Our recommendations for the 10 best city breaks in Europe in autumn
With the arrival of autumn after the holidays between sea and beaches we want to go back to visit the cities and discover new interesting European destinations.
There are countless European cities that are suitable for city breaks. Among the most well-known destinations that certainly do not need advertising and other small and less popular destinations that deserve to be discovered. We have made a selection of the 10 best Europe's city breaks beautiful to visit in this autumn season.
Vienna
Vienna is a beautiful city where past and present intertwine with elegance and harmony. Its rich historical heritage ranges from majestic imperial palaces with sumptuous Baroque interiors to prestigious museums overlooking magnificent squares.
However, Vienna is also one of the most dynamic urban spaces in Europe. Behind its extraordinary basalt façade a stone's throw from the Hofburg, the Museums Quartier hosts some of the most daring works of contemporary art. On summer evenings, the courtyard of this complex is always crowded with Viennese intent on drinking and chatting.
If you add to all this the numerous green areas within the city limits and the romantic Danube that crosses the city, you will have the portrait of a metropolis with a unique and purely European character.
Prague
Prague has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Alongside traditional pubs and clubs, today there are many fine restaurants, cocktail bars and trendy cafes, although it is still possible to feast on local specialties.
Prague is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in Europe, with its picturesque streets, spires and bridges, a beautiful variety of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings
This beautiful capital of the Czech Republic has mooved on next to the history of the city, you will also find innovative ideas and an ever-evolving gastronomic side.
Syracuse
The protagonist of the suggestive south-eastern corner of Sicily is Syracuse, a perfect combo of archaeology, magnificent squares, streets dotted with boutiques and crystalline sea.
Ancient Greek ruins stand in the heart of magnificent citrus groves, café tables overlook splendid baroque buildings and honey-coloured medieval alleys slope down to the shimmering turquoise sea: more than any other city, Syracuse rapresents the timeless beauty of the region.
Today it is difficult to imagine, but Syracuse was the largest city in the ancient world, larger even than Athens and Corinth. Founded by Corinthian colonists who landed on the island of Ortigia in 734 BC, four years later it became a full-fledged city. Nearly three millennia later, the ruins of this settlement constitute the Monumental Area of Neapolis, one of the most important archaeological sites in Sicily.
You cannot miss to visit Ortigia, it lies just across the road from the mainland, it remains the most fascinating corner of Syracuse, it attracts a growing number of visitors, in love with its streets and beautiful restaurants, clubs and shops.
We can consider it a village within the city, with a maze of romantic streets and refined squares. Its narrow streets are lined with splendid buildings and lively trattorias and cafes, while the central square, Piazza Duomo, is one of the most spectacular in all of Sicily. The tiny island (actually a peninsula, being connected to the city by two bridges) is framed by charming houses and walls overlooking the sea: the perfect place to swim off the rocks in summer and admire breathtaking views all year round.
Valencia
Visiting Valencia means discovering one of the most beloved cities in Spain. Valencia, a city of a thousand faces, has a multitude of streets, squares and hidden corners that attract lots of visitors every year.
One of the main attractions of Valencia is the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas. The unique baroque façade is richly decorated and the interior is astonishing. The Museo de Bellas Artes contains works by artists such as El Greco, Goya and Velázquez and is considered one of the best in the country. Thanks to its attractions, the nightlife and culinary aspect, Valencia represents a European destination not to be missed.
This destination is perfect for a city break: you can discover the city in relaxation, escaping the hustle and bustle of the bigger cities.
The Mercado Central is beautiful to visit in the morning. La Lonja is one of the most beloved historical buildings, you can't miss the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias which has the most beautiful buildings in the city.
Valencia is also a culinary destination, the famous Paella was born here as well as delicious fresh seafood dishes that you can't miss tasting.
Florence
Its magnificent palaces, splendid galleries and churches full of treasures attest to the Florentines' love for beauty made of perfect proportions. A city where everything is magically in its place.
Even when the power of Florence had long since faded from the political and economic horizon, the city continued to maintain its elegance: its panorama, made of red roofs, is truly one-of-a-kind. Everything about Florence speaks of beauty.
Elegant, refined and perhaps even a little presumptuous, the city is much more than the cradle of the Italian Renaissance. Among the things to see in Florence, of course, there are the medieval palaces symbol of wealth and power, the imposing churches that conceal stories of saints and bloody conspiracies, the museums full of works of art; but if you look beyond the fame that surrounds and precedes it, you discover a modern and lively city, which amazes with its fashionable and cosmopolitan spirit.
Among the cities to discover in Tuscany, "La Bella Firenze" is the undisputed queen (although it has many competitors, not only among the cities but also among the villages).
thanks to the perfect blend of art, frenzy, cultural magnificence. The Uffizi in Florence, Piazza della Signoria or the traditional visit to Ponte Vecchio open the view on a city that over the centuries has remained unchanged in its contours, while opening up to the new without fear.
Venice
It’s no mystery: all the information about Venice, even the most generic, points to the fact that it is a marvel of architecture, art and engineering, with marble churches built on foundations taken from the water of the lagoon. The truth is that this city is built on unstable ground.
People less tenacious than the Venetians might turn pale in the face of high tide or be frightened because the canals are so close to their front door. The inhabitants of Venice have never given up, they had the strength to spread with great pride throughout the world the beauty of their art, paintings, music, and the flavors met by Marco Polo along the spice route.
In one word, they have made the uniqueness of their style known to the world. And not just in the past.
Venice hides its mystery well under its artistic masterpieces. The city boasts the highest density of works of art per square kilometer, but looking beyond the beautiful facade, Venice, even if it is no longer the Serenissima, does not give up business and commerce.
