A weekend away
City breaks in Europe
European capitals and cities with direct flights from many places across Europe, perfect for a long weekend: art, lively neighbourhoods, good food and the odd market.
Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides
Close to home
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PortugalPorto
The Ribeira, the bridges over the Douro and the port lodges, just across the border from Galicia.
What to see in Porto -
PortugalLisbon
Trams, viewpoints, the Alfama district and the custard tarts of Belém.
What to see in Lisbon -
FranceParis
Museums, neighbourhoods to wander and the Eiffel Tower lit up: there’s always something new.
What to see in Paris -
ItalyRome
The Colosseum, the Vatican and the Trevi Fountain, with pasta and gelato on every corner.
What to see in Rome -
United KingdomLondon
Huge museums, markets like Camden and Borough and musicals in the West End.
What to see in London -
BelgiumBrussels
The Grand-Place, comics, chocolate and beer, with Bruges and Ghent a short train ride away.
What to see in Brussels
Central and Eastern Europe
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Czech RepublicPrague
Charles Bridge, the castle and Old Town Square with its astronomical clock.
What to see in Prague -
HungaryBudapest
Parliament on the Danube, the thermal baths and the ruin bars.
What to see in Budapest -
AustriaVienna
Imperial palaces, historic cafés, opera and Christmas markets in winter.
What to see in Vienna -
PolandKraków
A huge medieval main square, the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz and Auschwitz nearby.
What to see in Kraków -
GermanyBerlin
The Wall, Museum Island and alternative neighbourhoods full of life.
What to see in Berlin
Northern Europe
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NetherlandsAmsterdam
Canals, bicycles, the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House.
What to see in Amsterdam -
DenmarkCopenhagen
Nyhavn, Tivoli, Danish design and a city made for cycling.
What to see in Copenhagen -
IrelandDublin
Pubs with live music, Trinity College and the Guinness Storehouse.
What to see in Dublin -
United KingdomEdinburgh
The castle, the Royal Mile and the Georgian New Town, with Arthur’s Seat for the views.
What to see in Edinburgh
Mediterranean
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ItalyFlorence
The Duomo, the Uffizi and the Ponte Vecchio: the Renaissance in a small city.
What to see in Florence -
ItalyVenice
Canals, gondolas and St Mark’s Square; best first thing in the morning or at dusk.
What to see in Venice -
ItalyNaples
The original pizza, the liveliest historic centre in Italy and Pompeii next door.
What to see in Naples -
MaltaValletta
A walled capital above the sea, with good weather almost all year round.
What to see in Valletta -
GreeceAthens
The Acropolis, the Plaka district and sunshine even in the depths of winter.
What to see in Athens
Frequently asked questions
Which European city to visit for a weekend?
Porto, Lisbon, Rome, Paris, Prague, Budapest or Amsterdam: they have direct flights from much of Europe and you can enjoy them in a long weekend.
Which European cities to visit in winter?
Vienna, Prague or Budapest for their Christmas markets and cafés; Lisbon, Athens, Valletta or Naples if you’d rather have sunshine.
Where to go for a European city break in November?
November is a good month for cities of museums and cafés, such as Paris, Vienna, Budapest or London; at the end of the month the Christmas markets begin.
Do you need a passport to travel around Europe?
It depends on your nationality: check the entry requirements for the Schengen Area and, separately, for the United Kingdom, which asks many visitors for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).
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Reviewed 19 October 2026. Dates and seasonal warnings: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.
Cover photo: mendhak (CC BY-SA 2.0), Wikimedia Commons.