Ten destinations for a last-minute weekend
Dreaming of a weekend away, without the hassle and without planning too far ahead? It is possible, as long as you choose destinations that lend themselves to it.
Some cities are particularly well suited to an impromptu getaway: you get there in a few hours, the centre can be explored on foot, and the essentials do not need booking three months ahead. Here are ten destinations I often suggest for a weekend decided late, each with the travel time, what can be done in two days and the most favourable time of year.
The travel times given are approximate, for a direct flight or a direct train from Paris. From elsewhere in France, I always start by looking at what leaves from the airport or station closest to you.
1. Lisbon
About two and a half hours by air. Two days are enough for the Alfama and its alleyways, the Belém district and a sunset from a miradouro. The city is hilly: good shoes matter more than a packed programme. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to go.
2. Porto
About two hours by air. A compact city, ideal for a weekend: the Ribeira on the banks of the Douro, the wine cellars on the other side of the bridge, and a short cruise on the river. It stays pleasant for much of the year, with a rainier winter.
3. Barcelona
About an hour and forty-five minutes by air. The Gothic Quarter, El Born, the Sagrada Família and the end of the day on the seafront. The best-known monuments are booked online: for a weekend, it is the first thing I do. Spring and early autumn avoid the summer crowds and heat.
4. Seville
About two hours by air. The Alcázar, the cathedral, the Triana district and evenings on café terraces. It is a spring and autumn destination: the summer heat is overwhelming, and I advise against it in July and August.
5. Rome
About two hours by air. In two days, you have to choose: Antiquity, the Vatican, or the neighbourhoods to soak up, such as Trastevere. The Colosseum and the Vatican Museums are booked in advance, or you risk spending the morning in a queue. I also talk about this on my trip to Italy page.
6. Venice
About an hour and forty-five minutes by air. Venice is best experienced by staying overnight: early in the morning and in the evening, once the day visitors have left. Arriving by boat from the airport is part of the trip. Spring and autumn are ideal; winter has its charm but can bring high water.
7. Amsterdam
About three hours twenty minutes by direct train from Paris, which means no flight. The canals, the Jordaan, and one major museum a day at most. Some of the most popular museums can only be booked online, well in advance. Spring is the most sought-after season.
8. London
About two hours fifteen minutes by direct train from Paris. The major national museums are free, which leaves flexibility in the programme. Please note: an electronic travel authorisation is now required for French nationals to enter the United Kingdom. I explain it in my guide to preparing a trip to Scotland, as the rule is the same for the whole of the United Kingdom.
9. Marrakech
About three hours fifteen minutes by air. Sunshine when it is grey in France, the medina, a quiet riad and a garden to catch your breath. For a weekend, I recommend staying in the city rather than trying to reach the desert. A passport is required. Autumn, winter and spring are the best seasons, and my trip to Morocco page covers the rest.
10. Nice
A short flight or a few hours by train, with no passport needed for French travellers. Old Nice, the Promenade, and half a day in a village on the nearby coast. It is one of the rare weekend destinations where you can find mild weather in winter without leaving France.
What makes the difference on a short weekend
The secret of a successful weekend comes down to three things: a genuinely short journey, well-located accommodation, and a deliberately light programme. Two days do not fill up like a week, and trying to see everything is the best way to come home more tired than when you left.
- Look at the timetables before the price: a flight that arrives late on Friday or leaves early on Sunday shrinks the weekend to a single day.
- Check the distance between the airport and the centre: it varies a great deal from one city to another.
- Choose accommodation in the neighbourhood where you want to spend your evenings, not just the cheapest one.
- Book first what cannot be improvised: a very popular monument, a table for Saturday night.
If you want to leave quickly without organising anything yourself, I take care of the destination, the transport and the accommodation, and send you a programme ready to enjoy. It is all explained on my tailor-made weekend page.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the last-minute weekend.
Which city should I choose for a last-minute weekend?
The one that is easiest to reach from where you live on the dates you have chosen. A destination that is ideal on paper can be a bad idea if the outward journey takes half a day.
Can I go away for the weekend without flying?
Yes: London and Amsterdam can be reached by direct train from Paris, and many French cities lend themselves very well to a weekend.
Do I need a passport for these destinations?
For French nationals, an identity card is enough for European Union countries. Morocco requires a passport, and the United Kingdom requires an electronic travel authorisation in addition to the passport.
Can you organise a weekend very quickly?
Yes, it is even where the name LastMinute.Life comes from. The shorter the notice, the narrower the choice, but a quick departure is still possible.
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