All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. While there are strong parallels between many of Europe's bustling hubs, no two cities are the same. There is incredible diversity to be found, from the gold-tinted Mediterranean corners of Toulouse to forward-looking Nordic destinations like Helsinki. It's not the first time that the fascinating city has topped the leaderboard, although it lost out to Lisbon in This once-underrated capital is now a rising Scandi star.
Spend an afternoon wandering through the boutique shops, quirky cafes and independent galleries of the Design District. Toyo Odetunde. Best for: chilled and cosy vibes Flight time: 1hr25 min from London Train time: In around 15 hours, via Dublin. Dublin may be the more popular choice for an Irish city break, but Cork shouldn't be overlooked.
Lined with charming 17th-century corridor-like streets and cosy pubs serving hearty comforting fare and locally brewed stout, the walkable city is more than a transit point and fit for a short break in and of itself.
Enjoy the calming views of verdant rambling parklands from medieval Blarney Castle — and make sure to kiss the fabled Blarney Stone to be bestowed with the gift of eloquence and persuasiveness. Fill up at the English Market, full of cheerful hubbub and traditional produce from fresh soda bread to locally produced cheese and spiced beef.
For greyer days, the Crawford Art Gallery houses around 4, artworks, and when skies are clearer, the coastal towns of Kinsale and Crosshaven are a short drive away for breezy walks along pretty harbours and sandy beaches decorated with rockpools.
