What’s your vibe? Are you more of a hipster, a romantic, a history nerd, or a combination of things? Whatever your travel style is, I’ve got at least one European city break destination that should resonate with your vibe. Ready to find out where you truly belong, at least for a weekend? Let’s start!
Amsterdam – The Cool Hipster
Vibe: Perfect for those who are into biking, coffee shops, renaissance art, and canal houses. Amsterdam’s quirky cafes, alternative music venues, eco-friendly shops, eclectic art, and liberal vibe make it a hipster’s dream come true.
You might wanna…
- Explore the city’s street art scene on a bike tour: You can discover hidden murals and graffiti. Popular spots include the NDSM Wharf and the Jordaan neighborhood.
- Visit the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum: These Dutch art and history museums are world famous and among the most visited in the Netherlands.
- Take a canal cruise: Amsterdam’s UNESCO-protected canal belt can be explored on a boat tour.
Find out how to plan a weekend in Amsterdam that matches your vibes. Also check out Amsterdam attractions and tours.
Berlin – The Rebel Trendsetter
Vibe: Ideal for those who wear black year-round and think graffiti is an art form (it is!). Also ideal for those who enjoy cities with multiple edgy personalities and want to get a glimpse of how things were during the Cold War. Probably also ideal for spies, for some reason. Berlin’s underground clubs, street art, and eccentric fashion opportunities are perfect for rebellious trendsetters.
You might wanna…
- Dance the night away at one of Berlin’s famous clubs: If you are into techno, you might be willing to spend hours in line hoping one of the clubs with a notoriously strict door policy will let you in. Otherwise, just find a place that’s on your vibe, there’s plenty from where to choose.
- Explore the East Side Gallery: Visit this open-air gallery that includes sections of the (in)famous Berlin Wall and try to understand the meaning of the many murals created by artists from all over the world.
- Take a balloon ride: Appreciate the size of Berlin from above.
Check out Berlin attractions and tours.
Edinburgh – The Ghostbuster Historian
Vibe: Ideal for those who think a perfect vacation includes a bookstore crawl and a ghost tour. Also ideal for those who enjoy cities with a strong ‘gothic’ vibe, where every old building looks like it’s haunted by an entire village. Edinburgh’s castle, haunted tours, cozy pubs, and a fairly good nightlife are arguably a dream for haunted historians and pub crawls.
You might wanna…
- Visit Edinburgh Castle: Explore this historic fortress and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
- Brave a nighttime ghost tour of the Edinburgh Vaults: Experience the city’s supposedly haunted history in the underground vaults.
- Take a literary pub tour: Follow in the footsteps of famous writers like Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson on a different pub tour – a literary one.
Check out Edinburgh attractions and tours.
Athens – The Philosophical Wanderer
Vibe: Best for those who love ancient ruins and pondering life’s big questions with the help of philosophy. Athens’ historic sites are likely to resonate with history buffs in general and perhaps even more with those who have spent a lot of time reading famous philosophy works from Ancient Greece. Also ideal for those who want to combine a city break with a beach break.
You might wanna…
- Visit the Acropolis and the Parthenon: Take some cool selfies with iconic ancient ruins from the Acropolis.
- Hike up to the Pnyx: This hill in central Athens used to host popular assemblies. Now, you can hike it and perhaps discuss philosophy where ancient Athenians once gathered.
- Explore the National Archaeological Museum: Take a good look at artifacts from Ancient Greece’s history.
Check out Athens attractions and tours.
London – The Urban Explorer
Vibe: Perfect for those who thrive on the energy of a bustling global metropolis. London is one of those cities that feel like a world capital and is the only city in Europe that can compare itself to New York in terms of diversity and global influence.
You might wanna…
- See the Buckingham Palace: While perhaps not the most impressive building in London, many would the Buckingham Palace worth a visit. To make the visit even more interesting, consider going when during the Changing of the Guard daily ceremony.
- Explore The Tower of London: Go see a complex of structures that houses several interesting things, including the Crown Jewels and infamous prison cells.
- Visit the British Museum: See at least a few pieces of a vast collection of art and artifacts that includes the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles.
Check out London attractions and tours.
