10 Very Best Cities in Europe for a Three-Night Break

Travellers can visit some of the best city breaks in Europe on a three-night short break from the UK. A day, a weekend or slightly longer will allow you to immerse yourself in the history and culture of some of the best cities in Europe.

I have been fortunate to have had European city breaks in all the destinations in this post and have enjoyed every one of them. Each destination offers something unique, from the canals of Venice and dragon statues of Ljubljana to the glitz and glamour of Monaco.

So let’s find my favourite Top 10 Europe City Break Destinations to see whether they could also become yours.

This article may contain affiliate links – For more information, please read my disclaimer and privacy policy.

Do you need to arrange travel insurance, car hire or accommodation? Please check out my resources page to help you plan your trip.

10 Top European Destinations to Visit for a Three-Night Stay

Venice, Italy

Venice is everything you could imagine it to be and more and is my favourite Europe city break. One of the most beautiful, fully pedestrianised towns in the world, you will never have to worry about traffic. Wander alongside the canals, admire the architecture and feast on pizza, vino and gelato.

Watch the gondoliers glide along the waterways with their passengers and immerse yourself in the romance of this fairytale city on the water.

Flight time from the UK is 2 hours and 5 minutes.

Please find out more in my blog post: The Perfect Venice 3-Night Itinerary Guide.

Seville, Spain

Seville is alive with history and culture, and as you wander the cobbled streets, you can feel the passion beneath your feet. The home to tapas, flamenco and fiestas, it is sure to impress the eager visitor with its charm.  

Being the capital heritage centre of Andalusia means there are so many unique things to do in Seville, making it one of the best cities in Europe for a weekend break.

Flight time from the UK is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Please find out more in my blog post:  The Perfect Seville 3-Night Itinerary Guide.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

With cobbled streets and bridges guarded by dragons, Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, is a charming place for a Europe city break.

I must admit I initially didn’t know where it was, but after researching that it had a fairytale castle, medieval streets and cute cafes, I just knew that Ljubliana would be one of the most intriguing European city breaks to discover.

Flight time from the UK is 2 hours and 5 mins.

Please find out more in my blog post: The Perfect Ljubljana 3-night Itinerary Guide.

Prague, Czech Republic

A break to Prague will offer you a packed itinerary from dusk until dawn. Stroll across the historic Charles Bridge that spans the river and find yourself in the medieval streets of the Lesser quarter. Stop at a bohemian cafe for coffee and a chimney cake.

Climb the steep stone stairs to reach the castle and gardens and spend some time unravelling its secrets. Head back to the Old Town square and marvel at the astronomical clock, and explore the Jewish Quarter to discover more about the history of Prague.

Flight time from the UK is 2 hours.

Please find out more in my blog post: The Perfect Prague 3-Night Itinerary Guide

Dubrovnik, Croatia

One of the old walled cities in Europe is Dubrovnik, a beautiful destination with its terracotta roofs and narrow streets offering the visitor a glimpse into its colourful past. Walk the ramparts or head to the island of Lokrum, where peacocks roam freely.

Enjoy a meal in one of the many fabulous cafes dotted around the walled city and take the cable car up to the top of the mountain for a spectacular lookout.

Flight time from the UK is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Please find out more in my blog post: 5 Reasons to Visit Dubrovnik.

Bruges, Belgium

Bruges is one of the perfect cities in Europe to visit for a 3-night break. A picturesque destination with plenty to see and do, Bruges offers pedestrian-friendly streets, beautiful waterways and medieval architecture.

Chocolate shops, waffles and beer tastings are a bonus for food lovers who will find that every turn will take them to gastronomy heaven.

Flight time from the UK is 1 hour 10 minutes to Brussels, then Bruges is 60 miles away and can be reached by train.

Eurostar from St Pancras to Bruges takes 4 hours with a change in Brussels.

Please find out more in my blog post: The Perfect Bruges 3-Night Itinerary Guide.

Monaco

Monaco is a unique destination being the second smallest country in the world, the first being Vatican City. Prince Albert II of the Royal Family Grimaldi is Monaco’s ruler. 

If you love glitz and glamour and are curious to see the wealth on display courtesy of the yachts, supercars and fashion, then you will enjoy one incredible day in Monaco.

Flight time from the UK is 2 hours and 5 minutes.

Nice and Monaco are two cities in Europe that can be explored on a short break due to their proximity.

Please find out more in my blog post: The Best Monaco One Day Itinerary

Porto, Portugal

Porto is one of the most stunning destinations in Portugal and is the hub for the famous port wine cellars of the region. Joining a tasting tour around them is a must when in the city. Discover cobbled streets and elaborate churches and boat trips on the Duoro River during your stay. Visit the Livraria Lello, the bookshop made famous by J.K.Rowling.

One of the best European city breaks for foodies is Porto. Indulge in the traditional Portuguese custard tarts, and if you have a hearty appetite, the Francesinha sandwich, maybe once tried, never repeated!

Flight time from the UK is 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Please find out more in my blog post: The Perfect Porto 3-nights Itinerary Guide.

Nice

Nice is a fabulous place to visit on the French Riviera. The famous 7km seafront walkway, La Promenade des Anglais, is perfect for beachside strolls past cafes, restaurants and luxury hotels.

The old town offers a step into the past with colourful buildings, narrow cobbled streets and artisan shops. Take time to explore the markets and churches and lose yourself in the historic streets that weave around the town.

Flight time from the UK is 2 hours.

Please find out more in my blog post: What to do in Nice, France in 24 hours.

Budapest, Hungary

You will get the best of both worlds when you head to Budapest. The old town of Buda old town and the newer cosmopolitan side of Pest are separated by the River Danube. Discover the Unesco area of Buda with its castle and medieval streets, one of the prettiest districts.

Take a cruise along the Danube to see Budapest from the water. Explore Pest with its quirky bars and head to the famous New York Cafe for cake and coffee, and then escape to the spa baths just outside the city. Budapest has so much to offer for a short European city break.

Flight time from the UK is 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Please find out more in my blog post: How to Spend Three Days in Budapest

Useful information about how to get to the best cities in Europe

Flights to Europe

All my flights were booked with Easyjet flights from London Gatwick Airport.

By choosing a flight that leaves at lunchtime means you will arrive by late afternoon. This will give you plenty of time to drop your bags off at your hotel and start exploring your destination. It also means you haven’t had to rise at the crack of dawn to catch your flight!

For your return flight, Choose the latest evening flight back to the UK. This will give you a full last day to explore the city.

Hotels in Europe

All the hotels in these featured countries were booked independently by me through Booking.com. It is a great site to use, as you can cancel up to 24 hours before arriving with no penalty.

Package Weekend Breaks

If you prefer package holidays where flights and hotels are arranged for you, Easyjet Holidays travel to all these destinations and sell excellent 3-night breaks suitable for all budgets.

Luggage

As you will only need to pack light for a short break to Europe, you can save money on paying extra for hold luggage

Please Pin for Future Travel to Europe

You May Also Like to Read:

Top Tips For Travelling To European Cities