Don’t want to go too far away for the Bank Holiday weekend but still keen to experience something a bit special? With cheap flights across Europe, and cheap hotels to be found in practically any city, you can pretty much take your pick from some of the best cities on the continent.
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1. Paris
The ‘City of Romance’ is only a few hours away even if you’re travelling by train. The convenience of the EuroTunnel means you can hop on the train in London and get off in Paris after a quick journey under the ocean.
Upon arrival, you have a huge number of attractions to keep you busy for as long as you want to stay. Take your pick from the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées and a number of other world-class attractions.
Alternatively, take the kids and spend a few days in Disneyland Paris if you want to make it into a fun family break.
2. Berlin
With its fascinating history, warm atmosphere, and abundance of good food and beer, the historic city of Berlin is an ideal destination to keep you entertained for a few days over the Bank Holiday.
There are plenty of top attractions to keep you busy, so check out:
- The Reichstag, designed by Norman Foster, where the German Parliament is housed
- The 18th-century Brandenburg Gate
- Remnants of the Berlin Wall throughout the city
- The Holocaust Memorial
3. Amsterdam
Amsterdam has a reputation as a popular destination for backpackers and students who are looking for a weekend of partying. However, Amsterdam is a cultural gem that should not be dismissed as just another party city. In fact, it is the ideal place to spend a relaxing weekend, and the flight only lasts a few hours.
When you arrive, organise a canal boat tour to get a very different view of the city; discover incredible art collections at the Rembrandt House Museum, the popular Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum; and visit the poignant but fascinating Anne Frank House.
4. Barcelona
Barcelona is still very hot at this time of year, so take your swimming costume and spend at least some of your weekend relaxing on the beach. Other than that, make sure you fill up on fresh fish in beachside restaurants and sip cool Sangria long into the night, and you’ll have a fantastic time in one of the coolest cities in Europe.
Highlights include:
- A tour of La Sagrada Familia, Gaudí’s unfinished cathedral
- Going for a stroll along La Rambla
- Exploring Parc Güell
- Visiting the Picasso Museum
5. Brussels
Brussels is known for its love of beer, so at least some of your time here should be spent in a local bar discovering what all the fuss is about. You’ll find more than just lager being served, with fruit beers being especially popular, and it is a great way to meet the locals.
The Grand Place is the biggest attraction here, but other key places of interest include the gothic church of Notre Dame du Sablon, the impressive Royal Museum of Fine Arts which houses one of the best art collections in the world, and the area of Sablon which is especially famous for the renowned chocolatiers who are based here – look out for free samples!
