Max out your next mini-break with these cities that have it all. Barcelona may be celebrated as the classic all-encompassing destination – and who can argue with its Gaudí masterpieces, Gothic old town, lip-smacking tapas and buzzing urban beaches – but it’s by no means the only European metropolis whose cup runneth over. Check out these brilliant European city breaks.

Breathtaking natural beauty and an in-built eye for good design make Stockholm one of Europe’s most stunning cities. Whether admiring the cathedral, churches, royal palace and tight cobbled streets of the medieval old town (Gamla Stan), or simply the great swathes of green space and surrounding Lake Mälaren, it’s certainly a city that’s easy on the eye. It’s dynamic too: modern architecture vies with medieval, cutting-edge museums and galleries abound, and there’s excellent city transport. 

Stockholm is a city obsessed with food, and not simply the ubiquitous kanelbullar (cinnamon buns). From classic toast skagen (prawns on toast) or fried herring to Michelin-starred feasts, there’s an emphasis on innovation and attention to detail. It doesn’t always come cheap, but how about packing a picnic and heading for the beaches of the narrow island of Långholmen? Or hop on a ferry and explore the archipelago – with over 20,000 islands and islets, you won’t have any trouble finding your perfect spot. Read our guide here.

Game of Thrones fan or not, a visit to Dubrovnik feels like stumbling onto a film set. The near-perfectly preserved walled town belies its tumultuous past: both a devastating earthquake in 1667 and of course the Balkans War of the early 1990s. Today, impressive reconstruction work means there are few traces of the conflict. Your attention will be held by the famous city walls, baroque townhouses and a host of majestic churches and public buildings.

Wander the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, straying off the central Stradun to discover enticing shops, bars and cafés. When hunger strikes, Dubrovnik delivers with super-fresh seafood and hearty Dalmatian favourites (just avoid the tourist traps). Nestled into the cliffs or right on the beach, there are plenty of bars offering wonderful sundowner spots and the next morning you can splash away the hangover in the sparkling Adriatic.

The original ‘dirty weekend’ destination thanks to the Prince Regent, George IV, Brighton is nowadays synonymous with a whole lot more than slap and tickle. George IV, though, was also responsible for the city’s main tourist sight: the extravagant Royal Pavilion. An expression of pure hedonism and exhibitionism, it’s an effective symbol of a city which goes out of its way to welcome and celebrate all things outrageous and bohemian.

Sinking into a deckchair, pottering along the pier, paddling in the Channel and enjoying a stick of rock are quintessential Brighton experiences. Now you can also gaze down on the Sussex coast from the viewing deck of the i360 – a recent addition to the buzzing beachfront, and the world’s tallest moving observation tower. A wander round the old town Lanes and beyond offers up all sorts of dining options, evidence of a sophisticated and experimental gastro scene.

Aarhusianere call their home the smallest metropolitan city in the world – Aarhus may be petite, and often overshadowed by its big brother Copenhagen, but it has everything a seasoned city-breaker could wish for. The large student population helps make Aarhus Denmark’s youngest city and is no doubt also to thank for its relaxed feel and tempting array of street food, bars and restaurants. Bigger budgets might stretch to the Michelin-starred purveyors of acclaimed New Nordic cuisine.

Boosted by its 2017 year as European Capital of Culture, not to mention European Region of Gastronomy, Aarhus is a must for foodies and art-lovers. The kaleidoscopic roof installation of contemporary art museum ARoS is a great spot to kick-off your visit, with a technicolour panorama of the city. Jump on a free bike to explore the cobbled streets and hidden courtyards of the Latin Quarter. Barely 15 minutes’ ride north and south of the city, you’ll find forests reaching down to beautiful sandy beaches.

So much more than a gateway to the Costa de Sol, Málaga gives other Spanish favourites like Seville and Barcelona a run for their money. A decade’s worth of investment has seen the city emerge with a thriving arts scene and a revamped port, both complementing Málaga’s multifaceted history. Take in the views from the domed roof of Catedral de Málaga or the Moorish fortress of the Alcazaba. Then worship modern masters at the Museo Picasso – Pablo Picasso being Málaga’s most famous son – and the dazzling Centre Pompidou.

