Where To Go For A Weekend City Break in Europe

Low on annual leave? After an affordable getaway? Simply fancy a quick hop across the Channel for a few days? A weekend is all you need to discover somewhere new! So, where will it be? 

PARIS

Whether it’s your first, second or fifth time, Paris is always a good idea. The world-famous sights are obvious additions to the itinerary, but the City of Light has something to offer even if the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre have a tick next to them on your bucket list. First stop: a boulangerie. Grab yourself a few of the flaky French pastries and a coffee before strolling through the quintessential Parisian streets. Fill the days with sightseeing or shopping – vintage boutiques or high-end shops, the fashion scene doesn’t get much better than in the French capital. Getting peckish? Take a seat in one of the bistros that spill onto the street and people-watch while sipping a glass of vino with your lunch. And when night falls, your options are endless too – head down to Jardins du Trocadéro to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle in the night, secure a ticket to a show at the Moulin Rouge or rub shoulders with the locals while you graze on your makeshift picnic by the Seine. A dream weekend or what? 

PRAGUE

If there’s one city that has ‘weekend getaway’ written all over it, it’s got to be Prague. The short flight might be what attracts you to the Czech capital but let the towering spires and fairytale Old Town reel you in with all its whimsy. Take a tour through the cobble-clad streets boxing off all the major landmarks (hello, the holy trinity – Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge and Prague Castle) before filling up on local fare. You’ll find plenty of eateries en route, and if you fancy combining sightseeing with nibbles, duck into Havels Market. Round up the day on Petřín Hill – whether you take a funicular or tackle the stairs on foot, the panoramic views are well worth it. Oh, and no mention of Prague is complete without a hint of hop juice. From Czech pints to historic beer halls, museums and experiences, there’s no shortage of spots to try a locally brewed pint or a beer bath here. 

FLORENCE

Add a touch of Italian romance to your city break with a quick visit to Florence. The capital of Tuscany is a melting pot of galleries and museums, not to mention architectural wonders, so those with an eye for art can go on a weekend-long voyage through the city’s cultural landmarks. If your approach to sightseeing is of the take-a-walk-and-explore kind, pirouette around the piazzas, starting with the social and political hub of Florence, Piazza della Signoria. The dome of the Duomo will be your constant companion but carve out some time to pop inside and admire it from one of the panoramic viewpoints too. When it comes to food, you’d better come with stretchy trousers and a hearty appetite. Over 50 Michelin-starred menus, even more quintessentially Italian trattorias serving perfect pizzas, homemade pasta and tantalising Tuscan cuisine – your taste buds won’t know what hit them. And then, we come to the desserts. Melt-in-your-mouth tiramisu, endless gelato flavours, cups of silky panna cotta… Now that’s one way to spend a weekend. 

VIENNA

Culture vultures, if you’re more tempted by a schnitzel than a pizza-and-pasta combo, turn your heads to Vienna. The Austrian capital is steeped in history with palatial buildings, grand architecture and elegant streets, but you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to galleries, museums and exhibitions too. With over 60 spots in the Museum Quarter alone, there’s plenty of art to fill your days with. When it’s time for a break, make your way up to the MQ Libelle – a lovely terrace that boasts fabulous views of Vienna. Planning on cramming as much as you can into the weekend? Add Schönbrunn Palace, Ringstrasse and Prater Park to the agenda. If you need another pick-me-up, a coffee with a slice of Sachertorte is as much of a treat as it is an essential Viennese experience. Come evening, visit Naschmarkt, where you’ll find everything from street food stalls to sit-down cafés serving fine Austrian fare.  

KRAKOW

Winter or summer, Krakow’s a winner. On the one hand, you’ve got enough history to fill a weekend’s itinerary and do nothing else, on the other, it’s a great city for bar-hopping and taste-testing the cheap-as-chips Polish pints. Combine both to truly get lost in the local culture. The best place to start is the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Here, you can tick off the main square and cathedral before making the climb up to Wawel Castle, the crown jewel of Krakow. From there, follow the Vistula River to the Jewish Kazimierz district, where street-art-covered alleys lead to trendy galleries and independent cafés that turn to cool supping spots. Speaking of which, you’ll find everything from historic pubs to artsy cocktail spaces around this area, so there’s a quirky bar for everyone. Just make sure to fuel up before heading out – pierogis (traditional potato dumplings with cheese, meat or vegetable fillings) are the perfect choice. 

Don’t mind a longer flight or going during winter? With Inspire & Jet2CityBreaks, you can fly to over 40 cities that you should add to your bucket list…