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Outstanding architecture, illustrious history, and unbeatable culture: there’s so much to discover on Budapest holidays. Sliced in two by Europe’s second-longest river, Budapest is home to an impressive collection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, museums, and art galleries. Prepare to immerse yourself in learning and celebration across Hungary’s thriving capital.

Often referred to as the ‘Paris of the East’, this youthful city boasts a unique atmosphere that captivates visitors worldwide. Watch the world go by from former café hangouts of artists, poets and philosophers, and explore unique boutiques and design stores. After a scenic riverside bike ride, enjoy a muscle-soothing soak in one of the city’s famous thermal baths. Or dig deeper to discover a network of stalactite-covered caves for an unmissable adventure underground.

Things to do

Visiting the palace, parliament, and churches should be top of any list of things to do in Budapest. Whether you choose to travel by boat or bike, make sure to explore the lush banks of the mighty Danube River. To help you make the most of your holiday, we’ve picked out our top recommendations for your Budapest bucket list so you can choose what you’d like to do.

Keen wanderers will love exploring this vibrant city. Hire a bike and cycle along the river between the best of the sights, or take a walking tour of the iconic Castle Hill. This is where you’ll find the Royal Palace with its museum, gallery, and library and some excellent opportunities for getting great pictures to treasure long after your holiday is over. Walk over the famous Chain Bridge to Széchenyi Square on the Pest side, stopping to take in the view back to Castle Hill.

Impressive landmarks

Just as impressive as the Royal Palace is the Hungarian Parliament Building, the largest building in Hungary and Budapest’s tallest. Embark on a tour and wander through the grand interior before heading to Heroes’ Square or St. Stephen’s Basilica. While you’re exploring the city, don’t miss out on a tour of Halászbástya. Situated in the Buda Castle District, this iconic landmark boasts striking architecture and panoramic views of the Danube.

And if your legs start to feel a little weary, head to one of Budapest’s thermal baths for a spot of relaxation. Or sit back and enjoy a dinner cruise down the river as the evening draws in.

Food and drink

Budapest city breaks mean outstanding food and drink that is sure to satisfy even the most hard‐to‐please foodies. Defined by rich flavour and exquisite taste, traditional Hungarian cuisine has been shaped by thousands of years of Magyar history. Today, it remains an essential aspect of the country’s cultural heritage.

When you visit Budapest, be sure to sample one of the city’s most famous dishes, goulash. A traditional stew consisting of meats, vegetables and heaps and paprika, goulash is rich, enticing and utterly delicious. During the 1800s, goulash became a national symbol across the country. Other popular dishes include chicken lángos (deep-fried flatbread) and somlói galuska (a delectable sponge cake dessert).

For the best goulash in the city, head to Budapest Bisztró. Situated a stone’s throw from the famous Parliament building, this restaurant boasts a modern interior and impeccable service. If you’re looking to eat out on a budget, try Borkonyha Winekitchen, one of three Michelin-starred restaurants in Budapest. Offering an affordable menu packed full of authentic Hungarian dishes, it boasts skillfully executed food and over 200 wines to choose from.

Thermal baths

Commonly referred to as the ‘City of Spas’, Budapest has hosted a rich thermal bath culture for over 2,000 years. Fed by natural hot springs, the city’s thermal spas continue to attract visitors from far and wide today.

Historically, Budapest’s natural thermal springs have been utilised since Roman rule when a major bathing complex became an important landmark. By the turn of the 21st century, the city had established itself as the home of therapeutic medicinal waters. ‘Taking the waters’ became a significant pastime. People across the city used the healing properties and other health benefits that the natural springs supposedly provided.

When holidaying in Budapest, be sure to take a dip in a thermal bath and feel your troubles slowly slip away. For a truly memorable experience, pay a visit to Király Bath, the city’s oldest thermal spa. Constructed during Ottoman rule, it features an octagonal pool set beneath a light punctured dome – the perfect place for a relaxing swim. Or spend a day down at Szechenyi Bath, one of the more popular thermal bath locations. With 18 pools to choose from, you can also enjoy various massage treatments, make use of the saunas, or try out the gym.

