Are you planning a city break this year? Follow these simple tips to ensure your city break actually feels like a break!
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I absolutely love a city break. For me, discovering an exciting new destination is one of the best ways to spend a few days, whether I’m watching the waves in the coastal city of Puerto de la Cruz, exploring historic Nuremberg or even strolling around the tiny English city of Wells.
But there’s something a bit ironic about a city break. It’s meant to help you switch off, yet somehow you can end up feeling just as busy and hassled as in your day-to-day life.
Rushing between sights, checking maps and reservations, trying to fit everything into just a few short days. It can start to feel like a checklist instead of a break!
If you’ve ever come back from a city break feeling like you need another holiday to recover, you’re definitely not alone. So, here are five easy tips to help you take a city break that actually feels like a break.
Set boundaries before you even leave
One of the biggest things that can ruin a trip is when work and ‘real life’ follow you there.
You say you’ll just check in quickly and only read, not reply. But then it’s a short WhatsApp reply here, a quick email there, and suddenly you’re straight back in work mode.
That matters when you’re trying to enjoy a city break in Europe, because you should be focusing on new experiences and relaxation. If your head is still in your inbox, it ruins the whole vibe.
So before you leave work, let people know you won’t be available to answer calls or emails, even if it feels a bit uncomfortable at first. Switch on your Out of Office auto-reply and, if possible, leave your work phone at home.
Make the logistics feel effortless
Dragging heavy bags, searching for somewhere to eat, trying to figure things out on the fly. Small frustrations can add up quickly when you’re travelling.
A little advance planning can make your city break feel much more relaxed. So make sure you know how you’re getting to the airport and reserve your taxi or parking in advance.
Don’t forget that you’ll need to travel from the airport into the city when you arrive at your destination. Will you take public transport, or would it be easier to book a taxi or Uber?
Even something simple like booking convenient luggage storage in Amsterdam or wherever you’re heading can make your first few hours feel a lot easier.
It doesn’t have to be overplanned and micromanaged. Just plan enough to ensure you’re not left dealing with unnecessary stress when you should be relaxing.
Choose calm over chaos
It’s easy to default to the big names: London, Paris, Prague. These are the cities with landmarks that everyone talks about, but they’re also the ones with long queues and sold-out attractions.
These tourist hot spots can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to relax. That’s why a lot of people are starting to look at ‘second cities’ instead.
Second cities are major urban centres that aren’t the country’s capital city. They’re often less crowded than the capital and also less touristy, offering a more authentic, affordable and manageable experience than their headline-grabbing neighbours.
You might find yourself enjoying the experience more when things feel a bit slower. With less crowding and fewer queues, you’ll find there’s more space to breathe and simply exist without feeling like you’re missing out.
Some of my favourite second cities include Malaga in Spain, Nuremberg in Germany and, of course, Birmingham in the United Kingdom.
Choose the right area
Once you’ve chosen your city, the next decision is where to base your city break. This is where a lot of travellers go wrong, because picking the wrong area can make your city break feel much more like hard work than it should.
Perhaps you’ve booked a hotel in Dublin’s Temple Bar, Berlin’s Kreuzberg or Leidseplein in Amsterdam. Instead of returning to a peaceful haven at the end of a packed day of sightseeing, suddenly you’re in party central.
So when you’re booking accommodation for your city break, don’t just search for a central area near all the main attractions. Check out the reviews before you book, so you pick an area with the right vibe. It plays a big role in your city break experience, so it’s worth taking time to get it right.
I found that picking a hotel in Ballsbridge made my Dublin city break feel much more relaxed!
Slow everything down once you arrive
I know, it’s always tempting to try and pack everything into a single city break.
You check out all the top museums, historic landmarks, hidden gems and places to eat. Suddenly, every day of your break has a packed itinerary from morning to night, and there’s not a lot of time to relax.
By halfway through your break, you’re exhausted and looking forward to going home!
City breaks usually feel better when you take them at a slower pace. Pick one or two main activities each day – one in the morning, one in the afternoon or evening, and let the rest unfold naturally.
That leaves time for people watching over a coffee, lingering a little longer over lunch, or just letting your feet take you wherever they will. As long as you’ve got internet access (and I recommend installing an eSIM for budget-friendly coverage), you can always find your way back.
Sometimes the best parts of a trip happen by accident – a random street you happened to turn down, a conversation with a friendly local, a small cafe where they serve the BEST pastries.
Planning your city break carefully and taking the days a little slower gives you the chance to stumble over these surprise opportunities. And that’s where you’ll make the memories that last a lifetime.