Weekend Destinations That Suit First-Time Travellers

The compact old town

A historic centre you can cross in twenty minutes, with a river or a square at the middle of it. Almost every European country has several.

It suits a first trip because you cannot really get lost, everything is walkable and there is always somewhere to sit. Two days is exactly the right length.

The small capital

Capital cities of smaller countries are a sweet spot. They have the museums, the transport and the restaurant scene of a capital at a scale you can actually cover in a weekend.

You also get good flight connections, which is not a small thing when the trip is short.

The coastal town out of season

A seaside place in spring or autumn is quiet, cheap and often lovelier than in August. Bring a coat and expect some things to be closed.

It suits anyone who wants rest rather than sightseeing. The activity is walking on the front and eating well.

The city with one great museum

Some cities have a single institution worth the journey on its own. Building a weekend around one exceptional thing takes the pressure off the rest of the itinerary.

Book the ticket, go early, then spend the remaining time doing very little.

• One anchor is booked and paid for
• The rest of the trip has no expectations attached
• It works even in bad weather
• Easy to do alone or with someone else

The nearby countryside

You do not have to fly. A train to a small town with hills, a river or a national park nearby can feel further from ordinary life than a plane ride.

It suits people who find airports stressful and would like a first trip with none in it.

The city you already half know

Somewhere you visited as a child, or where a friend lives, or that you have seen so often on screen it feels familiar.

There is no shame in an easy first choice. A familiar destination lets you practise the travelling part while the destination part takes care of itself.