27 of the best city breaks in Europe in 2024

1. Rome

Not many places can rival Rome for historic prowess. The Eternal City has it all: iconic ruins such as the Colosseum and the well-preserved Pantheon; big-name landmarks like the baroque Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps; and richly decorated churches to explore. And then there’s its arts scene, which takes you from the Renaissance (via frescoes by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel) to the modern in the MAXXI museum.

But the joy of a trip to Rome isn’t in rushing around trying to see all the big sights. It’s also in tasting local specialties in a trattoria, sipping an aperitivo and people watching in a buzzy bar, taking leisurely strolls with a gelato in hand, and trawling its hip shops for mementos.

Don’t miss: Learn what it took to be a gladiator during a two-hour lesson at the Gladiator School of Rome.*

Flight time: Two hours 30 minutes

Price of a pint: 5 euros (£4.28)

2. Istanbul

The Bosphorus strait marks the divide between two continents in Turkey’s capital, Istanbul. On the city’s European side, the Sultanahmet district is home to many of Istanbul’s top sights including the Hagia Sophia Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. Combine time exploring these top attractions with strolls up Istiklal Caddesi, one of the city’s busiest streets with international and local shops and antique red trams trundling by. Venture down the alleys and streets off it too for markets, restaurants and more.

See the city from a different perspective on a cruise up the Bosphorus and walk over its Galata Bridge in the morning to see it lined with fishermen reeling in the day’s catch.

Don’t miss: Get a full body scrub in a hammam after a day of sightseeing.

Flight time: Three hours 50 minutes

Price of a pint: 100 Turkish Lira (£2.57)

3. Amsterdam

Instantly recognisable, Amsterdam’s network of canals are a pleasure to stroll beside. Take your time admiring the city’s gabled buildings and bobbing canal boats, stopping for the occasional coffee or mooch in a homeware shop. Alternatively, get around like a local by hiring a bike or see the city from another angle from a boat.

Must-see attractions on a weekend city break here include the sobering Anne Frank House, where the teenage diarist went into hiding, the imposing Rijksmuseum with its work by Dutch Masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer, and the Van Gogh Museum.

For food and drink, the city’s ‘coffeeshops’ share the limelight with fine-dining restaurants, trendy burger joints and cool cafes.

Don’t miss: Visit the National Holocaust Museum, which is set to open in March 2024 in a former teacher training college where hundreds of Jewish children were saved during the war.

Flight time: One hour 15 minutes

Price of a pint: 6.50 euros (£5.56)

4. Geneva

A flight to Geneva from London takes less than two hours, making it an ideal location for a weekend city break. And, while the city is small (it’s often referred to as the world’s smallest metropolis), it has a cosmopolitan feel thanks to the number of international organisations there – it’s home to the United Nations European headquarters and the Red Cross. While exploring Switzerland’s second largest city, you can enjoy mountain and lake views, visit its city beach and dip in and out of interesting museums.

And while it’s renowned for being expensive (£7.22 a pint!), there are plenty of free sights such as its instantly recognisable Jet d’Eau fountain on Lake Geneva and its L’horloge fleurie flower clock. There are also free public transport cards available for guests to the city.

Don’t miss: Take a cable car up Mont Salève for a sprawling view of the city and lake below.

Flight time: One hour 40 minutes

Price of a pint: 8 Swiss Franc (£7.22)

5. Paris

No list of the best city breaks in Europe would be complete without France’s capital, Paris. Known as the City of Love, you’ll get serious brownie points if you whisk your other half here for a weekend crammed with fine dining, views from the top of the Eiffel Tower and strolls hand-in-hand along the banks of the River Seine.

But you don’t have to be all loved up to fall for this French charmer. Grand buildings and landmarks such as Arc de Triomphe, world-famous art galleries and stylish cafes where you can sip coffee – or something stronger – are head turners for solo travellers, groups of friends and families alike. Plus, from the UK, it’s a short flight or Eurostar journey away.

Don’t miss: The 2024 Olympic Games. Or do. The Games take place for two weeks in summer from 26 July to 11 August and accommodation has skyrocketed so bear this in mind when planning a break.

