The major perk of Europe is that you have access to a wealth of beautiful cities, and despite being on the edge of the continent, there are plenty of European city breaks within 2 hours of London.

Paris

One of the most popular European city breaks from London is of course the city of romance, Paris.

Flying is the cheapest means of travel when looking at ticket fares. Easyjet offer multiple flights a day from London Gatwick and London luton Airport, flying directly into Paris Charles de Gaulle for as little as £25 per way.

Paris is one of those incredible cities that you can spend just a day or two in and you feel as though you have seen loads, but there is also enough to fill an entire week (and more). The journey from Charles de Gaulle Airport into the city centre takes just 30 minutes on the RER B train. RER trains are regional express services that run every 10 minutes between the airport and the city centre and stop at the main stations in Paris, including Paris Gare du Nord.

There are few cities in the world that compared to Paris.  With charming tree-lined boulevards, iconic monuments, chic boutiques, breathtaking palaces and remarkable museums, no two visits to Paris ever need to be the same. The food is worth a journey in itself, with some of the world’s finest gastronomic restaurants, traditional French brasseries and the classic corner cafes, perfect for people watching.

Find out recommended places to stay here, incredible restaurants here and the best coffee shops here. Click here for tips on the Paris Metro.

Amsterdam

Fly from London to Amsterdam in as little as 1 hour 10 minutes and for as little as £45 return. There are multiple flights a day with Easyjet from Luton, Stansted and Gatwick

Beautiful Patrician houses line Amsterdam’s famous canals, as well as over 40 museums, including the well-known Van Gogh collection. Leave the car at home and grab a bike to stop off at cool coffee shops, shop in unique boutiques or grab a stroopwafel for the road.

Amsterdam is more than a destination for stag dos, there is so much to see and do and so much culture to soak up, there are also plenty of day trips out of the city to enjoy too!

Find the best places to stay in Amsterdam here.

Dublin

Fly to Dublin from London in and hour and 10 minutes for just £22 with Ryanair! The airport is 30 minutes from the city centre and is best reached by car or taxi, there is no rail connection.

One of the greatest Georgian cities of Europe with fine stone public buildings and tall red-bricked townhouses, Dublin is a lively city with a high-spirited cultural life. The Irish are some of the friendliest people you will ever meet, young or old, they love to talk and have great wit.

Copenhagen

Less than two hours from London to Copengahen, there are multiple flight options, the cheapest are with Ryanair from Stansted Airport or Easyjet from London Gatwick.

Founded in 1167, Copenhagen has been welcoming travellers from around the world ever since. Many of the city’s most impressive buildings date from the golden age of the 17th century when the extensive canal network was founded.

Today you can enjoy world-class museums, restaurants, a sophisticated nightlife, gabled houses, narrow streets, colourful markets, ancient harbours and the very popular Tivoli Gardens, perfect for a weekend getaway

Berlin

There are over ten flights a day from London to Berlin, with an average duration of 1 hour 50 minutes, the cheapest is with Ryanair from Stansted at just £34 for a return or Easyjet from Gatwick at around £50.

Berlin is one of Europe’s most lively and vibrant cities and it’s changing all the time. Berlin is ever-changing. The city has become a symbol of a unified Germany where you can experience old and new.

Most interesting is the Brandenburg Gate, the former border between East and West, and the Unter den Linden Avenue draws which leads you to many of  the city’s attractions, including excellent museums, shopping, music venues, huge amounts of restaurants, beautiful parks and spectacular architecture.

Genoa

Daily flights to and from London Stansted Airport take just 2 hours with Ryanair to the Italian city of Genoa.

When looking at European city breaks from London, Genoa is not always an obvious choice, I find many people don’t know what the city is all about, but did you know it is the gateway to the incredible Ligurian Coast?

Genoa is Italy’s most important port and the birthplace of the very well-known explorer, Christopher Columbus. Genoa was once ruled by powerful Doges for 500 years and its legacy has left behind an incredible historic centre with breathtaking architecture and palaces.

Narrow alleyways known as carruggi weave their way through the city, lined with trattorias, boutique shops and cafes.

Prague

With daily flights from both London Luton with Easyjet and London Stansted with Ryanair, there is enough flight competition to keep prices low. Flight duration takes on average 1 hour 45 minutes, the city centre is just 30 minutes from the airport and you are best to arrange a private pick up or Uber which costs around €30, there is also an airport shuttle service which costs €15.

A visit to Prague will transport you to the Late Middle Ages thanks to its enchanting castles, palaces, cobbled streets and old-fashioned street-lighting. To explore at sunset or sunrise is one of the best times to see the city with its authentic old-world atmosphere. Prague has unforgettable architecture with miles of terracotta roofs.

One of the best views is the stunning flood-lit castle from Charles Bridge, the National Museum at the top of Wenceslas Square or the gothic spires at the east end of the Old Town Square.

Useful links

Train bookings in Europe: Trainline

Car hire: RentalCars

Hotel bookings: Booking.com

Airport transfers: Kiwi taxis

Book trips and attractions: Getyourguide

Holiday home rentals: Vrbo