Best Cities to Visit in the UK: A Complete Guide for 2026
Few countries pack as much variety into as small a space as the UK. In a single week, you can walk Roman streets in Bath, climb an extinct volcano in the middle of Edinburgh, punt down a river in Oxford, and stand on a Highland loch shore in Inverness, all connected by a rail network that makes hopping between them straightforward.
This guide runs through the best cities to visit in the UK, covering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For each city, you will find what it is known for, the top things to do, a few extras worth adding if you have more time, how to get there, and how long to stay. Where Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has a property nearby, we have flagged it too, so a city break can become a proper stay rather than a rushed day trip.
Quick Answer: The Best UK Cities to Visit
If you only read one section, read this one.
- First time in the UK: London, then Bath or Edinburgh
- History and architecture: Bath, York, Edinburgh, Oxford, Durham
- Nightlife and music: Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow
- A romantic weekend: Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon, Windsor
- Best for families: York, Windsor, Inverness
- Best value: Belfast, Nottingham, Stirling
- Underrated pick: Stirling
UK Cities at a Glance
| City | Country/Region | Best For | Suggested Stay | From London | Nearest Macdonald Hotel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | England (South) | First timers, culture | 3 to 4 nights | N/A | Windsor Hotel (30 mins away) |
| Edinburgh | Scotland | Castles, festivals | 2 to 3 nights | 4.5 hrs train | Houstoun House |
| Bath | England (South West) | Georgian architecture | 2 nights | 1.5 hrs train | Bath Spa Hotel |
| Oxford | England (South) | University colleges | 1 to 2 nights | 1 hr train | The Bear Hotel, Woodstock |
| York | England (North) | Medieval streets | 2 nights | 2 hrs train | N/A |
| Glasgow | Scotland | Art, music, shopping | 2 nights | 4.5 hrs train | Crutherland House |
| Manchester | England (North West) | Football, nightlife | 2 nights | 2 hrs train | N/A |
| Liverpool | England (North West) | Music, waterfront | 2 nights | 2 hrs train | N/A |
| Birmingham | England (Midlands) | Canals, shopping | 1 to 2 nights | 1.5 hrs train | Burlington Hotel |
| Cambridge | England (East) | Punting, colleges | 1 night | 50 mins train | N/A |
| Stratford-upon-Avon | England (Midlands) | Shakespeare, riverside | 1 to 2 nights | 2 hrs train | Alveston Manor |
| Windsor | England (South) | Royal history | 1 night | 1 hr train | Windsor Hotel |
| Inverness | Scotland (Highlands) | Loch Ness gateway | 2 nights | 8 hrs train / 1.3 hrs flight | Drumossie Hotel |
| Stirling | Scotland | Castles, battlefields | 1 to 2 nights | 4.5 hrs train | Inchyra Hotel |
| Cardiff | Wales | Welsh culture, bay | 1 to 2 nights | 2 hrs train | N/A |
| Belfast | Northern Ireland | Titanic, food scene | 2 nights | 1.5 hrs flight | N/A |
| Bristol | England (South West) | Street art, food | 1 to 2 nights | 1.75 hrs train | N/A |
| Brighton | England (South) | Seaside, nightlife | 1 to 2 nights | 1 hr train | N/A |
| Chester | England (North West) | Roman walls | 1 night | 2 hrs train | Craxton Wood, New Blossoms |
| Durham | England (North East) | Cathedral, castle | 1 night | 3 hrs train | N/A |
| Nottingham | England (Midlands) | Robin Hood, nightlife | 1 to 2 nights | 1.75 hrs train | N/A |
| Norwich | England (East) | Medieval churches | 1 night | 2 hrs train | N/A |
| Newcastle | England (North East) | Nightlife, architecture | 1 to 2 nights | 3 hrs train | N/A |
London
London earns its place at the top of every list of the best cities to visit in the UK. It is the only UK city with genuine world city status: free national museums, West End theatre, royal landmarks and a food scene covering almost every cuisine going.
Top things to do: the British Museum, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, a West End show, Borough Market, and a river cruise or walk along the South Bank.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: Camden Market, Greenwich, Hyde Park, the National Gallery and a stroll through Notting Hill.
How to get there: London is served by five major airports and is the hub of the UK rail network, so it is usually the starting point for a wider UK trip.
