If you have a few days available, then the right city break can be an extremely fulfilling way to spend them. Whether it’s a long weekend, or a midweek adventure, there are several European destinations that offer just enough to fill the time. The best candidates tend to sit just a short flight from the UK, and they can be thoroughly explored in a matter of days.
Krakow, Poland
This Polish city is known for being extremely affordable, with a winning combination of history and culture. You might take a stroll around the famous Old Town and Jewish Quarter on the first day, before sampling the castle on the second. On the third, you’ll have the time spare to wander around the markets – or even to visit out-of-town attractions like the Wieliczka salt mines.
The city is exceptionally walkable, which means that, during your Krakow holidays, you’ll never feel rushed or exhausted.
Budapest, Hungary
You can think of Budapest as being two very distinct cities, separated by the Danube down the middle. On one side, you’ll find the historic Old Town; on the other, there’s the more modern, cosmopolitan ‘Pest’. During a stay here, you’ll be able to enjoy inspiring river cruises, bars that are actually built into old ruins, and endless spas, where you can unwind after having been on your feet all day.
This Hungarian treasure-trove is a regular fixture on lists of the best European cities. The appeal doesn’t just reside in major landmarks like the Chain Bridge and the castle; it’s just about everywhere.
Prague, Czech Republic
The appeal of Prague stems in part from the layout. It’s compact enough that you can easily move from one major attraction to the next on foot. So, you can get to the castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town, and just about everywhere else without ever needing to board a taxi. To make things even more convenient, the city is easily reached, since flights from the UK are frequent and very reasonably priced.
Lisbon, Portugal
Travel to the Portuguese capital and you might find yourself often getting around with the help of a tram. This iconic form of transport is part of the character and appeal of the city. You can reach a number of gorgeous viewpoints and iconic buildings, and you can take a trip to coastal towns like Cascais on one day, and picturesque destinations like Sintra on the next.
Brussels & Bruges combo, Belgium
If you’re thinking of heading to the famously quaint and charming medieval town of Bruges, then you might find that you run out of things to do after a couple of days. As such, it makes sense to explore some of Brussels on your way back to the airport.