Easter is the perfect time to take a mini break especially if deadlines are getting you down. Forget about your dissertation for a few days and enjoy some time off in one of these exciting European destinations.

Hamburg

Voted the world’s best city for a night out, Germany’s ‘edgiest’ city has plenty to offer. As it’s only a short plane journey across the water, Hamburg is perfect for a weekend break. Climb the clock tower at St Michaelis Cirche to get a panoramic view of the city and wander around the Speciherstadt, Hamburg’s World Heritage maze of warehouses. After feasting on strudel and schnitzel head to the city’s infamous red light district and go to one of the clubs on the Reeperbahn stretch. If you’re looking for a quieter night out, the city has plenty of traditional German beer halls.

Granada

If you’re craving sunshine after a brutal Leeds winter, Granada is sure to satisfy you. Temperatures rarely drop below 20 degrees in April.  The southern Spanish city is home to The Alhambra palace, a beautiful castle with extensive grounds influenced by Moorish design.  In the evenings, you can enjoy tapas and sangria in one of the city’s many bars. If you have time, leave Granada to visit Sierra Nevada national park where it’s even possible to ski in the highest mountains.

Tallinn

Tallinn is one of the prettiest capitals in Europe and there’s plenty to explore during a weekend break. Wandering round the Old Town feels like stepping back in time, with lots of tiny cobbled streets and cheap cafes. Tallinn has a wide range of nightlife options and plenty of cheap beer and drinks.  The legendary Kompressor Pancake House serves over 20 kinds of pancakes and is the perfect place to eat off a hangover. If you have longer in Tallinn, you can even book a two-night cruise to Helsinki or Stockholm for 10 euros per person!

Milan

Milan is the cheapest Italian city to fly to from most major UK airports, so if you want authentic pizza and pasta, it’s probably your best option. Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper and the Duomo cathedral are just a couple of the city’s cultural hotspots. Milan is also home to the best shopping in Italy, hardly surprising when it’s regarded as the fashion capital of the world. The city starts pre drinking early, with ‘apertivo’ (pre-dinner drinks) offered at most of its restaurants and bars. Afterwards, there is a wide range of clubs or upmarket wine bars to enjoy the rest of the evening.

Krakow

If you’re looking to save money over Easter, Krakow is one of the cheapest European options. As Poland isn’t on the Euro, you can find cheap accommodation right in the centre of the city and even eating in a fancy restaurant in the main square won’t set you back more than £10. Krakow has plenty of cultural attractions from castles, to churches to a Unesco registered salt mine so there’s no reason to feel bored. The city’s nightlife is world-famous and if you manage to avoid the stag-do hotspots you’ll find loads of cheap places to drink.

Lisbon

Lisbon has really taken off as a tourist hotspot in the last few years but it’s still possible to avoid the crowds, especially if you’re travelling around Easter. The weather is likely to be sunny and the city has lots of boutique hostels that won’t break the bank.  You can sample Portugal’s delicious pastel de nata at their birthplace in Belem and drink caipirinhas in the nightlife district, Bairro Alto. Lisbon is also only twenty minutes from the beach so if you’re craving sea and sand, it’s a good option.

 

Esther Marshall

Image Credit: Urban Gaming