How to choose the best romantic city break destination

You will find more romantic city break destinations in Europe than anywhere else in the world. Choosing the best short break will depend on how you like to travel, when you wish to go, what you wish to do and just what you mean by holiday romance. Famous romantic cities like Paris and Rome are famous for very good reason. But there are plenty more romantic city break destinations to choose from as well.

 

Choose a city with an atmosphere that appeals to you. Short break destinations like Lisbon and Istanbul are worlds apart in culture, but each is wonderfully romantic in its own unique way. Only you know what romance means to you. There is something about the sea that lends romance and variety to any city break. Spring and autumn see beautifully warm city break weather in beach holiday destinations like Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca. For romantic city breaks with a difference head for Hong Kong or Las Vegas.

 

Smaller cities can make for more relaxing weekend breaks than larger European capitals. Some of the most romantic city breaks are found in compact cities like Avignon and Lille. Look out for a compact historic centre, traffic free old towns and plenty of parks and gardens. Cities like Krakow and Granada can be explored almost entirely on foot. Charming Scandinavian cities like Stockholm and Copenhagen are delightful in July and August. Most romantics will love Italy city break favourites like Verona and Genoa.

 

Choose the best city break destination for the time of year. Many of Europe’s most romantic short break destinations are at their best outside of the summer holiday season. You are also more likely to find cheap holidays and last-minute city break deals in the quieter holiday months. The gorgeous architecture of Prague and Budapest is magical in winter snow. Christmas markets make for mid-winter romance in Hamburg and Cologne. Romantic city breaks at Christmas and New Year are especially memorable in London and New York.

 

Fine dining is an integral part of all romantic weekend breaks. It could be authentic tapas bars in Seville, creative cuisine in Barcelona, the trendy restaurants of Krakow or a cosy candlelit bistro in Paris. Romantic hotels range from the historic hotels of Vienna to the exotic riads of Marrakech. And to prove romance exists on this side of the Channel, try a romantic UK city break in Edinburgh or Manchester.

 

Most travellers find train journeys a good deal more romantic than cheap flights and modern airports. Trains take you to the very heart of your short break destination in considerable style. No airport security, no queues and no tiring transfers to the city centre. Enjoy a glass of wine in the buffet car and admire the scenery. Eurostar train services make for very cheap city breaks in wonderfully romantic cities like Bruges and Brussels. Getting around is part of the romance on the canals of Venice, the trams of Lisbon and the horse-drawn carriages of Seville.