Among the narrow streets, the city is a hive of activity: you can meet artisans workshops who make shoes similar to real works of art or some of the most precious fabriques, chefs serving the best dishes in the world,
Venice is the key point of the art scene. Its magnificent palaces are the most sought-after theater for exhibitions dedicated to the past, but also for contemporary art. Not to mention that, behind the most famous places, the city embraces a very rich scene of emerging art. Ultimately, this is the right time to discover Venice, or to return.
Seville
Seville is the capital of Andalusia and one of the most fascinating cities in Spain.
Known for its rich historical and cultural heritage, museums, popular neighborhoods, flamenco dancing. But also bullfights and some of the most beautiful events on the Iberian Peninsula. Without forgetting the flourishing art of ceramics, popular arts, modern architecture.
The cathedral - It is the second largest church in Europe, after St. Peter's Basilica. The Cathedral of Santa Maria of Seville, built on the ruins of an ancient mosque, is a splendid example of Gothic style.
Let yourself be amazed by the beauty of Plaza de Espana. Built in 1929, on the occasion of the Ibero-American Exhibition, Plaza de Espana is a riot of ceramics, bricks and colored marbles.
You can't say you've really been to Spain without tasting some typical tapas. In addition to the many bars that offer serranitos, chicarrones, pescado frito, there is nothing cooler than tasting tapas in a historic market.
Of course you can't forget to go up the Metropol Parasol - This modern building, commonly known as "Setas", is one of the most appreciated contemporary architectures in Spain.
Athens
Ancient and modern, folkloristic and elegant at the same time, Athens is an incredibly lively city, a great mix of history and avant-garde, where social and cultural life still revolves around ancient monuments. The magnificent Acropolis, visible from almost every point of the city, has witnessed the many transformations of the metropolis for centuries.
The cradle of Western civilization, the birthplace of democracy, and so much more… there’s not much to say about the Greek capital that hasn’t already been said.
The art galleries, the political debates and even the walls of the crumbling buildings show energy, and a vibrant metropolitan atmosphere. At the end of the day the city breathes an informal atmosphere especially in the restaurants and bars, where local people meet themselves to eat, drink and chat.
No trip to Athens is complete without a visit to the world-famous Acropolis. This 2,500-year-old citadel is a testament to the pinnacle of ancient Greek civilization. It was built during the “Age of Pericles,” the golden age of ancient Athenian civilization
If you have already visited the museums and archaeological sites, and want to discover the lifestyle of this city you should visit Monsitraki. This is one of our favorite neighborhoods, which has become one of the main attractions of the city, especially for shopping enthusiasts and for those who like to have a drink from the top of a terrace.
Paris
Of course we couldn't not include Paris in our 10 Europe's best city breaks. Known throughout the world, it doesn't need to be advertised but it is undoubtedly one of the most suitable destinations in Europe for a fabulous city break. Even a romantic one. Yes, because we know that this is the city of lovers par excellence and in autumn it is even more romantic. Fall in Love in Paris!
The City of Light is the ideal destination for a romantic getaway - city break for two.
It's no wonder the Eiffel Tower is the backdrop for so many marriage proposals: climbing 324 meters to the third floor of this Parisian landmark offers a breathtaking and romantic view, and everything becomes even more irresistible when you have a glass of champagne in hand.
Montmartre, along with the symbol of this neighborhood, the Basilica Sacré-Cœur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart), is a place of pilgrimage for both romantic and religious souls. A staircase takes you to the top of the hill on which this sublime basilica with its dove-white domes stands; the view from the steps in front of the entrance or from the main dome is unparalleled.
Rent a rowboat in Bois de Boulogne - For two, a small rowboat is very romantic. Head to the Bois de Boulogne park and glide across the waters of Lac Inférieur aboard a rowboat: romance and tranquility guaranteed.
Malta - Valletta
In many ways, Malta is the Mediterranean in a nutshell with a British twist. It has beaches and lagoons to swim in, cliffs and herb-scented hills to walk in, a dramatic history with battle-scarred monuments and Renaissance classics. Parts of its landscape are reminiscent of Istanbul, or Sicily, Greece or England.
Malta is in the middle of the Mediterranean and is a perfect bridge to Europe, which is why it has always been an important crossroads.
This curiously British outpost in the Mediterranean has long been a popular summer getaway thanks to its climate. It boasts more than 300 days of sunshine a year - and it can easily be T-shirt weather even in November or March, making it a smart choice for a city break in both shoulder seasons and winter.
History enthusiasts have always known that Malta is much more than that, with its own fascinating and complicated history: it has been conquered by Arab, Italian and British occupations over the years, with each civilisation leaving its own traces.
It's small enough to explore easily and big enough to get lost in. You can experience the sea, the countryside or a city in a matter of minutes; you can be away from everything one moment, then surrounded by activity.
Valletta is the capital of Malta, as well as the economic and administrative center of the country. It is an important cultural and tourist center rich in history.
The architecture of the city is essentially baroque and one of the signs of identity of Valletta are its colored balconies, which stand out on the facades of the buildings.
The Maltese capital was carefully planned and built by the Knights of St. John, the oldest order in the world.
Just like its architecture, the Maltese culinary tradition also reflects its way of being a delicious blend of cultures: that of southern Italy, the Arab, Spanish, but also English.
In Malta you will never go hungry! With lots of fresh vegetables, seafood, cheeses and breads, Maltese food has some of the best flavours in the Mediterranean. From street food to sweets, there is a wide range of choices.
Our experienced staff of Luxury Travel Designers will assist you to design a tailor made itinary for your Europe's City Break. Start to plan your trip with us!
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