Before we became parents, we spent many of our weekends together hopping on (and off) EasyJet flights from London to other European cities. If you’ve downloaded our Paris or Barcelona travel guide apps, then you’ll know that we’re huge fans of European city breaks for couples. After 20 years of trips together, we’re confident that we can recommend to you an enjoyable city break in Europe for two. As a London couple, what we love about couples’ weekenders in Europe is the ease of jumping on a plane and arriving at a new and interesting destination in a few hours, ready to let the adventures begin.
When we travel, we like to aim for a real mix of culture, great food, things to see and do, as well as a little luxury. It’s fair to say that you will be able to find a destination on our list that works for you and gives you what you’re looking for. We’ve included destinations with a mixture of budgets and feels, but what they all have in common, is that they all offer some of the best European experiences for couples.
So, where are the best City Breaks in Europe for Couples?
Don’t worry, we’re about to tell you! We’ve hand-picked this top 10 list for you, based on our own personal experiences in each destination. Take a look and hopefully, you’ll be inspired to book a flight!
Table of Contents
1. Prague, Czech Republic (Czechia)
Prague is the perfect mixture of culture and style. It’s Europe’s fifth most visited city and may be the most beautiful of them all. Praha (the Czech name for Prague) is home to an abundance of spires, domes, and bridges scattered throughout. Prague Castle, The Charles Bridge and the magnificent Astronomical clock are all must-visit attractions here, and you can easily spend your days wandering the streets soaking up Prague’s gothic atmosphere.
Prague is home to some great choices for foodies and you might be interested to know that beer is incredibly popular and cheap here, so much so that you can even bathe in it if you want to at one of the famous beer spas in the city! For couples weekenders in Europe, Prague has so much to offer, whether you are looking for culture, new experiences as a couple or medieval architecture to admire.
Some of our favourite attractions and things to do for couples in Prague…
Where to stay in Prague? Here are 3 of the best luxury hotels in Prague for couples…
- Radisson Blu Hotel Prague – a 5-star hotel conveniently located between Old Town and New Town (see photos & availability)
- Grandior Hotel Prague – a contemporary 5-star hotel located in the city centre (see photos & availability)
- BoHo Prague Hotel – a small luxury hotel situated 650 yards from Old Town Square (see photos & availability)
2. Florence, Italy
Standing on the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, overlooking Florence’s historic River Arno… this is just one of many experiences that we recommend to couples on our Honeymoon Bible Instagram page.
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Florence is hands-down, one for the romantics. Florence is a culturally rich city in the central Italian region of Tuscany. It’s packed full of Renaissance treasures and world-renowned art galleries, making it a great couples’ city break destination. Firenze (the Italian name for Florence) is one of Europe’s most prominent and long-standing centres for art and architecture but has so much more to offer than galleries. The authentic Italian food is also amazing here, and we’ve enjoyed dining at some of the best restaurants in Florence.
Couples visiting Florence will be sure to enjoy the amazing wine, hearty Tuscan cuisine, outstanding gelato, and fantastic shopping options available in the vicinity. You can probably tell that Florence is one of our favourite destinations for couples’ weekenders in Europe. We’ve spent many an evening strolling along the River Arno! Our tip here is to grab an espresso, sit outside of one of the beautiful cafes, and simply watch the world go by.
Some of our favourite attractions and things to do for couples in Florence…
Where to stay in Florence? Here are 3 of the best luxury hotels in Florence for couples…
- NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa – an elegant 5-star hotel situated 400 yards from Ponte Vecchio (see photos & availability)
- The Westin Excelsior – a luxurious 5-star hotel located on the banks of River Arno (see photos & availability)
- Hotel Lungarno – a 5-star non-smoking property on the banks of River Arno, which features a Michelin-starred restaurant (see photos & availability)
3. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Only a 2.5-hour flight away from the UK – for us, Dubrovnik is a world away from the stresses and strains of our London life. The Croatian city of Dubrovnik is definitely one of the most fascinating European city break destinations and one that should most certainly be on your bucket list. There’s every reason Dubrovnik should be your next European city break destination, with its iconic walled Old Town, access to the turquoise blue Adriatic coast, and the promise of a friendly welcome from the city’s locals.
