No continent in the world has quite as many alluring city breaks on its doorstep as Europe. And when you fly from Birmingham Airport, there’s a whole host of exciting sights and atmospheres ready and waiting to be explored, from Berlin’s legendary nightlife to Venice’s iconic canals.
Berlin skyline and the famous TV tower at Alexanderplatz
Here’s a selection of this year’s finest short-break escapes and new routes flying from Birmingham Airport:
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Berlin
Cut in half by a fortified wall for almost 30 years, Berlin might be the most unique city in Europe. Few places bear such open scars of conflict, yet these have been turned into some fascinating museums and attractions.
the iconic Brandenburg Gate
The graffiti-splashed East Side Gallery turns the Berlin Wall into a colourful open-air art gallery, while the Asisi Panorama near Checkpoint Charlie takes visitors back in time to the city’s strange Cold War atmosphere.
Modern Berlin is more well known for its bouncing dusk-till-dawn nightlife, so when evening falls head over to the bars and clubs of Kreuzberg, Neukölln and Friedrichshain where canalside raves at clubs like Watergate and Club der Visionaere showcase why Germany’s capital is also Europe’s party capital.
Berlin’s East Side Gallery: Graffiti transforms the Berlin Wall into an open-air art gallery
And while revelling is tempting, always make time for Berlin’s classic sights. Pose in front of the iconic Brandenburg Gate, explore the Reichstag (always pre-book) and relax in the lush Tiergarten afterwards, before the party starts all over again
Book your flights from Birmingham to Berlin now with easyJet and Ryanair.
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Barcelona
Incredible food, sun-kissed beaches, world-class museums, spectacular architecture and some fabulous hotels. Barcelona is the city that has it all, and it’s easier than ever to reach from Birmingham.
Experience the enchantment of Gaudí’s Park Güell
However, what to do when you arrive? There’s no hiding from the Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí’s magnificent unfinished masterpiece that’s somehow as stunning on the inside as it is from the outside. Continue the Gaudí tour with the weird and wonderful Park Güell, before heading back to the city to unwind with cocktails in the tiny bars and charming bistros of the Gothic Quarter.
The breathtaking interior of Sagrada Família
Start the next day with a meander amid the bright tomatoes and fresh cheese at Barcelona’s famous La Boqueria market (don’t miss the tapas here either). Taking the cable car up to Montjuïc Hill and soaking in its sweeping views is tempting, but then again so is marinading under the sun at Barceloneta Beach.
Barceloneta Central Beach
So however you choose to spend your time in Barcelona, there are a ton of ways to reach the Catalan capital from Birmingham.
Book your flights from Birmingham to Barcelona now with easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair and Vueling.
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Jersey
Seeking a stunning change of scenery without leaving Britain? Discover the beauty of Jersey, the most southerly of the British Isles, accessible from Birmingham Airport.
Mount Orgueil Castle over the Gorey Village promenade
The biggest of the Channel Islands, Jersey’s breezy country lanes and windswept coastline are perfect for those who love the great outdoors, whether that’s walking, jogging or cycling. And if you’d prefer to take things at a slower pace, then Plemont Bay on the north coast is squeezed between high cliffs and offers a wonderfully hidden escape when the sun is beating down. If you’re with family too, there are caves, rockpools and a waterfall perfect for exploring.
Speaking of family, Jersey also boasts one of Britain’s finest zoos, with over 130 species of rare and endangered species, including gorillas and orangutans. The Jersey War Tunnels are a fascinating window into the island’s history too, with tour guides full of wild WWII stories and anecdotes.
Plemont Bay
Why not start things off in Jersey’s lively capital St Helier, and soak up the atmosphere of its pubs, bistros and restaurants, where the seafood is sublime and the island life awaits.
Book your flights from Birmingham to Jersey now with Blue Islands and easyJet.
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Best of the rest
City breaks are all about cultural escapism and Birmingham Airport can take you there.
Place De La Bourse, Bordeaux
Like your wine? Hop over to Bordeaux for some of the world’s finest reds or head down to Porto for the freshest, sweetest port straight from the Douro Valley. If you’re looking for Europe’s finest architecture, then Paris’s Art Deco boulevards or the baroque palaces of Vienna are less than two hours away.
Birmingham has plenty of canals, but it has some stylish competition from the serpentine waterways passing through Venice and Amsterdam. Food lovers are spoilt for choice, with a full menu of fine culinary escapes including the home of pizza Naples and France’s gastronomic capital Lyon. And don’t forget that the world’s finest galleries and museums are just a short flight away, whether it’s the Prado Museum in Madrid or the Vatican Museums – home to the Sistine Chapel – in Rome.
