There’s no need to travel far for sunlit streets, buzzy markets and winding canals. Head off for a long weekend to these European cities that burst into life in April and May.
In summer, much of Europe is at its hottest and most humid, better suited to languishing by the pool or balmy beach than wandering city streets. If sunbathing’s a priority, you’ll likely stick to the coast rather than explore squares, cafes and labyrinthine lanes.
But spring offers a golden window to experience Europe’s cities at their most pleasant and navigable — the light is flaxen and bright, the cafes spill outdoors and piazzas hum with the chatter of locals.
So, leave sun-chasing for summer — this April and May, bask in the bright skies and bearable temperatures of European cities, exploring architecture, local spots, museums and the rhythms of local life.
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Rotterdam, Netherlands
It’s not surprising that Time Out named Rotterdam the best European city break last year, but since many visitors to the Netherlands automatically default to Rotterdam, it certainly piques curiosity as to why.
It likely owes this title in part to the Fenix museum — installed in a converted harbour warehouse on the Katendrecht peninsula — lauded for its immersive exhibition exploring migration and human movement.
Piet Blom’s tilted Cube Houses and Ben van Berkel’s sweeping Erasmus Bridge have also made Rotterdam a pilgrimage site for architecture enthusiasts, while the regenerated waterfront buzzes with terrace bars and street-food vendors on fine spring afternoons.
Plus, with sunny spring weather hopefully afoot, it’ll be an ideal time to take a ride on the HotTug — a wood-fired floating hot tub from which to take in the harbour views.
Flights from London start at around £95 return.
Read more: These river cruises are among the most luxurious in Europe
Gothenburg, Sweden
In April and May, Gothenburg, known as ‘Little London’ by some and ‘Little Amsterdam’ by others, wakes slowly from a long Nordic winter. Now that its canals and gabled waterfronts are bathed in soft spring light, it’s possibly the best time to visit.
In Haga, the city’s oldest surviving neighbourhood, 19th-century wooden houses painted in ochre and terracotta line cobblestoned streets. With the crisp spring sun beaming down on your face, the season lends itself well to an afternoon wandering, kanelbullar (oversized cinnamon bun) in hand from one of the local independent coffee shops.
Making the most of outdoor-friendly weather, you might make your way to Feskekörka, the 19th-century fish market built in the shape of a Gothic church on the Rosenlund canal; arrive at lunch for platters of smoked salmon and pickled herring. In the afternoon, Liseberg — one of Scandinavia’s best amusement parks — is far quieter than its summer peak and makes for a surprisingly enjoyable couple of hours.
Flights from London start at around £80 return.
Read more: The best flight-free breaks for the Bank Holiday weekend
Athens, Greece
In summer, temperatures in Athens can reach 35-36C, which for most Brits isn’t ideal for exploring an ancient city abundant in intricate ruins and museums. Daily averages of around 21-22C in April and May make a far more reasonable climate for investigating every corner of the Acropolis — though it’s still best visited early in the morning or in the last hours of evening when the crowds are thin.
Looking beyond the ancient sites, milder heat means pleasant conditions to check out Athens’ bustling neighbourhoods, such as Psyrri. Once a neighbourhood of workshops and warehouses, it’s now the city’s most creative quarter — vintage shops, record stores and hole-in-the-wall kafenia (coffee shops) alongside contemporary galleries.
For dinner, follow the locals south to Vouliagmeni on the Athenian Riviera, where a string of seafood tavernas line the coast.
Flights from London start at around £70 return.
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Agrigento, Sicily
For the culture-curious, head to southern Sicily for Agrigento, named Italy’s Capital of Culture 2025 — though it wears the accolade with characteristic Sicilian indifference.
A walk through Agrigento’s centre takes you to the Cathedral of San Gerlando — entered via a wide flight of steps, observing the infamous unfinished bell tower. The Valley of the Temples, the ancient Unesco World Heritage Site of Doric temples, stands on a ridge above the Mediterranean. And in spring, the surrounding almond trees are in full bloom, swathing the hillside in pale pink and white blossom.
Compared to Taormina and Palermo, the town itself feels largely untouched by mass tourism — local food and wine prices remain affordable, and days move slowly. For authentic Sicilian street food such as arancini (risotto balls) and panelle (chickpea fritters), head to local food markets Mercato di Agrigento and Florio Market.
Flights from London start at around £55 return.
Read more: Retreat to Lisbon: how to spend a weekend in the city, with wellness woven in
Bilbao, Spain
Yes, the Guggenheim’s permanent collection is strong, but you needn’t spend your entire trip in the museum district.
Warm enough to eat outside and quiet enough to get a table without booking weeks in advance, April and May are a sweet spot for Bilbao.
In the Casco Viejo, the city’s compact old town, bar after bar lines its narrow streets, each with an elaborate spread of pintxos — small plates of food balanced on slices of bread — that change seasonally. Spring produce can be complemented with a glass of txakoli, Bilbao’s local white wine.
To take in the Basque scenery, ride the Artxanda funicular above the city for views across the Basque hills and take a day trip down the coastline to Gaztelugatxe — a tiny hermitage reachable only by a winding stone staircase out into the sea.
Fights from London start at around £50 return.
Read more: 5 spring-day trips less than two hours from London by train or car
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Lisbon, Portugal
Between its remote working appeal and beachside location, Lisbon has become one of Europe’s most talked-about cities over the past decade, with many UK residents spending short stints here or emigrating completely.
Warm, cobbled and hilly, Lisbon is at its most walkable in spring. But there are other ways to explore. Ride Tram 28 through the Alfama district at dawn before tourists fill the streets. On Sundays, the LxMarket — a sprawling, creative market in a former industrial complex in the Alcântara neighbourhood — is worth an afternoon of unhurried browsing.
A day trip to Sintra, where a ridge of forested hills above the Atlantic is studded with fairytale palaces and Moorish ruins, is genuinely unmissable.
Flights from London start at around £60 return.
Read more: This luxury spa getaway is a quiet haven — just 30 minutes from London
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Seville, Spain
Time your trip to Seville for Easter week or the fortnight that follows and you’ll witness Semana Santa transform the city. Over seven days, one of Spain’s most important religious celebrations bursts forth — candlelit processions of hooded penitents carry gigantic floats bearing religious figures through the streets and saetas (flamenco songs) are sung from balconies.
Stay for a couple of weeks longer and Feria de Abril takes over entirely, with a week of horse parades, flamenco and sherry drinking in the streets. In between, it’s the ideal time to visit the Alcázar of Seville, one of the best-preserved Moorish palaces in the world, or climb the Giralda for memorable views of the city.
Flights from London start at around £45 return.
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