For the adventurers, biking and sailing in Croatia will bring unparalleled experiences, with Dubrovnik acting as a prime gateway to explore the scenic coastlines and hidden coves. The region’s natural beauty seamlessly complements these activities, enhancing the overall charm of a Croatian holiday or vacation.
Game of Thrones fans will be in heaven here, as many parts of the series were filmed in Dubrovnik thanks to the city’s fairy tale aura that surrounds it. Whilst the crystal-clear beaches resemble something out of a holiday brochure, Dubrovnik is in a league of its own. The city offers a plethora of adventure activities like exploring the nearby deep blue caves by boat, scuba diving and cable car riding. We also enjoyed island-hopping by boat when we were last in Dubrovnik.
Some of our favourite attractions and things to do for couples in Dubrovnik…
Must-haves for every city break! Don't forget to pack these travel essentials for your City trip
4. Nice, France
On our first trip to Nice, we were pleasantly stunned by the beauty of Castle Hill, its waterfall and its sweeping views of the French Riviera!
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You can’t go wrong with the South of France! Wind down for the weekend and take on Nice’s ‘see and be seen’ culture, even if it’s just for a couple of days. Nice (pronounced “niece”) is a hotspot for shopping and a high-society lifestyle on the Mediterranean Sea, sandwiched between the Cannes Film Festival and the tiny-but-luxurious country, Monaco. Many people associate a trip to the French Côte d’Azur with a perfect stop for the Nice Carnival in February or a beach vacation in the summer.
No matter when you choose to travel, Nice makes one of the best city breaks in Europe. When visiting Nice be sure to do your research and think about where you want to eat, stay, and visit. Many of the best restaurants will require a reservation and you will need to adhere to some of their strict dress code policies.
Some of our favourite attractions and things to do for couples in Nice…
5. Berlin, Germany
For us, Berlin is seriously underrated. The former capital of East Germany has an enormous history and culture to share with its visitors. Its modern and forward-thinking image makes it one of the best city breaks for young couples and travellers. The city has a vibrant and iconic nightlife with a huge number of bars and clubs. Here, late-night might mean very late, because some venues don’t close until the last guest has left!
The Brandenburg Gate (completed in 1791), Museum Island (a UNESCO world heritage site), and the Gendarmenmarkt (home to French and German cathedrals) are all worth seeing if you choose Berlin for your next couple’s weekender in Europe.
Some of our favourite attractions and things to do for couples in Berlin…
6. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is not just about tulips and, *ahem*, visiting cafes. It’s a city that is beautiful in any season and at any time of the year. At night, when the buildings and squares are illuminated and the canals reflect the colourful merchants’ houses, Amsterdam becomes a wonderland.
This Dutch city is known for its world-famous museums, art galleries, concert halls, churches, the iconic Red-Light District, parks, squares, and the Albert Cuyp street market. It’s not hard to see why Amsterdam makes one of the best European cities for couples to visit. Our tip is to take a walking tour or a boat tour of the city so you can pack in as many of the sights and sounds of Amsterdam as possible. There really is so much to see and do here you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Some of our favourite attractions and things to do for couples in Amsterdam…
7. Venice, Italy
Oh Venice, you little beauty! Mase featured Venice in his top 10 most romantic places to propose, and for good reason. This is a city that everyone should see at least once in their lives. It’s a stunning city where gondolas, vaporettos (water taxis) and motorboats replace cars. Whilst it gets packed during peak seasons, late winter and early spring are often much quieter times to visit, meaning you can appreciate this beautiful place without the crowds.
