Editor’s Choice

The World’s Best – and Most Extraordinary – City Breaks

17 January 2022

They’re endlessly versatile, packed with places to see and things to do, and much more budget-friendly than holidays to exotic, far-flung destinations.

Better still: when you choose the right city – and you forgo the bland hotel room for something a little more unusual – you won’t compromise on ‘wow-factor’ uniqueness.

Here’s our rundown of the best city breaks you can take, in the UK and worldwide.

Author: Nina Jervis
Image: Hüettenpalast | Berlin

Boutique Barges

London, England

Leave your cares far away on dry land in a relaxing and stylish river retreat, perfectly moored in the vibrant heart of Central London.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 4-5 per boat

From

£460 / 2 nts

The Harpy Houseboat

Tower Bridge, London, England

Welcome aboard London's oldest houseboat, The Harpy, with unrivalled majestic views of Tower Bridge.

Bedrooms: 4

Sleeps: 10

From

£800 /night

Jumbostay

Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden

Jumbostay is a totally out-of-this-world hostel at Sweden's Stockholm Arlanda Airport, where guests can sleep in an original Boeing 747 and

Bedrooms: Varies

Sleeps: 1-4 per room

From

£40 pppn

Brooks Rooftop Rockets

Bristol, England

Hit the heights of groovy urban glamping in a Brooks Rooftop Rocket - a supercool selection of Airstream-style caravans on the rooftop of a boutique hotel, in the heart of Bristol's old town!

Bedrooms: 1 per unit

Sleeps: 2 per unit

From

£109 /night

Amsterdam The Crane by YAYS

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Experience a taste of the high life in an iconic, refurbished crane offering luxurious living, an outstanding location and unbeatable views across Amsterdam East, North and the IJ-River.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£265 / night

Urgell Apartment

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

An architect-designed, cutting-edge penthouse overlooking the heart of Barcelona's thriving Sant Antoni district.

Bedrooms: 2

Sleeps: 4

From

£350 /night

Crane Hotel Faralda

Amsterdam, Netherlands

View the beauty of Amsterdam from a unique position - a stylish and award-winning hotel at the top of a former crane!

Bedrooms: 1 per suite

Sleeps: 2 per suite

From

£934 / night

Laurel Canyon Box House

Los Angeles, California, USA

A unique, glass-constructed architectural marvel, set high above the Los Angeles hills for stunning natural views.

Bedrooms: 3

Sleeps: 6

From

£680 /night

Grand Daddy Airstream Trailer Park

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Seven gleaming, individually-styled airstreams secluded at the top of Cape Town's iconic city centre hotel.

Bedrooms: 1 per airstream

Sleeps: 2 per airstream

From

£132 / night (2 guests B&B)

ZERO Box Lodge

Porto, North Portugal, Porto/North Portugal

Experience Porto from a unique, groundbreaking concept and design-led lodge that thinks outside the box...while you sleep cosily inside it!

Bedrooms: 1 bed per box

Sleeps: 2 per box

From

£70 / night

THEKRANE

Copenhagen, Denmark

Scandi Noir in its most unique and luxurious form - a private, soul-enriching Danish retreat set in a former coal crane.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£1,069 / night

LV14 SULA Lightship

Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England

Escape to the water and enjoy a unique and scenic adult-only stay aboard a historic British Lightship, beautifully restored and enchantingly moored in the Gloucester Docks, in the Cotswolds.

Bedrooms: 2

Sleeps: 4

From

£166 night

Wonderland House

Brighton, East Sussex, England

A movie-themed, award-winning vintage haven by Brighton seafront, complete with teacup chairs and whimsical décor for a large group break that inspires the playful children in you!

Bedrooms: 6

Sleeps: 24

From

£1,200 (2nts)