European city with 16 year old DS

[ohfibonacci]

We have a few days early July and plan a city break with our son who will be nearly 17. We’ve not really done a city break with him before. He’s very active, sporty, into football. He’s interested in history (particular war history) but not museums as such.

I was thinking Berlin (although we’ve already been without the children but it was February so I imagine July would be a very different experience!) , somewhere in Poland or Budapest. Nowhere ridiculously hot. Need to be able to fly direct from Scotland.

Any ideas would be most welcome!

Not sure if you've done it OP but you can book tickets in Berlin to go to the top of the Reichstag dome. That was quite fun.

Budapest is great, you can visit the Museum of Terror in between visits to the thermal baths!

We did the Schindler Factory as well as Auschwitz when we went to Krakow.

Barcelona. Perfect mix of beach and city. So much to see and do - Gaudi house, Parc Guell, Las Ramblas, the Sagrada Familia, just to name a few. I love experiencing the city and seeing the sights, but equally you can you spend the day chilling and people watching in the sunshine, sat in one of the many Chiringuito’s on Barceloneta Beach drinking a lovely cold Estrella!

There is a hop on/off tourist bus that isn’t too expensive that gets you round all the big tourist spots, plus a good metro system.

For football, you can do tours around the Nou Camp (Barcelona’s stadium) which I did on my first visit and really enjoyed. There is also Espanyol who are the other Barcelona team in La Liga and their stadium is just on the outskirts of the city.

Plus the food is amazing and, unless you’re unlucky, the weather in July will be beautiful.

I’ve been to Barca 9 times since 2006: with a group of girls for 30th birthdays, with 1-2 mates, with my Dad for a Father’s Day present, with my other half, Mum and Dad as an add on to a holiday and on multiple romantic breaks with my DH. It’s such a versatile destination, it really does work for any scenario.

I’ve been to Madrid and really enjoyed it, but there’s something about Barca that just makes it special and it is hands down my favourite European city. If you choose to visit, you really won’t regret it!

I do love Berlin and think it's more edgy than some other cities. If you go take him up the TV tower and the walking tours are great.

Slightly left field in terms of cities but Funchal in Madeira - ok not a traditional city break but I was pleasantly surprised plus you have all the Ronaldo stuff, football Museum, cable cars up the mountains. And nice weather!

We enjoyed Cologne last summer with DS, 17. Stopped on the way back from Alsace (fabulous for a war history buff teen, mine’s doing a degree in military history next year), but you really need a car to make the most of the historical sites in Alsace. We based most of the holiday on his interests in politics and military history, knowing it was likely to be our last chance. It was really very lovely.

Most city break places are too hot in July. Paris, Berlin, Rome, Florence and so many more all fab. Paris, Berlin, Munich, Salzburg might not be too hot. Budapest would be waaay too hot in July but it’s wonderful as a place to visit. I can’t factor in the sport thing you mention as the only sports summer hols would be surfing etc. who is wasting time in the gym or playing teams sports on hols???

Thanks again everyone. Lots of great ideas. I’m wondering if we should maybe save Budapest for when it’s a bit cooler. It looks amazing. I’m thinking maybe Krakow or Berlin. I think Barcelona will be heaving in July.
@mastertomsmum slightly strange response? I was explaining what my son is like and what his interests are. He’s a very active, sporty boy who loves history but isn’t into museums! We’re not planning to spend the holiday in the gym …

I did Amsterdam with my son when he was about that age.