For young families… try Billund

This Danish town in the Jutland region has been making under-11s bounce around excitedly since 1968 when Legoland first opened. Adults will find it hard not to be charmed by the park’s Miniland (built using 20 million Lego bricks, pictured) and Ninjago, a ride inspired by ninjas.

Cementing its reputation as a child’s paradise, Billund is also home to Givskud Zoo, Karensminde Agricultural Museum – an excellent example of an old Danish farm where you can meet the animals – and Kongernes Jelling, which invites you to turn back time to when the Vikings ruled.

Stay: Lalandia Resort is a holiday ‘village’ that’s bonkers but brilliant, with a waterpark, sports hall and 10-pin bowling alley to guarantee entertainment 24/7. A family room (sleeps four) from £415 for two nights.

For families with teenagers… try Helsinki

Striking a balance between old-school heritage and new quirky charm, Helsinki gives teens the chance to feel as though they’ve discovered somewhere cool. Most of the sights are within walking distance, and it’s safe enough to allow them to mooch around by themselves.

Plan a couple of family expeditions ­– to the Suomenlinna sea fortress (above) for a picnic with a unique setting, and to the Hietalahti flea market, which sells everything from vintage clothes and jewellery to Finnish glassware. The huge Verkkokauppa electronics store is not only home to the Computer and Console Museum, but also has a MiG-21BIS fighter plane on the roof. If you’re nostalgic for the days when your teens were chubby-cheeked and easy to please, suggest a ride on the wooden rollercoaster at Linnanmäki Amusement Park. It’s fun for kids of all ages.

Stay: Hilton Strand Hotel (from £270) is a five-minute metro ride from central Helsinki and boasts an indoor pool, gym and sauna, so you can experience the Finnish bathing tradition.

For young couples… try Hamburg

With ample chances for romantic strolls, boat rides and fine dining, Hamburg is an underrated European gem. Amble along the Alsterwanderweg shoreline path, or take the tourist ferry around the river’s nine quays to get your bearings. Then treat your sweetheart to a cinnamon franzbrötchen pastry at one of the many bakeries.

After dark, head to the rambunctious St Pauli area to see the city come alive. Stop off at one of the world’s top 20 bars, Le Lion Bar de Paris for its famous Gin Basil Smash cocktail, before making your way to St Michaelis church, where you can enjoy the superb views during the night-time opening of its viewing platform.

Stay: The Elbe Suite at Hotel Louis C Jacob is the one to book. Expect a king-size bed, luxurious bathroom and binoculars for boat watching. The hotel also boasts a Michelin-starred chef. From £320.

For empty nesters… try Madrid

Madrid is hot in August (highs of 33°c) so pepper leisurely strolls with frequent stops to enjoy the city’s fabulous café culture. The Mercado San Miguel food market (pictured) is just as much of a must-see as the exquisite Prado museum. Order a selection of nibbles from different stalls (especially the Ibérico ham and mushroom croquettes, together with a glass of chilled Rioja) for a satisfying lunch.

Perhaps surprisingly for such a bustling commercial city, Madrid has some excellent green spaces. The biggest is the Casa de Campo, which is five times bigger than New York’s Central Park. In addition to its large lake and cable cars, it’s also home to a funfair, zoo and concert arena.

Stay: The uber-stylish Hotel Urban sits in the city’s golden triangle formed by the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum and the Fundación Reina Sofia museum, and boasts its own collection of exotic art (from 18th-century Chinese portraits to jewellery from Papua New Guinea). Double rooms from £175 per night.

For solo travellers… try Gothenburg

There’s plenty to keep you busy in Gothenburg – from classical music recitals at the art deco Concert Hall and the Opera House, to thought-provoking exhibits at the Art Museum. The city itself is easy to navigate and you can walk everywhere to maximise your sightseeing. Get to grips with the geography with a half-hour boat tour on the main canal from Kungsportsplatsen Square, or take advantage of the city’s cycle rental scheme and head to the 338-acre Slottsskogen park to people watch and enjoy the sunshine.

Make friends (and brush up on your language skills) at Sprakcafeet, a coffee shop that runs a programme of informal language exchange nights.

Stay: Hotel Flora has stylish single rooms (called ‘crash pads’) designed for solo travellers. From £120.

For groups… try Mykonos

Don’t just laze on Mykonos’s fabulous beaches – see them from a different perspective by chartering a private boat for the day. With Istion, ­a day-long cruise includes a stop at the ancient archaeological sites of Delos and the chance to swim and snorkel on Rhinia Island. Back on dry land, why not try a spot of mountain biking? Yummy Pedals offers a tour through the backroads of Mykonos, taking in farms, villages and quiet beaches. Tours begin and end at a local vineyard, so you can reward yourself with a tipple and a bite to eat.

Stay: Indulge yourselves by hiring a villa. Rocky Mansion sleeps 14 people and is just 10 minutes by car from town. In addition to its decadent sun terrace and pool, you can book a chef to come and cook for you. From €2,000 per night.