Daniela Toporek

There's truly no better place for a romantic escape than in the city of love, itself. Many of its hotels will bend over backwards to ensure you and your soulmate have a passionate stay, whether it's a cheeky, last-minute getaway or a months-planned event to pop that special question.  While rose petals will be scattered and Champagne bottles will be popped, all you really need in Paris is a great hotel and a greater view, and trust us when we say these stays fall nothing short of greatness. Whatever your taste, Paris will provide. These are the most romantic hotels in Paris for 2026.  📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to hotels in Paris Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Updated for 2026: We've just added Staycity Aparthotels Gare de L'Est, with a perfect location at a low cost, and Generator Paris for social butterflies and sweeping views.  After a few days in Paris, one thing becomes clear: this city is out for your wallet. Between cafés where a black coffee costs more than a sandwich back home, and museum tickets rising faster than inflation, you’ve got to play it smart if you don’t want to be financially floored halfway through the trip. And have you tried finding a nice place to sleep without blowing your budget? Even harder. Or so you thought.  What are hotel prices like in Paris? Let’s get this out the way: a cheap room in a pricey city like Paris isn’t going to be cheap from every perspective. Hotel prices here are steep – up there with London, New York and the rest of it – so it’s good to set out what your budget constraints are first. For this list, we’ve only included hotels that come in under €150 per night. For two people, that’s pretty well-priced by Parisian standards. And it’s worth saying that these hotels are ones you’ll actually want to stay in: no grim dorms or sketchy showers in sight. These are the best cheap hotels in Paris right now.  📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to hotels in Paris Who makes the cut? If you didn’t already know, we have a brilliant team over at Time Out Paris, who spend their days reviewing restaurants, bars, hotels and more in the city to bring you the freshest recommendations around. Every one of t

For centuries, Paris was the undisputed art capital of the Western world. Many pioneering, perspective-altering artists lived in Paris over the years – van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Dalí and countless others are just a few – and much of their work can be found within the city’s immense number of museums, galleries, attractions, salons and other art spaces. We suggest to look beyond the classical institutions and check out some up-and-comers at one of the dozens of contemporary art galleries in Paris. The team over at Time Out Paris have visited every gallery in the city (most of them twice), so you can trust them on the best spots. Here is our local’s guide to the best art galleries in Paris right now.  📍 RECOMMENDED: Our ultimate guide for best things to do in Paris  Houssine Bouchima and Zoe Terouinard are editors at Time Out Paris. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

From the Arc de Triomphe and Sacré Coeur to the hills of Belleville and beyond, the French capital has, undoubtedly, one of the most iconic skylines in the world. But ‘the movement,’ so to speak, arguably began in 2013 with the arrival of the first Perchoir Hotel – although grand Parisian hotels like the Raphaël had been offering rooftop views long before (Le Corbusier even saw it coming back in 1947). Rising (quite literally) above the traffic, enjoying exclusive terraces, soaking up Eiffel Tower views over zinc rooftops: these are all good reasons this trend shows no signs of slowing. To help you navigate them all, here’s our pick of the best rooftop bars in Paris – the ones that balance scenic cool vibes and high-altitude with some solid cocktails and munchies to match. 📍 RECOMMENDED: Our ultimate guide to Paris nightlife 🏨 Ready to book? Check out Paris’s best hotels and best Airbnbs. Antoine Besse is the food and drink editor at Time Out Paris. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

A red sandstone amphitheatre. An ancient woodland on the English coast. A teeny tiny island with a black sand beach. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes – luckily, the world isn’t held to the same rigid beauty standards as humans are – and we’ve curated this list to celebrate that.  It goes without saying that Time Out’s ranking of the world’s most beautiful places is entirely subjective and by no means exhaustive, but what we can guarantee is real-life experience. Every single beach, lake, city and valley on this list has been visited and vetted by our globetrotting network of travel writers. In short, they’re all well worth making the journey to see for yourself (no social media fakery here).We update this list regularly, ensuring we’re including the big-hitters while considering the impact of overtourism and spotlighting lesser-known beauty spots. So here it is: Time Out’s guide to the most beautiful places on planet Earth. Happy travels!Updated March 2026: There are seven new additions to the list this year, including a terracotta-coloured Old Town in Italy, an opulent Renaissance-style library in New York and a compact mountain range in northern Spain.Grace Beard is Time Out’s travel editor, based in London. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. RECOMMENDED:⛰️ The most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites🗺 The most underrated travel destinations i

