Holidu, a vacation rental search engine, has compiled a list of best european city breaks to visit in 2022! This top city breaks in Europe is based on an analysis of Google searches from the previous 12 months, and it reveals the cities that people are most eager to visit for weekend breaks in Europe.
The world is full of incredible cities that are brimming with culture, history, and a plethora of things to do and are just waiting to be discovered. Nothing beats wandering around a new city in a foreign country and immersing yourself in the local culture for a few days. We are fortunate to have mainland Europe right on our doorstep, and these fantastic cities are all less than a three-hour flight away from London, making them ideal for a weekend getaway and good european city breaks.
Top 10 european city breaks
City break in Amsterdam, The Netherlands – 125,700 monthly searches
The Dutch capital, Amsterdam, is the UK’s most desired city break destination for 2022 and one of the Best European city breaks! Whether you want to hop from coffee shop to coffee shop, raid vintage flea markets, or take a canal cruise, Amsterdam has something for everyone. A flight from London to Amsterdam takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, making this a popular choice for those looking for a quick 48-hour Friday-Sunday evening getaway.
City break in Barcelona, Spain – 43,600 monthly searches
This year, Barcelona is the second most popular city break destination, and it’s easy to see why! If you can’t decide between a city break and a beach vacation, Barcelona is the ideal destination for you! Stroll through Park Güell, marvel at the Sagrada Familia, or spend the day relaxing on Barceloneta Beach. Barcelona also hosts some fantastic music and cultural events, such as the Primavera Sound festival, which takes place in early June.
City break in Dublin, Ireland – 41,600 monthly searches
Dublin is the third most popular city break destination in the world! Dublin will not disappoint, whether you come for a pint of Guinness or to be surrounded by the warm and welcoming Irish people. Visit the National Museum of Ireland to learn everything there is to know about Irish heritage and culture, or choose from one of the other world-class tourist attractions. The Guinness Storehouse, the brewery experience that tells the story of Ireland’s famous beer, with tastings and a rooftop bar, is perhaps the most typical thing to do while in the city.
City break in Paris, France – 39,520 monthly searches
Fourth place goes to the City of Love! Take a quick flight or the Eurostar to London and you’ll be in the city center in just over two hours. Start your day with a café au lait and pain au chocolat while sitting on a terrace at a Parisian cafe for an Emily in Paris-style weekend. Then, from the Centre Pompidou to the iconic Louvre, pay a visit to some of Paris’ finest art galleries and museums. Spend your evening sampling cheese and sipping fine wine, or take a nighttime cruise down the Seine to see the Eiffel Tower twinkling. Doesn’t it sound lovely?
City break in Budapest, Hungary – 32,500 monthly searches
Budapest is the fifth most popular European city break destination this year. Budapest, Hungary’s capital city, is a popular tourist destination due to its rich culture and status as the World’s Spa Capital! Visitors frequently come specifically to visit one of the many spa baths, the best and largest of which is Szechenyi Spa Baths, which has 15 indoor baths and three grand outdoor pools. Aside from the baths, Budapest is well-known for its Ruin Bars, a collection of bars housed in abandoned buildings and decorated with colorful graffiti and plants.
City break in Rome, Italy – 31,300 monthly searches
Rome comes in sixth place. It’s easy to see why an Italian city would be high on this list, given the legendary land of pizza and pasta. Rome, one of Europe’s most cultural cities, is home to a plethora of historic landmarks and stunning architectural pieces, such as the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain. Rome is also the hottest of our top ten, with an average temperature of 23 degrees Celsius between April and September. If you choose to visit during these months, bring plenty of sunscreen!
City break in Prague, Czech Republic – 29,800 monthly searches
Prague, Czech Republic, is ranked seventh! Prague is a fairytale dream destination, whether it’s because of its medieval squares, Baroque and Gothic cathedrals, well-preserved castles, or dreamy bridges. Due to its extensive history and cultural heritage, the city center has also been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is often referred to as the medieval heart of Europe. In addition, Prague is home to the largest club in Central Europe, so put on your dancing shoes!
City break in Malaga, Spain – 25,170 monthly searches
Malaga is the second Spanish city in the top ten, and it is the seventh most popular city break destination this year! A popular sun-seeking destination all year round, with pleasant weather and high summer temperatures, Malaga embodies the Andalusian way of life and has a plethora of wonderful cafes, restaurants, and bars to explore. Art enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Picasso Museum, where they can learn about the artist’s life and work.
City break in Berlin, Germany – 24,400 monthly searches
Berlin, Germany’s capital, is ranked ninth. Berlin is well-known for its vibrant nightlife scene, which includes a wide range of bars and events, as well as one of the world’s most renowned club scenes. This is the ideal city for those looking to party until the early hours. If this isn’t your thing, take a free walking tour of the city, or go for a picnic on the abandoned Tempelhof runaway and watch the crowds make the most of the flat surface by doing activities like rollerskating and skateboarding.
City break in Lisbon, Portugal – 16,300 monthly searches
Lisbon is the tenth most popular city break destination this year, thanks to its mild climate, colorful buildings, delicious food scene, and buzzing nightlife, and it completes our bucket list! The Portuguese capital has a rich history, making it an ideal destination for history buffs. Lisbon is also said to be significantly less expensive than some of its other European capital counterparts, so what’s not to love?
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