European City Breaks Worth Packing For

Five cities. One small suitcase. Absolutely no sensible shoes required.

There is something rather wonderful about a city break.

A couple of nights somewhere beautiful, long lunches that accidentally turn into drinks, streets made for wandering and the entirely reasonable belief that calories consumed abroad don't count.

We've picked five European cities we'd happily book a flight to tomorrow — places with fabulous food, beautiful hotels, interesting shops and enough culture to justify another glass of wine.

No frantic sightseeing schedules. No ticking off 27 attractions before breakfast.

Just brilliant places to wander, eat, drink, shop and occasionally sit somewhere lovely doing absolutely nothing.

Passport ready? Let's go.

 

 

01 - SEVILLE, SPAIN

Sunshine, tapas and absolutely no reason to rush.

WHY WE'D GO

Seville is the sort of city that makes you wonder why you're always in such a hurry.

Orange trees, tiled courtyards, ridiculously beautiful buildings and tiny bars where ordering just one more plate seems entirely reasonable. It's compact enough to wander, but interesting enough to lose a long weekend in.

And when your feet have had enough? Find a sunny terrace, order something cold and consider sightseeing officially completed.

DON'T MISS

THE REAL ALCÁZAR

Go for the extraordinary architecture, stay for the courtyards and gardens. It's one of Seville's absolute must-sees — and yes, this is one occasion when booking ahead is a very good idea.

THE CATHEDRAL & GIRALDA

Yes, it's one of the obvious sights. It's obvious for a reason. The Cathedral is enormous, beautiful and impossible to ignore, while the Giralda is one of the great landmarks of the city.

A WANDER THROUGH TRIANA

Cross the river and give yourself a few hours to wander. Triana is known for ceramics, flamenco, little bars and colourful streets. No itinerary required. Just walk, stop when somewhere looks interesting and repeat.

EAT / DRINK

EL RINCONCILLO

This Seville institution has been around since 1670 and lays claim to being the city's oldest bar.

Go for traditional Andalusian tapas, old-school atmosphere and the feeling that approximately 350 years of people have had exactly the same excellent idea.

Order several things. Sharing is optional.

STAY

FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL

Casa del Poeta

An intimate boutique hotel in a restored 17th-century Sevillian house in the beautiful Santa Cruz neighbourhood.

Think central courtyard, rooftop terrace, gorgeous interiors and live Andalusian guitar music.

Basically, the sort of hotel that makes popping back to the room for five minutes turn into opening a bottle of wine and cancelling your afternoon plans.

FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT

Hotel Amadeus

A characterful four-star hotel inspired by classical music, tucked away in the historic Santa Cruz district.

It's within easy walking distance of the Cathedral, Giralda and Alcázar — which means less time getting from A to B and more time deciding where to have lunch.

PACK

A FABULOUS DRESS

Preferably something colourful, floaty and capable of taking you from wandering around all afternoon to dinner without requiring an outfit change.

COMFORTABLE-BUT-INTERESTING FLATS

Because Seville is made for walking and life is far too short for shoes that ruin your day.

PROPER SUNGLASSES

The sort that make you feel approximately 37% more glamorous the minute you put them on.

THE ANB VERDICT

Go for the sunshine. Stay for the tapas. Come home wondering why your own street isn't lined with orange trees.

02 - LISBON, PORTUGAL

 

Tiles, trams and one more pastel de nata.

WHY WE'D GO

Lisbon is one of those cities that seems determined to look good from every angle.

There are tiled buildings, rattling yellow trams, rooftop bars, tiny neighbourhood restaurants and viewpoints that appear just when you've convinced yourself you can't possibly walk up another hill.

Spend the morning wandering Alfama, stop somewhere for lunch, browse the shops in Chiado and then find a terrace with a view of the Tagus.

And yes, you should eat the pastel de nata.

Possibly several.

DON'T MISS

GET LOST IN ALFAMA

Forget the map for a while.

