10 of the best summer city breaks in Europe

1. Barcelona

Best for: Beautiful beaches and buildings

A series of sandy beaches that stretch north of the marina make Barcelona one of the best European cities to visit in the summer. You can make the most of the sun on little Barceloneta Beach, close to the city centre, or by cycling along the seafront to quieter Llevant Beach.

Should you want to cool off without a dip in the sea, there’s plenty of shade in the medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter. You can also shelter from the sun at the numerous indoor attractions such as the Sagrada Familia, the Cathedral and the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona.

Lunchtime is best spent sampling traditional tapas. Patatas bravas (fried potatoes topped with a spicy sauce), pan con tomate (bread with tomato, olive oil, and garlic) and la bomba (a beef and potato croquette topped with aioli and bravas sauce) are all on the menu.

Where to stay: Barcelona has hotels for all budgets. Try the four-star INNSiDE By Meliá Barcelona Apolo for a mid-range pick or consider a private room in a hostel such as the Generator Barcelona.

2. Lisbon

Best for: Food markets and coastal vibes

Looking for even more beach on your summer city break? Lisbon delivers. Sandy, golden beaches dot the coastline from Algés to Cascais, and you can be sunbathing on one of the city’s most popular stretches – Praia de Carcavelos – in around 30 minutes by train.

Fuelling your days in Lisbon is easy too. From its iconic pastéis de Belém to the world’s first Time Out Market, this is a foodie city through and through. Fill up on fresh seafood at affordable riverside restaurants, try the city’s signature bifana pork sandwich and wash it all down with a wonderfully cheap bottle of local brew, Bock.

For culture – and some respite from the sun – hit up the city’s museums. Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga and Museu Calouste Gulbenkian are an art lover’s dream, while the Museu do Fado, in the pretty Alfama district, dives into the city’s moving traditional music. Return to Alfama as night falls to hear it in action.

Where to stay: Mama Shelter is a reliable pick that doesn’t compromise on character, while Hotel White Lisboa’s cool, coastal decor is matched by its fabulous rooftop pool that enjoys far-reaching city views.

3. Dubrovnik

Best for: Al fresco bars and festivals

Beautiful Dubrovnik is one city that gets the star treatment it deserves. And, although it’s busy in July and August, this city that overlooks the Adriatic is a stunning place to be for a summer city break in Europe.

Get your bearings and take in the views from the city walls then cool off with a drink and a swim from Café Bar Buza, or simply head to the beach for a dip in the sea. You could also visit one of the nearby islands on a day or overnight trip.

If you want to avoid the sun for a few hours, you’ll find shade in the car-free old town, as well as a choice of indoor attractions such as the Cultural History Museum and the Maritime Museum. Summer is also festival season: look out for events taking place across the city as part of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival in July and August.

Where to stay: Bed down at the well-rated Dominus Little Palace to be within walking distance of the city’s best attractions. Or enjoy a more laidback city break by staying in the Lapad neighbourhood. Villa Boro is a top pick here.

4. Valletta

Best for: Architecture and sea views

Brimming with architectural beauty and basking in the warm Mediterranean sun, Malta’s capital is a favourite for a European city break this summer.

The city itself is a historical marvel. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety due to its huge number of important sites, it’s a great introduction to the country’s rich history. The resort town of Sliema, with its rocky beaches that ease into the sparkling Med, is also just a short ferry away.

The main attractions in Valletta may well be the streets themselves thanks to its iconic colourful balconies, but there are plenty of other things to see and do too. Pay a visit to St John's Co-Cathedral, stop by St George’s Square and enjoy panoramic views of the Grand Harbour from the Barrakka Gardens.

Where to stay: Valletta has a thriving boutique hotel scene, so why not embrace city life in a lush three-star like Hotel Pjazza Merkanti? If you’re after something with a pool, look for properties in nearby Sliema, such as the Courtyard Sliema, which is just a short ferry ride away.

5. Valencia

Best for: Paella and parks

With a thriving al fresco dining scene and one of Europe’s loveliest produce markets (Mercado Central), you’ll eat well in Valencia. Restaurants and cafés spill out on to its charming streets in the old quarter, an irresistible setting for fuelling your day with tapas or coffee.

Valencia has plenty of outdoor spaces ideal for exploring too. Hire a bike or e-scooter and zip through the Turia Gardens, a former riverbed turned public park that also houses the futuristic cultural centre known as the City of Arts and Sciences. Or, head out to the city’s beaches – Playa de la Malvarrosa is about 5km (3 miles) from the southern end of the Turia Gardens.

As far as European cities go, Valencia is still fairly free from the masses, making it a great choice for a quieter city break in summer. It’s also the ideal spot to learn to cook paella – it’s the birthplace of the famous dish, after all.

Where to stay: You don’t have to fork out to feel pampered in Valencia. Thoughtfully designed beauties such as L&H Gran Via Valencia and One Shot Palacio Reina Victoria 04 can cost less than £150 a night, even in the height of summer.

