Does anyone have a suggestion long weekend birthday destination in europe?
Posted by Aggravating-Scar122@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 46 comments
Hi, I want to organise a surprise long weekend trip for my partner over his birthday weekend at the start of August. (We are based in London)
I dont want to go anywhere that’s too hot or too crowded. Ideally somewhere with good food or wine, or some nice scenery!
I have Porto in mind or Stockholm, does anyone have any suggestions or experience with those two places?
Thank you!
Pretty_Marketing5432@reddit
Riga is a lovely quiet city. Beautiful countryside around the place.
I mean, Porto's so nice. The food is absolutely amazing.
Bordeaux is often overlooked. Obvously great food. Really nice city.
LondonLeather@reddit
I'm going to Copenhagen in two weeks, but I came here to say Bologna a truly wonderful weekend city. I also like Antwerp but that's completely different and easier by train.
MahatmaAndhi@reddit
Vienna is a nice city, with excellent wine. There's a type where they mush a load of green and red together and it's fantastic.
To the north of the city is vineyards across rolling hills. A really pretty part of the world. Inside the city, there's lots of history and awesome architecture, as well as lots of green spaces and a ginormous park.
Here's a picture I took in August last year. I'd love to go back.
PleasantCucumber2615@reddit
Stockholm is nice, but also very expensive.
I think Krakow is really hard to beat for a long week. Auschwitz is a must see for everyone. The Salt Mines is also a good day out. Plenty of things to do, great food and drink.
Budapest is also great. If you've got enough time get a pair of handmade shoes. A day at one of their baths is so relaxing.
Mother_Composer_6069@reddit
Agreed with Krakow. Great food, very affordable and the salt mines are stunning!
Beginning-Poet-2991@reddit
Copenhagen is fantastic. If you do go check out Gro spiseri - Communal eatery at the rooftop farm ØsterGro.
TheEnglishNorwegian@reddit
Seconding Copenhagen, awesome city. Oslo is also pretty decent if you can afford it and the weather is normally great around then.
Worldly_Turnip7042@reddit
Oslo is a hell of a lot more affordable the Copenhagen imo
TheEnglishNorwegian@reddit
Depends what you want to do. Copenhagen is much more affordable for drinks and food, accommodation is about the same. Copenhagen is also pretty good for renting a bike and just exploring that way.
Oslo's night life is pretty expensive, but there's a ton of stuff to do for free, and most of the museums are either free or pretty cheap to enter.
Worldly_Turnip7042@reddit
I found finding cheap food in Oslo easier - but that may just be because I have been a few times and know the tricks.
Beginning-Poet-2991@reddit
Is Oslo great to visit? I have never been. Are there any experiences that stood out to you that you would recommend?
TheEnglishNorwegian@reddit
It's a fun city and has something for everyone. It's also the type of city where you can be out in nature pretty fast if you want to mix it up with some swimming or hiking. Or if its winter time, skiing etc.
As the other person mentions, taking the public ferries are a cheap tour option. I recommend taking them over to the museums that are a short hop away, such as the Viking Ship museum (closed at the moment for expansion), Fram Museum and Kon-Tiki museum, all of which are pretty close to each other within walking distance. Huk is pretty nice to walk down to from there for a picnic and a swim.
Worldly_Turnip7042@reddit
I LOVE it - been a couple of times
So much to do - get the city pass 100% - take the public ferries as a budget fjord tour. Opera house tour was one of my favourite things to do - as was Munch Museum. Just walking around the city is amazing. I have been in negative 16 and positive 24 and loved them both
Aggravating-Scar122@reddit (OP)
Thank you!! Copenhagen was definitely on the list! And the restaurant looks amazing, will definitely save it on the list
Beginning-Poet-2991@reddit
It's really great. There's also a great spa called Manon Les Suites in Copenhagen which was £60pp. I have lots of tips so let me know in case you end up going.
Aggravating-Scar122@reddit (OP)
Thank you, I think weather wise Copenhagen definitely ticks the list and I’ve been seeing good restaurants too, the only thing I struggle with is what to do in between eating - do you have any tips there?
Beginning-Poet-2991@reddit
So much to do! Look these things below up.
Tivoli gardens - most charming theme park Danish architecture centre - museum Botanical garden and The King’s garden Freetown Christiania - a unique commune TorvehallerneKBH - cool food market Lots of vintage shops Amazing shops like Studio Arhoj and HAY house Lots of spots for swimming in the middle of the city. 🙌 The water is clean. Nyhavn - the classic spot La fontaine - jazz club
And obviously walking around through the centre. It’s flat, perfect for cycling or walking. Everyone speaks fluent English, coffee is delicious.
Aggravating-Scar122@reddit (OP)
Thank you!! I think you’ve won me over - it’s Copenhagen !!!
