The holidays are over for many and everyday life is back. Maybe it's a good time to start planning a little autumn weekend? Here are ten cities within a reasonable distance that we like! What are your top tips for a big city weekend?
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1. Budapest, Hungary
A city with impressive buildings such as Parliament, St Stephen's Basilica and Fisherman's Bastion. You can also take the continent's oldest underground railway, swim in one of the fine baths, enjoy food and wine or shop in the Mammoth or West End malls. Read our tips on things to do what to do in Budapest.
2. Moscow, Russia
Moscow is an exciting city full of architecture and shopping opportunities. Not to be missed is the stunningly beautiful metro, with its stuccoes and paintings. You can also visit the Lenin Mausoleum, go shopping or go to the ballet.
3. Amsterdam, Holland
Amsterdam is a charming city with all the canals, boats and bicycles. Here you can find many nice restaurants, visit Anne Frank's house or Vincent van Gogh's museum.
4. Barcelona, Spain
A beautiful and charming city. Don't miss the works of Gaudi, such as Casa Battló and La Sagrada Familia. Of course, you can also eat tapas, experience the active nightlife and, if it's summer, visit the beach. Read our tips at 13 things to do in Barcelona on holiday.
5. Reykjavik. Iceland
Reykjavik is a small capital city, but it still has great shopping, fun nightlife and more good quality restaurants. In addition, there are Attractions in Reykjavik such as the Harpa concert hall, Hallgrimskirkja and the rather odd-looking puppet museum.
6. Marrakech, Morocco
The old part of the MarrakechThe Medina is an exotic centre where you can shop for handicrafts and try Moroccan food. You can also visit the Sultan's palace, the Palais de la Bahia, the beautiful Jardin Majorelle garden or take a camel or quad bike ride.
7. Gothenburg, Sweden
A weekend in Gothenburg is rarely wrong! Here you can go shopping, visit cosy restaurants, take part in the nightlife or perhaps visit Liseberg.
8. Ghent, Belgium
Ghent is a charming city with canals and old houses, which is not as touristy as the more famous pier. Here you can drink Belgian beer pubs, eating mussels and chips and viewing the impressive Gravensteen castle.
9. Venice, Italy
Venice is indeed very touristy, but still definitely worth a visit! Venice is fascinating with its canals, boats and beautiful old buildings. Here you can see all the historical sights, go shopping, take a gondola or cheaper vaporetto and eat delicious Italian ice cream.
10. Gdansk, Poland
Gdansk is a charming little town on the Baltic Sea coast, with fine architecture, cosy outdoor cafes, good nightclubs, fine sandy beaches and a great atmosphere. market in August every year. From here it is also close to the exclusive holiday resort. Sopot.
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Ditte says:
Thanks for great tips with nice things to see.
A weekend in Berlin, Prague or Florence offers plenty of history and culture of all kinds. Easy to get there and in a reasonable price range. Maybe Florence comes in the upper price range though. Helsinki, Riga and Tallinn are close, cheap to get there and it is easy to both see the capitals and to get outside with local buses and trains. Good price level, although Helsinki is a bit higher.
12 August 2014 - 10:23
Ditte says:
Forgot! Great photos that really invite you to visit.
12 August 2014 - 10:24
admin says:
Ditte, Berlin and Florence we would love to visit! Agree that Riga and Tallinn are great weekend cities too!
12 August 2014 - 11:26
BP says:
Thanks for the great photos and tips!
Prague, Berlin, Rome and Paris are not bad either.
12 August 2014 - 12:09
Marina says:
Thanks for all the tips! I have a lot of European cities left on the list to visit so I have to do for a while. For myself, London is probably the favourite, although there are more gems, like Prague and Paris.
12 August 2014 - 14:02
Ann-Mari says:
Ah, wonderful travel tips!
I think P a r i s is never wrong.
There's so much good stuff to see if you just walk without a specific agenda and get to know the little streets in one area. Rather than rushing around all the tourist attractions. The Marais has been my favourite, but next time I will explore St.Germain.
I'm going to Helsinki late this year, and I'm looking forward to visiting the city in winter costume 🙂.
12 August 2014 - 14:08
Mr Steve says:
Copenhagen was our weekend favourite when it was still happening, followed closely by Barcelona.
12 August 2014 - 15:51
admin says:
BP, Berlin we are very keen on, and Rome we want to see now!
Marina, I've only been to London when I was 14... maybe it's time for another visit...
😉
Ann-Marie, I have also only visited Paris when I was 14... It would be interesting to go there again now!
Steve, agree that Copenhagen is a very cosy city, although it's been quite a while since I was there.
12 August 2014 - 22:15
Ama de casa says:
Ooh! I just love going on mini holidays. We usually visit interesting villages/towns here in the neighbourhood. My tip is to take weekend trips in the middle of the week instead.
😉
13 August 2014 - 10:28
Only British says:
Barcelona! It has everything: architecture, sea, food, transport, nightlife...
Otherwise, I also love London, Budapest and Venice but if I had to say places I really like that are NOT on the list and are easy to get to, I would say:
Verona - wonderful food, amphitheatre, beautiful city centre, mountains nearby.
Ljubljana - beautiful city centre there too, but also its own almost small-town atmosphere and a delicious mix of food from all the neighbours that have influenced Slovenia, good wines and proximity to the amazing Postojna Cave.
Nuremberg - perhaps one of Europe's most forgotten jewels with a castle with a Swedish connection, the national railway museum, an art museum, a fine old city centre and of course all the miserable modern history that fascinates because it is so alive. Finally, Albrecht Dürer's house with everything he did for European culture.
Edinburgh - the stunning Old Town with the castle on its volcano and lots of drama in the alleys and cellars, plus cosy pubs, often with Scottish folk music, the Queen's ship Britannia, the mountains in the middle of the city, the best baked potato in the world and a generally happy and alternative atmosphere (just bring a windbreaker).
15 August 2014 - 12:11
admin says:
Just British, oh so many great tips!!! I agree with Verona, very nice! Ljubljana we have quickly travelled through, but too bad we didn't have time to see more. Nurnberg and Edinburgh also sound like very interesting cities!
15 August 2014 - 13:48
Pumita says:
Wow, so many good tips here! Both in the post and the comments. An autumn without a weekend trip is far too long and boring. 😉 One city of those I like and which was not mentioned here yet is Lisbon (or Porto). I myself am dreaming of a long weekend in Berlin or Seville.
17 August 2014 - 12:21