Best City Break Locations Spring 2025

Are you looking to make the most of your Easter break this year but can't decide where is best for an affordable yet splendid holiday?

We've picked our favourite spring holiday destinations for this year and thrown in some good discounts so you can be sure to vacay within your budget!

Spring marks the beginning of the new year in many cultures, symbolising renewal, growth and hope - which makes it a great time to plan a getaway! Also, costs are lower than in summer, the weather is typically mild, nature is flourishing, and it serves as a nice little reward for enduring those gloomy winter months.

Well, first up, if you're a student, be sure to join SecretFlightClub.com to save up to a whopping 81% off flights and £143 on return airfares. Plus, Students receive a discounted £12 per year / £1 per month membership!

To make your trip more affordable, we've teamed up with a number of brands to bring you the best offers possible on everything from hotels to flights, including Hotels.com, TUI, Expedia, Jet2 and loads more....

Europe is home to many ideal spring holiday destinations, offering a diverse range of locations to choose from, as well as cheap accommodation and flights, it's the perfect choice. But with so many great options where in Europe should you go?

Here's our pick of the very best cities in Europe to visit during Spring - and you can save money on your travels too!

1. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is the vibrant capital of Catalonia in Spain, located in the North East, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

It's home to lively nightlife, stunning food and beautiful beaches and has a rich cultural history as well as impressive architecture.

Famous for its affordable tapas bars, it's the perfect option for a budget-friendly spring trip. Barcelona is a great destination for those foodies out there, be sure to try paella, tapas, jamón ibérico and you can't miss out on Catalonia's famous sparkling wine Cava!

Cool areas to check out include:

• Gracia - cool hip neighbourhood, fantastic food, independent boutiques

• El Raval - known for its bustling nightlife, skater scene, diverse food shops

• Barri Gotic - gothic quarter, amazing architecture and culture, traditional Catalan cuisine

A great way to save money whilst travelling as a student is to book hostels, excellent for their affordability as well as social atmosphere and community vibe.

You'll be sure to make a friend or two whilst staying in a hostel, so they're a really good choice for solo travellers.

Check out this highly rated hostel in central Barcelona, for just £62 a night, you can make massive savings on your accommodation, meaning you'll have more to spend on sangria and tapas! Winning!

2. Budapest, Hungary

Budapest has it all, beautiful historic buildings, quirky cafes and vibrant nightlife - all available to experience at an affordable price.

This city break is perfect for those of you who like socializing in unique bars - many of which are located in abandoned buildings and courtyards!

Budapest is easy to navigate, with an accessible and efficient public transport system involving metro lines and trams, and buses all over the city.

The Hungarian capital is also famous for its historic and iconic thermal baths which each boast different features including large outdoor and indoor pools, spa facilities such as saunas, steam rooms and massage services and wave pools.

Many of the baths host events like evening pool parties nicknamed 'sparties', which offer a one-of-a-kind sort of night. You can expect DJs, live music, light shows and dancers. Be sure to check these out!

If you purchase a Budapest Card on your visit you can enjoy free access to nearly all of the city's key museums, as well as discounted rates for various attractions and activities. It also grants you unrestricted free use of public transport.

• Unlimited access to public transportation, including metro, trams, buses, and the Airport Shuttle Bus 200E.

• Free admission to Lukacs Baths, one of the oldest thermal baths in the city.

• English-guided walking tours in Buda and Pest.

• Access to the official tourist bus in the Castle District.

• Discounts of up to 50% on numerous other tours and attractions.

The Budapest tourist card also enables visitors to acquire discounted tickets for entry to Szechenyi Baths. With the Budapest Card, you get 20% discount on the admission fees for Szechenyi Bath, the ultimate bath party spot in the city!

Make big savings on your Budapest card by using the ISIC card which comes free for the first year of your TOTUM membership!

Be sure to bring your TOTUM+ card in order to save more across this student discount friendly city!

3. Athens, Greece

If it's warm weather, beautiful classical architecture and a vibrant city buzz you're after, look no further than the Greek capital.

Spring is generally considered to be the best time of the year to visit Athens. With average temperatures of around 21°C, huge arrays of poppies and daisies beginning to bloom, far fewer tourists and the city's festival season beginning to kick off, you'll experience the very best the city has to offer.

