Top 6 European city breaks to try in 2026

Sofia, Bulgaria

Sofia is known for being one of the most affordable cities you can visit in Europe. Even after the introduction of the Euro as a national currency, the country remains very affordable for tourists from all over the world.

Sofia is not a big city, but it offers layers of history – from Roman ruins you can walk through on your way to the Metro station; to Socialist architecture with tall blocks of flats and monuments such as the National Palace of Culture; to modern Business Park centre.

Many flock to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, but there are many Orthodox Churches in Sofia that are worth a visit, one of which is also the oldest building in the city – The Rotunda, built in the early 4^th century AD.

What most don’t know is that Sofia has a booming cultural life with many places offering live music in various genres, outdoor cafes and restaurants spaces, and a theatre district in the very centre of the city.

Bratislava, Slovakia

The only capital in the world bordering two other countries, Bratislava is one of the up-and-coming destinations in Europe. This is a place you can easily explore at your own pace without the crowds and savour the views over the Danube with a coffee in hand.

The UFO bridge that is probably the most famous landmark of Bratislava offers one of the best views over the Danube and it is also a place where you can sit down for a drink.

The size of the city and the proximity between its landmarks, make it perfect for exploration by foot.

Vienna, Austria

This capital is often associated with classical music and strong coffee culture, but its benefits extend way beyond what most people think. Often topping the global quality-of-live rankings, Vienna is beautiful, yet not too busy; full of culture, yet not too loud; popular, yet affordable.

Tap water comes directly from the Alpines and coffee houses offer newspapers to visitors, so they can keep informed while slowly enjoying their hot beverages. Vienna is great for luxury travel and budget weekends alike, offering something of interest to anyone.

Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest is another hidden gem you are not going to see amongst the most popular cities to visit in Europe. It is affordable, not too busy and perfect for exploring by foot.

Home to the biggest Palace of Parliament, the city has many architectural gems you need to see. However, if you want to go beyond what most tourists see, you must visit Macca-Vilacrosse Passage – a glass-covered passage, full of coffee shops; or spend some time examining the art on the walls of local churches.

Copenhagen, Denmark

There are plenty of reasons to visit one of the happiest cities in the world – the colourful houses, the Little Mermaid, Tivoli Gardens and many more. There is a special kind of coziness in every place you visit.

The city has one of the quickest and straight-forwards ways to get to and from the airport and is also only 20-30 minutes away from Sweden by train. Bicycles are a major form of transport and there are plenty of green spaces to take a walk and enjoy your day to the fullest.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

This legendary town extends way beyond the Red Light District and the coffee shops, selling marijuana. A walk along the canals offers beautiful views over historical houses and coquette boats.

Cycling in Amsterdam seems to be the main mode of transport and tourists should be careful, as cyclists often pass by at high speed. You can find many bikes, tied around the canals, all painted in different colours and decorated with flowers – the perfect place for a colourful photo!