The Best Cities for a Weekend Getaway in Europe

You do not need a two-week holiday to fall in love with a new place. Europe is full of compact, characterful cities that deliver a huge amount of magic in just 48 hours. Here are the best for a quick escape.

Fairy-tale weekends

Prague, Bruges and Ljubljana pack medieval beauty, great food and easy walkability into a small area — perfect for a two-night trip where you can see the highlights without rushing.

Culture in 48 hours

Vienna, Florence and Seville offer world-class art, architecture and cuisine in centres small enough to explore on foot. Base yourself centrally and you can pack in a surprising amount.

Sun and soul

For a warm-weather weekend, Lisbon, Porto and Dubrovnik combine beauty, atmosphere and great value. The trick to any weekend break is simple: stay central, pick a couple of must-sees, and leave plenty of time to simply wander and soak it all in.