Lisbon's oldest neighbourhood is a maze of narrow lanes, tiled houses, little squares, washing strung between balconies and viewpoints over the river.

Wear comfortable shoes and simply wander.

FIND A MIRADOURO

Lisbon's hills have one considerable advantage: the views.

The city is dotted with miradouros — viewpoints where stopping for ten minutes has a habit of turning into an hour.

Find one with a kiosk or café, order something cold and congratulate yourself on all that uphill walking.

BROWSE, EAT AND POTTER AROUND LX FACTORY

An old industrial complex in Alcântara that's now filled with independent shops, cafés, restaurants and creative spaces.

This isn't a place for rushing around with a checklist. Have a browse, buy something you absolutely didn't need and stop for lunch.

EAT / DRINK

MAKE TIME FOR A PROPER PASTEL DE NATA

You cannot come to Lisbon and behave sensibly around custard tarts.

Eat one warm, dust it with cinnamon and immediately start considering whether ordering another would be excessive.

It wouldn't.

And later?

Find a rooftop or terrace, order a glass of Portuguese wine and watch the city turn golden.

We consider this sightseeing.

STAY

FOR THE VIEWS

Memmo Alfama

Tucked into the narrow streets of Alfama, this stylish boutique hotel overlooks the red rooftops and the Tagus.

There's a terrace made for sitting with a glass of Portuguese wine, while the Cathedral and São Jorge Castle are within walking distance.

In other words, dangerously easy to fall in love with.

FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE FABULOUS

Memmo Príncipe Real

A small five-star boutique hotel perched on one of Lisbon's hills in fashionable Príncipe Real.

Contemporary interiors, fabulous city views and a neighbourhood full of interesting shops, restaurants and bars.

Exactly the sort of place where returning to the hotel for a quick change before dinner could easily become cocktails on the terrace instead.

PACK

TRAINERS YOU ACTUALLY LIKE

Those beautiful cobbled hills are considerably less charming in uncomfortable shoes.

A CROSSBODY BAG

Hands free for taking photographs, browsing shops and carrying emergency custard tarts.

SOMETHING FABULOUS FOR DINNER

Because after a day of trainers and hills, changing into something lovely and heading out for dinner feels particularly good.

THE ANB VERDICT

Go for the tiles. Stay for the wine. Come home wondering whether it's socially acceptable to have pastel de nata for breakfast every day.

03 - FLORENCE, ITALY

Art, aperitivo and a very good excuse to buy something beautiful.

WHY WE'D GO

Florence is ridiculously good looking.

Turn a corner and there's another Renaissance masterpiece. Cross a bridge and there's a view that makes you stop mid-sentence. Even popping out for coffee can feel suspiciously glamorous.

But Florence isn't just somewhere to march around looking at art.

It's a city for long lunches, tiny artisan shops, early-evening aperitivo and wandering without any particular plan.

See the masterpieces, obviously.

But leave plenty of time for doing absolutely nothing cultural whatsoever.

DON'T MISS

SEE THE DAVID

Yes, you've seen approximately four million photographs of him.

Go anyway.

Michelangelo's David is one of those rare things that really is more extraordinary when you're standing in front of it.

Book ahead, admire the masterpiece and then reward all that culture with lunch.

CROSS THE RIVER TO OLTRARNO

Once you've seen Florence's headline sights, cross the Arno and wander around Oltrarno.

This is where you'll find artisan workshops, antique shops, little restaurants and the wonderfully lively Piazza Santo Spirito.

It's a brilliant part of Florence for pottering — which, as far as we're concerned, is a perfectly legitimate holiday activity.

SEE FLORENCE FROM ABOVE

Head up to Piazzale Michelangelo for one of those views you've seen on a thousand postcards.

Go towards the end of the day when the light softens and Florence starts looking even more impossibly beautiful.

Yes, there will be other people there.

You'll forgive them.

EAT / DRINK

HAVE A PROPER APERITIVO

One of Italy's greatest contributions to civilisation.

