IT’S almost January, known by many as the most depressing month of the year.
So why not sack off the UK for one of these seven incredible destinations, all within four hours from the UK with very affordable flights.
Barcelona, Spain
Can you really go wrong with a trip to Barcelona?
A city break blended with beautiful beaches, not to mention it’s very flat and walkable.
There are plenty of cultural and historical attractions and of course the the iconic architecture like the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell.
Don’t forget to stop by Sant Pau a former hospital turned historical attraction, which is minutes away from the famous cathedral in the city centre, but much lesser-known.
Our own Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding loves Las Ramblas – the iconic street that’s 1.5km covered in market stalls.
Some of her favourite spots are Casa Beethoven – essentially Harry Potter’s Ollivanders but for sheet music not wands, and La Boqueria market.
You can get to Barcelona for as little as £14.99 with Ryanair if you fly out on January 25, 2026 from London Stansted.
Baden-Baden, Germany
You won’t be getting January sun here, but Baden-Baden in southwest Germany is a great option for a city break.
The spa town is in Germany‘s Black Forest near its French border – and is famous for its thermal baths – and THAT summer in 2006 when England’s WAGS were arguably as famous as their footballer husbands during the World Cup.
Baden-Baden sits on top of a natural mineral-rich hot springs that bubble up from deep underground and you can enjoy them at the likes of the Caracalla Spa or the Friedrichsbad Spa.
At both, you can go swimming, check out the saunas, steam baths and treatment rooms.
For the more active, take a wander through the Lichtentaler Allee park, casino or take Germany’s steepest funicular railway up the Merkur Mountain.
You can fly from London Stansted to Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden for £15 on January 30, 2026, with Ryanair.
Poznan, Poland
Poznan, the fifth largest city in Poland it sits by the Warta River and boasts a pretty colourful Old Town.
When you get there, wrap up warm and take a wander around the city starting at the Old Market Square, also known as Stary Rynek.
At noon, head over to the town hall where mechanical Billy Goats emerge from the clock tower and butt heads.
Ostrów Tumski is a huge cathedral which gives visitors an insight into how the region started in Poznań.
It’s home to some quirky things too, like a croissant museum which one Sun writer visited and even made his own version of the pastry.
While you’re there, have a taste of a Penerskie, which is a local beer made from potatoes.
With Wizz Air you can fly from London Luton to Poznan for £14.97 departing on January 19, 2026.
Sofia, Bulgaria
The capital of Bulgaria is in the west of the country and is filled with incredible landmarks like Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Rotunda of St. George.
You can take time to sightsee, take a break on Vitosha Boulevard which is filled with shops, cafes and restaurants or head up Vitosha Mountain on a hiking trail.
The city can be as little as three hours and 10 minutes from the UK, so it’s no wonder one man even took an extreme day trip to Sofia after bagging a return flight for £43.
He spent the day exploring the city using a self-guided tour on his phone and picked up local treats like a pastry called a banitsa and stopped for a sit down meal too.
You can fly to Sofia in Bulgaria from London Stansted on January 20, 2026 from £16.99
Carcassonne, France
The city of Carcassonne in France is famous for its citadel and castle
that look like it belongs in the medieval period – it’s even said to be one of the best preserved medieval ensembles in the world.
Inside the old town are winding old streets and grand Château Comtal and Basilique Saint Nazaire.
To learn more about the history of Carcassonne, visitors can take tours during the day and at night.
There’s also the new town to explore called Bastide Saint Louis which has an impressive local wine scene, museums and plenty of shops.
Brits can fly directly Manchester to Carcassonne on January 26, 2026 with Ryanair from £16.99.
Naples, Italy
Naples, the pretty southern city in Italy known for its pretty ruins, vibrant street life and more importantly, pizza.
The city is considered the birthplace of pizza – it evolved from simple flatbreads sold to the working poor in the 18th century to the tasty meal we know today.
When one Sun writer visited the city, she discovered you can buy margarita pizzas for as little as £3.
Naples also has a Spanish quarter where you can see sites like Piazza del Plebiscito and Castel Nuovo and try some different cuisine.
If you fancy a longer trip or heading out to the city, from Naples you can easily reach destinations like the historical Pompeii, Capri, or the Amalfi Coast.
You can fly from London Stansted to Naples on January 10, 2026 from £15 with Ryanair.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Bratislava in Slovakia is pretty small for a European capital, but that doesn’t mean there’s any less to do.
It has bright pastel coloured buildings along small cobbled roads lined with cafes and restaurants.
One of the most famous buildings to visit in the city is Bratislava castle.
It has four corner towers and stands on an isolated rocky hill of the Little Carpathians, directly above the Danube river.
Tourists can also check out the Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral, Blue Church, plus enjoying Slovak food like Bryndzové Halušky which are potato dumplings with cheese and bacon.
You can fly to Bratislava on January 11, 2026 from Manchester from £16.99 with Ryanair.
All prices are correct as of December 22, 2025.
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