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Original poster

Do you know a nice city where there isn't very much to do?

95 replies

Yumulack · 06/03/2023 20:23

Bit of an odd request I know! I want to go on a mini break next month, and I want to sit on my hotel balcony/in a cafe and read and chill. I would also like to walk down some pretty streets once in a while.
That's it!
The issue is that I wouldn't be able to relax enough to do this if I knew there were nice sites/sights/excursions/museums etc to explore, as I would definitely feel like I needed to see them.
So I need somewhere pleasant/pretty/friendly BUT boring!
Any ideas for destinations that would fit the bill?

OP posts:
Retractable · 07/03/2023 07:54

To be honest, this is probably exactly the situation that budget airline flights to slightly random destinations are perfect for. Fly to a regional airport and the local town/city will definitely accommodate a desire for just sitting in cafes reading and wandering about a bit.

where do Ryanair fly to ridiculously cheaply from your local airport, OP?

Original poster
Yumulack · 07/03/2023 08:12

Aah thanks so much everyone! So many places I'd never even considered/heard of.

For those that asked...I definitely want to travel out of the UK, sunny weather is a bonus although not 100% required. I'm going alone.

I have several hours of googling all the options mentioned ahead of me, and I'm hoping to have flights booked by the end of the day.

I shall come back and let you know where I chose.

Super useful thread! Thanks again.

OP posts:
gogohmm · 07/03/2023 08:50

Choose a town in france based on the cheapest Ryan air fare - they fly to lots of smaller airports from major hubs in the U.K. all will have a nice square, cafes etc. can also recommend Italy on the same basis

Svalberg · 07/03/2023 08:51

Bergamo, the Città Alta part. Ryanair fly there claiming it to be Milan...

Riverlee · 07/03/2023 08:53

Uk or abroad?

when are you travelling?

Riverlee · 07/03/2023 08:54

Sorry, just seen your update.

QueenOfWeeds · 07/03/2023 09:01

Another vote for Trieste!

MrsOrange · 07/03/2023 09:22

Toulouse, beautiful city, can do a bit of a potter round the shops, many plazas for sitting and people watching, abeautiful park which is quite central and as it's in south west France lots of awesome food.

MrsOrange · 07/03/2023 09:23

Based on your update, Nice is a good shout especially weather wise in a month or so

2013isback · 07/03/2023 09:29

I just wanted to add Alicante (Spain) - there are often cheap flights from various UK airports and there's a very easy/quick/cheap airport bus into the city. You've then got a great long promenade at the waterfront and nice walks around the old town. If you do decide to brave Santa Barbara one day (Alicante's main tourist attraction - a Muslim-era castle/mostly-open-air museum on the hill), it's low pressure - there's a funicular to take you up and down, and you can dip in and out of the (mostly free) historical exhibits without feeling like you have to commit a certain amount of time or "get your money's worth".

Schnooze · 07/03/2023 09:30

Seville?

WithFlamingLocksOfAuburnHair · 07/03/2023 09:31

Nantes is a nice spot to wander around, nice restaurants and shops, but nothing much to miss out on if you don't do sightseeing.

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 07/03/2023 09:33

Lucca or Porto would be my two choices.

Echobelly · 07/03/2023 09:34

Maybe Bruges - DH and I had a lovely anniversary weekend there where we didn't go 'in' anywere, literally just walked around (it's pretty compact and extremely beautiful) and went out for meals.

BitOutOfPractice · 07/03/2023 09:35

manictuesday · 06/03/2023 21:04

Bratislava comes to mind. Very compact and not a lot to do beyond wandering through the streets, up to the castle and back.

My very first thought when you said boring was Bratislava! 😆

OP that sounds like a perfect holiday. I hope you find your spot!

Dudum · 07/03/2023 09:38

Riga
Bergamo
Bologna
Trapani

squashyhat · 07/03/2023 09:39

I am going to Luxembourg City for a short break next month. It's compact and apart from the spectacular castle there's not much to do, so I anticipate lots of wandering the streets and sitting in bars and cafes people-watching. Ryanair fly direct from Stansted.

PatsyJStone · 07/03/2023 09:40

Lucca from me too. Big cities walls good for a wander if you need to stretch your legs, looking over Lucca. Easy transfer from Pisa airport by bus from the airport.

toucaninjapan · 07/03/2023 09:42

Setenil de las Bodegas in Andalusia? The city under the rock

theDudesmummy · 07/03/2023 09:44

Galway is lovely and you can do all the "sights" in a couple of hours then just people watch or walk along the sea

TheVanguardSix · 07/03/2023 09:55

Lugano in Switzerland.
Fly to Milan and take a train directly there. There are 25 trains a day from Milano Centrale. The journey is an hour and a half from Milan and it's a wonderful train journey.
Hotel terrace, cafe terrace, a sunny bench on the lake (loads of benches)... it's a place that begs you to chill out and enjoy the scenery and beauty. You could take a pedal boat onto the lake. Or not! You could just sit and be still and relax.

WomanStanleyWoman2 · 07/03/2023 10:04

gogohmm · 07/03/2023 08:50

Choose a town in france based on the cheapest Ryan air fare - they fly to lots of smaller airports from major hubs in the U.K. all will have a nice square, cafes etc. can also recommend Italy on the same basis

Perpignan could be a good choice for this strategy.

tatteddear · 07/03/2023 10:24

Bruges. Really hit much to do your stuff yourself with moules frites, blonde beer and waffles and wander about looking at the pretty ness of the town.

WhiskersPete · 07/03/2023 10:25

Palma - Majorca is just like this!

Fancysauce · 07/03/2023 10:26

Definitely porto. It's pretty but honestly there's fuck all to do.