Down at the seafront, stroll along the palm-lined Muelle Uno and window-shop or coffee-stop to your heart’s content. Head east of the port and you’ll reach the sands of Playa de la Malagueta, Málaga’s main beach – local favourite for morning runs, and perfect for a mid-afternoon dip. The beach is dotted with chiringuitos, no-frills outdoor cafés where you can watch your fish being freshly grilled. Málaga is no stranger to Michelin stars, either.

A little city with a lot to offer, Lucerne is ludicrously pretty, for starters. On the banks of glinting Lake Lucerne, with snowcapped mountains on the horizon and a compact medieval old town close at hand, every angle is postcard-worthy. It’s not all nostalgia-reliant though – the city’s reputation for magical music persists with eclectic festivals year-round. The postmodern, waterfront Culture and Congress Centre (KKL) will host Hacienda Classical in summer 2018, with 80s and 90s dance tracks set to ripple across the lake’s tranquil surface.

Aside from music, there are outstanding art collections at the Sammlung Rosengart Museum as well as KKL itself. To really understand Lucerne, though, you must see it from aboard a vintage paddle steamer, ideally, and then test the water yourself with a bracing dip. There’s also Mount Pilatus to tackle (via the world’s steepest cog railway) and no end of cheese, fondue, rösti and home-brewed beer to sample. Pure mountain air cancels out cholesterol, doesn’t it?

Most European metropolises ooze history and boast top-notch museums, but not many can claim to be a museum city. The whole of Valletta is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the Knights of St John after the Great Siege of 1565, almost every palazzo, townhouse or fortress dates from the 16th century. The golden limestone of the city, perched up high with views of the sea on three sides, is exquisitely juxtaposed with the blue of sea and sky.

Valletta has been on everyone’s lips lately as it enjoys European Capital of Culture status in 2018. A clutch of Renzo Piano-designed buildings seemed to herald a new era, with exciting museums, restaurants, bars and boutique hotels all following suit. The city’s small size means you can easily cover it on foot, regularly pausing for coffee or even a swim. Minutes across the harbour lie the picturesque Three Cities and the island’s stunning coastline demands exploration. Read our guide to Valletta here.

Norway’s former capital and now its second-largest city, Bergen seems to be nipping at Oslo’s heels. With a spectacular setting amid seven hills and seven fjords, a lively student population, delicious fish and seafood and a vibrant cultural calendar, it certainly ticks a lot of boxes. The colourful wooden houses, topped by zigzagging roofs, of UNESCO-protected Bryggen are a delight, as are the tiny alleyways tucked in between.

Bergen may not be renowned for its weather, but shelter comes in the form of a set of fantastic art museums. The four KODE spaces display one of Scandinavia’s largest art and design collections, ranging from Edvard Munch and Norwegian antiquities to contemporary pieces. The annual Bergen International Festival is a major national event in springtime, presenting music, ballet, literature, theatre and folklore from Norway and around the world. Spring is also the best season to see the nearby fjords in all their splendour.

Lucky Barcelona is blessed with sunshine, iconic sights, world-class restaurants and tiny neighbourhood tapas joints, not to mention what’s considered the best urban beach in Europe. The capital of Catalunya dances to its own beat and you’ve got to keep up – the city has so much to offer that a single visit will never suffice. That said, the fact that annual visitors far outnumber residents is contentious. Aim to veer off the well-worn tourist trail, pick your accommodation carefully and brush up on some Catalan.

A stroll through the enchanting Barri Gòtic, Barcelona’s medieval old town, is a must. Soak up the atmosphere, drop in on the cathedral and pause for pintxos. Other neighbourhoods offer assorted, distinct delights. High above the city and best reached via cable car, the steep Montjuïc is topped by an austere fortress. It’s also home to the 1992 Olympic stadium and the superlative Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. Read our full guide to Barcelona here.

Venice’s charms are no secret. But with its arches and alleyways, fast-descending autumn mists and scattering of less-visited and even abandoned islands, the city can still summon a sense of mystery. The quality of light is something else – bouncing off the canals’ opaque green waters, accentuating the rosso Veneziano (Venetian red) of many buildings’ facades and fading to rose-gold sunsets over the lagoon.

Fresh lagoon ingredients and harvests from garden and orchard islands find their way into typical local dishes, with fish and seafood the stars of the show. Some restaurants are harking back to the days of the Venetian Republic (421–1797) and reinterpreting ancient recipes. Venetian pastries are enduring staples – enjoy a sweet treat alongside your morning espresso, and a spritz accompanied by cicheti (Venetian tapas) come cocktail hour.

