The best weekend breaks in February are just a short flight away and have plenty of things to do no matter what the weather.
Here are 6 destinations that fit the bill!
Search Flights to EverywhereBratislava, Slovakia
Bratislava lies on the beautiful river Danube, bordering the Austrian and Hungarian frontiers. It is a beautiful city with a quaint old town filled with baroque buildings, narrow lanes and cosy cafes serving exquisite cakes.
Work off the calories by walking along the riverbank. You can work up an appetite by rambling around the Park of Janko Kráľ, the oldest public park in Central Europe. It was first opened in the second half of the 18th century.
For accommodation a little bit different, stay in a Botel (floating hotel) and dine in one of the many ‘floating restaurants’.
The best thing about a weekend break in February to Bratislava is that there are direct flights from Ireland and flying time is less than three hours. From the airport, it is just a 10-minute bus ride in the city centre. So, you’ll have plenty of time to uncover compact Bratislava’s charms.
Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is a modern city in touch with its medieval origins. It has plenty to offer weekend tourists including first-rate collections of art, delicious cuisine, brilliant beers and calorific chocolates.
Begin you weekend break in Brussels in the historic heart of the city in the magnificent Grand Place. Start with a coffee or beer in one of the terrace cafes and just let the splendour of the area sink in for a while.
Then hit up a few museums, the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts and the Magritte Museum are wonderful. So too are the Horta Museum and the Musée du Cinquantenaire.
When you’ve had your fill of culture, it’s time to fill your belly. Tasty treats from Brussels to try are a cone of frites (fries) from a friterie and fresh, warm gaufre de Bruxelles (waffles) smothered in Nutella and cream.
Need to save some cash? Check out our 10 things to do in Brussels on a budget.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is a beautiful and compelling city and it can be reached in just 60 minutes flying time. An early morning flight out gives you ample time to explore this compact city in just two days. This is why it is one of the best weekend breaks in February. Also, as it is the low season, you won’t have to share the narrow, cobbled streets of the Royal Mile with hordes of other tourists.
Everywhere you look in Edinburgh there are wonderful views, hidden streets, secret courtyards and there’s even an underground city.
The weather won’t be great this time of year, but there is a romance to the city in winter. You can always warm up by a roaring fire in one of the many old pubs dotted around the city. Order a hot toddy made with the local whisky and sit and sip and soak up the atmosphere of this literary and friendly city.
Looking for more Edinburgh travel inspiration? Have a read of our top attractions and things to do in Edinburgh.
Hamburg, Germany
A weekend is just about long enough to explore the main areas of Germany’s second city. Hamburg is a beautiful port city with many waterways and parks. There’s also a thriving arts scene here too and a stroll along the Kunstmeile – “Art Mile” – is a must for culture vultures. And as for the shopping? From vintage to high-end Hamburg one of the top destinations to shop in Europe.
Hamburg has a very cool street food scene as well as some fantastic bistros and cafes dotted throughout the city. However, Hamburg is particularly well-known for its alternative scene and pumping nightlife. There are numerous bars and clubs as well as concert halls and hip handouts. Once such place is the occupied former theatre Rote Flora in the Sternschanze district.
Check out the artists’ quarter Gängeviertel for more cool spots and also the legendary red light district of Reeperbahn for all night parties.
Need help planning your shopping expeditions in Hamburg? We’ve got you covered: 8 best hipster vintage shops in the world.
Malaga, Spain
Looking for a bit of sun on your face in February? Then Malaga is the place to be. While it’s not quite scorcho yet, the weather here is certainly warmer than at home. This makes Malaga one of the best weekend breaks in February.
Malaga’s airport is also near to the city centre. Therefore, within an hour of touch down you can be out exploring the sights.
Malaga is where Picasso was born and one of the top things to do here is to visit the Picasso Museum. When you are done admiring the artwork, head through the bookshop and into the little café at the back. This café is situated in a very pretty plaza and is one of the most relaxing places to enjoy a coffee and snack in the city.
There’s also a strong gastronomical scene to explore here too, with seafood a speciality.
One of the best places to experience local cuisine is right on the beach front in El Tintero. Here, the waiters walk around with an array of plates of food lined along their arms. They shout out what each dish is and you put up your hand and claim a plate when you hear something you like. You’ve got to be quick as the plates go fast. It is a super fun way to sample traditional Spanish food and super fresh seafood.
Travel inspiration: 10 best things to do in Malaga: a local’s guide.
Venice, Italy
Venice is one of the best weekend breaks in February practically around Valentine’s Day. Why? Because Venice is known as the city of love. You’ll see plenty of loved-up couples enjoying gondola rides along the canals.
Of course, it’s not all romance and roses, there’s lots of art and architecture too. All along the waterways are beautiful buildings and churches some of which date back as far as the 13th century. Fans of Shakespeare should make their way to the Rialto Bridge, which is mentioned in the play The Merchant of Venice.
Evenings can be spent getting lost down the cobblestone streets and sipping espresso or wine outside a café overlooking a pretty piazza.
Look for some money saving travel tips? Here’s 8 things to do in Venice on a budget.