Beginning-Poet-2991@reddit
You won't regret it! Btw, they have this scheme there where you can participate in eco tourism. I didn't get to do this because it was only in the summer and I went in May but have a look just in case it's your thing.
https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenpay
Funnily enough, Gro Spiseri is right at the top of this website. I really hope you do book for that experience, it was so sweet, I felt like I was part of the EU again chatting to Germans, French people. https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/this-is-copenhagen/about/a-sustainability-guide-to-copenhagen
Plym_Leon@reddit
Gdansk, northern Poland. A great little city.
Aggravating-Scar122@reddit (OP)
Thanks all! I think i have decided Copenhagen!! But have jot down all of the places to be in the bucket for next trip
dazed1984@reddit
Don’t do Stockholm if you’re looking for alcohol, it’s expensive in Sweden and the sale of it is very tightly controlled.
Panceltic@reddit
I have to flog my birthplace, Ljubljana.
Very good for wine & scenery!
hhfugrr3@reddit
La Rochelle is nice. I went there in August years ago. It was nice and warm for us but the season was pretty much over. At one point i had a beach to myself - i could see about a km in either direction and I was the only one there. Food was excellent.
SuitableCry240@reddit
Wroclaw! Cheap, amazing food scene, great atmosphere and beautiful to boot.
RoyalPossession7164@reddit
I love Budapest and would really recommend it, so much to see/ do and lovely food and bars x
Djinjja-Ninja@reddit
I'm going to Sopot in Poland in just over a weeks for my 50th with 8 others for a long weekend (fly out Friday, fly back Tuesday)
Got an amazing deal on the Grand Hotel (booked it middle of last year), and we have a 8 course tasting menu booked at a Michelin Guide recommended restaurant on my actual birthday, and are planning a trip into Gdansk on one of the days.
Electus93@reddit
Gdansk especially and (to a lesser degree) Gdynia in that are well worth checking out. Actually Gdansk is far, far more worth a visit than Sopot imo
dprophet32@reddit
San Sebastian would be my choice. Great city, great beaches, amazing food and usually great weather
ChipCob1@reddit
Budapest is an amazing city with lots of culture great architecture and food and has a great, easy to use public transport system which really helps for short city breaks.
n0tmyusual@reddit
Personally I don't rate the food in budapest. Who would want to eat meat stews and dumplings when it's 30+ degrees!
ChipCob1@reddit
It's worth going just for langos!
Vanblue1@reddit
Bilbao.
n0tmyusual@reddit
How about a smaller city or town in France? The north will be cooler (Rouen) and probably less busy as most people head to the coast. You could even take the train!
Bordeaux is another good weekend option, especially if he's into wine.
Not sure what your budget is like, but any French town would be pricier than Portugal but cheaper than anywhere in Scandanavia.
Darrowby_385@reddit
Helsinki. It lovely. Go to the Allas pool, have some saunas, visit the market, food hall, maybe a trip across to Tallinn, or some of the near to the city islands like Suomelinna. It's a very cool, elegant city. And a bit different to the usual city break destinations.
paulie_x_walnuts@reddit
Porto is great, it definitely ticks the boxes for food, wine and scenery. Apparently the average max in August is \~26c so also not too hot (although it can get quite a bit a hotter, and there's a lot of walking up and down hills!)
WelshBen@reddit
Porto is obviously great but Lisbon is way better for the sort of thing you're talking about. It's an epic place.
EtoshaLeopard@reddit
Stockholm is great but it is VERY expensive. I’m hearing good things about Copenhagen and Seville. But any major city in Europe is going to be busy in August…
Bitter_End_5643@reddit
Seville will be baking. I went in late May and was already 38 degrees most days
Bitter_End_5643@reddit
Not too hot in August should rule out anywhere South. Therefore Scandinavia is your best bet, or the Baltics. Potentially even Northern Germany / Poland.
WGD23@reddit
Northern Europe has to be the way to go in August these days imo. Copenhagen is nice. I fancy Hamburg too
No-Row-9994@reddit
I would give your partner the tickets but actually go in early September when kids go back to school. Travelling in August is a nightmare, the airports are packed and every destination feels touristy.
Rabbit-1989@reddit
Salzburg is a good size for a weekend visit! Not too big!
MediocreMan_@reddit
Porto is great, but will be pretty warm in August!
Europe is littered with amazing city breaks so you’re spoilt for choice - Copenhagen, Prague, Vienna, Amsterdam and so on.
Really hard to go wrong, but expect most places to be warm and fairly busy!
SuperDinkle406@reddit
Both are good places for a long weekend. With Porto be prepared to do a lot of walking, it is very hilly (but worth it).
I would also consider, not so common: Berlin, Bologna, Rotterdam, Palmerno, Bordeaux, Girona, Seville and Vienna.
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