6. Prague

Best for: Beer gardens and old town charm

Prague is a great choice for a cheap summer city break, but just because it's easy to do Prague on a budget doesn’t mean you’ll be short-changed when it comes to sights and things to do.

Soak up some rays while exploring the Old Town square or venture to the picturesque Letná Park to enjoy a pint in its sunny beer garden before taking in the view of Prague from the Petrin Lookout Tower.

Alternatively, head indoors for a break from the sun and discover the city’s quirky museums. Be amazed by the optical illusions of the Museum of Senses, check out the strange Gallery of Steel Figures or learn about medieval science at the vial-filled Museum of Alchemists.

Where to stay: Rooms are surprisingly affordable at the Dancing House Hotel, the city skyline icon that was inspired by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Staying in the Lesser Town (Malá Strana) will save you some pennies too. Consider Lh Vintage Design Hotel Sax.

7. Edinburgh

Best for: Arts and attractions

The Scottish capital buzzes in summer thanks to its famous August showpiece, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

A celebration of theatre, comedy and the arts, the Fringe sees the whole city transform into a thriving stage, with entertainment seemingly around every corner. Of course, Edinburgh gets very busy during the festival (the population apparently doubles) so if you’re after a more traditional city break, it’s wise to avoid August.

Festival aside, the city’s combination of history, architecture and culture is the reason why so many head to Edinburgh for a UK city break.

Visit Edinburgh Castle to find out why it's the most visited tourist attraction in Scotland and enjoy the drama of the Royal Mile, which shows off Edinburgh’s Old Town perfectly. The buzz of the Grassmarket is the ideal setting for a night out and the hike up to Arthur’s Seat reveals dramatic panoramas of the city and the surrounding area.

Where to stay: Edinburgh is expensive in summer, so you may as well splash out and treat yourself to something special. A room at the four-star Apex Waterloo Place Hotel or the mini apartments at Eden Locke will do the trick.

8. Stockholm

Best for: Museums and seafood

You might not think of Sweden for a city and island break combined but archipelagic Stockholm is pure joy in the summer.

Built on 14 islands, Sweden’s capital comes to life between June and August, and you’ll want to join the locals flocking to the coastlines to swim, sunbathe and explore the more than 30,000 other islets that make up the Stockholm archipelago.

For a culture hit, museums range from the ABBA Museum to Skansen, the oldest open-air museum in the world, and the Vasa Museum with Stockholm’s very own version of the Mary Rose.

Top it off with an evening at Gröna Lund amusement park, with its white-knuckle rides, funfair games, restaurants and live shows overlooking the harbour.

If you’re a seafood fan, look out for crayfish on the menu – August kicks off kräftskiva season and plenty of restaurants in Stockholm invite you to enjoy it like a true Swede.

Where to stay: Just like IKEA, Stockholm’s hotels pair great design with affordable prices. Mälardrottningen Hotel is a unique 61 room (cabin) stay on a huge yacht, while four-star Downtown Camper by Scandic has a fabulous rooftop pool and one of the best brekkie buffets going.

9. Dublin

Best for: Nightlife and city tours

The weather can be unreliable at any time of year in Dublin, but the Irish capital's legendary nightlife and culture should more than compensate.

If you’re after a taste of the 'craic' on your summer city break, you’ll find bucketloads of this famous Irish conviviality in the city’s numerous bars and pubs.

Or visit the Guinness Storehouse to appreciate the finer points of the country’s famous beer. You’ll learn everything from the art of pulling the perfect pint to how the black stuff is made – and they’ll even throw in a Guinness as part of the tour, so you can enjoy a beer with a view from the Gravity Bar.

Plus, there’s plenty to do if the sun does shine. Join a boat, literary or walking tour, chill out in outdoor spaces such as the National Botanic Gardens, or spot statues of big names in the city’s parks and squares, including Oscar Wilde (Merrion Square) and James Joyce (St Stephen’s Green).

Where to stay: This is another city where bargains are few and far between. Travel midweek, however, and your wallet will be happy enough at Dublin One Hotel or Maldron Hotel Parnell Square.

10. Reykjavik

Best for: Scenery and day trips

Reykjavik might not scream ‘hot city break’, but its clear and sunny weather (with an average temperature around 13C during summer) is perfect for exploring this intriguing part of the world.

The city itself is small compared to many European capitals (Reykjavik has a population of around 140,000) but highlights like the iconic Hallgrimskirkja church, the National Museum and the Old Harbour area will keep you busy on a short break.

The real fun, however, lies in day trips outside the city, where the island’s wild, volcanic landscapes come to life. Top things to do in Iceland include bathing in the waters of the Blue Lagoon, exploring the wonders of the Golden Circle (a circuit that shows off some of the country’s most impressive geothermal attractions) or whale watching off the coast. The summer months attract a vast array of marine life, from orcas to humpback whales.

Where to stay: Both Cityhub Reykjavik and Kex Hostel (private rooms available) offer good value in this otherwise expensive city. If you want to splurge, Sand Hotel by Keahotels is a beautiful option.