The Simplest City Breaks Abroad From The UK

If you want to get away for a quick weekend of sun or culture, you’ll want to keep travel time to a minimum to make the most of the city in a limited timeframe. Fortunately, there are some fantastic cities with great transport links to make a weekend city break a breeze. 

1. Lisbon (3-hour flight, 20-minute metro to the city centre)

The vibrant capital of Portugal has fantastic transport links making it ideal for a city break from the UK. Flights operate regularly from London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Bristol and can have you in Lisbon in around three hours. From the airport, it’s just a short metro ride into the city centre. 

Lisbon offers something for everyone, whether it’s a Portuguese custard tart and a coffee while watching the world go by, gentle riverside strolls or boat cruises. You can also give the calves a workout as you climb the winding streets to reach Castelo de S. Jorge, enjoy the shops on offer, scale the steps up to Belem Tower or take a day trip to the beautiful hills of Sintra. 

 2. Amsterdam (1.5-hour flight, 20-minute train to the city centre)

For a hassle-free city break, Amsterdam is quick and convenient. For a longer but more relaxing way to travel, the London to Amsterdam train takes four hours and can be a great way to dig into a good book while watching the scenery go past. 

Once in Amsterdam, throw on our women’s waterproof parka and hire a bike to explore the town or wander the many canal paths to marvel at the architecture. The weather can often be changeable most times of the year in this beautiful city, so if you haven’t got a waterproof coat to hand, there are many places to see under cover:   Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum and the Royal Palace are all must-visits, and if the rain still hasn’t stopped there are also many cafes and bars to soak up the local culture and nestle down for an afternoon with a good book.

3. Warsaw (2.5-hour flight, 20-minute train to the city centre)

Warsaw is a fantastic place to visit for history and culture with a beautiful and historic old town. However, thanks to recent developments, Warsaw is becoming a beach getaway too, through its urban beaches along the banks of the river Wisla and Odra. The beaches are a great place to unwind, with lots of beach bars and cafes lining the edges, while there’s also a dedicated barbecue area and beach sports facilities. 

In the city, the main landmarks, such as Castle Square and Wilanow Palace, all follow a single line covering 15 km, so it’s easy to find all the main sights. The Multimedia Fountain Park offers a breathtaking display, while Łazienki Park is a beautiful space to wander and home to the Palace of the Isle, which contains incredible art pieces. 

4. Split (2.5-hour flight, 30-minute shuttle bus to the city centre)

A weekend in Split offers a fantastic combination of beautiful Mediterranean waters, history, shopping and plenty of eating and drinking. Whether you’re seeking a leisurely stroll in the sun or a fast-paced trip discovering Roman architecture such as Diocletian’s Palace, you’ll find everything you need for a fulfilling city break here.

You can enjoy a boat trip to nearby islands if you have time, but there is plenty within the town itself to fill a weekend city break. After a busy day exploring and enjoying one of the many restaurants that line the promenade, head to the Peristil at Diocletian’s Palace to enjoy live music, which creates a beautiful ambience while marvelling at the illuminated architecture and the stars above.