Where to go in August

Longing for a European break, but running short on holiday days? These cultured cities were made for a weekend getaway, says The Sunday Times Travel magazine’s Alicia Miller

Milan, Italy

Mid-sized Milan is just the place for a balmy summer city break with a side of scenery. Spend one day hopping around its compact, duomo-studded centre, taking aperitivo on terraces, seeing The Last Supper mural and window shopping in the ritzy Golden Triangle. Then, get out into the shadow of the Alps, to breezy Lake Maggiore, where you can cruise by ornate waterside hotels and wander the epic gardens of Palazzo Borromeo.
Dream flight: BA570 departs London Heathrow at 18:35 on Friday evening, arriving in Milan (Linate) at 21:30

Take me to Milan

Prague, Czech Republic

The fairytale architecture of the Czech capital – rambling Prague Castle, statue-lined Charles Bridge, treasure-packed St Vitus Cathedral – is all the nicer when you have a backdrop of clear blue skies. During the sun-warmed August days, street performers cluster around the beer-filled terraced restaurants in the epicentre, Old Town Square, and couples picnic on the grass along tree-lined Petrin Hill, the castle’s royal orchards-turned-park. Join them, or hop on a pleasantly breezy, hour-long river cruise to take in the scene from the water.
Dream flight: BA858 departs London Heathrow at 20:00 on Friday evening, arriving in Prague at 23:00

Take me to Prague

Nice, France

The smooth stones of its beach are sun-toasted, the turquoise surf is warm, the seaside cafes are rosé-soaked – there’s a reason why so many people flock to Nice in summer. With its alfresco markets, pink-roofed buildings and clutch of impressionist museums, this southern French city is the perfect size for a lazy weekender. By morning, wander the twisted streets of the Old Town, packed with boulangeries and Provençal soap shops; in the afternoon, laze languidly under the stripy umbrella of a beach club. Then, come nightfall, stroll the expansive waterside promenade with pistachio crème glacée in hand.
Dream flight: BA352 departs London Heathrow at 20:50 on Friday evening, arriving in Nice at 23:50

Take me to Nice

Bilbao, Spain

Much of Spain is blisteringly hot in August, but northerly Bilbao is tickled by sea breezes, keeping this art-and-food-packed city a pleasant 26°C throughout the month. Work up an appetite walking along the snaking Nervión river, lined with steel bridges, to the metallic mass of Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim – Spain’s finest contemporary art museum. Then, carry on southeast, and fuel up on slivers of jamón and mouth-puckering local txakoli wine at tiled pintxos (Basque tapas) bars in the atmospheric Casco Viejo (Old Town).
Dream flight: BA8043 departs London Gatwick at 20:10 on Friday evening, arriving in Bilbao at 23:00

Take me to Bilbao

Basel, Switzerland

The Rhine river carves through this northwestern Swiss city’s heart like a crescent moon and in late July and August the three-week festival Imfluss fills its watery expanse each evening as the stars come out. More than a dozen bands from around the world perform on a river-perched platform, while crowds look on from the banks. During the day, the sun’s out – perfect for exploring the city’s medieval town centre, touring its striking contemporary architecture, or walking to some of its cult museums. These include the always-changing, glass-walled Fondation Beyeler, currently home to a comparative Alberto Giacometti and Francis Bacon exhibition until September.
Dream flight: BA756 departs London Heathrow at 20:15 on Friday evening, arriving in Prague at 22:55

Take me to Basel

Helsinki, Finland

Finland’s pocket-sized capital sparkles in the long, late summer days of August – even midway through the month, the sun doesn’t set over its butter-yellow buildings or sidewalk-spilling cafes until well after nine o’clock. You can amble past the wedding-cakey cathedral in the cobbled main square, peruse the berry-packed produce market, tour the port and raid the Scandi-cool design shops all in a single day. Then, spend your Sunday as the locals do, kayaking or cycling around nearby archipelago islands, with waterways cloaked in forest.
Dream flight: BA798 departs London Heathrow at 18:40 on Friday evening, arriving in Helsinki at 23:35

Take me to Helsinki

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This article has been tagged Destination, Travel Tips