Top European city breaks for 2025

Alicante, in Spain’s Valencia region, is a contemporary city filled with glorious beaches, contemporary art, and lively festivals. The harbour is a great people-watching spot and you’ll be able to see the impressive yachts visiting from all over Europe. Most of Alicante's main shops are clustered around the Rambla de Mendez Nunez and the Maisonnave area, but if you're looking for a true taste of local life then head to the Merdaco Central on the Avenida de Alfonso el Sabio where you can pick up a souvenir or two. A combination of cosy local restaurants and beachside cafes dominate the food scene, and they specialise in tapas. Alicante's coastal location makes fresh seafood a favourite, so don’t miss trying some incredible paella while you’re here.

This hidden gem tucked away in Turkey’s southeast offers cultural exploration, a great culinary scene, and plenty of old-world charm throughout. Spend your city break exploring historic sites, bustling streets, and traditional marketplaces. Tuck into authentic kebabs, spicy lahmacun, tasty meze platters, and delicious desserts while sipping on freshly-made Turkish coffee or mint tea. Cafe culture is strong here and the city is filled with the aroma of spices, sweets, and freshly-baked pastries. Head over to Gaziantep’s museum, where you’ll learn all about the city’s fascinating history and get the opportunity to marvel at its impressive collection of ancient mosaics - one of the best preserved and largest in the world.

This historic German city may be small, but there’s a lot to see here. The Tourist Centre behind the striking Rathaus (Town Hall) is where you’ll find local information to help you choose where to visit. Most of Münster’s top attractions can be found near the Prinzipalmarkt (main street) which is packed with shops, cafés and pretty market squares. If you’d like to learn more about Münster’s art, history, culture, and architecture, head over to the Stadtmuseum Münster. The Promenade circles the entire old town/city centre, and you’ll find more bars and cafés lining the waterfront by Münster’s port - you can hire sailboats and paddle boats here too! On Lake Aasee you can even take a boat to the Allwetterzoo (All Weather Zoo) and the Museum für Naturkunde (Natural History Museum).

This historically-rich city is a haven for both culture vultures and sun-lovers alike. Its well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, The Arena, is one of Croatia’s most iconic sights and still hosts events over the summer. Pula is great for sightseeing and most significant sites are within easy walking distance. There’s even a museum devoted to the local olive oil! Sergijevaca ulica is a charming pedestrianised street teeming with shops and cafes leading up to the Forum, or main square. The Zerostrasse Tunnels are a winding network of underground passages built during the first World War. The entrance ticket includes access to Pula Kastel which offers stunning views of the city. It’s easy to eat well in the Istria region and many local dishes feature seafood and fresh fish. You must try the local ice cream too!

Rome is a feast for all the senses in every respect with its ancient history, art, architecture, food and fashion. If you’re in search of high-quality designer goods, the streets around Piazza di Spagna are full of fashion houses and designer boutiques. At the other end of the scale, the Porta Portese flea market takes place each Sunday, with antiques, books, jewellery and plenty of other goods on sale. You can enjoy some memorable meals here from Michelin-star restaurants to family-run trattorias. And Italy is famous for its incredible ice-cream. Iconic landmarks can be found all over the city, from the still impressive Colosseum, to the spectacular ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the gates of the Vatican, and the beautiful Trevi Fountain.