Flight time: One hour 20 minutes

Price of a pint: 7.50 euros (£6.41)

6. Tbilisi

Thermal baths, excellent wine, pulsating nightlife and interesting architecture make Georgia’s capital one of the best city breaks in Europe. Dominated by the Narikala Fortress, this valley city at the crossroads of Europe and Asia has a delightfully colourful old town, where you’ll find everything from 17th-century sulphur baths and Georgian Orthodox churches to synagogues and a mosque. Look out for the unusual clock tower attached to the puppet theatre of Rezo Gabriadze, which has the nickname the Leaning Tower of Tbilisi due to its higgledy-piggledy structure.

Wine has been made in Georgia for more than 8,000 years so be sure to sample some on a tasting or with a meal. Try a traditional glass of its amber qvevri-style wine, which is made using clay pots.

Don’t miss: New direct flights from Gatwick launching in May 2024 with Air Iveria.

Flight time: Just over four hours (from May 2024)

Price of a pint: 5 Georgian lari (£1.50)

7. Barcelona

Barcelona effortlessly combines the best elements of a European short break. There are beaches to laze on, fantastic architecture, excellent food and drink, and blue skies aplenty. And the good-looking Spanish city will constantly have you reaching for your camera to capture its gothic cathedral, Modernista buildings and Gaudi’s masterpieces such as Sagrada Família and colourful Park Guell.

Refuel after sightseeing over tapas then hit up a gallery such as The MACBA Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona or the Picasso Museum. Football fan? Head to the home of Barcelona FC, Camp Nou, for a stadium tour.

Don’t miss: Take the lift to the top of one of Sagrada Família’s spires to enjoy the views of Barcelona below.

Flight time: Two hours five minutes

Price of a pint: 3 euros (£2.56)

8. Budapest

Known for its thermal baths, ruin bars and historic buildings, Hungary’s capital, Budapest, is a top choice for an indulgent European city break. To start a trip, look out over the city and Danube River from Buda Castle then cross the water to go on a guided tour of the magnificent domed Parliament Building.

Later, treat yourself to coffee and cake in one of the city’s spectacular historic coffee shops before slipping into the steamy waters at a thermal bathhouse – first-timers could try one of the largest spa thermal bath complexes in Europe, the Széchenyi Baths. The House of Terror Museum is also well worth a visit to learn about Hungary’s fascist and communist regimes.

Don’t miss: Take a cruise down the Danube to see Budapest from the water.

Flight time: Two hours 25 minutes

Price of a pint: 1,000 Hungarian Forint (£2.20)

9. Antwerp

Antwerp was called “Belgium's most underrated city” by Conde Nast Traveller in its list of the best places to go in Europe in 2024, and it’s easy to see why..

Start a visit in the MAS museum to learn all about the city and look out over its buildings, port and river from the 10th-floor panoramic roof terrace. Then head underground in the 572m-long St Anna pedestrian tunnel that connects the left and right banks of the river, or explore the city’s former canals and sewers on a guided tour. There’s plenty of history to discover at ground level too, down the medieval Vlaeykensgang alley and at the oldest preserved building in the city, Het Steen, which is home to The Antwerp Story.

Don’t miss: Head to the city beach of Sint-Anneke to eat mussels and admire the views.

Flight time: One hour

Price of a pint: 4 euros (£3.42)

10. Venice

Venice is a true one-off European short break destination. The city on water is home to elaborately decorated churches, buzzing squares, famous art galleries and bars where you can enjoy cicchetti (Italian-style tapas) and wine.

For a treat, book a gondola ride to navigate the city’s canals, but if you’re on a budget, there’s the equally novel public vaporetto (water bus) service or water taxis.

And while the big sights in Venice are likely to be busy – think the likes of the Rialto Bridge and St Mark's Square – if you allow yourself a little time to get lost in its cobbled back streets, you’ll see another side to the city, one of quieter cafes, museums and shops.

Don’t miss: Head to the island of Murano to see glass being blown in its workshops.

Flight time: Two hours five minutes

Price of a pint: 5 euros (£4.28)

11. Tartu

Tartu, Estonia’s second largest city, gained worldwide attention in 2024 as, along with Southern Estonia, it’s the European Capital of Culture. There’s plenty to do whenever you visit the Baltics’ oldest city, though. Its two historic wooden neighbourhoods, Karlova and Supilinn, are interesting, bohemian places to walk around with street art, festivals and plenty of greenery, while there are historic boats – the timber Jõmmu barge and the Viking ship Turm – that you can sail down the Emajõgi River on.

