Krakow and Venice top European city break league

Krakow and Venice have emerged as the best places to visit on a European city break, according to a new Which? survey.

 

However, Cologne and Dublin were the lowest scoring destinations in the table of almost 40 cities.

 

The consumer watchdog asked more than 1,600 Which? members to rate their experiences of cities across Europe to create a list of favourite city break destinations.

 

Locations were rated according to food and drink, accommodation, cultural sights and attractions, shopping, ease of getting around, lack of crowds and value for money.

 

An overall score was then calculated based on satisfaction and likeliness to recommend the city.

 

Krakow in southern Poland came top with a score of 92% – its fifth time in the top spot in Which?’s annual survey.

 

The Unesco World Heritage site rated well for food and drink, accommodation, ease of getting around, value for money and cultural attractions.  

 

Italian city Venice was second with a score of 90%. It scored well for accommodation plus cultural sights and attractions.

 

Tied in third place with score of 89% were Valencia in Spain and Austrian capital Vienna.

 

New in the top five was Istanbul in Turkey with 88%, rating well for food and drink, cultural sights and accommodation.

 

Cologne and Dublin were the lowest scoring city destinations with both scoring 69%.

 

Dublin rated poorly for value for money and crowds, while Cologne scored three stars for cultural sights and tourist attractions, crowds and value for money.

 

However, visitors praised the German city’s food and beer, markets and ease of getting around.

 

Naomi Leach, deputy editor of Which? Travel, said: “Whether you are looking for culture, art, history or top gastronomy, there are several European cities that deliver.

 

“British holidaymakers who look beyond the most famous destinations can find great value for money in foodie escapes, such as Krakow and Valencia.

 

“Despite the crowds, classic city breaks Venice and Vienna scored highly with visitors due to their unparalleled cultural attractions.”