Top ten European city breaks for 2025

The second largest Canary Island boasts great weather all year round, miles of golden sands, turquoise waters, and world-class resorts. Fuerteventura is also a mecca for surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers of all skill levels. Shoppers will love Puerto del Rosario's Las Rotondas shopping mall, and most resorts operate daily shuttle buses to and from the mall. For souvenirs, handmade crafts, and local produce head to the twice-weekly market on Corralejo's high street. Most restaurants offer a bewildering array of fresh fish and seafood. Wherever you go, you'll find the signature patatas arragudas (wrinkled potatoes) served with red mojo sauce. Away from the beach there are plenty of activities from hiking trails to diving spots, as well as charming villages to explore.

Pula’s well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, The Arena, is one of Croatia’s most iconic sights and still hosts big name concerts and events over the summer. This city is great for sightseeing and many of its significant places are within easy walking distance. 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. Many local dishes feature seafood and fresh fish, and you must try the local ice cream too. They’ve been producing top quality olive oil here for centuries and there’s even a museum devoted to it.

While the weather in Majorca’s capital is best over summer, the climate is fair all year round, so almost every day is perfect for hitting the beach. Wander through the cobbled streets of the Old Town with its colourful buildings and cafes and pick up a treat from one of the local bakeries. Paseo Maritimo is a 4km promenade lining the bay from the Porto Pi shopping centre in the west, to the mini marina of Portixol in the east. Palma Cathedral is the city’s most famous landmark and is open to visitors. The best views can be found on top of Bellver Castle, perched on a hill around 3 km west of the city centre. Palma is great for shopping with something to suit every budget from high end fashion to souvenirs and local produce like Manchego cheese and olive oil.

Stuttgart is the ideal city for petrol heads, with several museums dedicated to high-end car makers. In contrast, the city is known for its green credentials with over half of its area covered by woodland and parks. Its streets reveal a mixture of traditional medieval architecture and modern German design. Schlossplatz, the central square, hosts summer events, and a huge Christmas market in winter.

Hamburg boasts a quirky café culture, trendy galleries, and independent theatres, as well as being ideal for fans of food, fashion, or football. At night, the Reeperbahn district comes alive with cabarets, underground music venues, bars, and clubs. The bustling port city is home to canals, lakes, traditional seaside resorts, and riverbank urban beaches.

Nestled between France, Belgium, and Germany, this tiny country is packed with history, charm, and culture. Luxembourg’s stunning capital is dotted with romantic medieval buildings. Step back in time as you explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town, with cobbled streets lined with traditional cafes, bakeries, and artisanal boutiques. It’s a highly walkable city, but all modes of public transport (buses, trains, and the tram) in Luxembourg are completely free of charge. No trip to Luxembourg is complete without a visit to the iconic Vianden Castle, a breath-taking castle dramatically perched on top of a hill overlooking the surrounding forests and rooftops below. Wine enthusiasts can visit the vineyards of Moselle and sample some of the award-winning local wines.