Interesting nightlife

Unique, bohemian, lively: these are just some of the words to describe Budapest’s nightlife. When the sun begins to set, the Hungarian capital comes alive with the bustle of restaurants, ruin clubs, and wine bars scattered across the landscape.

Ruin bars are all the rage in this compelling city. Built into the remains of pre‐war shops, car parks and buildings, they were born from the decay of Budapest’s old District VII neighbourhood. These unique spots boast an impossibly relaxed atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy cheap alcohol and thudding music from dusk ‘til dawn within the sprawling interiors of these quirky venues.

First opened in 2002, Szimpla Kert is one of the most famous ruin bars in the city. Here, partygoers can throw on their dancing shoes and soak up the electric atmosphere while enjoying a tasty local beer. Located in the Jewish Quarter, Mazel Tov Budapest is another famous haunt, considered one of the more upscale ruin bars of the city. Head here to sample delicious cocktails and mezze platters while relaxing on modern furnishings.

It’s no secret that Budapest is a celebrated destination for wine‐lovers. Those looking to enjoy a glass of vino should wander into one of the city’s wine bars to sample a range of traditional and natural beverages. From Cultivini to Cintanyeros, Budapest is home to a wealth of atmospheric bars to take your fancy. Cheap, cheerful and quirky, this city offers an unbeatable night out to round off a day packed full of sightseeing and exploring.

More City Breaks

We also have travel guides available for City Breaks destinations, including: Bruges | Istanbul | Nice | Venice

Venice holidays will have any old-world romantic swooning over its moonlit gondola rides, Lady and the Tramp style spaghetti-filled hotspots and fairytale-like palaces. That’s when its UNESCO World Heritage Site backdrop made up of 400 timeless bridges and 16th-century Baroque churches aren’t capturing the hearts of history hunters. And that’s before we mention its alluring art scene! Think Picasso, Dali and Miro creations decorating the walls of the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni. 

With our Venice city breaks, you’ll witness dreamy sunsets over the Grand Canal, sip macchiatos on rooftop terraces and lose yourself among winding cobbles adorned with cosy cocktail hideaways and chic boutiques. Sounds enchanting, right?

6 reasons to visit Venice 

• Captivating culture: From Italian Renaissance art to Byzantine-influenced architecture and 100 history-stuffed museums, Venice is packed with over 1,200 years of rich heritage.
• World-renowned cuisine: Heavily influenced by the lagoon’s bounty, expect calamari rings, scallops and shrimp dipped in batter and crisped to perfection! That’s when you’re not chowing down on bolognese or creamy risotto. 
• Never a bad time to visit: Venice city breaks are year-round with hot summers and cool winters, but the best time to visit is during spring and autumn. 
• Iconic hotspots: Rialto Bridge at sunset, Peggy Guggenheim Collection for iconic art, All’Arco for a true Venetian Breakfast and Doge’s Palace for your history fix. 
• Laid-back lifestyle: Immerse yourself in the Venetian way of life - relaxed, care-free, and somewhat otherworldly.
• Wine for days: Dotted with wine bars, including the popular Vino Vero, Al Merca and Estro, it won’t be hard to find a glass of prosecco rosé or a bottle of fruity Valpolicella (a medium-bodied red).
   

Things to do

Combine museum-hopping in the Dorsoduro District with market browsing at Rialto and orchestral sounds at Piazza San Marco with our Venice city breaks. For panoramic views check out the 360-degree vistas at St. Mark’s Campanile. Or maybe you’re a foodie searching for the best Cicchetti (an Italian tapas dish) in one of the city’s waterfront bacaros AKA wine bars. Either way, there are endless big-name attractions in Italy’s Floating City. After all, it wasn’t dubbed the centre of European art and architecture for no reason. 

