City Breaks in Europe

The 22 Best European City Breaks

City Breaks in Europe

In a nutshell

  • We think a city break is always a good idea! In this article, we present our 22 favorite destinations for a city trip in Europe and give you our personal tips.
  • In Europe you find cool, big cities like sand by the sea. We particularly like beautiful London and Paris!
  • If you don’t like it quite so big, we also have a few medium-sized cities worth seeing for you. The laid-back atmosphere in Lisbon or the relaxed flair in Amsterdam are great destinations for a city break in Europe.
  • Do you prefer to spend your city trips in smaller cities? Then stylish Brussels or impressive Florence, for example, are right up your street.

Our 22 Best Destinations for a City Trip in Europe

There are so many beautiful cities in Europe that are worth a city trip. But it really wasn’t difficult for us to choose our top 22 city break destinations.

The bigger challenge: how do we sort our list? According to personal taste or size?The easiest way seemed to be the size of the respective city.

That’s why we decided to structure the cities in our list according to population – from the largest metropolises in Europe to large, medium-sized and smaller cities in Europe that are really worth seeing.

Here is a preview of all 22 cities that made it onto our list!

Our 22 best European city break destinations

  1. Istanbul
  2. London
  3. Rome
  4. Paris
  5. Vienna
  6. Warsaw
  7. Budapest
  8. Barcelona
  9. Milan
  10. Prague
  11. Stockholm
  12. Amsterdam
  13. Oslo
  14. Seville
  15. Athens
  16. Copenhagen
  17. Lisbon
  18. Tallinn
  19. Florence
  20. Venice
  21. Porto
  22. Brussels

Map of the most beautiful city destinations in Europe

We are about to present our top 22 of the most beautiful city break destinations in Europe. But first, we have prepared a map for you on which all the cities are marked. This will give you a better orientation.

Map of our favorite destinations for a city break in Europe
Map of our favorite destinations for a city break in Europe

Istanbul

Istanbul
Istanbul is lively, large and multicultural – in short: a great destination for your next city trip in Europe

With more than 15 million inhabitants, Istanbul is by far the largest city among our European destinations. So you can imagine the hustle and bustle of the city and that you could easily spend a few weeks here.

Istanbul is a great city trip if you want to experience something different than “always just Italy” What other city is located on two continents at the same time? Istanbul also has an incredibly rich history, as different cultures have settled here over the millennia. Pure multi-culturalism!

What we definitely recommend for your trip to Istanbul is a visit to a mosque, such as the Blue Mosque or the Hagia Sophia. And you simply have to experience the Grand Bazaar.

Our hotel tip for Istanbul

The Azzap Hotel not only offers you a great sea view, but is also very centrally located.

London

Big Ben im Palast von Westminster, London
Big Ben is arguably London’s most iconic landmark

We can actually recommend a city trip to London to anyone because there is hardly any other place as diverse as the British capital.

London’s roots go back to the year 50 AD and is therefore full of history.

You’ll also find many of the classics that you probably associate with England: from red double-decker buses, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, London Eye, The Shard, Westminster Abbey to Sherlock Holmes famous 221B Baker Street – the list of London’s most famous sights goes on and on.

At the same time, London is also known for its very alternative scene, as a magnet for young start-ups and an art metropolis. But there are also green parks and huge markets in London.

As you can see: there’s actually nothing in London that doesn’t exist!

Our hotel tip for London

Hotel 41 is a really fancy 5-star hotel in the immediate vicinity of Buckingham Palace. If you don’t want something quite so exclusive, we recommend the centrally located Holmes Hotel London.

Rome

St. Peter's Square with St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican are among the main attractions in Rome

A trip to Rome is not just a dream come true for every Latin student: the city is bursting at the seams with historical sites, and there is hardly any other place where you feel so close to 2,000 years of history.

Stroll through the Roman Forum with its many temples, find out how entire naval battles were re-enacted in the Colosseum or throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain for a dose of luck in life.

Rome offers you a greater concentration of ancient sights than almost any other city. But you can also simply let yourself drift through the lively streets.

Of course, the typical dolce vita also includes a glass of vino and a delicious pizza accompanied by Italian street music.

Our hotel tip for Rome

At the Rarity Suites, mom still cooks personally, and all rooms are furnished with great attention to detail. You have a great view over Rome from the small balconies.

