Weekend breaks in Europe: 10 best destinations by type

A break from the routine, discovering a different city for two or three days and coming home with new energy: a weekend break in Europe is wonderfully easy. Within a few hours' travel you're already in a completely different atmosphere. But with so much choice, it's hard to pick. That's why we've lined up ten timeless destinations, handily grouped by type of traveller. Whether you're after culture, good food, nature or a budget-friendly trip, there's bound to be something for you here.

A weekend break in Europe for culture lovers

If you love museums, historic centres and centuries-old architecture, these cities are right on target. They're compact enough to explore in a weekend and full of stories.

• Vienna, with its imperial palaces, coffee houses and classical concerts.
• Prague, where you walk through a fairytale old centre past the Charles Bridge and the castle.
• Edinburgh, with a dramatic castle on a rock and narrow streets full of history.

For the food lovers: eating and drinking

Some cities you visit mainly with your taste buds. Here a weekend trip revolves around markets, terraces and local specialities.

• Lisbon, where you combine fresh pastel de nata with delicious fish dishes and views over the river.
• Bologna, the culinary heart of Italy, known for fresh pasta and cosy eateries.
• Seville, where you hop from tapas bar to tapas bar in the warm Andalusian evening.

For the nature lover

Even without travelling far, you can get right into nature over a weekend. These destinations combine city with green and water.

• Copenhagen, where you cycle along the harbour and end up in the sustainable parks.
• Porto, with the Douro river, green hills and vineyards a short distance away.

Both cities lend themselves perfectly to a mix of city walks and fresh air, ideal if you want to escape the hustle for a while.

For the small budget

A short trip doesn't have to be expensive. In these cities you go a long way on a modest budget, from cheap overnight stays to affordable dining.

• Krakow, with a beautiful medieval centre and surprisingly low prices.
• Budapest, where you relax in famous bathhouses and eat well for little money.
• Ghent, close to home, atmospheric and perfectly doable without expensive flights.

How to make your weekend a well-oiled machine

On a short stay every hour counts, so a bit of planning pays off. Line up your outbound and return journey, your hotel and the two or three things you really want to see. A travel planner like Zuvy puts your whole weekend in a clear timeline, from the flight to the restaurant you've booked. That way you don't have to puzzle on the road and you keep time to simply enjoy.

Practical tips for a successful weekend break

A few small choices make your short trip much more pleasant. Think of these before you leave.

• Travel with hand luggage only, so you're straight outside on arrival and don't lose time at the baggage belt.
• Book accommodation central in the city, then you can walk everywhere and save on transport.
• Don't plan too full. Two or three highlights a day are enough, leave room for chance discoveries.
• Preferably leave on Friday evening, then you have a full free weekend ahead.

With these destinations and tips in your pocket, chances are you'll soon be booking your next weekend break. Europe is literally around the corner.