City break to Rome with its imposing Saint Angel Castle

City Breaks

Deals from £105 per person

City Breaks 2026/2027

City breaks let you discover some of the world’s best urban backdrops in just a few short days. Usually booked over a long weekend, they’re all about museum-hopping, dining out and hunting down must-see landmarks - before doing it again the next day!

But our city breaks aren’t one-size-fits-all! Want something that’s romantic and magical? Try our Christmas Market breaks. Looking for the ultimate party holiday with your friends? Celebrate the biggest night of the year with a New Year getaway. Or maybe you’d prefer a European classic like Paris, the ultimate triple-threat when it comes to city destinations. Check out our best city breaks today!

Why choose a city break?

There are so many reasons to choose a city break! Running low on annual leave but love to travel? Make the most of your weekends and book a Friday-to-Monday getaway. Plus, the UK’s just a short flight from some of Europe’s most amazing cities, which means you could be exploring somewhere new in a matter of hours. And because your stay is shorter, you won’t need to fork out as much money beforehand, leaving you more pennies to spend when you get there. So whether you want to indulge in Rome’s famous Italian cuisine, tick off Paris’ bucket-list museums, or soak up Barcelona’s amazing art scene - we’ll get you there at a great price.

Types of city break

Classic city breaks

Want a culture-crammed getaway that throws in great food and must-see sights? A classic city break destination is for you! These cities are among Europe’s most popular, which means there’s plenty of choice when it comes to flights and hotels too. They’re also super easy to navigate, from Paris’ fantastic Metro system and Rome’s walkable attractions to Prague and Amsterdam’s compact centres.

Christmas market breaks

Think Europe’s most beautiful cities but filled with fairy lights and giant twinkling trees - that’s what you can expect from our Christmas Market breaks.. Now add to that tasty local treats, steaming mulled wine and handmade trinkets - and you’ve got the ultimate winter escape. From Berlin’s 80 plus markets to Vienna’s fantastic decorations and Krakow’s stunning market-filled square - get into the festive mood early with deposits from just £19pp.

New Year breaks

Fancy a change of scenery this New Year’s Eve? Toast 2026 in style on one of our New Year city breaks to Europe’s top cities, whether that’s Amsterdam's street party vibes or Paris’ amazing Arc de Triomphe fireworks. But no city does New Year quite like New York! If you’re not hitting Times Square for its iconic ball drop, you could be cruising down the Hudson River for dinner, dancing and fireworks over the Statue of Liberty. Or make New Year’s Day 2026 one to remember and jet off before the January blues set in.

Romantic city breaks

If your love language is cosy cafes, scenic strolls and fancy dinners by candlelight, our romantic city breaks cover all three. Head to Krakow for history and charming cafes, or hit Venice for gondola rides and hidden squares. Then there’s Paris and Rome where the location speaks for itself with romantic backdrops around almost every corner. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary or craving some alone time with your other half, we’ve got an escape to suit your swoonworthy plans.

Top City Breaks Europe

Best destinations for city breaks

🎅 Krakow

Best for? Christmas market breaks

Best time to visit? Late November to early January

Krakow is a great city break at any time of year, but it really comes alive during the Christmas period when markets fill its Old Town square. It’s a great option for couples who want to enjoy some festive fun without breaking the bank, with plenty of affordable hotels and flights to choose from. And it’s just as cheap when you get there! You won’t have to wander far to find budget-friendly bars and restaurants with main meals costing as little as 20zł (5€) on average.

🚲 Amsterdam

Best for? Classic short-break

Best time to visit? April to May or September to October

Want a quick 2 or 3-nighter? Taking around 1 hour and 20 minutes to fly here from the UK, Amsterdam breaks are a no-brainer for a weekend escape. Popular with couples and groups alike thanks to its mix of culture, canals and buzzing bars, you can easily fill a few days. Plus, its compact size means that you can see most of its major sights by foot.

🗽 New York

Best for? New Year breaks and longer trips

Best time to visit? November or December

New York is arguably one of the best places in the world to ring in the New Year. Popular with couples and groups for its huge New Year’s Eve celebrations, if you’re not attending one of its many events, you could be watching its iconic ball drop. Taking around 7 hours and 40 minutes to get there from the UK, you’ll need at least 4 nights to soak in all the sights.

🏖️ Barcelona

Best for? Beach and city mix

Best time to visit? May to June or September to October

If you love the buzz of the city but crave the serenity of the sea, Barcelona gives you the best of both worlds. This Spanish favourite crams culture, tasty food, relaxing beach days and a late-night party scene into one unforgettable trip. You'll find tourists here all year round, but early summer and late autumn are ideal times to explore with warm days and smaller crowds than peak summer.

Last Minute City Breaks

How to do city breaks cheaply

Follow these top tips to make your city break holidays even more affordable.

