Name a better feeling than landing in a new city, we’ll wait. City breaks are the gift that keep on giving – you can go back time after time and there will forever be something new to see or do. And, there’s always something for everyone – museums for the history nerds, galleries for the arty types and nothing beats city nightlife for party lovers. If you’re a foodie, we know you’ve already got the hottest café and restaurant recs saved in your notes.
Cities are also perfect for so many different types of trips. Lacking in AL? You only need a couple of nights to tick off all the sights, so a Friday-Monday situation is ideal. If you’re a budget babe, cheap city breaks as so doable. Think street food eats, cool hostels and sightseeing hacks like soaking up the scenes on foot. For all you spontaneous legends, you can always back a last-minute city break for when you need to get away ASAP. And if you’re put off because you think they’re a faff to plan, meet package city breaks… you can keep your flights, hotel and even add transfers with us, so you can live your best life exploring your new fave place. You’re welcome.
Not sure where to go? For starters, Europe is pure city break material. You’ve got the classics – Paris, Rome, and Berlin – and then there are the city-and-beach combos of Lisbon and Barcelona for mornings in the streets and afternoons on the sweep. Eastern Europe comes in strong with Budapest, Prague and Krakow, then the North raises it Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo. But we can’t not mention the northernmost capital – Reykjavik.
And that’s only one continent. Add a couple of hours onto the flight time and you’re looking at Marrakech, New York and Dubai. Or, if we’re talking long haul, you could be touching down in Las Vegas, Mexico City or Bangkok.
Top city breaks in Europe
Europe is the G.O.A.T. of city breaks. We’re talking hundreds of cities sitting just across the Channel, but these are the ones that keep us coming back every time…
The capital of the Netherlands is a spider’s web of photo-ready canals, with over 150 lace-like waterways flowing through the city centre.
Catalonia’s capital is a smorgasbord of bustling street markets, Gothic architecture, blonde sandy beaches, tapas bars, and widescreen, tree-lined boulevards.
France’s capital has a near-permanent place in the top 10 most-visited cities list every year, and with more attractions than you can shake a French stick at.
The ancient Romans were on the money when they nicknamed this place the Eternal City. They believed it would survive forever, and the bevy of pristine historic sites shows that they weren’t wrong.
If you put 2,000 years of history, a string of beaches and a buzzing town square into a blender, you’d be served up a city break holiday to Lisbon.
Italy’s a bit of a pro when it comes to city breaks – Rome, Florence, and Venice barely scratch its short-break surface. The story in Milan – the country’s second largest city – tends to twist towards fashion, but while this may take the front cover, there’s plenty more to the pages of this place.
City Break deals
City breaks for less? Go on then. These hot deals are all yours rn, but pick quick… they won’t stick around forever.
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Cities with beaches
Can’t decide between city or beachy? You don’t have to. These cities serve up sightseeing with a side of sweep, so you get the best of both worlds.
Catch a quick train or bus from the city centre and you’ll be at the beach. Carcavelos Beach is a local fave for sunbathers and surfers, then there’s Costa da Caparica, a 15-kilometre-long stretch lined with cool bars and cafés.
POV: You spent the morning at La Sagrada Familia followed by a jug of sangria and now you’d love to just chill on the beach… Luckily for you, La Barceloneta’s mega stretch of sand is walking distance from the centre.
Just steps from the Old Town, La Concha is a crescent-shaped bay with calm, shallow waters – and it’s on the list of Europe’s most beaut city beaches. It’s a perfect stop between pintxos-bar hopping, and paddleboarding and kayaking are big here, too.
Walking tour experiences
There’s no better way to get your bearings in a new city than on a walking tour. You’ll be able to soak up the scenes, get all the local tea from your professional guide and maybe even make some new mates, too.
Long-haul city breaks
Live the long-haul life in these cities
Cheesecake and pizza by the slice against a backdrop of skyscrapers and high-end boutiques – holidays to New York dish up all those United States hallmarks in generous portions.
Holidays to Dubai bring you to a desert metropolis, with ultra-modern skyscrapers close to a hot and sunny seaside.