Paris

Eiffel Tower Paris
Everyone knows it: the Eiffel Tower in Paris!

Ah, Paris – the city of love. Apart from a lot of romance, the city can do so much more.

Paris is a fashion metropolis, a must for every art connoisseur (and those who want to become one) and a culinary delight. In short: Paris simply has style.

Although you’ll definitely have your finger on the pulse of the latest trends here, you’ll also find beautiful historic buildings and lots of history all around Paris.

The obligatory photo in front of the Eiffel Tower, a trip to the Louvre and a stroll along the famous Champs-Élysée shopping street are definitely a must in Paris.

But it gets particularly interesting when you venture into lesser-known corners and explore some of Paris’ hidden gems. Then you will come across truly extraordinary art installations, flea markets, green oases, restaurants with unique charm and much more.

Our hotel tip for Paris

The Hotel Monge is just a 15-minute walk from Notre-Dame Cathedral. A small hotel with great attention to detail.

Vienna

Karlskirche
The Karlskirche is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Vienna

Vienna and us – it was love at first sight. Rarely have we seen a city that is simply beautiful. But that’s Vienna: simply beautiful.

Wherever you go, there are magnificent buildings and exciting Viennese museums. The highlights in Vienna include Schönbrunn Palace, the Prater with its Ferris wheel and the Museumsquartier. Our Vienna insider tips are the Donauinsel and the Kahlenberg.

And yet, Vienna is not one of those European destinations where everything is designed for tourists. The city is liveable and lovable and it was definitely not our last time in Vienna.

Our hotel tip in Vienna

The SO/ Vienna is located just a few meters from the old town, directly on the Donaukanal in the 2nd district. The highlight is the Skybar on the 18th floor of the hotel. What a view!

Warsaw

Warsaw
Whether historic palace or modern skyscraper – the Warsaw skyline has it all (© City of Warsaw)

Warsaw is probably not necessarily on many people’s list when they think about a city trip in Europe.

Yet, Warsaw is a super interesting and exciting city. As it was the scene of many moving events in the last century, it is full of history and culture.

And would you have expected Warsaw to have so many palaces, castles and parks? Yes, really! There are also many museums on historical or political topics.

At the same time, there are also very trendy corners, the Royal Route, Warsaw’s famous shopping street and lots of trendy cafés and bars.

Warsaw simply has a cool atmosphere. By the way, we loved the many old advertising signs on the roofs.

Our hotel tip in Warsaw

For a modern hotel close to all the main sights, we recommend the Puro Warszawa Centrum.

Budapest

Fisherman's Bastion Budapest
On a trip to Budapest, the castle district with the beautiful Fisherman’s Bastion is at the top of the list

Strangely enough, Budapest is only on very few people’s wish list of European city breaks. Even though the city is one of the ten largest cities in the EU. A real insider tip?

The name comes from the two districts, Buda and Pest. In Buda you will find a whole district full of beautiful castles. Pest is the larger district and is home to a number of highlights such as the Hungarian Parliament and Heroes’ Square.

If you are in Budapest, you should definitely visit a synagogue, a real Budapest thermal bath and take a tour through the Jewish quarter, which has now been transformed into Budapest’s trendy district.

So, let’s go to Budapest, shall we?

Our hotel tip in Budapest

The Hotel Moments is an outstanding hotel which, although not quite cheap, is still an absolute bargain for what it offers.

Barcelona

Park Güell Barcelona
An absolute must-see in Barcelona: the famous Park Güell by the artist Gaudí

Barcelona is definitely a classic among European travel destinations. The city is very touristy, but not without reason, as Barcelona is one of the most exciting cities in Europe.

Of course, Barcelona is best known for its impressive and sometimes crazy buildings. The most famous is certainly the huge Sagrada Família church by Antoni Gaudí. The other Gaudí buildings are even crazier, with their bright colors and strange shapes.

Barcelona is always bustling and very lively. This is particularly noticeable in the large squares or on the shopping street La Rambla, for example.

But don’t be afraid to venture into more secluded, less hip corners – here you will find some real hidden gems in Barcelona. The more inconspicuous bars usually also serve the best tapas.

Our hotel tip for Barcelona:

The Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella is super stylish and has a top location in the hip El Born district.

