European City Break ideas - Not too expensive

[LadyDanburysHat]

DH and I are wanting to take a weekend city break somewhere in Europe in September. We don't want to spend too much as we are having a family holiday in October too.

Pretty open to most places, but not too long a flight as it will only be 2 nights. Don't mind about temperatures at all.

Agree with PP about the Netherlands. If you did choose Amsterdam, Haarlem is a short train journey away and is a beautiful place. Rotterdam is much underrated in my opinion, though without the typical "Dutch look". Den Haag is lovely too.

If you went over the second weekend in September, you could take advantage of the Netherlands' Openmonumentendagen, Open Monument Days, whereby most well-known museums, galleries and other attractions are free to visit.

I think they also have a similar event in Belgium; they did a few years ago anyway. As suggested by PP, Ghent is well worth a trip.

Toulouse
Nice
Bordeaux
Barcelona
Seville
Rome
Brussels
Berlin

Definitely Lisbon!

I love Copenhagen and we stayed in a hostel which was better than many hotels we've stayed in!

Girona was nice

Porto as an alternative to Lisbon

Friends have just returned from their second trip to Munich as they enjoyed it so much.

Belfast!

Another vote for lisbon - absolutely beautiful city 😊

Lisbon and Porto are both fantastic and I find Portugal cheaper for transport, food and drink that other European countries.

Seville is also lovely and will still be hot in September.

Porto would be my choice, I much prefer it to most of the suggestions here especially Belgium and the Netherlands. I haven't been to Lisbon to compare though. The other option that's a bit further would be Palma de Mallorca which is probably my fave city in Europe.

Berlin for me. Fantastic city.

Third suggestion for Krakow- I always suggest it on these threads. You can fly direct from Edinburgh or Glasgow in less than two hours.
Very affordable, beautiful and the people are lovely- I’m going back soon and can’t wait 😊

Porto, Lisbon, Malaga, Budapest, Oslo, Berlin and Florence are my favourite city locations to date.

Seville, Krakow, Stockholm and Biarritz are high on my hit list (along with Ljubljana, where I'm going in September).

I'd shortlist based on my local airport. If you can save travel time and parking etc that makes the weekend so much more special

If you've never been to Barcelona or Paris then they'd be the most obvious choices. With Paris try to find a chain hotel that's a little less central. Le Marais is lovely or stay in Montmartre. If you get your timings right there's free days at the big museums. And it's just a lovely city to wander. Like a film set.

Barcelona is fab if you hunt around for cheaper hotel in the gothic quarter. Get an all day sight seeing bus pass and it's a really cheap way to explore. Eat in the big market off the Ramblas sitting at the produce stalls.

If you've done the obvious then id look at Malaga or Palma. Bilbao or Porto.

Agree. We've just been. Really pretty old town with plenty to do. And very reasonable.

Hated Brussels personally...enjoyed Prague, Krakow, Paris.

Madrid

I loved Krakow, I only went in February and want to go back. Everyone was extremely friendly, it's a lovely city and relatively cheap

Lyon is a wonderful city with so much going on. Excellent wine, lots of culture and brilliant food. Flights are normally not too expensive either

Ljubljana is wonderful 💞

Porto, went last September and loved it, not expensive at all.

With only two nights you want somewhere where you know you’re “ somewhere else”kneasy to do and compact. I’d agree with Amsterdam ( although not a fan myself) and Rome ( big fan).

I think Barcelona will be too busy and good point about rugby in Paris. Nice really isn’t that special ( further up and down the coast have much better places) also it is all the same type of rock as Scotland and presumably you want something different.

With only two nights you want to relax and be cosy, no point in overcrowded places.

Ghent
Ljubljana
Basel

If you love food, Valencia. Just incredible good and incredibly cheap.

Alicante all the way! Short flight, short transfer, lovely city

Was about to suggest Valencia. Lovely city, wonderful architecture and fairly compact - am in Valencia now and it’s great for a short break! Amazing beaches too.

I second Valencia. Perfect for a short break. The airport is so accessible to the city and it's an extremely walkable city. They have a beautiful beach too and the food is fabulous.