Editor’s Choice

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

17 January 2022

We love city breaks!

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: 8
From
£750 / 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
£89 / 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
£308 / 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
£43 / night

Towed Town Camping

Bristol, England
A fun and quirky indoor campsite with stylish vintage caravans, set in the heart of Bristol's thriving creative hub.
Bedrooms: 5 caravans
Sleeps: 2-3 per caravan
From
£48 / 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

The Liverpool Boat

Liverpool, England
A cool and contemporary nautical retreat that's dog-friendly, permanently moored in the heart of Liverpool's vibrantly historic city centre.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£220 / 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
£200 / 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)

The Four Sisters Boatel

Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
A luxurious, pet-friendly houseboat, permanently moored just ten minutes' walk from Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4 (+2)
From
£220 / night

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