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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

European City Break ideas - Not too expensive

86 replies

LadyDanburysHat · 06/07/2023 14:31

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.

OP posts:
VER0NICA · 06/07/2023 23:07

If you are flying from Edinburgh/ Glasgow/ Aberdeen it’s much easier to start with the places you can fly to from these airports on the days you want to travel. If you are only going for two nights you will want direct flights, which you can’t get to many of the destinations suggested above .

Maddy70 · 06/07/2023 23:13

Nurenburg, Germany beautiful places full of history

Spa, Belgium. Just gorgeous and other cool places easily accessible from There

Vanillalime · 06/07/2023 23:15

If you are looking for cheap then I would stay away from Scandinavia.

I also vote for Lisbon. Cracking place to spend a couple of days.

Poland could be a good shout.

Also maybe consider Florence or Venice. I found both of them to be great cities.

I looked to book Amsterdam for September but hotels were actually extortionate, so do check hotel prices along with flight prices.

Restlessinthenorth · 06/07/2023 23:15

Superdupes · 06/07/2023 19:46

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.

This is exciting as heading Palma on Sunday. Any hints or tips?

midsomermurderess · 06/07/2023 23:18

I'd recommend Lyons too. Marvelous food, you could book to go to the opera. Galleries, interesting neighborhoods, some decent shopping, good wandering.

cassiatwenty · 06/07/2023 23:27

Why just 2 nights though? I tried this a few months ago and I was so tired. If it's unfamiliar place, you need to kearn how transportation works, navigate the city, where to eat, and this is a bit stressful for only 2 days.

Riverlee · 06/07/2023 23:34

Dublin?

Riverlee · 06/07/2023 23:36

Annecy - plan to Geneva, then hour train or coach. You won’t be disappointed.

allmyliesaretrue · 07/07/2023 00:46

Riverlee · 06/07/2023 23:34

Dublin?

Dublin is expensive

Hobbesmanc · 07/07/2023 06:47

Riverlee · 06/07/2023 23:36

Annecy - plan to Geneva, then hour train or coach. You won’t be disappointed.

That's on my list. I've been entranced by pictures for years

Hobbesmanc · 07/07/2023 06:50

cassiatwenty · 06/07/2023 23:27

Why just 2 nights though? I tried this a few months ago and I was so tired. If it's unfamiliar place, you need to kearn how transportation works, navigate the city, where to eat, and this is a bit stressful for only 2 days.

I love a city break. We do a couple a year. Opens up never places without using precious holiday allowances. And part of the fun is the planning. How to get the best trip in a couple of days. I appreciate it's only ever going to be a taster. But such fun. We've recently visited Santiago de Compostela, Galway and are heading to Utrecht soon

piedbeauty · 07/07/2023 07:10

I'd avoid Paris at the moment!

Agree with Bruges, Brussels or Amsterdam. All easy to get around and plenty to do. Amsterdam smells of weed, though. Booking for Anne Frank's house opens 6 weeks before.

piedbeauty · 07/07/2023 07:12

Copenhagen is expensive - it's about £5 for a soft drink, £8 for a small wine. We paid £80 for lunch this week and £150 for a pretty standard dinner (with two rounds of drinks).

Original poster
LadyDanburysHat · 07/07/2023 08:41

cassiatwenty · 06/07/2023 23:27

Why just 2 nights though? I tried this a few months ago and I was so tired. If it's unfamiliar place, you need to kearn how transportation works, navigate the city, where to eat, and this is a bit stressful for only 2 days.

We are going to struggle with more time off work, and someone to look after the DC. Also since it's not a different timezone etc. I think it will be fine. It's more about getting away.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyDanburysHat · 07/07/2023 08:45

VER0NICA · 06/07/2023 23:07

If you are flying from Edinburgh/ Glasgow/ Aberdeen it’s much easier to start with the places you can fly to from these airports on the days you want to travel. If you are only going for two nights you will want direct flights, which you can’t get to many of the destinations suggested above .

This really makes sense thank you. I will take a look at where we can get flights to, and more importantly the timings of those flights to see what works well.

OP posts:
mastertomsmum · 07/07/2023 08:48

Florence, Seville, Granada, Cordoba. Not a lot to see in the last of those but it’s a magical place and enough to do for 2 days

LadyGreySpillsTheTea · 07/07/2023 08:51

Once you’ve worked out which flights there are at doable times from your local airport, come back with a list and we can all work out which of those would fit your criteria. But you can exclude all the Nordic countries on cost grounds already!

maddiebaddie · 07/07/2023 11:10

Porto

Original poster
LadyDanburysHat · 07/07/2023 12:23

LadyGreySpillsTheTea · 07/07/2023 08:51

Once you’ve worked out which flights there are at doable times from your local airport, come back with a list and we can all work out which of those would fit your criteria. But you can exclude all the Nordic countries on cost grounds already!

Thank you. Discounting Scandinavia, will save it for when I have more money available.

OP posts:
Lesina · 07/07/2023 12:28

Lidlfix · 06/07/2023 15:20

G'dansk was lovely. We got super cheap Ryanair flights as it's the zloty our money went far. Eating out and bars are very good value for money and there's lots of variety.

Was coming on to suggest G’dansk. It’s a brilliant city. Overlooked a lot because of Krakow but it is just as lovely. Highly recommended

blueshoes · 07/07/2023 18:21

Hobbesmanc · 07/07/2023 06:47

That's on my list. I've been entranced by pictures for years

Show quote history

Annecy is beautiful but expensive

Summertim · 07/07/2023 20:28

MissDemelzaCarne · 06/07/2023 15:46

Couldn’t recommend Lisbon highly enough! ☀️🇵🇹
You can get the metro from the airport into the city for less than €2
One dayTravel cards include scenic tram rides and eating out is pretty cheap too.

Love Lisbon

trrk · 07/07/2023 21:01

cassiatwenty · 06/07/2023 23:27

Why just 2 nights though? I tried this a few months ago and I was so tired. If it's unfamiliar place, you need to kearn how transportation works, navigate the city, where to eat, and this is a bit stressful for only 2 days.

We have done this loads of times and had some great times as long as the flight times allow a decent amount of time there and I’ve done a bit of research before hand. You just feel a bit tired when you get home but it was worth it for us. Would never do it now with a baby - miss those days a bit.

For a 2 night break I’d usually pick smaller cities with a compact walkable historic centre rather than huge cities with loads of attractions where you get tempted to try to do too much and spend too much time on public transport. Places like Riga, Tallin, Vilnius, Krakow, Gdańsk, Wrocław, Bruges, Porto, Pisa/Lucca, Verona, Bologna etc

Crikeyalmightey · 07/07/2023 21:12

If you go to Lisbon, the Inspira Hotel is amazing. Loved it.

Toohotforchips · 07/07/2023 21:23

Another vote for Lisbon. Beautiful, walkable city. My heart belongs to Rome though.