Paris – The Chic Aesthete
Vibe: Perfect for those who think every day should be a fashion show. Paris’ stylish boutiques and iconic landmarks cater to chic aesthetes. Also a great place for those who love wine and fresh baguettes.
You might wanna…
- Visit the Louvre: Take a good look at some of its vast collection, including the Mona Lisa.
- Visit the Eiffel Tower: Enjoy breathtaking views of the city from the topic of this famous landmark.
- Shop on the Champs-Élysées: Do some counting and see if you can afford indulging in some high-end shopping on the city’s most famous boulevard.
Check out Paris attractions and tours.
Barcelona – The Fiesta Fanatic
Vibe: Suited for those who think every day should be a colorful fiesta. While Barcelona doesn’t really have fiestas every day, it has several throughout the year. Besides, every day you can enjoy a vibrant street life, whimsical architecture, and beachside bars. Also ideal for those who appreciate the architecture of Antoni Gaudí, such as the Sagrada Família and Park Güell.
You might wanna…
- Join a local street party during the Festa Major de Gràcia: Experience the local culture at one of the city’s famous fiestas.
- Visit the Sagrada Família: While still under construction (since 1882!), the Sagrada Familia is already very pretty.
- Explore Las Ramblas: Enjoy some street performances and lively atmosphere.
Check out Barcelona attractions and tours.
Prague – The Fairytale Time Traveler
Vibe: Best for those who enjoy ornate, fairytale-like buildings. Prague’s cobblestone streets, medieval castles, and historic pubs let time travelers live out their fairytale dreams.
You might wanna…
- Visit the Prague Castle: Explore the world’s largest ancient castle.
- Explore the hidden underground tunnels of Prague: Discover the city’s secret passages.
- Drink at a medieval-themed pub: Experience the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Well, sort of.
Check out Prague attractions and tours.
Rome – The Enthusiastic Romantic
Vibe: Ideal for those who think every meal should be a three-hour affair and every corner an opportunity to place a statue. Rome’s ancient ruins, operatic gestures, and popular cuisine cater not only to enthusiast romantics but also to gourmands and history buffs.
You might wanna…
- Visit the Colosseum: Relive the barbaric gladiatorial combats of ancient Rome.
- Take a twilight stroll through the Roman Forum: Imagine the ancient dramas that unfolded there.
- Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain: Make a wish and hope to return to Rome.
Check out Rome attractions and tours.
Vienna – The Classy Connoisseur
Vibe: Suited for those who appreciate finer things, like opera and perfectly brewed coffee. Vienna’s grand architecture, elegant cafes, and classical music scenes attract many classy connoisseurs.
You might wanna…
- Visit the Schönbrunn Palace: Explore pretty gardens and opulent rooms.
- Attend a classical concert at the Vienna State Opera: If classical music is your thing, this is one of the best places to enjoy world-class performances in a historic venue.
- Enjoy coffee at Café Central: Experience a traditional Viennese coffeehouse.
Check out Vienna attractions and tours.
Istanbul – The East-West Fusion Fan
Vibe: Ideal for those who like mixing things up, sometimes in unexpected ways. Istanbul is a blend of East and West, where Byzantine architecture, traditional bazaars and trendy night avenues make the city a cool playground for history enthusiasts, Middle Eastern food fans, and night owls.
You might wanna…
- Visit the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque: These are often the buildings you see when looking at an Istanbul postcard.
- Sail along the Bosphorus Strait: Take a cruise on the strait that separates Europe from Asia.
- Explore the Grand Bazaar: Find all sorts of souvenirs and learn how to haggle at one of the world’s largest bazaars.
Check out how some of cool things to do in a few days of Istanbul. Also check out Istanbul attractions and tours.
Valletta, Malta – The Fortress Adventurer
Vibe: Perfect for those who enjoy exploring historic fortresses and, after that, take a long sunbath on a golden sand beach. Visiting Valletta’s grand fortifications and narrow streets are one way to do some stepping back in more traditional times while getting a good tan.
You might wanna…
- Go to the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Temples: These prehistoric temples are older than Stonehenge and are, in fact, some of the oldest free-standing stone structures in the world. Pretty cool.
- Discover Mdina: Wander through the “Silent City” and explore its medieval streets and historic sites, including St. Paul’s Cathedral.
