Whether you want to impress your partner with a surprise weekend getaway or you need a short break after the stressful festive period, a City holiday is the perfect way to unwind in winter. Take a look at Mankind’s Top 5 destinations for Winter City Breaks.
5. Copenhagen, Denmark
The cultural and political centre of Denmark, Copenhagen is the perfect spot for a weekend European getaway this winter. The natives are well adapted to cold weather and know how to embrace the winter in full. Grab a bite to eat at the Torvehallerne food market, explore the restaurants, bars, and the home of Hans Christian Andersen in Nyhavn, or spend an hour wandering around the historic Kastellet. Boat tours of the city’s harbour and canals are also available, and highly recommended – just make sure to wrap up warm.
Hotel: Admiral Hotel
Restaurant: The Olive Kitchen and Bar
Attraction: Torvehallerne Food Market
4.Tallinn, Estonia
Although the capital of Estonia may appear an unusual choice to some, Tallinn is accessible and affordable, promising snow and beautiful scenery. A winter break in Tallinn not only offers a welcome spell away from tourist crowds, but all the features you would expect from a modern city with a rich history. It offers a wide variety of cultural sites to see, such as museums, churches and galleries, while its parks and the medieval Old Town are beautiful to look at, with or without snow. If you want something a little bit out of the ordinary, this one of the best spots for winter city breaks.
Hotel: The Three Sisters
Restaurant: Rataskevu16
Attraction: The Old Town
3. Trieste, Italy
A lesser known destination in Italy’s Northeast, Trieste’s location at the tip of the Adriatic ensures the weather remains mild through the winter making snow an unlikelihood. Nonetheless, the nearby hills offer some exceptional sea views of the Gulf of Trieste on a clear day. As a historically disputed territory, the city is unique for its mixture of Austrian, Balkan and Italian influences, so there are are plenty of sights to see and things to do. In the morning, we recommend coffee in one of the city centre’s many cafés, while for dinner, seasonal, locally caught seafood is the way to go.
Hotel: Albergo alla Posta
Restaurant: Osteria ai Maestri
Attraction: Castle Miramare
2. Bern, Switzerland
When thinking of winter city breaks in Switzerland, Zurich or Geneva may seem like the obvious choice. While Bern may not be the first city that springs to mind, as the capital, it lies at the political and cultural heart of the country. The city’s historic old town, with cobbled streets full of impressive medieval buildings, converges on a modern centre that bustles with local life. We suggest visiting the imposing Swiss Parliament Building, overlooking the turquoise water of the Aare river. Simply wandering around the city, you’ll see spectacular views of the surrounding Bernese Alps.
Hotel: Hotel Landhaus
Restaurant: Suder
Attraction: Gurten Observation Deck
1. Warsaw, Poland
With snow a near-inevitability, Warsaw is an ideal winter city break destination. Exploring the city, you’ll find that the Polish Capital has a striking blend of modern and historic architecture. Whatever price range you’re looking for, there’s a variety of impressive accommodation on offer. A well connected city, flights from the UK are regular and affordable. We recommend walking around the UNESCO World-Heritage listed Old Town, and the Lazienki Royal Residence Park.
Hotel: Residence St. Andrew’s Place
Restaurant: Gosciniec Polskie Pierogi
Attraction: Lazienki Royal Residence
