5 cities in Europe for a spot of summer sun

*Dubrovnik’s Old Town glows in the European sunshine.*

While Europe has some of the world’s most fantastic stretches of coastline, not all summer holidays on the continent must involve sand and sunbathing. When the sunshine arrives, many of Europe’s major cities come out to play, affording travellers the perfect opportunity to explore these great destinations.

Whether you’re travelling as a couple, a family or with a group of friends, the possibilities are endless with something for everyone. Here are five of the best European destinations for a quick getaway in summer 2018.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

*Dubrovnik’s medieval Old Town is encased inside a well-preserved wall.*

Located in an exclave of Croatia on the Adriatic Sea, separated from the mainland by a sliver of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dubrovnik weaves coastal beauty with an enchanting old town to create one of Europe’s most enchanting cities. It is where white limestone streets piece together to present a maze of beautiful baroque buildings, incredible restaurants and photo opportunities.

Take a walk around the well-preserved ancient city walls and look across the city’s terracotta rooftops, head up Mount Srd by cable car for a range of adventurous activities or dinner with a view, and spot familiar sites from popular television programme Game of Thrones, which has utilised Dubrovnik as one of its filming locations.

Vienna, Austria

*If you want to go inside Schönbrunn Palace, make sure you book your tickets online first.*

Austria is known for its incredible mountains and ski resorts, but in summer Vienna is the place to be in this Alpine nation. Take a trip to Schönbrunn Palace and enjoy the wonderful sun-soaked gardens of the former imperial residence. Tour the palace’s famous orangery, enjoy views from the hill, or let the kids experience its interactive play areas and hedge mazes. If you want to go inside the palace itself, make sure you book ahead as queues on the day can be crazy.

Every summer the city hosts its annual Film Festival at Rathausplatz, screening a range of movies to the public at this open-air cinema every day at nightfall from late June to early September. It also has its own funfair, Wurstelprater, which is the oldest amusement park in the world and has rides for all ages, including the famous Viennese Giant Wheel.

Nice, France

*Nice’s architecture alone is well worth a visit.*

Situated on a prime stretch of the French Riviera, Nice offers the best of both worlds when it comes to a summer city break. The Promenade des Anglais has a long stretch of golden sand and turquoise waters, while also being blessed with a great selection of beachside bars and restaurants.

But there’s also plenty to explore in the city including Castle Hill, the remains of an old fortress which is now a park filled with wonderful Mediterranean trees and shrubs, as well as the pastel-coloured buildings and cobbled streets of Vieux Nice. And if Nice itself isn’t enough to whet the appetite alone, then the Principality of Monaco, with its flash yachts and famous casino, is just a short train ride away.

Catania, Italy

*Sicily has an incredible coastline, but also a couple of beautiful cities of which Catania is one.*

Catania is a port city on Sicily’s eastern coast, sitting at the foot of Mount Etna. Visitors can take a guided tour up the volcano or simply enjoy its emanating plumes of smoke from afar. Its city centre is grand and atmospheric, getting its youthful vibe from cool and gritty bars, abundance of energy and earthy spirit.

Catania is also a gateway to some of the Italian island’s most spectacular beaches including the pebbles of Isola Bella in Taormina and the soft sand on San Vito Lo Capo beach.

Lisbon, Portugal

*Lisbon is famous for its trams. Just make sure you have your camera at the ready when one goes by!*

The Portuguese capital is one of Europe’s most popular destination thanks to a range of tasty restaurants, chic bars and the plethora of attractions on offer. Take to the city’s hilly streets (preferably with appropriate footwear for a lot of walking) and observe beautiful, tiled buildings glistening in the sun, get stunning views over the Tagus River and of the 25 de Abril Bridge from Belém Tower or indulge in some retail therapy in the trendy Baixa district.

With festivals and events regularly popping up around the city each summer, it is one of the best times of year to visit. It’s also quick and easy to get to the beaches of Estoril and Cascais by train, ensuring that a quick retreat to Portugal’s sandy shores are never far away.