If not Lisbon then where?

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

We are searching out a European City break for our wedding anniversary in July.

Lisbon was high on the list, but after asking for recommendation on a different thread, I’m now having second thoughts, as it has not exactly received glowing praise!

We are looking for:
- Some historical / cultural interest
- Good transportation to areas of interest but happy to do a lot of walking too
- Good (local) food and drink
- Maybe a pool for relaxing after a day of walking / sightseeing
- Safe for tourists

We’ve been to a lot of European cities already: Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Paris, Barcelona, Porto, Valletta, Berlin, Rome, Florence, Pisa, Amsterdam, Brussels, Taormina, Vienna, Prague, Dublin, Edinburgh plus a few others!

I’m saving Venice & Verona for 2025.

[andy43]

Sticking with Portugal how about Lagos or Porto? Never been to Porto or Lisbon but I think I’d pick it over Lisbon from what I’ve seen/read. Lagos is an hour from Faro airport so pretty easy flight wise and has loads of history and walking, good food, beaches etc.

[mikef]

Seville? Plenty to see, but will be hot in July

[Cabsi]

Malaga. Meets all your requirements.

If you don't mind spending a bit, I can recommend the Gran Hotel Miramar.

Edited by Cabsi on Saturday 11th November 13:39

[hellorent]

Ditto Malaga, Lagos would be easily covered in 2 days

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

andy43 said:

Sticking with Portugal how about Lagos or Porto? Never been to Porto or Lisbon but I think I’d pick it over Lisbon from what I’ve seen/read. Lagos is an hour from Faro airport so pretty easy flight wise and has loads of history and walking, good food, beaches etc.

Already done Porto - lovely place!

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

Seville has been recommended by someone else, so will take a look at that.

[shirt]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

We’ve been to a lot of European cities already: Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Paris, Barcelona, Porto, Valletta, Berlin, Rome, Florence, Pisa, Amsterdam, Brussels, Taormina, Vienna, Prague, Dublin, Edinburgh plus a few others!

I’m saving Venice & Verona for 2025.

Which were your favourites / closest to fitting the current requirement?

We enjoyed Seville, went for semanta Santa this year. F&B was excellent, but didn’t have the overall impact of others on your list. We combined it with Madrid and tarifa for a more varied 10days overall.

I’d suggest Budapest (but haven’t been in maybe 10yrs) and Ljubljana. Slovenia is a very small country so easy to combine a couple of days in the capital (small, walkable, some truly top end f&b at reasonable prices) and, eg, lake bled.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

shirt said:

Which were your favourites / closest to fitting the current requirement?

We enjoyed Seville, went for semanta Santa this year. F&B was excellent, but didn’t have the overall impact of others on your list. We combined it with Madrid and tarifa for a more varied 10days overall.

I’d suggest Budapest (but haven’t been in maybe 10yrs) and Ljubljana. Slovenia is a very small country so easy to combine a couple of days in the capital (small, walkable, some truly top end f&b at reasonable prices) and, eg, lake bled.

There’s been a lot about Lake Bled ‘recently’ - The Grand Tour, Race across the World and a third thing which I can’t remember. I remember going there on holiday with my parents 35 years ago!

Not sure if this is a viable trip just 2 or 3 nights?

[s2kjock]

One of the reasons we went to Lisbon was because we became a fan of the Portuguese from multiple visits to Madeira - it is a bit further, and Funchal is a small city but still has plenty to offer and ticks a few of your boxes - it is still effectively (and technically) European. It wasn't oversaturated with tourists when we used to go, but that was pre covid and there seem to be cruise ships flooding the place much more than there used to be now, which does make the old town very busy during the day.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

s2kjock said:

One of the reasons we went to Lisbon was because we became a fan of the Portuguese from multiple visits to Madeira - it is a bit further, and Funchal is a small city but still has plenty to offer and ticks a few of your boxes - it is still effectively (and technically) European. It wasn't oversaturated with tourists when we used to go, but that was pre covid and there seem to be cruise ships flooding the place much more than there used to be now, which does make the old town very busy during the day.

Oops, forgot about Madeira - done that, very nice 👍🏻

[s2kjock]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

s2kjock said:

One of the reasons we went to Lisbon was because we became a fan of the Portuguese from multiple visits to Madeira - it is a bit further, and Funchal is a small city but still has plenty to offer and ticks a few of your boxes - it is still effectively (and technically) European. It wasn't oversaturated with tourists when we used to go, but that was pre covid and there seem to be cruise ships flooding the place much more than there used to be now, which does make the old town very busy during the day.

Oops, forgot about Madeira - done that, very nice ????

I'm afraid the only other great European city I have experience of that is (quite frankly inexplicably) not on your list is Glasgow - July is the best time of year to experience the lively colourful street processions.

[shirt]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

shirt said:

Which were your favourites / closest to fitting the current requirement?

We enjoyed Seville, went for semanta Santa this year. F&B was excellent, but didn’t have the overall impact of others on your list. We combined it with Madrid and tarifa for a more varied 10days overall.

I’d suggest Budapest (but haven’t been in maybe 10yrs) and Ljubljana. Slovenia is a very small country so easy to combine a couple of days in the capital (small, walkable, some truly top end f&b at reasonable prices) and, eg, lake bled.

There’s been a lot about Lake Bled ‘recently’ - The Grand Tour, Race across the World and a third thing which I can’t remember. I remember going there on holiday with my parents 35 years ago!

Not sure if this is a viable trip just 2 or 3 nights?

For that short a trip then no, but Ljubljana and surrounds would be perfect for that timeframe. It’s a small easily walkable city, nothing world class in terms of museums/attractions but interesting nonetheless. Probably the biggest draw would be the vfm on high end dining. Ana Ros seemed to have started a trend that keeps on rolling. (She has a bistro in the city). At places like Gric you get the full on Michelin experience for mid level outlay.

[Vasco]

I'd still do Lisbon.

If not, Athens or Budapest ?

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

s2kjock said:

I'm afraid the only other great European city I have experience of that is (quite frankly inexplicably) not on your list is Glasgow - July is the best time of year to experience the lively colourful street processions.

Ok, in fairness I will look into Glasgow too - I’ve only really been there for business / conferences so have only really seen the airport, offices, hotels and conference centre!

[shirt]

Think you’re due a parrot there! Colourful is correct as long as that colour is orange!

[Regbuser]

Palermo or Syracuse in Sicily

[Whistle]

Another vote for Malaga, we have been about 8 times and love it.

[Cupid-stunt]

Budapest for sure.

Great history.
Lovly food.
Safe.
upgrade from a regular swimming pool as well....
Not too far to get to and can be inexpensive.
Added bonus is there are some great wines there - just not enough to leave the country so try them whilst out there.

Went a few years ago with my wife and happy to go back and see eparts we didn't to

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

shirt said:

Think you’re due a parrot there! Colourful is correct as long as that colour is orange!

Ok, I’ll take one. I do think we probably look too much to ‘abroad’ when there some nice cities and opportunities in the UK, so I was open to suggestions.