There’s no shortage of places to take in the golden-hued views in Lisbon, but let’s be honest – wouldn’t you rather soak up those vistas with a drink in hand? If the answer is a resounding yes, this list is for you. While the word rooftop isn’t actually recognised by the Priberam dictionary (your options in Portugal are rosto, rotos or rolitos), it is becoming increasingly common in Lisbon slang, especially with sky-high sunset parties popping up across the city. To help our fellow readers, the Time Out team in Portugal climbed up to the top floors of hotels, shopping centres and car parks to pick out the best rooftop bars in Lisbon. 📍 Ultimate guide to Lisbon nightlife🏠 Booking a trip? Here are Lisbon’s best hotels and best Airbnbs This guide was written by the editorial team at Time Out Lisbon. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Paris's bars and rooftops have always been praised, but its clubbing scene? Not so much. Ten years ago, the city's early curfews and strict sound controls near killed it off completely. Thankfully, its hardcore party-goers refused to give up, and in 2026, Paris’s nightlife scene is looking better than ever. Now, some of the French capital’s clubs rival the likes of Berlin and Budapest, from repurposed basements to giant disused warehouses. Parties carry on into the early hours, and you’ll get great cocktails, good music and majestic views that you’ll be shouting about for years to come. Here are our picks of the best night clubs in Paris.  RECOMMENDED:🥘 The best restaurants in Paris🎨 The best things to do in Paris⛵ The best day trips from Paris🏡 The best Airbnbs in Paris This guide is by the editorial team at Time Out Paris. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

If you’ve already explored some of Barcelona’s best restaurants, it might be time to turn your direction upwards. Rooftops bars offer a welcome escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. It's an opportunity to slow things down, enjoy the view and savour each sip, breeze and ray of sunshine. But don't worry, night owls. There's plenty of sky-high fun after dark, too. Our team of experts rounded up the best rooftop bars in Barcelona, from terraces with tropical gardens to Peruvian restaurants with panoramic views. Here are our favourite spots for this year. After all, everything tastes better from above.  📍 Discover our ultimate guide to nightlife in Barcelona Ricard Martin is the food and drink editor at Time Out Barcelona. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Cocktails are great. Cocktails in Paris? Even better. Thankfully, the city of lights and love offers a variety of different drinking dens that are certainly a must-try, and the mixologists on board? They really earned their stripes. You’ll find inventive cocktails, charismatic bartenders and a whole lot of fun, from speakeasy-style hideaways to late-night DJs and drag shows to match. Whatever you're after, here are the best cocktail bars in Paris right now.  ➡️ READ MORE: Ultimate guide to Paris nightlife 🏨 Ready to book? Check out Paris’s best hotels and best Airbnbs This article was written by the editorial team at Time Out Paris. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

It’s not just the amazing landscapes that make the Azores an earthly, paradise. The Portugese  archipelago offers a world of flavour that ranges from light coastal delicacies to hearty, comforting stews. These are the best restaurants in Azores to try it all.   

After a chequered wartime history that still lingers into modern day life, Kraków transformed into a lively and fashionable destination for those who crave something a bit out of the ordinary.  For starters, this Polish city's art scene is second to none, and much you can find through the city's architecture. When hunger strikes, head to the bohemian neighbourhood, Kazimierz, to spend time in its bars and restaurants, or hit up a food market on the weekend. Whatever your vibe is, you'll find it here. These are the best things to do in Kraków. Kraków’s top things to do, at a glance 👽 Most unusual: Wieliczka Salt Mine💶 Best free activity: Kazimierz district👪 Best with kids: The MOCAK👯 Best for adults: U Muniaka🎊 Best for young people: Alchemia RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in Kraków The best things to do in Warsaw At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

London has never exactly been known as a bargain destination. But the good news is that The Capital still has plenty of great places to stay without blowing your entire travel budget. Every hotel on this list has been picked by Time Out’s editors because it offers something special – whether that’s a brilliant location, standout design, or simply excellent prices. Book one of these and you’ll get the kind of buzz only a great deal can deliver. Then spend the money you’ve saved on the really important things. Like, erm… the pub. What do we mean by ‘budget’? In a city like London, ‘budget’ is always relative. Prices can vary hugely depending on the neighbourhood, time of year and even the day of the week, so finding a good deal is often about knowing where to look and booking smart. For this list, we’ve focused on places where rooms come in under £200 a night, with plenty dipping well below the £100 mark if you book ahead or travel off-peak. You’ll also find a few hostels offering dorm beds for as little as £12 per person, making them some of the cheapest ways to stay in the capital. 🛌 Our guide to the best Airbnbs in London What's the cheapest area to stay in London?  Honestly, it depends on what you're looking for! Budget hotels and hostels are scattered all over the city, so it often comes down to how far you’re willing to travel. Central areas like Shoreditch, King’s Cross and parts of the South Bank can still offer surprisingly good-value stays (which means you're in wal