It’s a great city to relax in too, whether in one of its spas or while trying the local specialties in a local café or restaurant. Dishes change with the seasons but staples are bread (there are at least three different names for bread in Estonian), salty butter, potatoes and pork.

Don’t miss: Visit the Leaning House of Tartu, which is one of Europe’s most tilted buildings – it leans at a greater angle than the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Flight time: Four hours 30 minutes (with one change)

Price of a pint: 4 euros (£3.42)

12. Lisbon

You’ll fall in love with Portugal’s capital on a city break in 2024. Known as the City of Seven Hills, get your bearings by taking one of Lisbon’s famous yellow wooden trams up to a miradouro (viewpoint) to see the city and River Tagus sprawling below.

Known for its food, dishes to try in Lisbon include salted cod (bacalhau), chicken piri-piri and, of course, pasteis de nata – custard tarts. A great place to try dishes from some of the city’s best-known chefs is the enormous Time Out Market.

You’ll also want to tick off some of the city’s big hitters on a visit so head to Belem to look around the 16th-century Jeronimos Monastery or the Alfama district to admire the city’s Moorish Castelo de São Jorge. You’ll find the city’s 12th-century cathedral nearby too.

Don’t miss: In the evening, head to a Fado house in Bairro Alto to listen to the music that’s a recognised symbol of Portugal.

Flight time: Two hours 45 minutes

Price of a pint: 3 euros (£2.56)

13. Tirana

Tirana is a relatively new city break destination as Albania’s communist regime shut it off to the world until the 1990s. But its history, cheap prices (a pint costs around £2) and mild climate make it one of the best city breaks in Europe. Plus, airlines are launching new flights to Albania’s capital making Tirana easier than ever to reach.

Learn all about the history of the Albanian communist army and the daily lives of Albanians inside an atomic bunker at BUNK'ART 1 and delve into the tunnels at BUNK'ART 2, the former anti-nuclear bunker of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Then climb to the top of the central Pyramid of Tirana to admire the city from above. For an even more impressive view, take the Dajti Ekspres cable car up the Dajti mountain to the east of the city.

Don’t miss: Visit the House of Leaves museum, which chillingly looks at the secret surveillance and interrogation that took place in the country.

Flight time: Three hours

Price of a pint: 250.00 Lek (£2.05)

14. Krakow

The handsome city of Krakow in the south of Poland is the perfect place for weekends away, combining culture with indulgent food and drink. Start in the Old Town’s central square, Rynek Główny, which is the largest mediaeval town square in Europe, and have a coffee or beer admiring its central mediaeval Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Town Hall Tower and St. Mary’s Basilica.

Another beautiful building to visit is Wawel Royal Castle, which is now a museum with exhibitions including the Crown Treasury and Armoury and the Lost Wawel. The former concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau is a harrowing but essential place to visit too, just over an hour’s drive away.

Don’t miss: Listen out for the hejnal, a bugle call, which is sounded every hour from the tallest tower in St Mary’s Church.

Flight time: Two hours 25 minutes

Price of a pint: 15 Polish zloty (£2.95)

15. Belfast

You’ll have a good time in Northern Ireland’s capital. As a UNESCO City of Music, Belfast has more than 80 music venues where you can watch live acts, from traditional music sessions in cosy bars to concerts in Ulster Hall.

Titanic Belfast is the city’s headline attraction. Here, discover more about the ill-fated ship in the place she was designed, built and launched. It’s important to learn more about Belfast’s bloody political history too and a great way to do this is on a guided tour. Visit famous sights such as the Falls Road and the Shankill Road and hear real-life stories with a guide.

Don’t miss: The events and projects taking place across the city as part of the Belfast 2024 cultural celebration.

Flight time: One hour 20 minutes

Price of a pint: £5.45

16. Madrid

A city break in Madrid will put a spring in your step whether you spend your time in its galleries, dancing the night away with locals, feasting on fine food or shopping in its trendy boutiques.

Its ‘Golden Triangle of Art’ – the Prado, Reina Sofia and the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum – should be the first stop for art enthusiasts, and you could easily spend a weekend in these institutions alone. But it would be a shame not to spend some time outside basking under Madrid’s blue skies, relaxing in El Retiro park or eating tapas al fresco.

