Easter is just around the corner but never fear, it’s not to late to book a last-minute trip. Whether you’ve got just the long weekend to play with, or can use some leave along with the bank holidays to take a longer break, Easter is a great time to escape abroad.
European city break destinations are at their best at this time of year; warm enough to offer a taste of summer yet not so hot that sightseeing becomes a challenge. And beach destinations – whether on the continent or further afield – are less busy than in summertime, meaning that nabbing your favourite sunlounger is an altogether more pleasant experience, and it’s easier to find a table in that picturesque waterfront restaurant.
Here’s our roundup of top places to spend the Easter weekend and beyond. Whether you’re a solo traveller on the hunt for adventure, a couple looking for new experiences to share, or a family with kids to entertain during the school holidays, we’ve got a great break for you.
The Portuguese capital remains a good choice for all types of traveller due to its relaxed nature, beautiful architecture, a range of impressive tourist attractions and affordable options for accommodation and dining.
Highlights include the São Jorge castle, Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, but in between you’ll find dozens of atmospheric squares, interesting museums and characterful districts such as Chiado and Alfama, filled with cobbled streets and quality eateries. Viewpoints are a notable feature of this hilly city – with the best at the Portas do Sol or Panorâmico do Monsanto – as is the nightlife; head to Bairro Alto to sample the best.
The capital’s proximity to several other popular Portuguese locations means that day trips are a popular option while in Lisbon too. Cascais and Estoril are the choice for beach lovers, while Sintra houses a famed castle belonging to Portuguese royalty.
White, wide-open spaces with cool, clever nooks at the Hotel Convento do Salvador make this former convent one of the loveliest spots for lounging in the labyrinthine, old Alfama district. You’ll need the rest after climbing up the steep neighbourhood streets to the door. Squint and the furnishings in the immaculate rooms look just enough like designer classics for the price.
Prague is one of Europe’s most romantic cities, and one that pairs picturesque views with a refreshingly distinctive culture. It’s centred around its two main plazas – Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square – the latter of which is home to the famed Astronomical Clock and a range of year-round alfresco dining and drinking options.
The Old Town itself is a maze of narrow alleys, verdant gardens and medieval buildings, among which are dotted most of the city’s historic landmarks and some renowned eateries. A walk eastwards will take you to the Charles Bridge, perhaps Prague’s most atmospheric landmark. Cross over to arrive in the ‘Little Quarter’ and take a trip to Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle in the world. Alternatively, make your way to Wenceslas Square, the heart of ‘New’ Prague, to find quaint markets and the city’s main shopping thoroughfare.
The Absolutum Wellness Hotel, located in Holešovice, one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods, blends seamlessly into its surroundings, with simple, chic fittings, a boho brickwork restaurant and a wellness centre.
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The Dutch capital needs no introduction, having remained popular with British holidaymakers even after a local campaign to drive away “nuisance” UK tourists. Amsterdam simply remains too tempting a destination, with its network of canals and cobbled streets lined by gabled houses adorning countless Instagram feeds.
Attractions such as the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum or the Rijksmuseum make Amsterdam a particularly good choice for sightseeing couples and solos, with parks like Oosterpark and Vondelpark offering some greenery in amongst the waterways. But much of this city’s charm is found through aimless strolling, so make sure to venture out of the centre and De Wallen (commonly known as the Red Light District) and instead make a beeline for trendy neighbourhoods like De Pijp or Jordaan (after you’ve done the customary river cruise or Heineken experience).
Nestled in the corner of Oosterpark, Hotel Arena is full of historic features and minimalist design. It has large, comfortable guest rooms and a lively restaurant/bar area looking out onto a terrace and lots of greenery.
What more can really be written about the French capital? Long the gold standard for the romantic getaway, but with masses to do for families and solo travellers too, the city is in the midst of preparing to host the 2024 Olympics, having played host to games in the Rugby World Cup in 2023. Arrive over Easter to beat the summer crowds, with plenty of opportunity to see the classic sites – notably the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre Dame. Most will make an effort to fit in a walk down the Champs-Elysées (towards the Arc de Triomphe) too, and there are plenty more galleries and museums if you need them, from the Musée d’Orsay to the Palais de Tokyo.
Strolling Amsterdam’s canals is a wonderful way to while away a weekend
As with many European capitals, Paris also has a wealth of different neighbourhoods to explore. Montmartre attracts many wanting to see Sacre Coeur and the surrounding café-filled streets, while nearby Pigalle – home to the Moulin Rouge – and the trendy Latin Quarter are nightlife hubs that are bustling during the days. Marais is a leafy, quieter alternative, while Saint-Germain-des-Prés is the place to go if you want old school hotels, cafe and eateries.
Hotel Rochechouart epitomises old-world glamour. The Art Deco dining room looks like a Hemingway haunt and the top floor suites are palatial.
Valencia offers visitors balmy temperatures and plenty of sunshine even at the end of March, so days can be spent by the Med on the sands of Malvarrosa and Patacona.
What’s more, the slightly-lower-than-summer temperatures mean that it’s a great time to explore the city, with walks and cylce rides through the Turia Park – a five-mile park that runs along the diverted river bed – an ever-popular way to spend an afternoon. At the end of the route sits the City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia’s avant-garde architectural treasure.
Prague is known as the City of a Hundred Spires
Paris remains one of the world’s most visited cities