Crossing south on London’s Wandsworth Bridge, Folk at Florence Dock stands high with panoramic views of the city. Offering short and long-term accommodation right along the Thames, this social, co-living property is quietly building a community and breathing life into unsung corners of Battersea. It’s perfect for a longer stay, or just to feel like you’re making it your own – it’s self-service and private kitchens over public dining rooms or breakfast buffets.   What is the service like at Folk? Whether you’ve booked for two years or a two nights, the staff at Folk make each aspect of the property feel like it's part of your home, with events almost every night of the week to get to know people staying. When I was checking in, for example, I was lucky to catch the tail-end of a piano concert in Folk’s cosy lobby. Residents young and old, kicked back with drinks and snacks while fawning over classic tunes and chatting quietly. What are the rooms like at Folk? Each room here is a studio set-up, and they’re sweet and simple, with all the quality necessities. Double beds are comfortable. Kitchen appliances are modern and clean, and the ensuite bathrooms are spotless, with ample room. A half-moon table has just enough room for a quick meal for two, and the wardrobe behind it holds a surprisingly good amount of storage space. There are also a decent amount of shelves, and a TV near the foot of the bed.  If you do end up needing extra space, ask management about Folk’s “bigger” and

  Right in the pulse of Italy’s fashion capital, the Park Hyatt Milano combines family-friendly luxury with bold, Milanese pride. With a prime location near the city’s landmarks and fresh room renovations, this is your swanky, haute couture holiday sorted. Why stay at Park Hyatt Milano? Staying at the PHM means staying in a little piece of Milan’s fashion history. It was originally built as a palazzo in the 1870s before it was converted into the city’s very first department store, Aux Villes de Paris, (later changing the name to Aux Villes d'Italie, then the iconic La Rinascente) in 1877. After its closure, the building was transformed into the Park Hyatt Milano in 2003, and recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary with a €20 million-euro glow-up that was completed in 2022. Now, PHM provides remarkable hospitality encased in opulent Italian marble, with the vibes to match.  What is the service like at Park Hyatt Milano? Outstanding. The management and concierges know the ins-and-outs of Milan and will move mountains for you (or at least give you plenty of Mirto and panettone recommendations). There’s also tip-top room service, snazzy bartenders and nurturing spa attendants who bring you back to life.  What are the rooms like at Park Hyatt Milano? Each of the hotel’s 108 rooms are decorated with light, elegant, neutral tones and artwork that you’d fawn over in a gallery, along with heaven-sent king beds, fine, Italian bedding and blackout curtains. This includes 26 stately

If you’ve travelled through Italy, you might have seen All’Antico Vinaio’s big, bold, red signage, alerting you to their sensational sandwiches. This autumn, All’Antico opened its first UK store in Soho, marking the 48th location to sling their Florentine sandwiches worldwide. Schiacciata is a Tuscan flat bread that’s as fluffy as focaccia on the inside, but satisfyingly crisp at the crust. At All’Antico, this heaven-baked bread is cut in half and stuffed with meats, creams and cheeses that take you to the land of the Renaissance. There’s no way to look cute eating it. It’s a messy and greasy affair All’Antica’s small shop has already caused a stir on Old Compton Street. At lunch, white and blue-collar workers united by hunger pour out of the entrance and down the road. Inside, staff are efficient as hell. You immediately order at the counter, then inch your way to the register while the artists are at work. By the time you pay, your sandwich is securely wrapped and ready to go.  Deciding which sandwich to order is an excruciating task. There are 18 options, but if you’re a first timer, order La Paradiso – Italian for ‘the paradise’ and absolutely living up to its name. Slices of mortadella generously blanket a thick spread of pistachio cream and stracciatella cheese, with chopped pistachios added for extra flavour and texture. There’s no way to look cute eating it. It’s a messy and greasy affair. Same goes for the Italiana, slathered in basil pesto that drips down to stacke

You’ll find Hera, named after the queen of the Olympians, on the backside of Stratford Cross – past Westfield, past the newly opened Everyman and just opposite the new V&A East Storehouse. As soon as you think you’ve gone too far, there it is; a corner restaurant with tall glass doors and windows that make anyone who’s wandered this far want to peer in.  Inside, there’s a bar with an illuminated liquor shelf as tall as the ceiling. If Beauty and the Beast’s Belle had a penchant for booze over books, she’d roll her ladder from one side of the bar to the next in search of her top-shelf favourites.  Even more impressive is Hera’s gloriously vast dining room with chandeliers, elaborate foliage and plush booths. In the kitchen, chef Mario Salimis whips up a classically Greek-inspired menu with modern twists. The melitzano salata, diced aubergine with honey and balsamic, is a savoury delight, more so when spread thickly across any of the assorted breads at the table. The fried calamari has a perfect squid-to-batter ratio, and slivers of seabass carpaccio are fresh and silky smooth, though quite oily. Better still is the seafood orzo, one hell of a dish, with plump prawns and vibrant-orange mussels. Cocktails are interesting, too. The Arriani is Greece in a glass, with feta gin, Greek yoghurt, fig cordial. Meanwhile, the Helen of Spice is basically a mango marg with a kick. But the finest moment – as basic as it sounds – is the Greek salad. Chopped cucumbers, onions, olives, peppers