Mexico City is now a buzzing metropolis in place of the previous Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan. There is something for every kind of traveller here, from free activities and first-rate museums to live music, lush parks and hiking trails.
Insiders x City Breaks
Our Insiders get to pick the trips they really want to go on, and they LOVE a city break. They’ve brought back all the hottest tips and local recs from their travels, so you have real inspo from someone that’s actually been there. See what @hadleyogarro got up to in Amsterdam and Barcelona, find out why @gracegrangetravel is obsessed with Porto and much more…
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Tips to help you budget
Here’s our top tips to help your money go further…
Book ASAP
Flights and accommodation tend to be cheaper when you book earlier. Keep an eye out for early-bird deals and discounts.
Public transport
Do yourself a favour and save your spending money by getting about on buses, trams, trains, and subways. If you can get a city transport card, even better – they normally give you a sweet deal or unlimited travel.
Find free stuff to do
Most cities will have museums, galleries, parks and landmarks that are free to get into, so you can soak up the culture without paying a penny
Eat like a local
Those restaurants you see all the tourists go to? Yeah, don’t go there. Avoid the unofficial tourist tax by finding where the locals eat. Think food markets, little neighbourhood cafés, and food halls where the prices aren’t hiked up – and let’s face it, the food’s always better, too.
City breaks by train
Why visit one city when you can visit more? Enter your flight-free era and see even more of Europe on a trip with Byway.
Tick off five of Europe’s grandest capitals on this 16-day trip featuring Berlin, Prague, Budapest and Vienna, plus a bonus night in Amsterdam. Soak up the sweet combo of impressive historic architecture and the friendly, inclusive culture these cities are known for today.
Cross the Channel for five days in neighbours Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands – AKA heaven for beer lovers. First up is Brussels for medieval scenes and chic waterfront living. Cologne’s mega cathedral, Kolsch beer and chocolate museum are next, before wrapping things up in Rotterdam, where it’s all green spaces and cutting-edge architecture.
La dolce vita is GO on this 10-day journey through Italy. You’ll visit romantic Venice and stop in Florence for Renaissance realness, plus you’ll have two nights on the edge of Lake Como in Lecco. It’s not over ‘til you say it is, so there are also stops in Switzerland and Paris before you head home.
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When should I go on a city break?
Spring
In the northern hemisphere, March to May brings milder temperatures, pretty flowers (we see you, Amsterdam) and fewer people than in the summer.
Summer
June to September is a big deal in many cities, with music, food, and culture taking centre stage. In between events, day-to-day city life just gets better, too. Soak up the sunshine with al fresco meals, browse open-air markets and join the buzz in cities’ green spaces.
Autumn
Trips tend to get a lot cheaper after the summer holidays are over. Cities feel more laidback with fewer crowds, and everything gets that warm, pumpkin-spiced aesthetic once the leaves start to turn brown.
Winter
Bring on those festive feels in Europe’s Christmas markets. Wrap up in your cosiest fit and stroll beside stalls selling cute handmade crafts, cinnamon-flavoured treats and mulled wine.
Frequently Asked Questions About City Breaks
We love them all. But with our huge list of city breaks across France, Spain, Italy and beyond, you can pick whichever trip suits you best. Filter down your search results by duration, price and facilities to see what fits your requirements.
If you’ve got limited time to spare, stay close to home and head to a city such as Paris, Amsterdam or Barcelona, with flight times of around two hours or less. We offer flexible flights with a range of trusted airline partners, too, so you can make the most of your time there by booking an early morning or after-work departure.
For a short city break, you’ll likely only have a carry-on case in your luggage allowance, so you’ll have to pack lightly. Remember the 100ml rule for onboard liquids, too. Bring comfortable shoes for exploring and try not to overpack – you’re only going for a couple of days. Worst case, you’ll be able to pick up any forgotten supplies while you’re away.
It depends on what time of year you’re travelling – go in the off-peak season and you’ll find deals all over the world, while a mid-summer break will push up the prices in the sunniest spots. All of our city breaks are great value, though, so you can be sure you’re getting the most for your money. Check out our latest deals for our recommended discounts, or if you’re feeling spontaneous, our last-minute getaways will guarantee some quick savings.
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