Last Minute City Breaks 2024
Our Guide To Booking A Last Minute City Break 2024
Got a few days off suddenly? Fancy heading away and exploring somewhere new? Last minute city breaks are an ideal way to dis could be perfect for you, especially if you're flexible on where you end up. And with last minute seats and empty rooms to fill up, you might find some great deals in 2024 and 2025, with top cities like Edinburgh, Paris, Barcelona, Marrakech and New York.
Top City Break Destinations
Top Last Minute Destinations
To get a great late deal, you should try and be flexible and that includes with your destination. You may find that one weekend, a trip to Berlin could be the cheapest, while the next week a short break in Morocco could offer the best deals at the last minute. Here are some of our top destinations to keep an eye out for at the last minute.
Edinburgh, Scotland
While it might not be abroad, Edinburgh is a great city to explore and you have lots of options to get there, driving, coach, train and plane, so again, you've got lots of travel options. And if you're finding accommodation in the city centre is expensive, look a bit further out, or even try a holiday park nearer the coast that offers a budget stay.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen generally has some great flight prices which can be one of the biggest costs for your trip. It's also an alternative city that you might not have initially thought about visiting. Great food and a great alternative for a Christmas markets break, Copenhagen is definitely a city worth thinking about at the last minute.
Barcelona, Spain
Loads of direct flights from across the UK means Barcelona could be a budget friendly option and its easy to see why it's such a popular European city break destination. Low cost airlines like Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2 fly into Barcelona and with plenty of cheap accommodation ranging from local Airbnbs to budget hotel chains like Ibis Styles, some of the late deals can be really cheap. Although keep an eye out for hotels with rooftop pools in Barcelona.
Milan, Italy
Milan is another great city to check out if you're after a late deal. Plenty of flights into all three airports, Milan's Linate, Malpensa and Bergamo, means you've got more options to choose from. Stay in the city centre or check out some of the accommodation options in the suburbs.
Rome, Italy
Another city with plenty of flights, Rome offers history, shopping and lots more. It's great for couples and families too, especially when the kids are studying Roman history and you can visit the various historical sites dotted around the city.
Budapest, Hungary
Head over to Hungary and discover Budapest. Split in half by the River Danube, there's something quite magically about wondering the cobbled streets of the historic Old Town here. There's also plenty of flights from the UK making it a relatively cheap destination to go to, especially if you avoid the weekend. If you're heading over for the Christmas markets, make sure to wrap up warm!
Further Afield
If you fancy somewhere a little further away, places like New York, Boston and Las Vegas each have lots of flight options from the UK and offer something a little different. New York is great for the bright lights, shows and shopping, and with both day and night flights, a short break is perfectly possible. Boston is great for history, culture and a bit of chillaxing. Meanwhile Las Vegas is a feast for the senses, from the casinos and shows to the sunshine and pools. Done all those? How about heading a little further north to Canada and discovering the cities of Montreal or Toronto?
And then, of course, there's the Middle East. Why Dubai is a classic option, why not try a beach and city break in Abu Dhabi, or discover the authentic culture of Oman?
City & Beach Breaks
Barcelona
A classic option in Europe, Barcelona is home to plenty of sandy beaches, so you can easily combine a city break with a beach break. Areas around El Poblenou and Diagonal Mar are a little further away from the bustle of the tourist attractions but can provide cheaper accommodation. Summer can be a very busy time to visit so try months like April, May, September and October when the weather isn't as sweltering either.
Palma
Majorca is such a popular destination that there are loads of direct flights from regional airports to Palma, making it an easily accessible beach and city break option at the last minute. You've also got the choice of being right in the heart of the Old Town, or a little further out in places like Cala Major which is a short bus ride from Palma harbour and marina. Many of the city centre hotels also have a rooftop bar or pool to soak up the sun on your Escape.
Lisbon & Cascais
You might not think of Lisbon straight away as a beach city, but just a little west of the city is Cascais, a popular alternative with soft sandy beaches. It's also easily accessible by public transport so no expensive taxi rides either.
How Late Can You Book A City Break
In short, just a few hours. One of the key things to getting a great deal on last minute breaks is to always keep your eyes peeled for offers. You never know when you might find one, whether that's booking months in advance or just a few days before the flight. You can even book a break the same day if you really wanted to. Fly out that evening and book a late hotel deal, and you've got a last second getaway.
There are a lot of things that can influence the cost of a trip, including events like festivals or big exhibitions which can push up demand for flights and hotels. On the flip side, if there is nothing going on, it's low season or demand is low, even at the last minute prices can be dropped to fill up seats and rooms. It's all about keeping an eye out for deals.
How To Book
The best city break deals can be flight and hotel packages with brands like TUI, Jet2CityBreaks and BA Holidays. These are usually ATOL and ABTA protected too. Alternatively, you can book a short break with Ryanair flights and separate accommodation like via Airbnb, Booking.com or Hotels.com, which can sometimes mean being closer to hotspots like the Eiffel Tower, Camp Nou or Central Park. If you don't mind where or when you go, last minute deals can be a great option to save money on your next trip.
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