Somewhere quiet in August short break

[PoliteSquid]

We love a city break, and have done Paris, Brussels, Copenhagen, London and Glasgow in recent years. I would love to go to Italy but am put off by tales of crowds! Family of 5 but the kids are all older teens.

I’m looking for a city vibe with people watching opportunities and cafes…. But not too peopley!! Any suggestions?

City vibe = peopley (especially in peak summer holidays!)

Would you perhaps do a split holiday between an Italian city and then a villa? Best of both?

Stockholm? The locals will 100% ignore you.

Lots of Italians leave the city for ferragosto and the adjoining weeks so many cities are quieter than usual.

I did wonder about a villa and do some day trips.

Valencia, Antibes, Lucca, Porto

Porto, whilst wonderful, is VERY hot in August

Copenhagen ?

Porto is full of people!

Braga, near Porto, is a smaller town which is quieter and more local. Make sure you visit Bom Jesus, a stunning Catholic sanctuary on a hill. The town square has restaurants, cafes and people watching opportunities. You can take a quick train to Porto for day trips.

Bruges and/or Ghent in Belgium are also good for people watching. We were in Bruges in July/August and did not find it too crowded.

Personally I adored Rome. Stay in the Trastevere in medieval Rome along the banks of the Tiber river. It is a labyrinth of cobbled backstreets, bohemian bars and cool restaurants and artisan shops and live music in square with spontaneous dancing. It is a young and beautiful crowd. Your older teens will love it.

Rome in August? You'd be a braver woman than me!

OP I'd leave the city breaks for a different time of year. Many European cities are unbearably hot in August, and particularly in Southern Europe locals decamp to cooler coastal regions and small businesses may close for extended holidays.

The joy of a city break is you don't need the hot dry weather. We went to Porto in early November and it was great. Not too crowded and weather was high teens and dry and sunny, perfect for walking around (it did rain like a bastard the day we arrived but you can't have everything!)