We have about 3 days in July coming up and are looking into where to go. We just love to explore, more just looking for input about places y'all love to go and what you can tell me about some of the places we are thinking of. We are stuck between Madrid/Barcelona versus Copenhagen versus Edinburgh. This isn't something where we are connecting from a prior trip, we are flying from the states for a long weekend to one of these places (we do this all the time). I know this is vague and nonspecific but truly just trying to get insight, if you had 3 days in July and could go to one of these for your first time, is there one you would prefer? Thank you in advance!
Posted by
Chicago
8471 posts
Forget Madrid/Barcelona for just 3 jet lagged days it is over-touristed crowded in July you'd lose more of the short time you already have in pedestrian traffic. This is the kind of place you'd go to in February for 3 days.
I think I'd go to one those less touristy cooler summer weather cities in the north.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1111 posts
Copenhagen would be my first choice. Edinburgh second. But I would only do either city with a direct flight. I wouldn't go to Spain in July, especially with the terrible heat that is gripping Europe this summer.
At this point, it might be down to where you can get accommodation.
Posted by
ATL, USA
620 posts
Are you flying from a city where you have direct flight options? I would never choose Spain because of the heat, but the next criteria would be if I could get there via direct flight, even if it were not Edinburgh or Copenhagen. Perhaps Oslo? Glasgow? Stockholm?
Then see if you can get accommodations at your desired destination. My guess would be that Copenhagen would probably have more available, but I have no data to back that up. I have been to Copenhagen in August and didn't find it to be overrun with tourists.
I take short trips to Europe frequently and it's worth it to me if I can get there with a direct flight. An 18 hour travel day only to stay three nights and two days would not be worth it to me. But no direct flight would convince me to go to Barcelona or Madrid in the summer.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
6346 posts
If you are referring to the US long weekend , less than a week from now, then I agree to first see where you can get accommodations. The further north the better, right now, given the current heat wave. Maybe check the weather forecasts for your possible choices.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
7158 posts
(we do this all the time)
It would save a lot of dart-throwing (on the part of those you are asking help from) if you would just list those places you've already been to on your frequent 3-day trips to Europe.
Posted by
OP
16 posts
Someone asked about our other 3 day trips to Europe as they may help to guide people with responses - they have been to Paris, London, Florence, Venice, Amsterdam, Rome and Dublin.
Posted by
Chicagoland
892 posts
Unless money is no object, I would start with Google Flights, plug in your home airport to Europe, change the setting to "weekend trip in July". Add filters for maximum number of stops, ...
That will get you started.
For example, from Chicago I could fly to Copenhagen or Reykjavik for under $700 nonstop.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
2246 posts
I opt for Edinburgh, but only because that is higher up on my "want to visit" list than Copenhagen is. I agree that the best direct flight option is a good criterion.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2674 posts
Who knows how long the heat wave might last but considering it is further north I would opt for Edinburgh if you can fly direct as others say. Just don't forget your UK ETA. Good luck.