A gondola ride is an unquestionable (but expensive) essential here, but you should also try to attend an opera at Teatro La Fenice and pay a visit to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Spend your days eating gelato and wandering the streets, getting lost on the many Venetian bridges, alleyways, and backstreets. You might even find time to jump on the city’s boat transport service and enjoy visiting some of the beautiful neighbouring islands including Burano and Murano. Venetian air is romantic, making it one of the best European city breaks for couples.
Some of our favourite attractions and things to do for couples in Venice…
8. Dublin, Ireland
For our fellow brits, simply hop over the water and you’ll find yourself in Dublin. Dublin is a terrific choice of European city break for UK visitors because it’s practically on our doorstep. It’s also easy to reach from other major cities around the world, with direct flights to Dublin from as far as New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Dubai and many more places.
The Temple Bar district, which is home to not only pubs but also galleries, boutique stores, and cafes, is the centre of this Irish city’s famous nightlife and entertainment. Dublin, of course, has more to offer than world-class Guinness. Full of incredibly friendly locals, and traditional live music playing from what feels like almost every street corner, Dublin is worth the trip. If it’s what you’re looking for, Francis Street is home to excellent art and antiques. A stroll along the famous River Liffey will give you plenty of time to enjoy street performers and bars, as well as great views of the city.
Some of our favourite attractions and things to do for couples in Dublin…
9. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen should be on your list if you take food, culture, and understated luxury seriously. The Danish capital is the perfect mix of old and new, with a diverse selection of activities to enjoy, fantastic shopping and restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife. There is plenty to see in Copenhagen, including ancient structures from the seventeenth century, royal residences, museums, and art galleries.
When we visited Copenhagen, we really unleashed our inner child whilst spending a full day at Tivoli Gardens. Tivoli happens to be the third oldest amusement park in the world and has been open since August 1843. It’s not just for kids, take it from us!
Some of our favourite attractions and things to do for couples in Copenhagen…
Must-haves for every city break! Don't forget to pack these travel essentials for your City trip
10. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is another fantastic and vibrant destination on our list of the best European city breaks for couples. This Catalan city offers a combination of city break and beach holiday rolled into one. Tapas restaurants, cafes, and eye-catching buildings line the streets of this vibrant Spanish city. The magnificent Roman Catholic Church of Sagrada Familia (designed by the famous Antoni Gaudi) is a must-see. For a complete guide to Barcelona, download our free Barcelona city guide app for iPhone and Android.
Barcelona also includes a Gothic Quarter, a magnificent marina, and possibly the world’s most famous football team, FC Barcelona. Barcelona makes our top ten list due to its sheer number of different activities, restaurants, luxury hotels and nightlife.
Some of our favourite attractions and things to do for couples in Barcelona…
Where to stay in Barcelona? Here are 3 of the best luxury hotels in Barcelona for couples…
- Mandarin Oriental Barcelona – 5-star hotel near Antoni Gaudi’s Casa Batllo (see photos & availability)
- W Barcelona – 5-star hotel on Barceloneta Beach (see photos & availability)
- The One Barcelona GL – 5-star hotel with panoramic rooftop plunge pool (see photos & availability)
For the best city breaks in Europe for couples, you can’t go wrong when choosing from our guide. Of the 10 destinations featured, we’ve made sure to cover all bases and there is sure to be something here for every couple whether you’re after relaxation, great food, fascinating culture and even just a little bit of luxury. Wherever you choose to travel as a couple, it’ll always be about getting away from the day-to-day and spending time together in a new destination, no matter where you choose 🙂
Plan Your European City Break
Excited to explore Europe with your significant other? Count down the seconds until your romantic European trip with our CAN’T WAIT! Vacation & Holiday Countdown App !
We always look for the best deals when it comes to flights, accommodation and tours. Over the last 20+ years of enjoying trips together, we’ve come to rely on a few providers that have saved us money and given us a great service…
GUIDED TOURS, ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO IN EUROPE
- GetYourGuide.com – Excellent guided tours and all of the best things to do in Europe, hand-picked by local tour guides.
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TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR EUROPE
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