4 Short-Haul Cities For An Autumn Break
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PORTO, PORTUGAL
Flight time from London: 2h 25
Lisbon is the obvious choice for an affordable weekend in Portugal, but the country’s second city is just as appealing. Known for its eclectic neighbourhoods, riverside restaurants and world-famous fortified wine, Porto was made for a later summer break. Over the last 15 years, it’s undergone a massive renovation, but its cobbled streets are still lined with artisan shops and cafés, filled with locals drinking coffee, snacking on pastéis de nata and eating great seafood cooked on the street. Split by an iconic metal bridge across the Douro, the cityscape is a sophisticated one, with rows of granite buildings and balconied houses interspersed with charming markets, museums and gardens. Porto is ideal for pottering around and taking in the sights, as well as tasting its most famous export at one of the many port houses. When you’ve drunk your fill of sticky red ports, a white port and tonic is a refreshing alternative.
Where To Stay
Affordable:
Rosa Et Al Townhouse
Rosa Et Al Townhouse ticks all the boxes for an affordable weekend. A 15-minute walk from the city’s riverfront, it’s surrounded by galleries, boutiques and cool bars. Blending traditional architecture and mid-century design, rooms are spacious. The restaurant has become a destination in its own right; locals go for weekend brunch, six-course dinners and even cookery workshops.
Visit RosaEtAl.com
Luxury:
Torel 1884
Set in a former 19th-century palace, this hotel is a five-minute walk from Avenida dos Aliados – Porto’s historic main street. There are 12 bedrooms across three floors linked by a central staircase. Rooms have separate living areas and grand bathrooms with freestanding baths. If you’re not staying overnight, hit up the conservatory-style restaurant for tapas and local wines.
Visit Torel1884.com
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ATHENS, GREECE
Flight time from London: 3h 55
Athens is unbeatable for a culture-filled weekend with its contrasts of ancient and new. The city can be unbearably hot during summer, but temperatures average out around 25°C in September and October. A visit to the Acropolis, Athens’ ancient citadel, is a no brainer, but go in the morning to escape the crowds. Learn about the site at the Acropolis Museum next door, before walking along Dionysiou Areopagitou, the famous pedestrianised street where you’ll find other ancient sites like the Theatre of Dionysus and Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Don’t miss the Museum of Cycladic Art with its impressive collection of ancient artefacts. It’s also worth making time to hit the antique flea markets of Monastiraki and spend an afternoon at Anafiotika, a charming village beneath the Parthenon. For a cool date, book tickets to a film at the open-air Cine Dexameni.
Where To Stay
Affordable:
New Hotel
The Brazilian Campana brothers, a famous design duo, turned this once-derelict spot in downtown Athens into a buzzy hotel. Expect clean and sharp interiors with upcycled furniture and rooms with fantastic city views. There’s a rooftop restaurant for sundowners and snacks, plus a small spa and wellness centre. You’ll also find cool artwork throughout, like giant statues of Coca-Cola bottles made to look like ancient ruins.
Luxury:
The Dolli
For a masterclass in hospitality and service, check into the Dolli. It’s in a former 1920s fabric emporium recently renovated by the Grecotel chain. Guests can stay in smart rooms with high ceilings and marble bathrooms, but the star of the show is the roof terrace with an infinity pool that creates the illusion that you’re floating in the Parthenon. Staff can organise everything from private tours to romantic dinners.
Visit TheDolli.com
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TEL AVIV, ISRAEL
Flight time from London: 4h 55
With thousands of direct flights from London each year, Tel Aviv is easier to get to than ever. This Israeli city on the Med has a lot to offer, from excellent cuisine to the dynamic nightlife of Rothschild Boulevard and the trendy Sarona neighbourhood. Party the night away in any of the open-air bars on Allenby or Barzilay streets, or enjoy a more laidback drink at the Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar overlooking Tel Aviv’s promenade. The city centre is filled with hip cafés and bars, leading into quaint side streets you can wander for hours. Must-see cultural sites include the ancient port of Jaffa, Park HaYarkon and the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. You should also leave time to enjoy one of the city’s 16 beaches – Gordon is one of the most beautiful, with turquoise waters and proximity to numerous bars and restaurants.
Where To Stay
Affordable:
Hotel Saul
This small boutique hotel is a short walk from Tel Aviv’s historic buildings and buzzy neighbourhoods – it’s only 200m from the famous Carmel Market. It’s also conveniently close to one of the best cheap eateries in the city, Falafel Johnny. Rooms are minimalist with light and bright interiors.
Visit HotelSaul.com
Luxury:
Hotel Montefiore
This is one of Tel Aviv’s smartest hotels. It’s owned by renowned restaurant group R2M, which is also behind Herzl, a cool coffee bar and deli by day that turns into a nightclub. Hotel Montefiore is small, with only ten rooms and art-deco interiors. Its French-Vietnamese fusion restaurant is worth a standalone visit.
Visit HotelMontefiore.co.il
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NICE, FRANCE
Flight time from London: 2h
Right on the Côte D’Azur, Promenade des Anglais is Nice’s famous seafront, where you can walk or cycle then stop for ice-cream and wine at one of the many stalls. From here, Colline du Château is only a ten-minute walk. With some of the best views of the city, visitors can climb the winding staircase to explore the park and its waterfall (artificial but beautiful). Beaches? La Reserve is close to the city centre with diving boards built into the rocks, while Castel Plage is a little more secluded with sun loungers for lazy days. Plage Publique des Ponchettes is one of the biggest and always draws crowds with its volleyball court and proximity to some lively beach bars. For a culture fix, visit the 20th-century Russian cathedral, Cathédrale Orthodoxe Russe St-Nicolas, and Sotheby’s Musée Masséna which is filled with 19th-century French art. Nice’s Modern and Contemporary Art Museum is also worth a visit, as is the Matisse Museum.
Where To Stay
Affordable:
Hotel Suisse
For old-world French glamour, Hotel Suisse is a four-star hotel overlooking the blue waters of the Baie des Anges. Offering excellent value for money, there are 38 rooms, from traditional doubles to spacious suites with separate living areas, terraces with sun loungers, plus a small bar area. There isn’t a restaurant, but there are plenty of places to eat in the Old Town and port where you can try traditional niçoise cuisine while taking in riviera views.
Visit Hotel-Nice-Suisse.com
Luxury:
Boscolo Exedra
If you want to go all out, book a room at this 19th-century palace on the central boulevard with a basement pool, bedrooms with mosaic-tiled bathrooms, and a rustic Italian restaurant with an outdoor terrace. It’s also home to one of the best rooftops in the city, which has a second pool.
Visit BoscoloCollection.com
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