Milan

Navigli Milan
A popular district in Milan with great bars and restaurants: the Navigli canals

Milan shows a completely different side of Italy. Instead of the chaotic markets of Palermo and the labyrinth-like alleyways of Rome, an orderly and cosmopolitan city awaits you here.

Of course, Milan is particularly famous for one thing: being the fashion capital of Italy. And so you will find some of the most famous designers all over the city.

What perhaps not everyone knows is that Milan is also the financial center of Italy as the location of the stock exchange. It is therefore not surprising that many innovative tech companies and hip start-ups have settled here.

You can go to some of the hippest and trendiest clubs in Milan, but you will also find many classic sights, not least Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting of the Last Supper. A great mix of history and modernity!

Our hotel tip for Milan

The Speronari Suites are just as stylish as Milan itself. You can expect large rooms and a location right in the center of Milan.

Prague

Prague
The Vltava River flows through the middle of Prague – here you can take a relaxing stroll or a boat trip

Prague is one of our favorite travel destinations in Europe.

Not only does Prague have the best beer in the world, it also has a lot to offer for the eye and the camera. First and foremost, of course, the famous Prague Castle and Charles Bridge. But the Clementinum with the National Library is also one of the most beautiful photo spots in Prague for us.

Even though the old town is already very touristy, Prague really has a lot of charm and as soon as you leave the center a little, there are no more crowds of tourists.

Our hotel tip for Prague:

A design hotel in a perfect city center location is the NYX Hotel.

Stockholm

Stockholm
The Stockholm archipelago is one of the top highlights in Stockholm in summer

For a long time, Stockholm wasn’t even on our list when we were looking for great destinations for a city trip in Europe. Quite wrongly so!

The Swedish capital is simply beautiful. If only the winters up there weren’t so long and dark, we’d pack our bags and traveled to Stockholm straight away.

14 beautiful islands, super tasty Köttbullar and the best-preserved old town in Europe – who can say no to that?

Water belongs to Stockholm like the TV tower belongs to Berlin, so a boat trip through Stockholm is practically a must for every visitor. Particularly beautiful, but a little further out, are tours through the archipelago, the idyllic island paradise that separates Stockholm from the open sea.

Our hotel tip in Stockholm

The NOFO Hotel is located in the trendy district of Södermalm with plenty of options for going out in the evening.

Amsterdam

Canals in Amsterdam
Typical Amsterdam: small canals, houseboats and colorful houses

Amsterdam is a wonderful destination for a city trip and not one of those cities where you are busy checking out all the famous sights in Amsterdam. With its colorful flowers, narrow canals and cute cafés, the city is a sight in itself.

Especially in summer, a bike tour through Amsterdam is simply a dream, and you can really immerse yourself in the relaxed flair. Or why not visit a tulip farm like Keukenhof?

There are also so many really great museums in Amsterdam, such as the Anne Frank Museum, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum etc.

And even for a trip with children in Amsterdam, the city has museums and other cool activities, such as the Nemo Science Museum or the WONDR Experience.

Of course, there are other sides to Amsterdam. You’ve probably heard of the red-light district De Wallen and the infamous coffee shops in Amsterdam.

Our hotel tip in Amsterdam

A very young and hip hotel with a good price-performance ratio is the Volkshotel Amsterdam. We can also recommend the Bob W in Amsterdam Noord. A super modern hotel without a reception, with its own parking garage if you are traveling by car like we did last time, and also room categories for families with children.

Oslo

Oslo Barcode District
The Barcode District and the Acrobats Pedestrian Bridge are among the more modern buildings in Oslo

Scandinavia stands for a progressive mentality, blue fjords reflecting rugged mountains and lots of the typical red houses. So if you want to get a taste of typical Scandinavia, we really recommend a city trip to Oslo.

But did you know that Oslo is also one of the oldest cities in Scandinavia? The city hall and the royal palace, for example, bear witness to this. On the other hand, you will also find many modern buildings such as the Barcode District or the Opera House – which was built like an iceberg.

Apart from the typical sights, we can also recommend the trendy Grünerløkka district. There are numerous cool bars, cafés and restaurants here.

And of course, a tour of the surrounding fjords is a must on your trip to Oslo.

Our hotel tip for Oslo

The Amerikalinjen is a stylish boutique hotel right in the center of Oslo. It is named after the famous cruise ships from the 19th century.