Explore its beautiful backdrop   

The real star of any holiday to Venice has to be the city’s mesmerising setting. Located in northeast Italy along the country’s Adriatic coast and built on almost 120 small islands, it’s unlike any other destination in the world. And the best way to see it? Well, it can only be by gondola or waterbus (vaporetti), of course! 

Ride the Grand Canal and wind through idyllic alleyways passing must-visit sites such as the Rialto Bridge, Ca D’oro and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum along the way. Get off at St. Mark’s Square, one of the most famous piazzas across the globe, for a bite to eat at Osteria Ae Sconte. This delicious hotspot is open until 11pm and has gained quite the reputation for its seafood risotto! 

But there’s more to this Italian gem than cityscapes, and Lido di Venezia is it. Best known for its toe-sinking sands and proudly the home of Venice Film Festival, this blissful beach resort is perfect for sun-seeking couples.

Get lost among world-famous architecture

No trip to Venice is complete without admiring its most historic structures. You only have to take one look at 900-year-old St Mark’s Basilica to see what all the fuss is about. We’re talking 500 Byzantine columns, 85,000 square feet of mosaics made out of real gold and an altar constructed of pearls, sapphires and rubies!

Doge’s Palace should also be on your radar. As the former home of 120 Dukes and a prison of the Venetian public. With over 1,000 years of influences from the Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance eras, you can explore everything from works of art by Veronese, Titian and Tintoretto that depict the city’s history to weapons and cells deep down in the dungeons. 

For examples of old meets new, the Punta della Dogana is a former 16th-century Venetian Republic Customs House that splits the Grand Canal from the Giudecca Canal with its triangular form. It’s now used as a contemporary art space housing collections from François Pinault after undergoing a striking reinvention by Japanese architect Tadao Ando in 2009.

Discover one of Europe’s most romantic destinations

Looking to reignite an old spark? Or maybe you’re thinking about the ultimate proposal spot. With a Venice Holiday, you’ll fall head-over-heels not only for each other but your surroundings. Every night is date night in the Floating City, and nothing will captivate you more than a love story showcased through ballet and opera at Theatre La Fenice. And is there anything more romantic than snuggling up under the moonlit sky on a gondola as you coast the Grand Canal? Ask to float by the Bridge of Sighs, the rumour has it, if you kiss while passing under the 1,600-year-old structure you’ll find happiness and eternal love. 

Drift over to Torcello and follow in the footsteps of the great writer Ernest Hemingway. Escape the crowds and opt for a cosy lunch at the Michelin-starred Locanda Cipriani, also a renowned wedding hotspot. Before checking out the Byzantine mosaics in the 7th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria Dell ‘Assunta. Or follow one of the many walking paths through the nature preserve that makes up most of the island. 

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for more Italian destinations, including: Amalfi | Ischia Porto | Florence | Lake Garda | Limone | Malcesine | Milan | Rome | Sant'Agnello | Sardinia | Sicily | Sorrento | Venetian Riviera

Located in the northwest of Belgium, Bruges is a picture-perfect city of medieval architecture, winding canals and cobblestone lanes. Its cool climate adds a wintry air of romance, while horse-drawn carriages and cosy cafés make it the perfect city break for couples and scenery lovers. Spend your time strolling along the city’s bustling streets, explore its history on a visit to the Burg Square, then round off your day people-watching and sampling the local beer.

Picturesque scenery

Start your sightseeing with a trip to Bruges’ Historic Centre, and gaze up at the attractive architecture and old churches. Spend some time taking photos of the lovely old buildings in the Markt, before setting sail on a canal cruise. If you want to ramp up the romance then take to the water as the sun starts to set and enjoy a memorable meal for two.