It’s puzzling that Lisbon has hovered below the radar for so long. Not unknown, of course, but often overlooked in favour of its Spanish neighbours. With major new museums, such as the undulating Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT), restoration work underway across the city and a new cruise terminal, Lisbon tourism is surely about to go up a gear.

The Atlantic provides grand restaurants, bustling markets and neighbourhood tascas (bars) with hauls of fresh sardines, octopus, clams and tuna. Local wines are a great match, and a bottle won’t break the bank either. The famed pastel de nata are on offer in pastelaria (patisseries) all over town, but head down to the waterfront in Belém to track down the very best. Marvel at the exquisitely carved cloisters in the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and then treat yourself. Read our Lisbon guide here.

Welcomes don’t get much warmer than those of the friendly Corkonians. You’ll be charmed by the banter and the sing-song accent of the locals, regarded as the most talkative in Ireland! Cork itself is a cosmopolitan, independent-spirited place, built over a series of shallow islands connected by river channels. The pretty town of Cobh, out on the lower harbour, was the Titanic’s last port of call – learn more at the Titanic Experience.

Modern architecture, such as the landmark opera house, sits alongside historic buildings and narrow, winding streets. With the waterfront and heaps of open spaces, gardens and parks – plus seaside towns less than 30 minutes away – the compact city never feels claustrophobic. It’s a food-lover’s heaven, with the bustling English Market and a thriving local foodie scene making the most of homegrown produce, and everything from sushi to tapas also served up.

Berlin seems to live life on the cutting edge, with start-up culture booming and young artists and innovators everywhere you look. The energy is palpable – but of course renewal and reinvention have been born of necessity here. Dip into the city’s multilayered history with a walk along what remains of the Berlin Wall – admiring the East Side Gallery en route – or a Trabant tour. Climb the Norman Foster-designed dome of the Reichstag and then head for cultural kicks on Museum Island.

Berlin may be nippy in the winter months, but in summer beach bars and floating bathhouses pop up along the River Spree and on many of the city’s lakes. Relax on the sand before a currywurst (if you must), dinner on the hoof from the popular street food markets, or fine-dining in a Michelin-starred establishment. Ready for a night out? From an evening at the Philharmonic to all-night pumping techno, bucolic beer gardens to concept cocktail bars, Berlin is synonymous with good times, so read more about it here.

European city old towns don’t get much more photogenic than Tallinn’s. Enclosed by medieval walls, jam-packed with churches, merchants’ houses and courtyards, and overlooked by an imposing fortress, it’s all protected by UNESCO. Tallinn isn’t stuck in a fairy-tale scene though – just north of the old town, the Culture Kilometre presents a different perspective on the post-Soviet, post-industrial city. Stop off at the Estonian Design House along the way; the award-winning KUMU museum in Kadriorg Park is another destination for art fans.

As in Vilnius and Riga, the New-Nordic influence is evident in the foodie scene. Locavores will rejoice in the beautifully presented, carefully devised tasting menus where seasonal produce really sings. Talking of singing, the Lauluväljak near Kadriorg Park is the venue for the five-yearly summer Song Festivals when tens of thousands gather to belt out traditional and patriotic songs. Another summertime pursuit is lazing on Tallinn’s five beaches – with nearly 24-hour sunshine, there’s a lot of summer to enjoy.

In the last ten years or so, Bordeaux has capitalised on its UNESCO World Heritage status – it’s the world’s largest urban site – and gone into renovation overdrive. Now it’s not only elegant 18th-century boulevards and places which catch your eye. There's the public gardens lining the riverbanks, the slick of the huge Miroir d’Eau pool and the pioneering Cité-du-Vin, a remarkable centre exploring the world of wine housed in a modern, golden building reminiscent of a decanter.

Wine is without doubt top of the agenda: you’ll encounter plenty of regional examples from the surrounding vineyards. Oenophiles may be tempted to head on a tour of local vineyards – there’s a crescent of wine regions to explore, worthwhile for the scenery alone. Food is first-class, too, with big-name chefs leading the charge in the city’s top restaurants. But there are tables for all budgets, and lively bars and clubs to roll onto afterwards. Stretch your legs with riverside strolls or even catching a wave at one of the nearby sandy beaches.