City breaks are a very popular type of holiday. Whether you fancy a romantic getaway or a sightseeing tour with friends, a trip to one of the top city destinations will have everything you want and more.
City breaks are ideal for those who want to leave on Friday and have a hectic weekend exploring somewhere new before they return to work on Monday.
Equally, when on holiday in a city you can pick and choose which sites you want to see and spread your plans out for a more relaxing stay.
There are wonderful metropolitan destinations to visit all around the world, whether you plan to take a ferry or train ride over to Europe or jet off further afield to North America, Asia, or beyond. Here are some of the top city breaks to add to your bucket list:
Paris
- Country: France
- Currency: Euro
- Best time of year to visit: June to August and September to October
Known for its art and culture, Paris is one of the world’s most visited cities. It is the ideal place for soaking up cultural sites and enjoying shopping trips.
The Eiffel Tower is one of the city’s most iconic attractions, as is The Basilica of the Sacred Heart (also known as Sacré-Cœur). Sacré-Cœur is a huge Roman Catholic church dedicated to Jesus and is important to the Catholic community.
The Louvre in Paris is the most popular museum in the entire world, holding historic artworks such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The Notre Dame Cathedral is also well worth visiting, however, this is currently under restoration following a devastating fire.
One lesser-known place open to visitors is the Catacombs of Paris. The Catacombs are underground ossuaries holding millions of human remains.
Las Vegas
- Country: United States
- Currency: US Dollar
- Best time of year to visit: March to May and from September to November
Those who enjoy playing online casino games at Megaways may dream of visiting Sin City. The nightlife and evening entertainment in Las Vegas is unlikely to disappoint, on the Las Vegas strip alone there are a great number of casinos and iconic club and music spaces.
Caesars Palace is famous for its impressive casino, where visitors will find a complex containing the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis, a range of shopping outlets, bars, restaurants and an expansive casino game collection. The Bellagio and The Venetian offer comparably large casino offerings.
For music lovers, the Colosseum theatre hosts some of the world’s top performing talent, including Elton John, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey. Other entertainment options include Cirque Du Soleil and the Stratosphere Tower.
If you make your way just outside of the city, you will discover the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
Marrakech
- Country: Morocco
- Currency: Moroccan Dirham
- Best time of year to visit: March to May and between September and November
The exotic city of Marrakech on the edge of the Sahara desert is filled with charm and culture. Diverse and long-standing architecture is one of this city’s biggest highlights, for example the Koutoubia Mosque was built in the 12th century and still stands tall today.
There is also Djemaa el-Fna, which can be explored in both the daytime and evening. Djemaa el-Fna is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site and has everything from market stalls and food vendors to snake charmers and storytellers.
In this location, you may also be lucky to see music performances, festivals and games.
Marrakech is well known for its upmarket hotel resorts and yoga retreats. This is the ideal city break if you are looking for a mixture of leisurely relaxation and cultural exploration.
Rome
- Country: Italy
- Currency: Euro
- The best time of year to visit: October to April
The city of romance, excellent Italian cuisine, and rich history, Rome is another one of the world’s top city breaks. The Colosseum is one of Rome’s major attractions, it is a grand gladiatorial arena that is thought to have been founded in 1942 years ago.
There is also the magnificent Pantheon, a 2000-year-old temple that was built by the emperor Hadrian. Art enthusiasts will enjoy a trip to the Sistine Chapel, where they can view famous Michelangelo paintings.
Rome is also the ideal destination for shopping for designer labels and exploring boutiques.
Amsterdam
- Country: The Netherlands
- Currency: Euro
- The best time of year to visit: Between April and May or September and November
Amsterdam is an excellent budget break, there is something for everything to enjoy in the Dutch capital.
Tourists come from around the world to see the works of Vincent van Gogh at the Van Gogh Museum, this is where most of his best masterpieces are on display.
When getting around the city, you will notice that the public transport is excellent and that the tram system will get you where you need to be.
Cycling is also highly popular in Amsterdam and so unfamiliar tourists need to be careful not to step out into cycle lanes without looking.
This city is famous for its canals, and so a canal tour should certainly be on your to-do list whilst staying here. Other popular sites include the Artis Zoo and the Anne Frank Museum.