- Walk along the fortifications: Take some selfies on the Grand Harbour.
Check out our guide on things to see and do in and around Valletta. Also check out Malta attractions and tours.
Budapest – The Spa Lover
Vibe: Best for those who believe relaxation is an art form and have a fascination with old-world charm and communist history. Budapest’s historic thermal baths, riverside views, and grim reminders of its “communist” past attract history lovers, spa lovers and, above all, those looking to party cheap.
You might wanna…
- Explore the Buda Castle: Not a castle per se but a complex of structures. Enjoy panoramic views and some history lessons.
- Take a river cruise along the Danube: See the city’s landmarks from the water, including the beautiful parliament building.
- Take a night dip at the Széchenyi Thermal Bath’s summer Sparties: Combine a good bath with a party atmosphere.
Check out Budapest attractions and tours.
Dubrovnik – The Medieval Fantasy Buff
Vibe: Ideal for those who think life would be very interesting if knights roamed the earth and dragons ruled the skies. Dubrovnik’s city walls, historic sites, and Game of Thrones filming locations are a playground for medieval fantasy buffs.
You might wanna…
- Walk the city walls: Enjoy pretty views of the Adriatic Sea.
- Visit the Lovrijenac Fortress: Explore the historic fort and find some things about its history.
- Take a Game of Thrones walking tour: See filming locations and learn behind-the-scenes stories.
Check out Dubrovnik attractions and tours.
Venice – The Dreamy Romantic
Vibe: Especially suited for those who think gondolas are the only way to travel. Venice’s canals and romantic ambiance make it perfect for dreamy romantics.
You might wanna…
- Enjoy a gondola ride at sunset, complete with a serenade: Glide through Venice’s iconic canals and experience the city’s romantic charm from the water.
- Visit St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace: St. Mark’s Basilica has opulent mosaics and the Doge’s Palace has grand halls and the Bridge of Sighs -an enclosed bridge made of white limestone that has windows with stone bars.
- Sip coffee at Café Florian in St. Mark’s Square: Enjoy a coffee at one of the world’s oldest cafes.
Check out Venice attractions and tours.
Munich – The Beer Party Crawler
Vibe: Best for those who think beer is a food group and pretzels are a delicacy. Munich’s beer gardens and Oktoberfest celebrations attract beer lovers and anyone who wants to attend the world’s most famous festivals.
You might wanna…
- Join a brewery tour and taste-test different Bavarian beers: Visit famous breweries like Hofbräuhaus and learn about the brewing process while sampling local brews.
- Explore the English Garden and relax at a beer garden: Spend a day in one of the world’s largest urban parks and enjoy a beer at the Chinese Tower beer garden. Note that from time to time you might encounter a completely naked individual and that’s just going for a sunbath in a German park.
- Attend Oktoberfest: Duh. Experience the world’s largest beer festival, with traditional music, food, and, of course, beer.
Check out Munich attractions and tours.
Brussels – The Chocolate Enthusiast
Vibe: Best for those who are big fans of chocolate. Belgium is said to have the best chocolate in the world and Brussels is one of the best places where you can see for yourself whether you agree with this assumption or not. Belgium is also a place with a lot of diversity when it comes to beer options, so if you’re both a chocolate lover and a beer lover, you should strongly consider giving Brussels a change.
You might wanna…
- Visit the Grand Place: Explore Brussels’ central square. It’s pretty.
- Go to the European Parliament: Take a guided tour of the EU’s main legislative body and learn about its workings.
- Visit the Atomium: One of the city’s iconic structures, the Atomium dates from the 1958 Brussels World Fair andis the place to go for panoramic views of the city.
Check out Brussels attractions and tours.
Bottom line: Your vibe, your adventure
No matter what your vibe is, there’s likely a European city break that’s perfect for you. So next time you’re planning a getaway, why not think about what makes you tick and choose a destination that is likely to vibe with you? And if this list is not what you are looking for because…well…you want something that’s not on many people’s mind, feel free to check out our list of rather unusual European destinations.
But what if you don’t know what your vibe is? Maybe you need to put yourself at test. Maybe you underestimate the extent to which you may like a location. There’s one way to find out. Make a booking.
