10 best city break deals from Ireland to Europe
1. Dublin to Madrid, from €36 return*
Madrid is the perfect city for a cheap weekend break. Once you land, start your adventure in San Miguel’s food market for a dinner of Iberico ham, rioja and pimientos de padron. On the first day, choose from the 3 galleries and museums in the Golden Triangle: Prado, Reina Sofia or Thyssen-Bornemisza, for a heavy dose of contemporary art. It’s actually free to enter the permanent collections of Thyssen-Bornemisza on Mondays between 12pm and 4pm.
On the second day, check out the markets of El Rastro for vintage shopping, breakfast and strong coffees. Or catch a train to the nearby ancient cities of Segovia and Toledo.
Travel inspiration: The best places to visit in Spain: 10 must-see destinations
2. Dublin to Brussels, from €26 return*
What better place to spend a weekend than in Brussels, home of chocolate, beer and the original French fries? Roll around the chocolate shops Godiva, Leonidas and Galler, stocking up on pralines, caramels and chocolate drops. Mid-sugar rush, make your way to the Grand Place to take photos, people watch and continue on a tour of the Old Town.
Travel inspiration: Top 10 things to do in Brussels: a local’s guide
3. Cork to Paris, from €79 return*
Paris is always a good idea: long mornings spent eating croissants, hours spent in art galleries and longer evenings spent on the banks of the Seine. Meander between the streets in Marais – there are vintage shops and independent jewellery boutiques hidden amongst the cobbled streets. Check out some of our favourite cafes, bars and bus tours on your trip away.
If you’ve already ticked off the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, why not check out Montmarte? The 18th arrondissement used to be the artist’s district, and now it’s a cute neighbourhood, ideal for a second-timers weekend in Paris. The Basilica of Sacre-Coeur has one of the best viewpoints of the city!
Travel inspiration: 7 of the most romantic city breaks in Europe!
4. Knock to Faro, from €90 return*
Faro is the gateway to the beaches of the Algarve, including Praia de Rocha and Praia de Bordeira – the kite surfers paradise. However, the city dates back to the sixteenth century, and it’s peppered with cute cafes, tapas bars, museums and Romanesque churches. Three nights at the Faro Boutique Hotel is less than €200 between 2 people, with free Wifi and it’s only a short walk down to the Old Town.
Travel inspiration: Top things to do in Faro in 2019
5. Dublin to Prague, from €56 return*
Spring is the perfect time to visit Prague. The temperature is around 11°C during the day, so it’s still comfortable to walk around in – especially as the summer crowds haven’t landed yet. If it gets nippy, huddle away inside Café Slavia nursing coffee and cake (or an absinthe, the local tipple). See all of our favourite drinking spots in Prague here.
You don’t have to go far for fairytale scenery with the astronomical clock, the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle on your doorstep, but travellers usually enjoy a trip to Český Krumlov. During April, the town will be showered with blossoms between the pastel-coloured medieval houses. Check out the rest of the best things to do in Prague on a city break.
6. Dublin to Amsterdam, from €41 return*
There’s always something to do in or around Amsterdam. During spring, the Keukenhof tulip fields open, where 7 million bulbs are planted over 32 hectares of field. It’s one of the biggest flower festivals in the world. Koningsdags (King’s Day, April 27th) is another annual festival where the locals and travellers come out in their hundreds to drink, dance and celebrate the King’s birthday. This is shortly followed by a string of outdoor summer music festivals.
Caught in the rain? Check out the rest of the best things to do in Amsterdam. Choose from an art and history tour at the Rijksmuseum, shop for bargains at IJhallen’s flea market, or feast on a plate of pannekoeken (Dutch pancakes, served with generous servings of syrup) at one of the local bakeries.
Travel inspiration: 10 European countries to fly to for less than the train to Cork.
7. Shannon to Krakow, from €51 return*
Get away from it all in Krakow, one of Europe’s most charming (and cheap) cities for a weekend escape. Step back in time in the cobbled alleyways of Krakow’s Old Town, savour an espresso at one of the cafés populating the monumental main square Rynek Główny – or, for a hefty dose of Polish history, visit Wawel Castle’s impressive State Rooms and Royal Private Apartments (if you’re pressed for time, the castle grounds alone will do it!).
Alternatively, step off the beaten track by cycling along the Vistula river, all the way to the majestic Wolski Forest (Las Wolski). The atmospheric Przegorzały Castle is one of Las Wolski’s main attractions, and nothing beats a sweet treat at the castle restaurant “U Ziyada”, offering sweeping views of the Vistula and the surrounding countryside.
Travel inspiration: top 8 things to do in Krakow
8. Dublin to Copenhagen, from €35 return*
Copenhagen is an expensive city, but much less so if you know where to look! For instance, you can join one of SANDEMANs daily tip-based walking tours, including highlights such as the photogenic Nyhavn harbour, the Danish Royal Palace and the Strøget shopping mile. And it doesn’t cost anything to roam around the huts, galleries and cheap cafés lining one of the capital’s most intriguing neighbourhoods, the autonomous Freetown Christiania.
You will also find plenty of cheap eats around town. Try a delicious Danish frikadelle sandwich with meatballs and lots of mustard at Harry’s Place, in Nørrebro, for a truly local experience!
9. Knock to Milan, from €86 return*
You can travel in style, even if you can’t splurge on luxury goods from Milan’s swanky Quadrilatero d’Oro. There are plenty of affordable must-see attractions in the city, perfect for a stylish city break in Italy. Start from the magnificent Gothic cathedral that dominates Piazza del Duomo. Walk through the splendid Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the 19th-century arcade that leads to the world-famous Teatro alla Scala, or bask in the sun in the expansive Parco Sempione, the green lung of Milan’s historic centre.
And you don’t have to stick to window-shopping. You can grab the best bargains during January and February’s winter sales (“saldi” in Italian). After a long day at the shops join the buzz in Milan’s Navigli district, your best choice for aperitivo against a dazzling sunset.
Travel inspiration: 10 best things to do in Milan: a local’s guide
10. Dublin to Gran Canaria, from €73 return*
In Gran Canaria it feels like spring pretty much every day of the year, so grab your sunblock and catch a flight to the capital Las Palmas. The alluring waters of Las Canteras beach await you right in the heart of the city – a local hot spot for early morning workouts and sunset surfing. Apartamentos Tinoca are a great choice for accomodation near the beach for as low as €57 between two people. The terrace offers panoramic views of the city – and loungers for lazy afternoons in the sun.
But Las Palmas is also perfect for quick escapes to the island’s southern beaches. The sublime Maspalomas is a 40-minute drive away from the capital – where sea, sky and sand dunes stretch out as far as the eye can see.
Travel inspiration: top 10 picks for a holiday in Gran Canaria
*Published December 2018. Any prices are lowest estimated prices only at the time of publication and are subject to change and/or availability.
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