City breaks are a wonderful way to explore new cities and cultures during leisure time. Winter can be an excellent season for exploring Europe, with many cities offering unique opportunities to enjoy the festive atmosphere and warm up indoors. Here’s a list of the best European cities to visit in January-February, including Vienna, Barcelona, London, and Berlin:
Top 10 city-break destinations in Europe for January-February: cities, tourist attractions, tips, and recommendations.
1. Vienna, Austria
- Expenses: approximately 150-200 Euro/day
- Ways to get there: by plane (direct flight from Bucharest or with layovers in other European cities), by train (with a change in Budapest or Prague), by personal car.
- Price notes: food – 3/5, accommodation – 3/5, transportation – 4/5, other expenses – 4/5.
- Tourist attractions: Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Belvedere Art Museum, St. Peter’s Square, National Library of Austria.
- Tips and recommendations: Make sure to attend an opera concert or ballet performance during your stay, and don’t forget to enjoy local culinary specialties such as schnitzel and strudel.
2. Barcelona, Spain
- Expenses: approximately 120-150 Euros/day
- Ways to get there: by plane (direct flight from Bucharest or with layovers in other European cities), by train (with a change in Paris or Madrid)
- Price notes: food – 3/5, accommodation – 3/5, transportation – 4/5, other expenses – 4/5
- Tourist attractions: Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Casa Batllo, Picasso Museum, La Rambla
- Tips and recommendations: Make sure to attend a football match at Camp Nou stadium, and don’t forget to enjoy local tastes such as paella and tapas.
3. London, United Kingdom
- Expenses: approximately 150-200 Euros/day
- Ways to get there: by plane (direct flight from Bucharest or with layovers in other European cities), by train (with a change in Paris or Brussels)
- Price notes: food – 4/5, accommodation – 4/5, transportation – 4/5, other expenses – 5/5
- Tourist attractions: Tower of London, British Museum, Buckingham Palace, London Eye, West End
- Tips and recommendations: Make sure to attend a show at the West End theater district, and don’t forget to enjoy traditional dishes such as fish and chips and roast beef.
4. Berlin, Germany
- Expenses: approximately 120-150 Euros/day
- Ways to get there: by plane (direct flight from Bucharest or with stopovers in other European cities), by train (with a transfer in Frankfurt or Munich)
- Price rating: food – 3/5, accommodation – 3/5, transportation – 4/5, other expenses – 4/5
- Tourist attractions: Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, Reichstag, Holocaust Memorial Museum, Alexanderplatz
- Tips and recommendations: Make sure to visit the Kreuzberg district, renowned for its nightlife and street art, and don’t forget to indulge in the area’s specialties, such as currywurst and schnitzel.
5. Prague, Czech Republic
- Expenses: approximately 100-120 Euros/day
- Ways to get there: by plane (direct flight from Bucharest or with layovers in other European cities), by train (with a transfer in Budapest or Vienna)
- Price rating: food – 2/5, accommodation – 2/5, transportation – 3/5, other expenses – 3/5
- Tourist attractions: Old Town, Astronomical Clock Tower, St. Vitus Cathedral, National Museum, Charles Bridge
- Tips and recommendations: Make sure to visit the Josefov district, renowned for its Jewish architecture and history. Don’t forget to try local culinary specialties like knedliky and goulash.
6. Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Expenses: approximately 120-150 Euros/day
- Ways to get there: by plane (direct flight from Bucharest or with layovers in other European cities), by train (with a transfer in Brussels or Paris)
- Price rating: food – 3/5, accommodation – 3/5, transportation – 4/5, other expenses – 4/5
- Tourist attractions: Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Canals, Dam Square, Rijksmuseum
- Tips and recommendations: Make sure to visit a coffee museum or a nut shop. Also, I recommend indulging your taste buds with local culinary delights like stroopwafels and herring.
7. Athens, Greece
- Expenses: approximately 100-120 Euros/day
- Ways to get there: by plane (direct flight from Bucharest or with layovers in other European cities)
- Price rating: food – 2/5, accommodation – 2/5, transportation – 3/5, other expenses – 3/5
- Tourist attractions: Acropolis, Parthenon, Acropolis Museum, Syntagma Square, National Library
- Tips and recommendations: Make sure to visit one of the many ancient temples around the city and enjoy local flavors like the wonderful gyros, moussaka, and souvlaki.
8. Lisabon, Portugal
- Expenses: approximately 120-150 Euros/day
- Ways to get there: by plane (direct flight from Bucharest or with layovers in other European cities)
- Price rating: food – 3/5, accommodation – 3/5, transportation – 4/5, other expenses – 4/5
- Tourist attractions: São Jorge Castle, Elevador da Glória, Museum of Oriental Art, Rossio Square, Bairro Alto
- Tips and recommendations: Make sure to visit one of the historic neighborhoods of the city, such as Alfama, and don’t forget to satisfy your cravings with local culinary specialties like pastel de nata and bacalhau.
9. Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Expenses: approximately 100-120 Euros/day
- Ways to get there: by plane (direct flight from Bucharest or with layovers in other European cities), bus, or personal car
- Price rating: food – 2/5, accommodation – 2/5, transportation – 3/5, other expenses – 3/5
- Tourist attractions: Old Town, City Walls, Minceta Tower, Maritime Museum, Stradun Street
- Tips and recommendations: Make sure to visit one of the beaches around the city and enjoy authentic culinary delights like pasticada and soparnik.
10. Zagreb, Croatia
- Expenses: approximately 100-120 Euros/day
- Ways to get there: by plane (direct flight from Bucharest or with layovers in other European cities), bus, or personal car
- Price rating: food – 2/5, accommodation – 2/5, transportation – 3/5, other expenses – 3/5
- Tourist attractions: St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Zagreb Art Museum, Ban Jelacic Square, Lotrscak Tower, Maksimir Park
- Tips and recommendations: Make sure to visit Tkalciceva district, renowned for its nightlife and cafes. Enjoy local culinary specialties like strukli and cevapi.
General Information about Travel Costs
- Plane: Prices vary depending on the airline and the time of purchasing tickets, but you can find round-trip tickets priced around 100-200 Euros.
- Train: Prices vary depending on the journey and the railway company, but you can find round-trip tickets priced around 100-200 Euros.
- Personal car: The cost of fueling varies depending on the fuel price and the distance traveled. It’s important to consider parking costs and road tolls as well. It’s recommended to check prices before planning the trip and to consider other costs such as accommodation and food.
These are just a few of the holiday options available in January-February. Each location has its unique attractions and features, so it’s important to consider personal preferences and budget before choosing the final destination. I hope this information will be useful in planning your perfect vacation. Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance and check travel rules before departure.
*Note: These estimates are approximate and may vary depending on the season and each individual’s travel style.