Seven of Europe’s best no-fuss city breaks before new Brexit rules begin

We’re just two months away from the launch of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). It will require third-country travellers – including UK passport holders – to register biometric information, such as their fingerprints and facial photographs. Replacing passport stamping as a way to check that visitors are complying with visa-free travel rules, EES is expected to initially increase wait times at some ports and airports for trips to Europe.

Although 10 November will arrive soon, Britons still have several weeks to enjoy a relatively hassle-free European holiday before added bureaucracy comes into force.

It just so happens that the autumn months are perfect for a mini break and, adding to the appeal of a post-summer getaway, Eurostar has just launched a flash sale, offering fares from just £35 one-way, until 10.59pm on 12 September.

That means you can get £70 return tickets to Paris, Lille or Brussels from London St Pancras International – the cheapest you’ll ever find Eurostar fares.

These £35 fares are for travel from Tuesday 24 September to Wednesday 27 November, depending on availability.

Here are seven of the best autumn breaks in Europe, taking advantage of the low Eurostar ticket prices or offering affordable journeys by plane and ferry, all coming in at under £200 per person.

Paris, France

A classic Eurostar break, Paris is always a good idea.

In the autumn, Parisians and visitors can sit outside at one of the many cafés along the city’s handsome boulevards, sipping coffee – or a kir royale – under the warmth of outdoor heating.

Stroll through one of the parks as the leaves turn – Jardin du Luxembourg is particularly beautiful – or hide from rain showers in galleries such as the Musée d’Orsay or the lesser-known Musée Carnavalet, which is dedicated to the history of the city.

Paris is a city known for its cemeteries, and the autumn months are the perfect time to pay them a visit, while the graves of philosophers and musicians are surrounded by rich oranges and reds. Père Lachaise Cemetry is the final resting place of Jim Morrison and Chopin, while Montparnasse cemetery is the last home for Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir.

Whatever you choose to do on your short break to Paris, don’t forget to try a French onion soup and snap a photo of the Eiffel tower surrounded by colourful foliage.

Eurostar Breaks has two nights at the three-star Hotel de Bellevue Paris Gare du Nord from 14–16 October for £196pp, including return trains from London. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from the Gare du Nord and close to several other attractions, including the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur and the neighbourhood of Montmartre, as well as being connected to the centre of the city by Metro.

Brussels, Belgium

While Brussels may be considered less attractive than nearby Bruges, it also tends to be less crowded. Plus, there’s still plenty to do, albeit in a slightly less quaint setting.

When the days shorten, the city comes alive, enveloped in a glow of colours that makes its beauty more apparent than at any other time of year. Arguably, it’s the best time to put on your comfiest walking shoes and discover the Belgian capital’s parks, city centre and quirky neighbourhoods on foot.

Read Next

Must visits include the Unesco-listed Grand Place, one of Europe’s most beautiful central squares, and the modernist Atomium, the city’s number one attraction, offers commanding views from its top.

Delirium Café holds the world record for the largest number of beers available in any one spot, with about 2,000 different varieties served, and the up-and-coming Canal district is filled with waterside bars, restaurants and galleries.

It wouldn’t be a trip to Brussels without at least seeing a piece of comic strip art – after all, Belgium is the home of Tintin. Many central buildings are adorned with brightly-coloured murals inspired by the boy reporter and his dog, Snowy.

Eurostar Breaks continues the comics theme with its trip to Yooma Urban Lodge, known as the “Hotel of Comic Strips”.

This three-star hotel is just minutes from Brussels-Midi/Zuid station and features all kinds of amenities, including a sauna, steam room, games room and cinema as well as a terrace that has views of the city below.

A two-night stay from 4–6 November, including return Eurostar trains from London, costs £185pp.

The Hague, Netherlands

Like Bruges, Amsterdam is doing its best to crack down on overtourism. Luckily, the Netherlands is filled to the brim with alternative cities to visit if you only have a few days spare.

Known as the seat of the Dutch parliament, the Hague has far more to offer than its reputation as an administrative hub would suggest.

As this is a Dutch city, it would be a crime not to hire a bike. Take yourself on two wheels to Madestein Recreational Park, one of the largest green open spaces in The Hague. While there, you’ll stumble across a beautiful lake and the Pluk! City Farm, which houses both a botanical garden and petting zoo.

Just south of the city, you’ll find Westland, which comes alive during the autumn. Here, you can cycle the “Pumpkin Soup tour”, a route that passes small market stalls, barns and shops, serving up seasonal fare.

The Hague is also near the coast, so if bleak beach walks are your thing, make sure to make the journey. Monster beach is a particular favourite, with wide swathes of white sand and a number of cafés open throughout autumn.