Don’t miss: The largest palace in western Europe, the Royal Palace of Madrid.

Flight time: Two hours 30 minutes

Price of a pint: 3.25 euros (£2.78)

17. Sofia

While Bulgaria’s capital may not top as many best European city break lists as, say, Paris, perhaps it should. One of the oldest cities in Europe, dating back 7,000 years, this grand city is as beautiful as it is fascinating.

The domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is the jewel in the city’s crown, built between 1882 and 1912 to honour the Russian soldiers who fought for Bulgarian independence during the Russo-Turkish War. The Sofia History Museum is housed in another fantastic building, the former Turkish Mineral Baths.

Vitosha Boulevard, the city’s main street, is the place to head for eating and shopping. You’ll find cool bars and cafés on the side streets off it, all offering excellent value for money.

Don’t miss: Get your bearings on a two-hour free walking tour, which runs daily.

Flight time: Three hours five minutes

Price of a pint: 4 Bulgarian lev (£1.75)

18. Prague

City breaks in Prague are packed with culture, beautiful architecture, excellent food and, of course, world-famous beer. Start your trip in the city’s Old Town, looking out for its Astronomical Clock, the stone Charles Bridge and the twin-spired Church of Our Lady Before Týn.

Refuel in the Old Town Square with coffee and cake before heading to the most popular attraction in the city, Prague Castle – the largest ancient castle in the world. After you’ve seen the big sights, choose whether to slip into one of Prague’s many art galleries, explore its maze of lanes or sit back and relax over an ice-cold drink in a traditional pub or microbrewery.

Don’t miss: The Dancing House on Prague’s Rašínovo waterfront that was designed by the Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunic along with Frank Gehry.

Flight time: One hour 55 minutes

Price of a pint: 55 Czech korunas (£1.85)

19. Copenhagen

Copenhagen offers a winning combination of being both fun and cool. You could be shopping in its chic Danish interior stores one moment and then squealing with glee in the Tivoli Gardens amusement park the next.

The city takes its food seriously too, with everything from big names such as noma (set to close as a restaurant and transform into a giant test kitchen in 2025) to cafes that take making the perfect smørrebrød (open sandwich) seriously. On a visit, snap photos of the colourful Nyhavn area, the Little Mermaid sculpture and Tivoli Gardens, and see a different side to the city by bike or on a boat tour of its canals.

Don’t miss: Walk up the spiral ramp to the top of The Round Tower to enjoy a great view of the city.

Flight time: One hour 50 minutes

Price of a pint: 60 Danish kroner (£6.88)

20. Seville

If you’re dreaming of escaping to a good-looking city full of energy on your next European weekend away, look no further than Seville in southern Spain. Its striking architecture is reason enough to visit, with stand-out buildings including Seville Cathedral, the 14th-century Alcazar Palace and the modern Setas de Sevilla, an enormous wooden structure with a viewing platform.

Allow some time to sample some of the city’s world-famous tapas in a traditional bar or two, before watching a flamenco show until the small hours.

Don’t miss: Escape to the Maria Luisa Park for shade and to hire a row boat.

Flight time: Two hours 45 minutes

Price of a pint: 2.50 euros (£2.14)

21. Athens

Athens is a city steeped in history with its icon, the Acropolis, headlining its skyline. But it’s not a city stuck in the past and on a city break in Athens you’ll be able to party until late in a hip bar, admire street art and wander around its buzzing neighbourhoods on the hunt for your next spot to eat or drink.

Sports fans will want to visit the Panathenaic Stadium where the first modern Olympics were held, while if you’d like to discover more about the city’s history, buy a ticket for the National Archaeological Museum. If time allows, you may want to escape the city’s heat with a trip to a nearby beach on the so-called Athenian Riviera.

Don’t miss: Entrance to Athens’ state-owned archaeological and historical sites is free on the first Sunday of the month from November until the end of March.

Flight time: Three hours 40 minutes

Price of a pint: 5 euros (£4.28)

22. Dubrovnik

Croatia’s southern stunner Dubrovnik allows you to combine history with dips in the sea, and drinks in cool bars with walks featuring knock-out views. Stroll on the city walls in its UNESCO-listed Old Town, looking down over the city’s terracotta rooftops and the twinkling Adriatic before exploring the pedestrianised streets below.

