Advertisement

9 amazing holiday destinations that you won't believe you can do in a day from London

Shutterstock / canadastock
Shutterstock / canadastock

Rail strikes, Brexit, bitterly cold evenings… it’s safe to say that most of us living in the capital are ready for a long holiday.

But if you’re being strategic about your annual leave this year, why not satisfy your wanderlust urges by visiting a country that’s ‘doable’ in just a day?

It’s easy to forget that London is ideally placed for a quick getaway. Sitting on mainland Europe’s doorstep, there are a surprising number of bucket list destinations that are just a few hours away by plane - making for the perfect spontaneous getaway.

So rather than spending your Saturday festering on the sofa and watching Netflix, pack a bag, grab your passport and make a play for one of these cultural hotspots instead.

Amsterdam

Some flights to Amsterdam take just one hour, leaving you plenty of time to do a whistle-stop tour of the main attractions. Catch an early flight and you can take a brunch boat through the historic canals, quaffing champagne and eating avocado on toast as you take in the higgledy piggledy 18th century buildings. If you’re feeling brave, hire a bike and pedal through the pretty cobbled streets or simply sit at a pavement cafe sipping on a cappuccino and watching the world go by.

Paris

Let the City of Love be your date for the day. The French capital is just a Netflix episode away from London - with some flights lasting just 45 minutes.

Take in the cityscape vista from the Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre, have a picnic lunch at the Eiffel Tower and wander around the lamp post-lined patchwork of villages and neighbourhoods.

(Shutterstock / S.Borisov)
(Shutterstock / S.Borisov)

Dublin

You don’t have to take a flight to mainland Europe to make a break from the capital. A great pint of Guinness in historic Dublin is just one hour and 20 minutes away by plane. Come here for pub culture, amazing museums and galleries and bracing coastal walks on the curving shores of Dublin Bay.

Bruges

Thanks to the Eurostar, Bruges is in easy striking distance from the UK. It’s one of the furthest away on this list, so you’ll need to set your alarm early if you’re going to make the most of a one-day visit. This pretty, fairytale-like town is all canals, cobbled streets and medieval buildings - and it’s just three hours and 30 minutes from London.

(Shutterstock / Emi Cristea)
(Shutterstock / Emi Cristea)

Oslo

The Norwegian capital is the up-and-coming Scandinavian city that has more than enough to offer those jetting in just for the day. It may not have the profile of neighbours like Copenhagen or Stockholm, but it’s slowly building a name for itself thanks to world-class art museums, impressive architecture and a cosy cafe culture. Catch a flight here in two hours and 20 minutes

(Shutterstock / Anna Jedynak)
(Shutterstock / Anna Jedynak)

Prague

Not just for stag parties, Prague is the perfect romantic riverside break for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the capital for the day - and it only takes two hours to get here. The Czech Republic us one of the most historic places to see in Europe, and a much better place to spend an afternoon than London. Its quaint bridges, medieval church spires, ancient squares and will make you feel like you’ve stepped back into another era.

Zurich

Forget Berlin… Zurich is fast becoming the go-to destination for a European city break. In just under two hours you could be strolling through the cobbled old town, hunting out a bargain in the Viadukt shopping district or enjoying a cocktail in the bustling hub of trendy bars.

(Shutterstock / canadastock)
(Shutterstock / canadastock)

Copenhagen

Design-conscious architecture, world-class restaurants and beauty on every street corner - if you haven’t yet found an excuse to visit the Danish capital, how about the fact it’s less than two hours to fly here by plane? Dine at Michelin-starred Noma, stroll around the historic Tivoli Gardens and blow your paycheck on a new wardrobe from Acne.

(Shutterstock / Scanrail1)
(Shutterstock / Scanrail1)

Porto

Forget Lisbon, Portugal’s second city is hot on the capital’s heels, luring tourists in with renowned wines, colourful food markets, a thriving bar scene and warm climates. Flights to Porto's international airport take around two hours and 20 minutes, leaving plenty of time to visit its biggest touring traps. Head here in summer for fiesta vibes and surfing opportunities.

For more travel ideas click here.