Where to stay
Give London at least three nights on a first visit. It also works as a base for day trips to Windsor, Oxford, Bath and Cambridge, all under two hours away by train.
for a quieter base with easy access to both London and Windsor Castle, the Macdonald Windsor Hotel keeps you close to the capital without the city centre price tag.
Edinburgh
Scotland's capital regularly tops polls for the most beautiful city in the UK. Edinburgh Castle looms over the Old Town, the Royal Mile is lined with closes and hidden courtyards, and Arthur's Seat gives you a proper hike within the city limits.
Top things to do: Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat, the National Museum of Scotland, and a wander through the Georgian New Town.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: Calton Hill for the skyline views, the Royal Botanic Garden, and the Real Mary King's Close for a look at the city's hidden past.
How to get there: direct trains run from London King's Cross in around 4.5 hours, or fly into Edinburgh Airport in just over an hour.
Good to know: the City of Edinburgh Council introduced a visitor levy on overnight stays in July 2026, added on top of the room rate for stays within the council boundary. Basing yourself just outside the city, such as at Houstoun House in West Lothian, keeps the same easy access to the Old Town and airport without the added charge.
Visit in August for the Fringe Festival, the world's largest arts festival, or in December for the Christmas markets. Two to three nights lets you cover the Old and New Town, Holyrood Palace and at least one gallery without rushing.
Where to stay
Macdonald Houstoun House sits just outside the city in West Lothian, offering a country house setting with quick access into central Edinburgh and the airport.
Bath
Bath is the only entire UK city to hold UNESCO World Heritage status, and it is a strong contender for the country's most elegant city break. The Roman Baths, the Georgian Royal Crescent, and honey coloured stone throughout give it a look unlike anywhere else in Britain. It also had a moment in the spotlight thanks to Bridgerton, filmed largely around the Royal Crescent.
Top things to do: the Roman Baths, Royal Crescent, Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, and a spa afternoon at Thermae Bath Spa.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: the Circus, the Jane Austen Centre, and the Museum of Bath Architecture.
How to get there: direct trains from London Paddington take around 1.5 hours.
Two nights is the sweet spot for exploring the baths, the abbey and the independent shops the city is known for.
Where to stay
the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel sits in eight acres of landscaped grounds a short walk from the centre, with its own spa if you want to make wellness part of the trip.
Oxford
Oxford has been drawing visitors to its colleges, libraries and cobbled lanes for centuries, and it remains one of the best cities to visit in the UK for architecture and history. The Bodleian Library, Christ Church College and the Radcliffe Camera are all worth the visit, and punting on the River Cherwell is a rite of passage.
Top things to do: Christ Church College, the Bodleian Library, the Ashmolean Museum, punting on the Cherwell, and a climb up Carfax Tower.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: the Covered Market, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and Hertford Bridge, Oxford's own Bridge of Sighs.
How to get there: trains from London Paddington or Marylebone take around an hour.
Oxford works well as a day trip from London, but staying overnight lets you enjoy the city once the coach tours have left.
Where to stay
Macdonald The Bear Hotel in nearby Woodstock combines historic charm with proximity to Blenheim Palace, making it an easy add on to an Oxford visit.
York
York is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, and it consistently ranks among the top UK cities to visit for history lovers. The Shambles, a narrow street of overhanging timber framed buildings, York Minster, and a near complete circuit of city walls all make for an atmospheric weekend. The Romans, Vikings and medieval merchants have all left their mark here.
Top things to do: York Minster, the Shambles, the city walls, the National Railway Museum, and the Jorvik Viking Centre.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: Clifford's Tower for the view over the city, York Castle Museum, and a river cruise along the Ouse.
How to get there: direct trains from London King's Cross take around two hours.
Two nights gives you time for the Minster, the walls, and at least one of the city's many museums.
Glasgow
Glasgow is Scotland's largest city and its cultural powerhouse, known for Victorian and Art Nouveau architecture, a thriving live music scene, and some of the best shopping outside London on Buchanan Street. Its mix of grit and creativity gives it a very different feel to Edinburgh, just 45 minutes away by train.
Top things to do: Kelvingrove Art Gallery, the Riverside Museum, Buchanan Street, the Necropolis, and a live gig at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: Glasgow Cathedral, the Gallery of Modern Art, and the Tall Ship at Riverside.
How to get there: direct trains from London Euston take around 4.5 hours, or fly into Glasgow Airport in just over an hour.
Where to Stay
Macdonald Crutherland House offers a country house escape close to Glasgow, set in 37 acres, ideal if you want to combine the city with some outdoor space.
