City Breaks Top Tips – Our Guide To What To Pack On A Short Getaway

Fancy exploring a new destination but can’t take a long holiday? A short city break might be just the ticket. Offering a refreshing break from your usual routine, whisking off to a new city for a few nights provides the perfect chance to recharge the batteries and have an adventure without using up too much precious holiday time or breaking the bank. Whether you’re a seasoned travel pro or a new vacationer looking for tips to maximise your time away, read on to discover top tips on making the most of a short city break and how to pack to maximise your fun with minimal luggage.

Plan ahead… but not too much

Planning is vital to ensure you enjoy your time in a new city, but don’t overthink it. Take a look at some guides to the top attractions, popular bars and eateries, and local events during your stay to create a rough itinerary, be open to a good degree of flexibility to embrace the unexpected. Leaving time to stroll at a leisurely pace along attractive streets, making impromptu stops in cafes and shops that take your fancy, and enjoying time taking in street art or sitting in local parks watching the world go by. Embrace the serendipitous moments on your travels that often lead to better memories than trying to tick off every single ‘must-see’ in the guidebooks.

Make like a local

Avoid the cookie-cutter chain restaurants and make your must-sees a mixture of iconic attractions, but also spend some time wandering through some areas less frequented by the tourist crowds. Engaging with local residents in independent shops and eateries will give you more of a sense of ‘real’ city life. Look out for local markets, smaller events, or exhibitions in little venues and galleries not mentioned in guidebooks. Your hotel should be able to recommend good local spots to check out – take a look at our page on local attractions, for example.

Packing for your break

Getting maximum enjoyment out of your break requires strategic packing. So how do you ensure you have all the essentials without lugging unnecessary luggage?

Shoes – Prioritise comfort. Travel in a sturdy pair of boots or trainers that will keep your feet happy even after hours of wandering through streets and parks. For evenings out to bars and restaurants, take a smarter pair of shoes that don’t take too much extra space but will compliment a dressier look if required.

Outfits – The best strategy is to create a small capsule wardrobe of items that can be mixed and matched. Smart casual items can work well in most settings. For a three-day break, opt for two skirts or pairs of trousers in plain colours. Add three comfortable t-shirts or casual shirts, plus one dressier option in case you find a more formal restaurant or bar you’d like to visit. Take one or two additional layering pieces, like jumpers or cardigans. Take one seasonally appropriate outer jacket, ideally waterproof.

Ensure you have a good backpack or bag for the day, with space for essentials like a water bottle, snacks and an umbrella. And remember to keep it tech-light – you won’t need your laptop or other bulky items for a leisure break, just your phone, charger and maybe a pair of headphones, and you’ll be good to go.

Other essentials

Always check what amenities your accommodation provides so you can pack as light as possible. At Brama, our rooms come equipped with high-quality toiletries by Bramley and GHD hairdryers to make your stay as comfortable as possible without needing to pack half your bathroom. We also provide fantastic coffee machines, beautifully soft cotton sheets and incredible rainfall showers to elevate your city break to something truly luxurious and memorable.

If you’re considering a short city break to London, Brama is well-located to help you make the most of a long weekend there. With excellent transport connections and set in a beautiful building steeped in history, it provides the perfect base to explore the city and plenty of thoughtful touches to make your stay comfortable and relaxing.