GP’s top 7 European city breaks

We all love a long, relaxing holiday by the beach, but having a city break in our diaries guarantees us a couple of jam-packed days of excitement, culture and great food. City escapes always feel longer than they actually are, you can travel with just your hand luggage (check out our top packing tips here), and at worst, you only need to take one or two days’ annual leave!

We’re really lucky to be just a short flight away from some stunning European cities. The key question is: where to go? Prepare to be inspired…

1. Venice, Italy

Venice is beautiful and beguiling in equal measures. Whether you’re cruising the canals by gondola, admiring the intricacies of the Basilica di San Marco, or clinking glasses whilst gazing out to the glistening Adriatic Sea, you’ll feel as if you’ve been swept back in time. The absence of cars within the Floating City means you can travel around by foot, exploring winding streets, secret passageways and quaint footbridges.

2. Amsterdam, Netherlands  

Uncover a beautiful city buzzing with energy and steeped in culture. Like Venice, canals are a focal point, criss-crossing the streets and lined with snug cafés, pubs and restaurants. A visit to the Anne Frank House museum is a must, and we recommend making like the locals and cycling around the vast, 19th-century Vondelpark.

3. Barcelona, Spain

It’s the city that keeps on giving! Whatever you want from a short break, Barcelona has it. Spend your days relaxing on a golden, sandy beach, sampling local tapas or getting lost in the narrow lanes of the Gothic Quarter. Peruse the boutique stores on Las Ramblas and stare in awe at what are perhaps the most unique examples of modernist architecture in the world, courtesy of Antoni Gaudi. We guarantee you won’t want to leave.

4. Lisbon, Portugal  

Portugal’s pretty capital city is small compared to other Western European capitals, meaning you can easily cover the main sights in a few days. Take a trip up the century-old Santa Justa Elevator and be met with sweeping views of the city, and then visit the nearby waterfront neighbourhood of Belem, home to an array of monuments and museums. As you’re certain to work up an appetite exploring, refuel with Portugal's most famous sweet treat: pastel del nata (a cinnamon-dusted custard tart).

5. Reykjavik, Iceland  

The sole reason many holidaymakers travel to the magical Icelandic city of Reykjavik is for the chance to witness one of the world’s greatest, natural wonders: the Northern Lights. But aside from this stunning, sky-borne display, Reykjavik boasts magnificent glaciers, geothermal lagoons and a charming city centre punctuated with a rainbow of brightly coloured buildings and restaurants. You can holiday here any time of the year, but April-mid June and September-October can be less busy, so travel then if you want to save yourself some cash.

6. Florence, Italy  

If grandma and grandad offer to babysit for the weekend, we recommend whisking your significant other away to the enchanting Italian city of Florence. As far as romantic cities go, it’s on a par with Paris, but Florence has, in our opinion, a certain je ne sais quoi that’s hard to put into words. No trip to the city is complete without admiring the world’s largest collection of Italian Renaissance art at the Uffizi Gallery,  a trip to the Duomo cathedral, and a stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s oldest bridge.

7. Budapest, Hungary  

Many hail Budapest ‘Europe’s most beautiful city,’ and it’s easy to see why. The Hungarian capital has a vibrant, youthful atmosphere, a top-class music scene and hard-to-beat nightlife for those up for partying from dusk ’til dawn. The Danube River splits the city into two distinct districts – Buda and Pest – and both are worthy of exploring. When your limbs grow weary from walking around, take a trip to Széchenyi Medicinal Bath, Europe’s largest medicinal bath.

Power up with GP

Of course, you’ll be using your phone a lot during your city break – taking photos and videos, locating your next lunch spot via GPS, and researching attractions to see tomorrow. All of this seriously saps your battery, so stay in charge with the GP Charge AnyWay, an all-in-one PowerBank and battery charger that’s lithium-free, meaning it can be carried in both hand and hold luggage.

If you want to add a little colour to your city trip, try our new red or teal PowerBanks! No longer tied to a plug socket, our GP PowerBanks will put you in charge of your European city adventure.

Which city is top of your must-visit list?