Manchester
Manchester was the world's first industrial city, and today it is one of the best UK cities to visit for music, football and nightlife. The Northern Quarter is full of independent bars and record shops, and two major football clubs call it home.
Top things to do: the Science and Industry Museum, the Northern Quarter, a football stadium tour, the John Rylands Library, and Manchester Art Gallery.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: Salford Quays and the Imperial War Museum North, and the People's History Museum.
How to get there: direct trains from London Euston take around two hours.
It pairs naturally with Liverpool and Chester for a wider North West England city break.
Liverpool
Liverpool combines maritime history with music heritage that no other UK city can match. The Beatles Story museum, the Cavern Club, and the UNESCO listed waterfront at Albert Dock are the headline attractions, alongside a football culture that runs deep on both sides of the city.
Top things to do: Albert Dock, the Beatles Story, the Cavern Club, the Museum of Liverpool, and the two cathedrals at either end of Hope Street.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: Tate Liverpool, a Mersey river cruise, and Sefton Park.
How to get there: direct trains from London Euston take around two hours.
Liverpool has a warmth and sense of humour that visitors consistently mention as a highlight of the trip.
Birmingham
Often overlooked, Birmingham has quietly become one of the best cities to visit in the UK for a short break. It has more miles of canal than Venice, an excellent Christmas market, the Bullring for shopping, and a food scene that includes the UK's original balti triangle.
Top things to do: the Bullring, the canal network around Brindleyplace, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, and a curry in the Balti Triangle.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: the Jewellery Quarter and Cadbury World, just outside the centre.
How to get there: trains from London Euston take around 1.5 hours.
Its central location makes Birmingham an easy stop between London and the north.
Where to stay
Macdonald Burlington Hotel sits right in the city centre, close to the Bullring and New Street Station.
Cambridge
Oxford's quieter, greener rival has been drawing its own visitors for 800 years. The Backs, the stretch of lawns and gardens behind the colleges running down to the River Cam, and King's College Chapel are among the finest sights in England.
Top things to do: King's College Chapel, punting along the Backs, the Fitzwilliam Museum, and a walk through the historic market square.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: the Wren Library at Trinity College and the Cambridge University Botanic Garden.
How to get there: direct trains from London King's Cross take under an hour.
Cambridge is close enough for an easy day trip from London, or a relaxed overnight stay.
Stratford-upon-Avon
The birthplace of William Shakespeare remains one of the best small cities to visit in the UK, particularly for anyone interested in literature or history. Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and a riverside setting on the Avon give it a charm that is hard to match.
Top things to do: the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Shakespeare's Birthplace, and a canal boat trip along the Avon.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: Holy Trinity Church, Shakespeare's burial place, and Mary Arden's Farm.
How to get there: trains from London Marylebone take around two hours.
It is an easy add on to a wider Cotswolds trip.
Where to stay
Macdonald Alveston Manor sits directly opposite the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, with gardens running down to the river.
Windsor
Home to the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, Windsor makes an excellent day trip from London or a relaxed overnight stay in its own right. Beyond the castle, the town has cobbled streets, riverside walks, and easy access to Legoland for families.
Top things to do: Windsor Castle, St George's Chapel, a walk along the Thames, and a day at Legoland Windsor.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: Eton College, just across the river, and Windsor Great Park.
How to get there: trains from London Paddington or Waterloo take around an hour.
Where to stay
The Macdonald Windsor Hotel is a short walk from the castle and the river, making it one of the most convenient bases in town.
Inverness
Inverness is the only city in the Scottish Highlands, and it is the natural gateway for anyone visiting Loch Ness or exploring further north. The city itself is compact and walkable, with a castle, a cathedral, and a riverside setting on the River Ness, while the surrounding countryside offers some of the best scenery in the UK.
Top things to do: Inverness Castle, a Loch Ness boat trip, Culloden Battlefield, and a walk along the River Ness Islands.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: Clava Cairns, an atmospheric Bronze Age burial site near Culloden, and Inverness Cathedral.
How to get there: fly into Inverness Airport in around 1.3 hours from London, or take the Caledonian Sleeper train overnight.
Where to stay
Macdonald Drumossie Hotel and Macdonald Ness Side both offer easy access to the city and the Highlands beyond, ideal for combining an Inverness city break with a Loch Ness day trip.
