Mini breaks are back in style in 2025, and there are many amazing destinations to choose from whether you’re seeking sunshine, culture, adventure or a little bit of everything. We’ve carefully chosen ten destinations that are just a short flight away so you can pack light and make the most of your time away from the UK.
Here are ten of the best mini break destinations for flyers in 2025.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
If canals, culture and cycling appeal to you, Amsterdam should be the ideal destination. The city is famous for its canals, which helped it earn the nickname “The Venice of the North”. You can easily explore this fantastic city by boat, bike or on foot. When you’re not admiring the picturesque waterways of Amsterdam, you can immerse yourself in culture at places like the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, home to iconic artworks from the likes of Rembrandt and Vermeer.
The city is noted for its flat streets which make exploration a breeze. There’s a host of independent shops and cafes to choose from, and you can stock up on traditional Dutch goods at destinations including the Albert Cuyp Market. Amsterdam is also famous for its nightlife, and there are many lively music venues and late-night cafe bars to visit.
Lisbon, Portugal
From generous amounts of sunshine, charming pastel buildings and delicious seafood, Lisbon has a wealth of great things to offer if you want to get away from it all for a weekend or so. Lisbon is a treasure trove of steep hillsides and spectacular sights such as the Miradouro de Santa Catarina and the São Jorge Castle.
Many people explore Lisbon via one of its famous trams. It’s also famous for its markets including the outdoor Mercado da Ribeira, where you can pick up delightful fresh local produce. You shouldn’t need to take any bulky clothing with you for your visit to Lisbon, which makes packing simple and stress-free. The city’s brilliant transport system consists of trams, buses and the metro, so you can get around with ease.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona offers an incredible fusion of beach culture, architecture and unmissable culinary delights. Some of its most popular beaches include Barceloneta and Nova Icaria, and stunning attractions like Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família and Barcelona Cathedral are famous across the planet.
La Rambla is a vibrant pedestrian street that’s filled with quirky independent shops, cafes and street performers, making it excellent for people-watching. The Gothic Quarter plays host to hidden squares, winding alleys and medieval buildings, whilst the countless clubs and tapas bars on offer make it perfect for nightlife fans. Barcelona also has a great transport network including its metro system, which keeps stress to a minimum when you’re moving around the city.
Paris, France
Paris could be the ideal option if you do want an overseas mini break but don’t want to fly for hours on end. It’s home to some of Europe’s most prestigious attractions including the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower and the Notre-Dame Cathedral.
It’s an extremely walkable and compact city, and many people feel the hours fly by as they explore charming Parisian neighbourhoods such as Le Marais or Saint-Germain-des-Prés. These are home to charming cafes, fascinating art galleries and unique boutique shops. The city also offers a flawless range of museums and theatres.
Dublin, Ireland
Another great option for a mini break just outside of the UK is Dublin. The Irish city has a compact city centre which makes it perfectly possible to enjoy a laidback mini break without overpacking.
Dublin comes complete with friendly pubs, vibrant streets and a rich history. Its literary past is evident in attractions like Trinity College and the Museum of Literature Ireland, where authors like Yeats and Joyce are celebrated enthusiastically.
The Guinness Storehouse is ideal if you want to find out more about what’s possibly Ireland’s most famous export, whilst the fast-paced Temple Bar is a great place to enjoy a drink and soak up some traditional Irish music. The short flight times to Dublin from the UK make it perfect for those who want to travel light and enjoy an unforgettable experience.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik is also a short flight away from the UK and gives you access to some of the most stunning natural landscapes in Europe. It’s famous for its colourful houses, trendy coffee shops and growing culinary scene built around fresh local ingredients.
People who visit Reykjavik often take a day trip around the iconic Golden Circle route to see geysers, waterfalls and volcanic landscapes up close. The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is ideal for those who want to unwind after a day of exploration. Travel in the winter and you might even be able to see the breathtaking Northern Lights during your trip to Reykjavik. Reykjavik is the perfect size to offer you a varied minibreak that blends nature with traditional city amenities.
Rome, Italy
Whether you want to enjoy some spectacular Mediterranean cuisine, dive into history or both, Rome could be the perfect choice when you want to embark upon a brilliant minibreak in Europe. It’s the home of some of Europe’s most famous sites including the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Roman Forum.
There are many beautiful spaces where you can sit and watch the world go by in Rome, such as Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori. You’re never too far away from a gelato shop when in Rome, and there are traditional narrow streets and alleyways full of surprises everywhere. You can also enjoy traditional Italian pasta and pizza at a host of restaurants whether you’re on a tight budget or have more to spend.
Prague, Czech Republic
With buildings that look like they belong in fairytales, cosy cafes and vibrant pubs, Prague has become one of Europe’s most unmissable city break destinations in recent years. Prague’s finest attractions include the iconic Charles Bridge, which will give you exceptional views over the Vltava River as well as the skyline-dominating Prague Castle.
As you can easily explore the city on foot, you won’t need to pack much when you’re preparing to see everything the city has to offer. Prague is also one of the most affordable destinations for a European mini break, which has made it very popular with those on a budget.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Croatia is one of Europe’s most up-and-coming countries, and Dubrovnik is the ideal place to stay if you want to soak up some Croatian culture for a couple of days. Dubrovnik is located on the Adriatic Sea and gives you the perfect blend of history and coastal views. Famed for its beaches like Banje, it’s home to an Old Town that’s overlooked by historic city walls and comes with a range of fascinating historic sites.
Dubrovnik is also famous for being a major location in Game of Thrones.
The Old Town is filled with classic stone buildings, charming squares and eateries where you can enjoy the fresh local seafood in style. It’s also very compact, which means you don’t need to pack a huge heavy suitcase to prepare yourself for your trip to the city.
Nice, French Riviera
Nice gives you a perfect combination of glamour and beachside relaxation. Its most famous attractions include the Promenade des Anglais which is great for long walks and cycling. The Old Town is known as Vieux Nice and comes complete with baroque churches, colourful markets and fantastic places to eat and drink.
The city also has great transport links which make it easy to incorporate trips to places including Cannes, Monaco, or Antibes into your break.
How Cabin Max Can Help When You’re Planning a Mini Break
Cabin Max is the ideal service for you when you need compact and reliable luggage for a short mini break. Our solutions are designed to help you pack smartly to keep stress to a minimum during travel. We offer lightweight, compact and durable cases and bags that fit the cabin luggage restrictions of most airlines.
Two million bags sold
Our stylish designs don’t just look good – they will help you breeze through airports, hop on trains, trams and buses with ease and make it much easier to explore your destination and make the most of your trip. If you’re ready to travel smarter and lighter, we have the solutions for you. In fact, we’ve sold more than two million bags since our inception.
If you need any help with selecting the right travel solutions for your mini break, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our expert team will listen closely to what you have to say to match you up with the ideal packing goods for your requirements. We are ready to hear from you right now.
We’ve been helping travellers pack effectively since way back in 2007, beginning with our famous Metz Cabin Backpack and expanding our range dramatically since then. We are proud to have become a trusted brand that’s been seen in airports around the globe over the past 18 years.
We design cabin bags to the exact measurements that airlines dictate, so you can always be confident that our bags will make the most of your free allowance without incurring extra fees. Find the perfect bag for your airline allowance here.
Getting in touch
Now is the perfect time to get in touch if you want to find out more about our suitcases, cases and bags for lighter travel. To find out more, just send a message to info@cabinmax.com. Alternatively, you can use the live chat facility on our site. We’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.