Europe has so many exciting city destinations to choose from for those craving a city break. Most of these are only a short flight away (in some cases, possibly even a train ride away). Such destinations could be perfect for a short family holiday, a romantic retreat or even a getaway with friends. Below are just a handful of the stunning European cities to choose from when planning a city break for 2025.
Budapest
Hungary’s capital has become a very popular destination over the last few decades – and is still relatively cheap compared to many Western European cities. The city is situated on the river Danube and is teeming with unique historical attractions. This includes an elaborate cave church system underneath the city, century-old thermal baths and the fairytale-like spires of Fisherman’s Bastion. Budapest is also well-known for its diverse nightlife including ruin bars located in abandoned buildings and rooftop cocktail bars. It’s also very easy to get around – most of the major attractions are within walking distance of each other, plus there’s trams and a metro system.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is famed for its fine dining scene. It contains numerous world-renowned restaurants including three-Michelin-Star restaurant Noma, which has been named the best restaurant in the world several times since 2010. The Danish capital also has a lot of history to offer and some interesting landmarks. This includes the impressive Christiansborg Palace, where the monarchy still resides, as well as the world famous Little Mermaid statue. There are two main ways to get around Copenhagen: by bicycle or by boat. This includes guided bicycle tours around the streets and guided boat tours of the canals.
Dubrovnik
This UNESCO world heritage walled city is located in Croatia. Game of Thrones fans may know it as the filming location of King’s Landing – there are walking tours that can take you around many of the locations used in the series. Its limestone cobbled streets are teeming with history and there are several fascinating museums, where you can learn more about the city’s past. Thrill-seekers can meanwhile explore the city from above via the Dubrovnik cable car. Those looking for a more leisurely getaway can alternatively hit the beaches, where you can sunbathe or take a dip in the Mediterranean sea. Visit in summer or early autumn for the best weather.
Edinburgh
For those that don’t want to leave the UK, why not consider Edinburgh as a travel destination in 2025? This Scottish city is renowned for its stunning medieval architecture and scenic vistas and attracts millions of tourists from around the world each year. Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile are two of the most popular attractions. You can also take tours of the underground vaults or try various whiskeys at the Scotch Whisky Experience. Edinburgh is also home to the world’s largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Fringe. This takes place in August every year – expect more crowds and higher hotel prices when visiting during this month.
Krakow
Krakow is a preserved mediaeval town in Poland that has become an increasingly popular city destination in recent years. It’s home to Europe’s largest town square where there are numerous charming restaurants, interesting museums and an indoor market (with an underground museum beneath it). You can take a romantic horse and carriage ride through the cobbled streets or try a walking ghost tour for a spookier exploration of the city. The wondrous Wieliczka Salt Mine and chilling Auschwitz concentration camp are meanwhile located on the outskirts of the city and are popular historical attractions for those visiting Krakow.
Lisbon
If you love seafood, make sure Lisbon is on your travel bucket list. The coastal Portuguese capital is known for its top-class seafood restaurants, where you can try clams and crabs straight from the Atlantic ocean. Lisbon also boasts some incredible historic architecture, which contains a blend of cultural influences. Iconic yellow trams can take you around the city, allowing you to explore the city’s many landmarks. Consider combining your trip to Lisbon with an excursion to the nearby picturesque town of Sintra (you can book coaches from Lisbon to this town).
Madrid
Most people planning a city break to Spain opt for Barcelona. However, the Spanish capital, Madrid, is also worth your time. Fans of art and music will love the world-class art galleries and flamenco shows that can be found here. Football fans meanwhile must consider booking a Santiago Bernabeu Stadium tour where you can find trophies and clothing belonging to the likes of Christiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane. The city’s late night tapas bars are also a big attraction (it’s normal to dine late at night in Madrid and some restaurants are open past midnight).
Munich
Are you a beer drinker? Munich is commonly regarded as the beer capital of the world – it annually hosts the Oktoberfest beer festival and is renowned for its historic beer halls. However, there’s so much to experience in Munich beyond beer. The city is steeped in history and is teeming with impressive gothic red-roofed buildings dating back to the 1100s (make sure to visit Marienplatz to see the New Town Hall and its elaborate clock). You can also try authentic Bavarian dishes, surf in the river Eisbach and visit one of the longest-running puppet theatres.
Paris
Paris is the most visited city on this list – over 15 million foreign tourists visit it each year! It’s a popular destination for Brits and can be reached via train directly from London St Pancras station. There are countless reasons to visit Paris. Some of the city’s most popular attractions include The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, The Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe. However, there’s also the morbidly-fascinating catacombs, the stunning Sacre-Coeur, the scenic Pont Neuf, an array of incredible restaurants, and Disneyland Paris. Plan a weekday city break in late winter or autumn to avoid the crowds and save money on hotels.
Rome
In terms of historical attractions, you could argue that Rome boasts the greatest selection of any European city. From the Roman ruins of The Colosseum to the painted Renaissance roof of The Sistine Chapel, the city contains so many iconic historical sights. It’s the birthplace of the Roman Empire and the home of the Catholic Church. And the Italian capital’s got so much to experience beyond that including opera shows, authentic pasta/pizza restaurants and the opportunity to taste some of Italy’s best wines. Spring and Autumn are some of the best times to visit Rome if you want good weather but not too many crowds.
Stockholm
Sweden’s capital is spread out over 14 islands. It’s renowned for its beautiful architecture and magnificent museums (including the Abba Museum, Nobel Prize Museum and Fotografiska). Sightseeing boats can take you around the various islands of Stockholm and teach you all about the history. Stockholm can get very cold in the winter months, however its ice skating rinks and Christmas markets make this one of the most popular times of year to visit.
Tallinn
Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, has started to attract the attention of international tourists in recent years. It has an incredibly well-preserved old city with cobblestone streets and buildings dating back to the 11th Century. There are many castles, churches and museums that you can visit to learn about the city’s history. There’s also 314 metre Tallinn TV Tower that offers incredible views of the city. Tallinn’s food scene is also very vibrant – you can try traditional Estonian favourites like wild boar or international cuisines from around the world. And it’s all very affordable!