Stirling
Stirling is one of the most underrated cities to visit in the UK. Stirling Castle rivals Edinburgh's for history and views, the Wallace Monument stands guard over the surrounding countryside, and the compact old town is easy to explore in a day or two.
Top things to do: Stirling Castle, the National Wallace Monument, the Old Town Jail, and the Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: Argyll's Lodging and the Church of the Holy Rude.
How to get there: direct trains from London Euston take around 4.5 hours.
It is a strong choice for visitors who want Scottish history without Edinburgh's summer crowds or its new visitor levy.
Where to Stay
Macdonald Inchyra Hotel offers a spa and countryside setting a short drive from Stirling Castle.
Cardiff
Wales's compact capital packs a medieval castle, a redeveloped waterfront and a genuinely friendly atmosphere into an easily walkable centre. Cardiff Castle sits right in the middle of the city, while Cardiff Bay has become a hub for restaurants, bars and the Senedd, home of the Welsh Parliament.
Top things to do: Cardiff Castle, Cardiff Bay, Bute Park, and a Principality Stadium tour on a match day.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: St Fagans National Museum of History and Castell Coch, just outside the city.
How to get there: direct trains from London Paddington take around two hours.
Cardiff makes a good stop on a wider Wales and West Country itinerary alongside Bath and Bristol.
Belfast
Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, is one of the best value UK cities to visit. It is known as the birthplace of the RMS Titanic, now commemorated in the striking Titanic Belfast museum, but the city offers far more than its maritime legacy, including lively pubs, political history tours and a growing food scene.
Top things to do: Titanic Belfast, a Black Taxi tour of the murals and peace walls, the Cathedral Quarter, and a day trip to the Giant's Causeway.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: St George's Market, open Friday to Sunday, and Belfast Castle for the views over the city.
How to get there: flights from London airports take around 1.5 hours, or the ferry crossing from Cairnryan in Scotland takes about two hours.
Bristol
Bristol is one of England's most creative cities, known for street art, a strong independent food and drink scene, and the Clifton Suspension Bridge spanning the Avon Gorge. It was named to a well-known travel guide's Best in Travel list for its mix of culture and outdoor adventure.
Top things to do: the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Banksy street art trails, the SS Great Britain, and Bristol Harbourside.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: Brandon Hill and Cabot Tower for the panoramic view, and Bristol Cathedral.
How to get there: direct trains from London Paddington take around 1.75 hours.
Bristol pairs naturally with Bath, just 15 minutes away by train.
Brighton
Brighton and Hove gives you a full seaside city break under an hour from London. The Royal Pavilion, an extravagant former royal palace, sits alongside the pebble beach, the Brighton Palace Pier, and The Lanes, a maze of narrow streets packed with independent shops.
Top things to do: the Royal Pavilion, the Palace Pier, The Lanes, and the British Airways i360 viewing tower.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: North Laine for independent shops and cafes, and a walk toward the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs.
How to get there: direct trains from London Victoria take around an hour.
Brighton is a strong pick for a weekend that mixes city sights with beach time.
Chester
Chester has the most complete circuit of Roman city walls in Britain, a compact centre that is easy to explore on foot, and one of the UK's best rated zoos on its doorstep. The black and white timber framed Rows, a unique double decker style of shopping arcade, are unlike anything else in the country.
Top things to do: walk the full circuit of the city walls, Chester Cathedral, Chester Zoo, and the Rows.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: Chester Castle and a Roman amphitheatre tour.
How to get there: trains from London Euston take around two hours.
Where to stay
Macdonald Craxton Wood and Macdonald New Blossoms are both close to Chester, making an easy base for the city and the wider Cheshire countryside.
Durham
Durham packs a Norman cathedral and castle, both part of a single UNESCO World Heritage Site, onto a dramatic peninsula formed by a loop in the River Wear. It is one of the best small cities to visit in the UK if you want serious history without a long list of sights to work through.
Top things to do: Durham Cathedral, Durham Castle, a riverside walk around the peninsula, and the Oriental Museum.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: Crook Hall and Gardens, and the Palace Green Library.
How to get there: direct trains from London King's Cross take around three hours.
One night is enough to see the cathedral and castle, but Durham also works well as a stop between York and Edinburgh.
Nottingham
Nottingham, the self-styled Queen of the Midlands, trades on its Robin Hood legend, but there is a lot more going on than the legend alone. A castle, a network of caves carved into the sandstone beneath the city, and the Lace Market's bars and restaurants give it real range for a short break.
