9 Best City Breaks: Where To Visit For A Long Weekend In 2025

Many think of Menorca as a beach holiday haunt, but its capital, Mahón, is the ideal destination for foodies and art lovers wanting a weekend escape in the sunshine. We suggest making your first stop a visit to the Hauser & Wirth art gallery on the Illa del Rei, a tiny, picturesque island that’s a quick 10 minute boat ride from Mahon's harbor. Stay for lunch in the olive grove at the island’s restaurant, Cantina, or head back to Mahon centre and check out the Mercat des Peix for traditional 'pintxo' tapas. El Romero, opposite the Santa María de Mahón church, is well worth a dinner reservation, too, offering a creative take on local and seasonal produce.

Where to stay: Located in the heart of the old town, Can Alberti 1740 Hotel Boutique is more like a home from home than a traditional hotel. Housed in a beautiful 18th century aristocratic residence with a salmon-pink facade, the space is beautifully furnished for a contemporary yet cosy atmosphere, with each of the 14 rooms boasting their own distinct character and charm. The hotel is also a firm supporter of the arts, hosting rotating exhibitions with works from Spanish and European artists. Start the day enjoying a homemade breakfast on the shaded outdoor patio, and finish watching the sunset from the roof terrace.

BOOK CAN ALBERTI 1740

Berlin has it all: Hours of history (the DDR museum is a must), a world famous nightlife (need we mention Berghain?), super cool food scene (if you're in the area, Berlin Burger International is a must visit) and beautiful gardens and buildings - like in the city's Museum Quarter - to marvel at.

Where to stay: Theatre-turned-boutique Ellington Hotel is a unique, but 100% chic place to stay, with spacious rooms and wall-to-ceiling windows, cream upholstery and cool minimalism. It's a different vibe to what you'll see in a lot of Berlin's dark, arty (and naughty) corners. So you'll have yourself a bit of both - quirky places to explore by day, and a stylish place to lay your head by night.

BOOK THE ELLINGTON HOTEL

Ah, Rome - where an ancient ruin is on every corner, the Aperol Spritz is delicious and cheap, the sun shines and the pasta is in abundance. If you haven't visited the Eternal City yet, add it to your bucket list pronto. Be sure to visit the Colosseum and Vatican, eat at Per Me - Giulio Terrinoni and drink at Salotto 42. Our top tip: Grab a Roma pass so you can travel around the city on the public transport system and skip the queues at the Colosseum.

Where to stay: In terms of places to stay, there is of course a Soho House Rome, so put your membership to good use and bag yourself a room next to La Sapienza university.

If you want some thing a little bit off the beaten path, you'd do well to check out The Corner Townhouse. Located near Viale Aventino, you'll be walking distance from the River Tiber, and situated in a beautiful art nouveau villa, which dates back to the early 1900s. It's fashionable, cool, and the place has a cacophony of hidden doors, terraces, speakeasies and the like. It's a true treasure. Find out more.

FIND RENTALS IN ROME

From the vibrant Las Ramblas and delicious hidden tapas restaurants, to the city's famous art and architecture (Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia, most notably), Barcelona is forever a favourite for a city break.

Ranked number #3 in a list of the world's best cocktail bars, you absolutely have to visit Paradiso, in Barcelona's ultra cool El Born area. Complex, performance-led drinks created in front of your eyes. The Volcano Negroni is a must.

Where to stay: We recommend Sir Victor Barcelona, which is a design focussed hotel from the Amsterdam hotel group in a civilised part of town (Eixample) and away from the bustle of the shore. To tempt you: the hotel has a rooftop bar with a pool and terrific views across the city, which often books great DJs for summer parties (so bagsy a place while you still can). The women-only library turns tradition on its head, appealing to the learned of our readership.

FIND RENTALS IN BARCELONA

Aside from being beautiful, Budapest is just a bucket of fun. From the outdoor Szechenyi baths, which are as good for people watching as they are for re-setting your body and soul with warm spring water (and massages, should you book one) to the ruin bars ( a selection of cool watering holes in an abandoned building) head to Hungary's capital to learn and indulge.

Where to stay: Matild Palace. is a landmark of the Belle Époque era, originally a vision of Her Imperial and Royal Highness Maria Klotild (wife of Archduke Joseph Carl), the palace has lain dormant for a number of years as a raft of specialists worked tirelessly and delicately to restore it to its former glory. And, since summer 2022, it is now open for visitors.

As well as the simply glorious early 1900s architecture, which sits in Budapest's epicentre, the hotel also boasts brand-new culinary concepts like Spago by Wolfgang Puck, The Duchess rooftop bar and Matild Café & Cabaret - a reimagination of the renowned “Belvárosi Kávéház” - which has freshly opened its doors as of May.

A once in a lifetime opportunity, make sure you don't miss out.

BOOK MATILD PALACE

The city that never sleeps obviously has an endless list of things to do. You've got Chelsea Market, MoMA, Central Park, dinner in Little Italy (head to Rubirosa for incredible pizza), lots of speakeasy bars and, of course, the countless sights to see like the Empire State Building, Rockerfeller Centre and Statue of Liberty. What are you waiting for?

Where to stay: It is incredibly hard to recommend a hotel in New York, without understanding a little bit about the traveller's specific sensibility. You see, New York has something spectacular for just about anyone's proclivities

For those that want something hip, luxe and fashiony, book a stay at The Hudson hotel in the Upper West side. With a reception area that feels like something from Alice in Wonderland (due to the carpet of foliage on the ceiling and the curious objets d'art), through to the uber cool library bar, this place is a top stay. The rooms might be matchbox sized, but it's worth it.

Bear in mind, though, that Manhattan isn't the only place that's hip and happening. Many more than ever before will be wanting a Brooklyn location, for which there is, of course, the Ace Hotel Brooklyn.

FIND FLIGHTS TO NEW YORK

Go on a three hour night time boat tour and try to see the northern lights - but make sure you wrap up! Also, head to the Blue Lagoon which is about 45 minutes outside of the city. Our top tip: Hang around for happy hour to make the most of the only time drinks are affordable and do a bar crawl up the main high street.

FIND FLIGHTS TO REYKJAVIK

The Moroccan city is home to yummy tagine, ornate and cosy Riads and, usually, pretty good weather. Our recommendations include visiting Yves Saint Laurent's Majorelle gardens, heading to Pepe Nero for dinner and enjoying rooftop drinks at Le Salama.

Where to stay: For those that want to dip back out of the hectic atmosphere of the Medina and calm their minds somewhere truly luxurious, book a stay the Royal Mansour, a palatial hotel owned by King Mohammed VI .

Its cavernous hallways and ostentatious design will have you feeling like royalty in no time.

FIND FLIGHTS TO MARRAKECH

Not only is the Scandi city a must for culture and outdoorsy dwellers with its Grand Palace, many galleries and the opportunity for wild swimming, it's fast becoming a fashion hub too thanks to its great shopping like the Acne studios outlet store and impressive H&Ms (with cafés in them!)

Where to stay: If you're as obsessed with Scandinavian interior design as we are, then you simply must book a stay at Ett Hem. A boutique hotel, which gives the impression you're staying in somebody's extremely well curated home, rather than anything cold or corporate - the place has some of the most extraordinary design touches we've ever seen. It even has a secret garden bar.

BOOK ETT HEM