After a day of sightseeing, sip a cool drink in a buzzy bar – Buza Bar, which is accessed through a hole in the wall, and Cave Bar More are good options. If you’d like to escape the city crowds, take a boat to the nearby island of Lokrum or hike up Mount Srd, a hill behind the Old Town with expansive views of the city and beyond (there’s a cable car too).

Don’t miss: Game of Thrones fan? Visit top filming locations from the series that was filmed in the city from 2011 to 2018.

Flight time: Two hours 45 minutes

Price of a pint: 4.18 euros (£3.57)

23. Porto

Visit Portugal’s second city for its port wine and leave raving about its exceptional food, riverside cafes and laidback atmosphere. Before hitting the port lodges, put your trainers on to explore Porto’s cobbled hilly streets, snapping shots of the views, tiled buildings and colourful street art.

After a tasting session, escape to the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal botanical gardens to clear your head or see more of the city by rabelo (a traditional Portuguese cargo boat) on a tour on the River Douro.

Don’t miss: Enjoy the greenery and views over the city from the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal botanical garden.

Flight time: Two hours 20 minutes

Price of a pint: 2 euros (£1.71)

24. Edinburgh

Known for its annual Edinburgh International Festival and Harry Potter connections, the Scottish capital is an exciting choice for a weekend city break closer to home. Edinburgh Castle is the top attraction on many visitors’ lists, where the oldest crown jewels in Britain (the Honours of Scotland) are held.

Another interesting attraction is The Real Mary King's Close, a warren of underground streets where you’ll be told stories about Edinburgh’s dark past by a tour guide in costume. There are galleries and museums for all tastes and ages in Edinburgh too, from the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art and the National Museum of Scotland to Camera Obscura and World of Illusions.

Don’t miss: Head to the neighbourhood of Leith for exciting dining options, to see the Royal Yacht Britannia and to visit the UK’s first vertical distillery.

Flight time: One hour 20 minutes

Price of a pint: £5

25. Ljubljana

Still a fairly under-the-radar European city break destination, a trip to Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, will be full of good food, wine and handsome buildings. The city’s mediaeval castle looms over the city and it’s worth visiting for the view it affords alone – on a clear day, you’ll see all the way to mountains.

Equally beautiful are the city's buildings and structures by the 20th-century architect, Jože Plečnik. These include the central white stone Triple Bridge, the colonnaded Central Market and the National and University Library. And a big plus point for city breaks in Ljubljana is that much of its centre is car free so you can amble around with the occasional pit-stop for a delicious slab of cake or drink al fresco.

Don’t miss: The Open Kitchen in Pogačarjev trg square where, every Friday from mid-March until the end of October, Slovenian chefs prepare dishes from around the world.

Flight time: Two hours 10 minutes

Price of a pint: 3.50 euros (£2.99)

26. Reykjavik

For such a small city, Reykjavik packs a mighty punch. There aren’t many places where you can flit between art galleries and museums teaching you about Icelandic history one day then go on a whale watching cruise the next. Or where you can wallow in geothermal pools and swim outdoors before emerging refreshed for a night of fine food and live music.

Allow some time on your break to relax and birdwatch by Lake Tjörnin and to climb to the top of the rocket-shaped Hallgrímskirkja church to admire the city from above.

Don’t miss: Scientists are predicting that 2024 will be a great year to see the Northern Lights, so plan a tour to see them while in the city.

Flight time: Three hours 15 minutes

Price of a pint: 1,500 Icelandic krona (£8.61)

27. Douglas

The capital of the Isle of Man only became a city in 2022 as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Just a short hop away from the UK via ferry or plane, you’ll soon strolling along Douglas’ waterside promenade, passing the bronze statue of the Bee Gees, who were born here, and gazing out at the Tower of Refuge, which was built on a partially submerged reef to offer shelter to shipwreck victims until they were rescued.

Learn more about the island’s history in the city’s Manx Museum and hop onto a train with the Isle of Man Steam Railway for a scenic one-hour journey to Port Erin in the island’s south.

Don’t miss: Sample the local gin, rum or whiskey from one of the island’s distilleries.

Flight time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Price of a pint: £3.83

Please note: All prices correct as of March 5 2024.

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