Top things to do: Nottingham Castle, the City of Caves, Old Market Square, and the Lace Market.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: Wollaton Hall and Park, and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, one of England's oldest pubs.
How to get there: direct trains from London St Pancras take around 1.75 hours.
Nottingham is one of the best value UK cities to visit, with a strong student nightlife scene and easy access to Sherwood Forest for a day trip.
Norwich
Norwich, England's City of Stories, was largely bypassed by the Industrial Revolution, which means it kept an unusually high number of medieval churches and Tudor buildings intact. Its Romanesque cathedral, riverside walks and independent shopping scene make it one of the best UK cities to visit for a slower paced break.
Top things to do: Norwich Cathedral, Norwich Castle, Norwich Market, and a walk along the Quayside.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: Elm Hill's cobbled lane of period buildings, and the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.
How to get there: direct trains from London Liverpool Street take around two hours.
Norwich is compact enough to see in a single day, though an overnight stay lets you enjoy its restaurant scene properly.
Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne pairs Victorian and Georgian architecture, most famously along Grey Street, with one of England's best known nights out. The Tyne Bridge and the striking Sage Gateshead sit right on the waterfront, and the city has a growing reputation for its food and culture too.
Top things to do: the Tyne Bridge and Quayside, the Great North Museum, Grey Street, and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art across the river in Gateshead.
Also worth seeing if you have more time: Newcastle Castle, the building the city is named after, and a day trip to Alnwick Castle further up the coast.
How to get there: direct trains from London King's Cross take around three hours.
Newcastle pairs well with Durham, 15 minutes away by train, for a wider North East itinerary.
Suggested UK City Break Itineraries
- Long weekend (3 days): London and Bath, or Edinburgh and Stirling, are both easy pairings that do not involve much travel time.
- One week: London, Oxford or Windsor as a day trip, then on to Bath, finishing with two nights in Bristol or Cardiff.
- Two weeks, England and Scotland: start in London, head north to York and Durham, cross into Scotland for Edinburgh and Stirling, then finish in Glasgow or Inverness before flying home.
- North East add on: combine Durham and Newcastle for a short, low cost extension to a York itinerary.
- Highlands add on: if you have extra time, add Inverness to any Scotland itinerary. It is the easiest way to combine a city break with Loch Ness and the wider Highlands.
Costs and Budgeting for a UK City Break
Costs vary considerably by city and by season. As a rough guide:
- London, Edinburgh and Bath run at the top end for accommodation and dining, particularly during festivals, bank holidays and the summer months.
- Belfast, Nottingham, Stirling and Glasgow tend to offer noticeably better value for accommodation and food while still delivering a full city break.
- Booking direct with hotels rather than through third party sites often unlocks benefits such as free parking, late checkout and room upgrades, which can offset a meaningful chunk of the cost of a stay.
- Trains booked well in advance are considerably cheaper than turning up on the day, particularly for longer routes such as London to Edinburgh or Glasgow.
- Edinburgh's overnight visitor levy, introduced in July 2026, adds a percentage based charge on top of the room rate for stays within the City of Edinburgh Council boundary. Staying just outside the boundary, as at Macdonald Houstoun House in West Lothian, avoids the charge while keeping the city within easy reach.
Best Time to Visit UK Cities
Late spring, from April to June, and early autumn, from September to October, offer the most reliable weather and smaller crowds than the summer school holidays. Most of the UK's top attractions, from museums to castles, are indoors, which makes UK cities a solid choice year round regardless of the forecast. December brings Christmas markets to Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham, while August is festival season in Edinburgh specifically. If you are planning around a specific event, book accommodation well in advance, as city centre hotels fill up quickly during festivals and bank holidays.
How to Choose Which UK City to Visit
With so many options, narrowing it down comes down to a few questions.
How much time do you have? A long weekend suits one or two cities close together, such as Bath and Bristol, or York and Durham. A week or more lets you combine a capital city with two or three smaller stops.
What are you after? History and architecture point you towards Bath, York and Edinburgh. Nightlife and music point towards Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow. Families tend to do best in York, Windsor or Inverness, where attractions are easy to combine with outdoor space. Value seekers should look at Belfast, Nottingham and Stirling.
How will you get around? The UK's rail network connects most cities centre to centre, so a car is not essential for a city focused trip. It becomes more useful if you want to explore the countryside in between, such as the Cotswolds, the Lake District, or the Scottish Highlands.
