wonder that's also bursting with modern vibrancy. Strolling along the scenic harbour is delightful, full of enticing eateries and authentic street food stalls for a taste of local flavours. But it's history buffs who will be happiest in this unique city, which was built by the Knights of St John and is considered a baroque masterpiece and one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world.
Where to stay: For a sleek urban retreat in this intriguing city, don't miss The Gomerino, a 17th-century baroque palace with a rooftop pool and wonderful views of the harbour. Enjoying a sundowner here after a busy day of exploring feels like living the city break dream.
Dublin, Ireland
Sometimes, the very best European city breaks really are right on our doorstep here in the UK – and Dublin is the perfect example. Just outside the city, you'll find a host of scenic walking routes, plus some beautiful seaside towns just along the coast. But really, you won't want to stray too far, as there's just so much going on in this fantastic spot. It's a place where heritage and indulgence go hand in hand, all with a fun, light-hearted outlook on life.
There's the famous Guinness brewery and countless pubs to try a pint in; the architectural delights of Trinity College and the Old Library, not to mention modern wonders like the Samuel Beckett bridge; plus plenty of wide green spaces to recharge in. There's also a thriving restaurant scene, so you can eat your way around the city too.
Where to stay: The Westbury is always counted among the best hotels in Dublin, partly because of its excellent location on a bustling shopping street with all the city's central attractions steps away. The rooms are classically luxurious and a beautiful place to rest your head while staying in Dublin.
More European city break ideas:
- The best hotels in Amsterdam's city centre
- The best hotels in Dubrovnik
The best Airbnbs in Marrakech
How to plan the perfect trip to Copenhagen
The best cities for solo travel
12 fabulous weekend breaks in Italy