Seville

A restaurant on the Alameda de Hercules in Seville
On the Alameda you’ll find Spanish flair in its purest form: delicious tapas, flamenco and a glass or two of sangria

La Ciudad de la Alegría, or the City of Joy – if that isn’t the ideal destination!

But the name is definitely apt: whether in the bustling, colorful alleyways, enjoying vino and tapas in a bar or dancing flamenco on the Almeda de Hercules, there is always a good atmosphere in Seville.

But quite apart from the relaxed, easy-going atmosphere you feel around the city, there are beautiful palaces with more gardens than we could count and many other great buildings. But simply strolling through the alleyways with their narrow houses or along the Guadalquivir river is also a real experience.

We can only recommend a city trip to Seville. What’s more, the city embodies pretty much everything you think of when you think of Spain.

Our hotel tip for Seville

The Hotel Gravina 51 is located in the heart of Seville’s old town. Great service and very nice, Mediterranean furnishings.

Athens

Acropolis
The Acropolis is the landmark of Athens and even more beautiful than usual at sunset

Do you want it to be as mild and Mediterranean as possible? Then Athens is the perfect city break in Europe.

From the Acropolis to the delicious Greek cuisine, there is plenty to discover in Athens. If you have more time, you could even include a beach vacation. And it’s less than a three-hour flight from Germany.

In addition to the Acropolis, you will find numerous other highlights in Athens, such as the Ancient Agora, where the ruins of theaters and schools that Socrates visited are lined up next to each other.

But Athens is not just ancient vases and statues of the gods, there are also lively, trendy districts such as Psyrri or the notoriously left-wing Exarchia.

Our hotel tip for Athens

The interior design style of the Foundry Suites really blew us away. A green oasis in the middle of Psyrri.

Copenhagen

Nyhavn Boats
Nyhavn, with its colorful houses and small boats, is one of the most famous places in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is one of the most liveable cities in Europe, and we can definitely agree with that. And simply perfect as a European travel destination!

The city simply exudes a relaxed yet lively atmosphere. You can also let yourself drift through the streets undisturbed, as Copenhagen belongs to cyclists and pedestrians, so to speak.

Copenhagen also has many trendy districts such as Nørrebro or Vesterbro, which are relatively reminiscent of Berlin. Things get really alternative in Christiania, an autonomous hippie settlement that is more or less a city within a city.

If you are looking for the classic attractions in Copenhagen, you should definitely stop by Nyhavn with its typical Danish colorful houses and the Little Mermaid.

Our hotel tip for Copenhagen

The 71 Nyhavn Hotel, which is housed in two super modern renovated warehouses, is probably one of the best located hotels.

Lisbon

Miradouro da Graça in Lisbon
Lisbon is a super nice destination for a city trip in Europe

Lisbon is perfect for a European city trip in spring or fall.

When it is still uncomfortable here, the temperatures in Lisbon are often already or still summery, perfect for a trip to the beautiful beaches around Lisbon.

The city is not particularly big for a European capital, but it has an incredible amount to offer. If you are traveling to Lisbon with children, you will be surprised how relaxed a family vacation can be.

We could spend hours strolling through the narrow streets and soaking up the flair of the city. You should definitely plan a little more time so that you can go on excursions in the surrounding area of Lisbon, for example to Sintra or Cascais.

Our hotel tip in Lisbon

The Lx Boutique Hotel is a beautifully furnished hotel in the very best location.

Tallinn

Old Town of Tallinn
A city trip to Tallinn is worth it for the beautiful old town alone

Tallinn may not be a household name for some people. The capital of Estonia is a real underdog among European travel destinations.

The city completely surprised us in many ways with what we found: one of the most beautiful old towns we’ve ever been to, a young and creative scene that you might expect to find in Berlin or Barcelona and a city in transition, some of which is more modern than we’ve seen anywhere else in the world.

A particular highlight is the Balti Jaama Turg market. You can get everything here, from super tasty food to junk from the Soviet era. We could stroll around the market for hours!

Our hotel tip in Tallinn

The Hestia Hotel Kentmanni is located in the center of Tallinn. It has everything you need on your city trip, from a sauna to a delicious breakfast.

Florence

Cathedral of Florence
The gigantic cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the landmark of Florence

It doesn’t always have to be Rome. One of the most beautiful cities in Italy, perhaps even in the whole of Europe, is definitely Florence. A trip to Florence is especially great because you can also take a road trip through Tuscany.