Great food

There are lots of great dining opportunities in Bruges, whether you want to eat at a restaurant in an elegant converted mansion or try the city’s street food. If you have a sweet tooth then you’ll love your culinary journey in Bruges. Belgium is renowned for its fabulous chocolate, and there’s some incredible places where you can grab a quick dessert, waffles drenched in sweet treats or a chocolatey hot drink. Or take your time sampling melt in your mouth truffles and pralines at a world class chocolate shop. Take plenty home with you as you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Interesting sights

If you’re religious then a trip to the Basilica of the Holy Blood should be high on your list of things to do. You can see what’s believed to be the blood of Christ in the church, which is on a corner of Burg Square. Explore the rest of the square before spending the evening sipping Belgian beers on a terrace with canal views, as you reflect on a great day in Bruges.

More City Breaks

We also have travel guides available for City Breaks destinations, including: Brussels | Gibraltar | Madrid | Prague

Holidays to Milan whisk you away to one of Northern Italy’s most captivating cities. Synonymous with elegance and sophistication, Milan is among the most fashionable places across the globe, home to iconic brands such as Prada, Gucci and Versace. Here, the streets are lined with trendy boutiques filled with everything from designer clothing to vintage jewellery – every shopaholic’s dream.

Aside from being the style capital of Italy, this trendy city is also renowned for its impressive art, fascinating architecture and luxury dining scene. Stroll around the Pinacoteca di Brera and marvel at the works in the Museo Novecento. Or explore the city’s extraordinary Gothic cathedral before heading over to the Navigli district to enjoy a delicious meal. While Milan holidays are ideal for avid fashionistas, there’s something to delight everyone in this Italian powerhouse.

Fashion capital

Milan is one of the most important fashion capitals in the world, along with Paris, London and New York. It’s particularly famous for its role within the prêt-à-porter clothing category (clothes that are sold ready to wear instead of made to measure). Milanese style denotes charm and glamour, and the city is the birthplace of many of the world’s most influential brands.

Milan hosts its famous Fashion Week twice a year, where fashion lovers come to witness catwalk shows and presentations of the latest trends. The city also showcases other important fashion events, such as the Milano Unica Event. This takes place annually and allows up-and-coming designers the opportunity to showcase their work.

Naturally, there are plenty of places to shop in this vibrant city. The Quadrilatero della Moda is one of Milan’s most popular shopping streets, dotted with high-end shops and local and international brands. Corso Vittorio Emanuele II is home to other fashion stores, such as Zara and H&M.

Cultural landmarks

Milan city breaks are an opportunity to visit fascinating landmarks. This cultural haven is full of awe-inspiring buildings and monuments that tell the tale of Milan’s rich history.

Its most famous structure is the Duomo di Milano, the third-largest cathedral in the world. Complete with 135 spires and 3,400 statues, this Gothic building stands proudly in the Piazza del Duomo, the main city square of Milan. The Duomo di Milano took nearly 500 years to complete and required thousands of artists and sculptors for its construction. Here, visitors can climb up to the roof terrace to enjoy stunning panoramic views across the city.

Another of Milan’s must-visit landmarks is Santa Maria delle Grazie, a unique church and symbol of the city’s Catholic tradition. It's at this outstanding building that you can see Leonardo da Vinci’s unrivalled masterpiece, The Last Supper, displayed across the north wall.

Dazzling city

If you’re looking for places to relax after the sun sets, Milan has it all. Its Navigli district is one of the most-loved places to enjoy an evening of merriment, home to a plethora of restaurants, nightclubs and cocktail bars.

As well as a range of picture-perfect eateries and delightful waterside bars boasting a lively atmosphere, you'll find a choice of high-end restaurants, including Al Pont de Ferr and Carlo e Camilla.

To soak up the party atmosphere, head to Apollo Club, a popular venue that offers a combination of a disco space, a cocktail bar and a restaurant. Or for something truly unique, spend an evening at Nidaba Theatre, where you can enjoy live music performances. Whether you’re after a refreshing tipple or want to dance the night away, look no further than this fabulous canal district for an unforgettable night out.

More travel guides

Not sure where you're going yet? Check out our other city guides, including: Amsterdam | Barcelona | Berlin | Dublin | Florence | Lisbon | Marrakech | Monte Carlo | Naples | Paris | New York | Rome | San Francisco | Venice | Vienna