Find a bar around Santo Spirito, order an Aperol Spritz, Negroni or glass of something cold and settle in.

The important thing to remember is that aperitivo isn't merely having a drink before dinner.

It's an event.

And we're very supportive of events involving olives.

STAY

FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY UN-BEIGE

25hours Hotel Florence Piazza San Paolino

This one has Absolutely Not Beige written all over it.

The interiors are inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy, with rooms divided between heavenly Bianco and much more dramatic Rosso designs.

There's also an Italian restaurant, Negroni bar and even an in-house cinema.

Subtle?

Not particularly.

Would we stay there? Absolutely.

 

PACK

A DRESS THAT DESERVES FLORENCE

Nothing remotely sensible required.

Something colourful, flattering and fabulous enough for dinner somewhere lovely.

COMFORTABLE SHOES

Beautiful old Italian streets and beautiful new shoes are not always natural friends.

Choose wisely.

ROOM IN YOUR SUITCASE

This is important.

Florence has leather goods, jewellery, paper, ceramics and artisan workshops.

Packing your suitcase completely full before you arrive would therefore be extremely poor planning.

THE ANB VERDICT

Go for the art. Stay for the aperitivo. Come home with something beautiful you absolutely hadn't planned to buy.

04 — COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

Colour, cocktails and seriously good design.

WHY WE'D GO

Copenhagen has somehow managed to make being stylish look completely effortless.

Beautiful buildings, ridiculously good interiors, bicycles everywhere, fabulous food and shops capable of convincing you that your entire home needs redesigning.

It's compact, easy to explore and just polished enough without feeling remotely stuffy.

Come for the colourful streets.

Stay because you've discovered Danish pastries.

DON'T MISS

WANDER AROUND NYHAVN

Yes, you've seen the photographs.

Those brightly coloured houses lining the water are every bit as cheerful in real life, and Nyhavn is a lovely place to begin a wander through the city.

Take the obligatory photograph, admire the boats and then keep exploring.

Copenhagen gets even better when you leave the postcard behind.

GET YOUR DESIGN FIX

This is a city that takes chairs very seriously.

From beautiful interiors shops and Danish design classics to ceramics, lighting and things you didn't know your kitchen desperately needed, Copenhagen is dangerous territory for anyone who likes beautiful things.

Leave some room in the suitcase.

You've been warned.

WANDER THROUGH VESTERBRO

Once Copenhagen's red-light district, Vesterbro is now packed with independent shops, galleries, cafés, restaurants and bars.

Head towards the Meatpacking District, have a wander and see where looks interesting.

This is not the moment for an itinerary.

EAT / DRINK

DO AS THE DANES DO

You don't need a reservation at one of Copenhagen's world-famous restaurants to eat extremely well here.

Find somewhere serving smørrebrød — those beautiful Danish open sandwiches — order several and call it lunch.

Then have a pastry.

Obviously.

Later, find a cosy wine bar or cocktail bar and embrace the Danish concept of hygge.

We're particularly fond of cultural traditions that involve sitting somewhere lovely with a drink.

STAY

FOR SOMETHING GLORIOUSLY GRAND

Hotel Sanders

A beautiful boutique hotel tucked behind the Royal Danish Theatre in the heart of Copenhagen.

The interiors are warm, elegant and wonderfully grown-up, with the sort of rooms that might make you reconsider going sightseeing at all.

There's also a rooftop conservatory and lovely courtyard.

Dangerously tempting.

---

FOR SOMETHING COOLER

Hotel SP34

A stylish boutique hotel in Copenhagen's Latin Quarter, surrounded by cafés, restaurants, independent shops and plenty of places worth wandering into.

Contemporary without being cold, relaxed without trying too hard.

Exactly the sort of hotel where we'd happily drop the shopping bags, change for dinner and head straight back out again.

PACK

A GREAT JACKET

Copenhagen knows how to do effortless layers.

A fabulous blazer, interesting jacket or lightweight coat will earn its place in the suitcase.