In March and April, you can take in the celebrations of carnival, Greek Independence Day and Greek Easter and wander along Flisvos Marina in Palio Faliro - lined with waterfront cafes, restaurants, parks and play areas it's a local family favourite, especially on weekends.

You will of course want to visit the world famous heritage sites of Athens like the Acropolis Museum and the Parthenon, but there's also plenty more cultural sites worth visiting. The Byzantine Museum, Greek National Opera and family-friendly Technopolis are all well worth a visit.

In terms of budgeting, Athens is definitely a destination that can be easy on the wallet. If you want to have dinner in a taverna or a casual restaurant in Athens, you can expect to pay between £12 to £20 per person, double rooms in 4* hotels start from around £60 a night and you can pick up an Airbnb from around £20 per night.

• TUI - GET UP TO £400 OFF PER COUPLE ON TRIPS TO GREECE

4. Porto, Portugal

While Lisbon is a must-visit for anyone who's looking for a budget city break, we wanted to turn your attention to somewhere else in Portugal...

Also known as Oporto, Portugal's second largest city is located along the Douro River estuary in the north of the country. One of the oldest European cities in existence, its historic centre was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Less hectic than Lisbon, spend your time in Porto simply wandering. Look out for the intricately designed azulejo tiles everywhere from stations to churches, sample some Port wine and treat yourself to a few Pasteis de Nata as you soak up the atmosphere of the ancient maze-like streets.

The best activities to do in Porto during spring:

• For the foodies - most famous for the famous fortified wine which takes its name from the city, a visit to Porto wouldn't be complete without a wine tasting tour.

• Free activities - walk the parks, explore the Ribeira neighbourhood, visit the Sao Bento railway station and the Mercado de Bolhão

• Families with kids - visit the Santo Inácio Zoo

• Enjoy the views - climb the Clérigos tower or walk on the upper deck of Luiz I bridge, take the six bridges cruise, have a ride on the cable car.

5. Berlin, Germany

If you haven't made it to Berlin yet, then this is definitely one to consider.

Abundant with history and full of iconic landmarks like the remnants of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate, as well as incredible museums and art galleries, it isn't one to miss.

Renowned for its lively cultural landscape, diverse arts scene and legendary nightlife, parks, green spaces and interesting architectural styles, Berlin is a bustling metropolis you can easily immerse yourself in.

Berlin is the techno capital of the world. Riddled with the coolest techno clubs out there, if this is your thing you'll be just at home. You'll find all the biggest and best DJs from all over in Berlin, so it might be worth planning your trip around a good event. Be sure to check out the iconic clubs like Tresor, Watergate, Griessmühle and the notorious Berghain.

Berghain is famous for its strict door policy and you can find loads of funny TikToks prepping you to attempt entry.

Berlin also offers a diverse amount of food options, cafes and bars. There are many street food markets in places like Kreuzberg, not to mention its craft beer scene!

There is also lots of vintage shopping with numerous Flea markets across various different neighbourhoods.

Be sure to check out:

• Mauerpark Flea Market in Prenzlauer Berg

• Boxhagener Platz Flea Market in Friedrichshain

• Vintage shops in Neukölln

Don't forget you can get 30% off things like airport parking, transfers and even airport hotel stays with Holiday Extras!

6. Prague, Czech Republic

Located in the heart of central Europe, Prague is a beautiful destination, rich in history and culture, gothic, Baroque and medieval architecture, many galleries and theaters, and a delicious and unique cuisine.

The city itself is walkable and affordable. Meaning it's an excellent choice for students to visit, you'll save money on transport.

Be sure to check out the charming Old Town, mapped out with narrow old streets, quirky and colourful buildings and many lovely cafes and boutiques.

You'll also find leisurely river cruises, on the Vltava River, offering panoramic views of Prague's Skyline and landmarks.

If you're after a more relaxing holiday, this might just be the place for you!

In terms of food, the Czech Cuisine is hearty, tasty and flavourful! Try out dishes like:

• Goulash

• Dumplings

• Sweets and Pastries

• Grilled meats and Fried Cheeses

• Garlic Soup

and don't forget to try the famous Czech Beer!

Check out our offer for 10% off plus flexible cancellations with Hotels.com

Be sure to check out all of our Travel deals here, to make sure you save as much as possible on your trip.

If you're ready to kit yourself out with some new accessories or clothes for your holiday check out the rest of our exclusive discounts here.

Happy Travels!