Keep transfer costs down. Choose a destination where the airport is just a stone's throw from the centre e.g. Pisa Airport, which is just 3km from the city centre. Perfect for hassle-free city breaks.
Compare the different public transport options. You could choose a slower, cheaper bus over a faster, more expensive train. If your hotel isn’t served by public transport consider a shared transfer over a taxi. This is especially useful when planning city breaks in Europe.
Keep a lookout for days when the normal admission charges are waived. In Greece, historical sites usually open for free on selected Public Holidays. While in Rome there’s no admission charge for the Colosseum on the first Sunday of the month and the Vatican museums issue complimentary tickets on the last Sunday of the month. Just arrive early to avoid the queues!

Cheap City Breaks

City breaks for couples, families & groups

City breaks for couples

Think moonlit gondola rides in Venice, Montmartre strolls in Paris and views over the Colosseum in Rome. Or hit Krakow, where romance and old-world charm come with a friendlier price tag.

City breaks for families

Choose Paris for Disney magic on your doorstep, while Barcelona is another great choice for city breaks with the family thanks to its beautiful public parks, sun-filled beach days and fairytale-like buildings.

City breaks for groups

Trip with your friends? Berlin, Prague and Amsterdam bring the party vibes. Budapest and Krakow promise the same sights and late-night fun but at a much slower pace.

City Breaks Europe: Hidden Gems

Christmas markets & New Year: seasonal spotlight

Winter’s the perfect time to escape whether you want to enjoy some Christmas market magic in Europe, or tick off a New Year’s Eve in New York. Cities like Krakow, Vienna and Budapest undergo a full festive makeover by the time November rolls round with markets popping up all over the city. And New Year is just as fabulous, especially if you’re heading to the Big Apple. Hosting one of the world’s biggest annual countdowns, it’s the ultimate way to welcome the year ahead.

Thinking about booking for this year? Now’s the time to start looking before hotels and flights fill up. Or get ahead of the rush and lock in those 2027 dates early.

Long Haul City Breaks

Best time to book a city break

If you're trying to work out the best time to snap up a city break, start with when you want to go. Around 2 to 4 months ahead is usually enough, but peak periods like summer and weekends need 3 to 5 months, while Christmas markets or New Year need longer still – book 6 to 9 months out to avoid disappointment.

Local holidays matter too: Orthodox Christmas falls on 6th January, so cities like Sofia can be cheaper over late December than you'd think. But public holidays can also vary by region – for example, 15th August is a public holiday in Munich yet not Berlin. If you’re looking for a bargain, consider destinations such as Amsterdam where 15th August isn’t a Bank Holiday.

FAQs

What is a city break?

A city break is a short getaway, around 2-4 nights which is typically taken over a long weekend. Most people who go on city breaks don’t go to relax, they go to immerse themselves in the culture, sightsee, shop, dine out and sample the nightlife.

How many nights is a typical city break?

A typical city break is usually 2-4 nights, but you’ll also find 5-night+ breaks. Longer stays are great if you want to explore at a more leisurely pace, or if you’re travelling to a city that’s a little further afield such as New York.

Which city breaks are best for couples or families?

The best city breaks for couples and families depends on what it is you want out of your trip. Couples who want something super romantic should stick to favourites like Paris, Venice and Rome, while families wanting something that’s both cultural and kid-friendly should opt for spots like Barcelona and Budapest. Paris is great if you want to pair a few days sightseeing with a trip to Disney.

Where are the cheapest city breaks in Europe?

This depends when you book and what time of year you wish to travel. Popular Christmas market destinations can be expensive in December. However, if you don’t mind the cold weather then cities like Prague, Krakow and Vilnius can be visited on a very low budget in January.

If you want to experience a cheap city break in France, Italy or Spain then consider less obvious choices such as Bordeaux, Bilbao and Bologna.

Do take note of local holidays as well. For instance, Orthodox Christianity countries celebrate Christmas on 6 January, which means in cities like Sofia, late December city breaks may be cheaper than you’d think. Conversely, for a cheap city break avoid dates like 15 August - as it’s right in the middle of many school holidays, as well as being the Catholic feast day of Mary, which is a public holiday in many European countries.

What are the best Christmas markets for a city break?

Vienna, Berlin, Krakow, Budapest and Prague are our top picks for a Christmas market city break.

Vienna: incredible architecture, traditional Christmas decor
Berlin: widest choice of markets, buzzing nightlife
Krakow: wallet-friendly, medieval Old Town charm, less crowded
Budapest: light shows, affordable markets
Prague: gothic spires, cobbled lanes, handmade gifts

See our Christmas market breaks guide for dates and full details.

When should I book a New Year city break?

As one of the most popular times of the year to travel, it’s best to book at least 6 or even 9 months ahead before hotels and flights fill up. If you book earlier, you’re likely to secure a better price with early-bird deals to take advantage of. It’s also worth thinking about what you want to do while you’re there as special events are likely to sell out fast too.