You may feel like you’re the only one, but you’re not alone if you’re not what we’d describe as a “beach-goer“. As we head into summer, we’re often bombarded with articles, advertisements, and promotions about exclusive getaways to the world’s top beach resorts.
But what if you’re just not into beach holidays? The answer is City breaks! If you’re located in the United Kingdom or anywhere in Western Europe, we think it’s fair to say that we’re spoiled for choice with not only the best cities to travel to and discover but we also have plenty of travel options from budget airlines, enabling you to get away to see the sights at very affordable prices. (Edit: you can always fly first or business, of course; but that’s up to you!).
Continue reading as we explore the top 5 European city travel destinations. We’ve uncovered to some of Europe’s city gems and what you can expect to find there. Just because it’s summer – doesn’t mean there needs to be a beach in sight – there’s plenty to do for those who like life a little bit more in the fast lane:
Seville, Spain
Seville is the capital of one of the most beautiful regions in Spain, and it is in the south of the country. One of its most prized treasures is the Alcazar, which has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its immense beauty. If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle, Seville is the place, yet it still has plenty of landmarks and streets to explore. The cuisine cannot be faulted, and you’re assured of excellent weekend weather. If you haven’t visited already, we recommend Seville as a top destination for that summer city getaway, easily reachable within 2 hours by aeroplane from the UK.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana is another gem if you’re planning a summer city getaway. With warm temperatures almost guaranteed over 30 degrees Celsius, a long weekend or even three days will give you enough time to take in all the highlights, immerse yourself in local culture and cuisine, and enjoy what this city offers. Take advantage of the top highlights, such as Ljubljana Castle. You can climb and walk along the maintained footpaths or ride the funicular. Its lookout tower and walls offer breathtaking views across the stretching lands!
Cotswolds, England
Why doesn’t a place in England deserve to be on this list? Just because the temperatures may not get as hot in the UK as in some other parts of Europe, The Cotswolds is a great place to visit for the weekend during summertime. You may not be guaranteed hot, sunny weather but the temperatures are, on average, over 20 degrees between May and September, making The Cotswolds the perfect destination for taking in the scenery and exploring the local delights and cuisine.
The Cotswolds are in what’s called ‘an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ (ANOB), and deservedly so. Top highlights include Sudeley Castle, which offers award-winning gardens and medieval ruins surrounding the Castle. We recommend catching the Castle on suitable days to enjoy Exhibitions and rare-breed pheasantry. There’s also a great restaurant & cafe on site where you can enjoy an obligatory ‘Cream Tea’ (cream first, jam second!), and if you’re travelling with young children, a fantastic, adventure play area awaits.
Other top attractions include Diddly Squat Farm, Jeremy Clarkson’s rather famous farm and farm shop, and Blenheim Palace, famous for Sir Winston Churchill’s birthplace and its Baroque architecture. If you plan on visiting the Cotswolds, be prepared for rainy days, though. If you’re planning on walking, pack a waterproof jacket and sturdy boots, just in case. Hopefully, you’ll have the best weather, but one can never be too sure in the UK!
Sofia, Bulgaria
Most of Sofia’s sights are centrally located and within easy walking distance of each other, making this city perfect for a summer mini-weekend break. The pedestrianised Bulevard of Vitosha is in the heart of the shopping district, which leads to the Church of Sveta Nedelya and Bul, so this is a great place to start. You could end your “on-foot” tour by ending up at the grand Aleksandar Nevski Church, which will not disappoint either.
Other top attractions and things to do for a weekend in Bulgaria’s capital include visiting the many shops, including designer shops and, if you’re more of a night owl, the Palms Royale Casino, which casino review Guide Casino Fans tell us that it’s one of the best in eastern Europe! Regarding Sofia’s cuisine, there are plenty of local delicacies to explore, such as Banitsa, Meshana Skara, Sarmi and Shopska Salata. Trust us – there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Sofia, and flights from the UK are pretty reasonable too.
Porto, Portugal
Porto is a city in northwest Portugal famous for its bridges and delicious port wine production. In Ribeira, the medieval district, narrow cobbled streets wind past merchants’ houses and cafes – it’s quite a beautiful sight! Other recommended attractions and things to do in Porto for the weekend include buying a book at Livraria Lello, one of the world’s most famous bookshops, which sits right at the heart of Porto. You can also Cruise under Porto’s six bridges, or why not Ramble in Ribeira? In this historic neighbourhood, terracotta-tiled houses in a palette of pastels rise from the waters of the Douro.
Conclusion
We hope the above inspires you to discover a hidden gem this summer that’s about something other than crowded beaches and beach bars! Remember, it’s always worth researching this website and others online to grab the best travel deals before you book.
