Best city breaks around Europe

The tourism industry is at an all time high in Europe, with 538 million people visiting from around the world last year. It is expected that by the year 2025 the British travel industry alone will be worth at least £257 billion.

Europe is a diverse destination with holiday hotspots to suit all interests, whether that is skiing in the snowy French Alps or enjoying the vibrant nightlife and grand casinos of Monte Carlo. Here are some of the top European cities to add to your holiday bucket list:

Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo is technically an administrative state in the Principality of Monaco and is one of the best places to visit in Europe for a great mixture of cultural sites and fantastic evening entertainment options. For example, Casino de Monte-Carlo is an iconic entertainment complex with casino, theatre and ballet.

Interestingly, citizen’s of Monte Carlo are not allowed to enter the casino themselves due to regulations, but visitors are free to enjoy games such as poker, slots and baccarat. Those who enjoy the Live casino experience will feel at home in this venue.

There is also the majestic Opéra de Monte-Carlo that is well known for its 19th century architecture. For nature lovers, there is the Jardin Exotique de Monaco, a luscious green botanical garden on the side of one of Monaco’s cliffs.

Just because you’re in the city, it doesn’t mean that you cannot relax and unwind in the outdoors. Larvotto Beach is Monte Carlo’s man made beach with both public and private areas, it has imported sand and sun loungers as well as a place to get refreshments.

Venice

The Italian city of Venice is widely appreciated for its selection of art and historic architecture. Any visitor to Venice must experience journeying along the city’s vast canals by gondola.

You can also view Venice’s breathtaking scenery from the ornate Rialto Bridge. A lesser known but still iconic structure is the Bridge of Sighs. Made of limestone, it was built in the 1600s to form a secure passage between the prison and the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace.

For fans of modern art, a trip to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection on the Grand Canal is a must. The collection includes everything from American modernist painters to prominent Italian futurists.

Marseille

France is the most visited country in Europe and the city of Marseille is one of its top destinations for tourists from around the world. It is the oldest city in France and the third largest metropolitan area behind Paris and Lyon.

It is no surprise that Marseille was designated as the European Capital of Culture in 2013, with such interesting places like the Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean. This museum houses collections with a total of more than 350,000 objects and has a packed schedule of different exhibitions.

The city is famous for its culinary hotspots too, in Old Port of Marseille, at the end of the Canebière, you will find a selection of seafood options. This area has now become mainly pedestrianised so it is ideal for an evening stroll before dinner.

While in Marseille, visitors should also take in the city views from the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde and hike along the rugged coastline along the Massif des Calanques between Marseille and Cassis.

Reykjavik

If you aren’t afraid to brave the cold then Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik, is full of cultural sights and national wonders. Discover Iceland’s Viking history at the National Museum of Iceland and admire the Hallgrímskirkja large church structure, which is named after the poet Hallgrímur Pétursson.

For the best views while indoors, take a trip to Perlan on Öskjuhlíð hill. Perlan is a converted landmark with a glass roof containing a restaurant, a planetarium and an observation deck.

For more of a bustling city feel, venture over to Laugavegur in the downtown area. Laugavegur’s historic shopping street has many exclusive stores and a selection of restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Iceland is one of the more expensive places to visit in Europe, however with good planning, you can plan less pricey activities and make use of discount offers and group tours.

Budapest

Over in Eastern Europe is the Hungarian city of Budapest, which is also a county that is home to one third of the country’s entire population. One of Budapest’s most impressive sites is the gothic style Hungarian Parliament Building.

The thermal baths are a huge part of the culture in this city and the Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the largest medicinal bath in Europe. Or for shopping, the Central Market Hall is one of the best places to go for street food and souvenirs for family back home.

The churches are also one of the best parts of this city, two that are certainly worth visiting include the grand St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Matthias Church.