If you’re keen to go via train, rather than flying to the Netherlands, Eurostar has return tickets from London to Amsterdam Central – direct on the way, with one brief stop in Brussels on the way back – for £102pp from 5–7 November.

When you arrive in Amsterdam, hop on a train from Amsterdam South or Sloterdijk stations, which takes 39 minutes, and costs around €20pp, depending on which time you go.

The four-star Best Western Plus Plaza Den Haag City Centre is centrally located and has a fitness centre and an in-house bar. It costs £96pp for two nights.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is frequently touted as one of the most affordable mini breaks in Europe, but autumn is the best time to go if you’re keen to have a cultural experience – and avoid the stag parties, which are infamous during the summer months.

As well as cheap drinks and hearty food, the Czech capital seems to have an endless number of cafés as well as recognisable sites, including St Vitus Cathedral, the medieval Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.

While it’s a very walkable city, there’s something slightly joyous about hopping on a tram into the heart of Prague, or seeing the destination by boat along the Vltava river.

Letna Park offers great views of the city as well as the changing leaves, which often remain until the beginning of December. It also houses a beer garden, which stays open in the autumn, if the weather is good.

EasyJet Holidays has a stay at the four-star U Divadla, a cosy hotel set in a traditional residential area along the scenic right bank of the Vltava in an Art Nouveau building.

Two nights here in October start from £135pp, with flights from Luton to Prague included. That price only includes a small underseat bag, but larger luggage options can be added while booking.

Barcelona, Spain

Autumn in Barcelona is a rather different experience from much of the rest of mainland Europe, with temperatures frequently topping 20°C and rain a rarity, even through November.

In the summer months, it’s packed and has, unsurprisingly, seen fed up locals protest against overtourism.

In the autumn, though, it’s a rather more pleasant experience for all involved, with quieter streets and fewer queues to enter must-see sights, like the Basílica de la Sagrada Família and the Museu Picasso and Fundació Joan Miró galleries.

Even the Ramblas, with its street performers, musicians and artists, is less packed and restaurants, from simple tapas spots to Michelin-starred establishments, are more accessible.

Barcelona is also celebrated for its sandy beaches, including the popular Playa de La Barceloneta and Bogatell Beach. Right through the autumn, it’s possible to swim in sea – and, if you’re brave enough, through the winter, too.

On The Beach has two nights in the four-star Arenas Atiram Hotel, located in Barcelona’s tourist centre. Costing £166pp, the rate includes return flights with Ryanair from Stansted to Barcelona on 4–6 November, with under-seat hand luggage included.

Berlin, Germany

This autumn is set to be a very buzzy one in the ever popular German capital.

Not only is the city hosting its 20th annual Festival of Lights from 4–14 October, but this year marks the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

As well as official ceremonies set to be held on 9 November, the exact date of the fall, the city will also host open-air events, exhibitions, guided tours and interactive activities.

Historical and new posters, signs and banners will be installed along the former wall route from 9 November, reminding locals and visitors alike of the importance of freedom.

When you’re ready to explore more of Berlin, hire a bike and see the city’s vast parks, gardens and tranquil paths by the water.

For a particularly romantic autumnal stroll, head to the Charlottenburg Palace Garden, in the middle of the city.

Here, you’ll discover the red and orange landscape that surrounds the Prussian Palace, which is well worth a visit, with its interior as rich in colour as the trees outside.

British Airways Holidays has two nights at the Park Inn by Radisson Berlin-Alexanderplatz on 4–6 October for £188pp. That includes return flights from London Heathrow with two pieces of hand luggage for each traveller.

Jersey, Channel Islands

Jersey is mild year-round, thanks to its position between the south-west of England and France – and it also has slightly more daylight than the UK mainland as the nights draw in.

In the autumn, the largest of the Channel Islands becomes more beautiful than before, with rich woodland colours offering the perfect backdrop for hikes along countryside trails and coastal cliff paths, a visit to Gerard Durrell’s zoo, or while sampling fresh seafood at a Michelin-starred restaurant or a seaside pub.

The sea is, in fact, the warmest it’s been all year in the autumn, so a swim is not out of the question even as air temperatures drop. Make sure to warm up afterwards with a glass of locally made hot cider.

At this time of year, farm stalls all over the island sell Jersey tomatoes, apples and pumpkins for a real taste of the season.

Few tourists know about the Grosnez ruin, which sits on the rugged north coast of the island, providing views to neighbouring islands. In the autumn, it’s the perfect spot for stargazing. Bring a blanket, some of that cider and marvel at the night sky, unpolluted by artificial light.

Although you can fly to Jersey, it’s more of an adventure to travel by ferry.

Condor Ferries has a two-night stay at Beachcombers hotel on the east of the island for £158.50pp on 1–3 November, with return ferries from Poole in Dorset.