TRAINERS WITH PERSONALITY

This is another walking city.

Comfortable is essential.

Boring isn't.

A BIGGER-THAN-YOU-THINK BAG

Because you went out intending to buy one small Danish design souvenir and somehow came back carrying a lamp.

These things happen.

THE ANB VERDICT

Go for the colour. Stay for the design. Come home wondering whether your living room suddenly needs a Danish chair.

05 — PALMA, MALLORCA

Sunshine, shopping and lunch that lasts all afternoon.

WHY WE'D GO

Palma is what happens when you combine a beautiful European city break with the possibility of going to the beach.

Frankly, we're surprised more cities haven't thought of it.

Behind the palm-lined waterfront you'll find a gorgeous old town filled with honey-coloured buildings, hidden courtyards, independent boutiques, galleries and restaurants that make a quick lunch almost impossible.

You can spend the morning wandering, the afternoon by the sea and the evening drinking something cold on a rooftop.

Which sounds suspiciously like a perfect day to us.

DON'T MISS

GET LOST IN THE OLD TOWN

Palma is made for wandering.

Head into the narrow streets behind the Cathedral and forget about getting anywhere quickly.

You'll find beautiful courtyards, little squares, cafés, galleries and shops selling considerably nicer things than you intended to buy.

No map required.

SEE LA SEU

Palma's enormous Gothic cathedral dominates the waterfront and is one of those buildings that looks impressive from almost every direction.

Go inside, admire the extraordinary space and then step back outside into the sunshine feeling satisfyingly cultured.

That's sightseeing done.

BROWSE THE SHOPS

Palma is very good at shopping.

Alongside the bigger Spanish names, you'll find independent boutiques, leather goods, ceramics, baskets, jewellery and beautiful things for the home.

This is another city where leaving a little room in the suitcase would be wise.

Very wise.

EAT / DRINK

MAKE LUNCH AN EVENT

This is not the place for grabbing a sandwich while walking.

Find a table outside, order a selection of tapas, something cold to drink and accept that lunch may take considerably longer than planned.

That's not poor time management.

That's Mallorca.

And before dinner?

Find a rooftop bar overlooking the city, order a gin and tonic or glass of cava and watch the sun disappear over the rooftops.

We consider this an essential cultural experience.

STAY

FOR SOMETHING FABULOUS

Hotel Can Ferrereta

Technically this beautiful hotel is in Santanyí rather than central Palma, so it's one to consider if you want to combine your city break with a little more of Mallorca.

Think stone walls, gorgeous interiors, contemporary art, a beautiful pool and the sort of Mediterranean calm that makes returning home seem like a terrible idea.

FOR THE FULL PALMA EXPERIENCE

Hotel Sant Francesc

Right in Palma's historic centre, this elegant hotel occupies a restored 19th-century mansion close to the Cathedral.

Beautiful interiors, a rooftop terrace and pool overlooking the old town make this exactly the sort of place we'd choose when we're pretending the hotel is merely somewhere to sleep.

It isn't.

PACK

THE BIG SUNGLASSES

Palma practically demands them.

Preferably worn while sitting somewhere lovely with an unnecessarily large drink.

A THROW-ON DRESS

Something colourful and easy that works for wandering around the old town, lunch and whatever happens afterwards.

Because going back to the hotel to change is sometimes terribly inconvenient.

A BASKET BAG

Possibly brought with you.

Possibly bought there.

We make no judgement.

THE ANB VERDICT

Go for the sunshine. Stay for the long lunches. Come home wondering whether moving to Mallorca might actually be a perfectly sensible life decision.

A LITTLE REMINDER

Book the trip.

There will always be a reason not to go.

The diary is busy. The flights aren't quite the bargain you hoped they'd be. Someone needs feeding. Something needs organising.

But sometimes a couple of days somewhere different is exactly what's required.

You don't need a three-week itinerary or a suitcase the size of a small car.

Pick a city. Book somewhere lovely. Pack something fabulous.

And go.