The city’s landmark is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. But you will find many other great buildings throughout the city, such as the church of Santa Croce or Ponte Vecchio.

From Piazza Michelangelo, you have a truly breathtaking view of the sights in Florence and the River Arno, which meanders through the city. Add a glass of vino at sunset and the dolce vita is perfect.

Our hotel tips for Florence

The Hotel Burchianti is a wonderful, albeit not entirely inexpensive, hotel. A hotel with a great price-performance ratio is the Hotel Dali.

Venice

Church with dome on water with gondolas in foreground
Venice is the perfect destination for a short trip with your better half

Venice is simply unique and definitely a great destination for a city trip in Europe!

Take a romantic gondola ride in Venice, enjoy the dolce vita with cicchetti and wine or explore one of the many surrounding islands – Venice has so much to offer!

A visit to the cathedral on St. Mark’s Square or the Doge’s Palace is of course a must. However, we recommend that you get off the beaten track a little. You can find authentic Venice in districts such as Cannaregio or Castello.

Or how about something a little more unusual? Take a look at the glassblowing workshops on Murano or the lace embroidery on the island of Burano or make your own Venetian mask in a mask workshop.

Our hotel tip for Venice

Stay in this small boutique hotel in the less touristy Santa Croce district and still be just a stone’s throw away from the top sights: Santa Croce Boutique Hotel.

Porto

View of the Ponte Dom Luís
Small but mighty: Porto’s colorful skyline makes you want to go on a city trip

In addition to Lisbon, Portugal has another absolute gem for a European city trip: Porto. For a long time, we had no idea that Porto was so worth seeing, but fortunately we were proven wrong.

Throughout the city, you will find entire buildings decorated with the beautiful blue azulejos. You’ll find cool street art, stylish wine cellars with the typical port wine and the sea is also just a stone’s throw away. Or how about a boat trip on the Douro?

Porto is certainly no longer a real insider tip, but the smaller city next to Lisbon is often forgotten. Quite wrongly, see for yourself!

Our hotel tip in Porto

The Baumhaus Serviced Apartments offer beautiful apartments in a lovingly renovated old building in a good location.

Brussels

Grote Markt Brussels
The Grote Markt represents Brussels super well: stylish old buildings, colorful hustle and bustle and tasty treats on every corner

French fries, waffles and the EU Parliament – considering that Brussels is quite small compared to most European capitals, we can think of quite a few things that originate from the city. The Belgians simply have what it takes.

But seriously, Brussels is definitely not on many people’s list of top European travel destinations. Yet, the city has everything you could want from a city trip.

The city is home to magnificent historical buildings such as the City Hall and the Royal Palace, as well as new installations such as the Atomium. The museums range from classical art to the Chocolate Museum. And then of course there are the many EU institutions, where you can learn a lot about history and politics.

Brussels simply feels authentic, chic but not pretentious, modern but not hip. On a stroll through the city, you should also try some Belgian sweets and Belgian beer. Mhhh!

Our hotel tip in Brussels

At the Art de Sejour B&B, you will stay in a modern townhouse right in the historic center of Brussels. A great base for exploring the city.

Find even more Destinations for a City Break in Europe

Want even more? No problem. You’ll find even more inspiration for your next city trip here:

Our Tips for City Trips in Europe at a Glance

You now know our favorite travel destinations for a city break in Europe. But we also have a few general tips for a city trip within Europe for you.

Find cheap flights

We use the Skyscanner flight search engine. Simply enter your departure and destination and Skyscanner will show you which flight with which airline and at what time is the cheapest for you.

Find cheap accommodation

We almost always book our hotels on booking.com. The selection is huge, the prices are usually the cheapest and booking.com’s service is really great if a problem does occur.

We used to book private rooms via Airbnb, but we rarely do that anymore. Airbnb’s customer service is really subterranean and the misappropriation of apartments is destroying the social fabric in many cities. We still like the basic idea, but unfortunately it has simply taken on too many excesses.

Pack properly for your city trip

A city trip is perfect for traveling with hand luggage only. It’s more comfortable and also saves money when flying.

What are your tips for a European city break?

You now know our 22 favorite cities in Europe. Of course, we are always on the lookout for new adventures and look forward to your tips. Where do we absolutely have to go soon?