As sister venue to Hackney’s tiny wine bar Binch, Godet can easily be spotted by its peachy-pink exterior and checkered curtains. Not only are the vibes ridiculously cool, with a weekend DJ (at a reasonable volume), Godet have collabed with Ling Ling’s to serve up their epic Chinese and pan-Asian menu for the next year (think; hot and spicy tartare, Sichuan hibiscus octopus and turnip cakes, mala beef ragu with udon noodles, and steamed prawn, chicken and Thai basil wontons) to complement a small, but mighty selection of reds, whites and oranges.  

What is it? A historic theatre company and venue within Glasgow’s Gorbals neighbourhood that’s just been restored in 2025.   Why is it worth visiting? The Citizens Theatre holds some of the UK’s oldest theatrical equipment within its incredibly well-preserved Victorian auditorium, and has undergone a huge glow-up that’s been in the works since 2018. It was only supposed to take three years, but COVID and rising costs pushed its opening to August 2025. Inside the three-storey theatre, there's a spankin' brand new and more accessible foyer, a new bar, new social spaces and enhanced backstage facilities for performers. The six cherries on top are the fully restored statues of Robert Burns, Williams Shakespeare and the four Greek muses, Melpomene (tragedy), Thalia (comedy), Euterpe (song and poetry) and Terpsichore (dance) – all which were part of the original building in 1878.  How much does it cost?  Prices vary depending on production, which you can find here.  📍 Discover the best things to do in Glasgow

When you look at photos of the Generator London hostel online, I get why you might be skeptical. Google’s feature photo of the entrance isn’t the most warm and welcoming, and the rest of the images, though professionally shot, still radiate a tint of sadness from the lack of life in those colourful, yet empty rooms. But I want you to take those images and presumptions about this Bloomsbury stay and throw them in the bin as Generator is the perfect example of why one should never judge a book by its cover – or Google search.  Why stay at Generator London? Generator London opened in 1995 within what was once a secluded police station on Tavistock Place. The once family-run hostel turned into a successful European brand with quirky, urban decor and locations across the continent, including Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris and Barcelona – and three in North America too. In 2014, the London location got an impressive glow-up, leaving the stereotype of grungy, risky hostels in the past, and it’s definitely kept its reputation up since.  The lobby is a large, contemporary, eclectic space with neon welcome signs, a street art-style photo of Queen Elizabeth blowing a pink bubblegum bubble, and the front desk to the left with self-check in tablets. However, for a more personal connection (and to avoid the tablet that kept freezing) check in with the kind receptionist instead. Once you’re checked in and free to roam the property, you finally see life, and all walks of it. People of all ages hun

If you see vibrant orange wings fluttering around your nearby elm or willow tree, you might be witnessing a beautiful butterfly revival. According to the Butterfly Conservation, the once-instinct large tortoiseshell butterfly is back, baby!  The creature’s extinction in the UK, first declared in the 1960s, was partially blamed on Dutch elm disease. But now, lepidopterists (the people who study moths and butterflies) think that the UK may just be the northern border of the species’ range, and that global heating and climate change have helped trigger their return.  Early sightings of the insect have been recorded across woodlands in Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent and the Isle of Wight, enabling the Butterfly Conservation to formally recognise it as a native UK species for the first time in the charity’s 58 year history. The addition brings the total number of native butterflies in Britain to 60.   How do you know if you’ve spotted one of these bright-coloured beauts? Unlike its smaller sibling, large tortoiseshell butterflies don’t have white markings on their wings, and reside in trees like elm, willow, aspen or poplar, as opposed to lower shrubs and flowers.  Professor Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation, said: ‘This is great news about a beautiful and charismatic butterfly: if the individuals that are being seen can survive and reproduce then there's no downside to the large tortoiseshell coming back, and we can look at what we might be able to do to h

If you’ve ever fantasised about quitting your job, throwing your phone into the sea and going through a total lifestyle change, this might be your moment. A rare opportunity has opened up on Scotland’s Fair Isle, the UK’s most remote inhabited island perched between Orkney and Shetland, where a new tenant is being sought for a crofting tenancy. Crofting is basically a small-form land tenancy in Scotland where the tenant (aka crofter) contributes to the area’s common grazing pasture land for raising livestock.   For this particular role, the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) hopes to find someone experienced in crofting, and who has their own trade (preferably electrician or joiner) or could contribute to the isle's knitwear industry. The role is aimed at someone resourceful and self-sufficient who can embrace the challenges of isolated island living. Fair Isle has a population of about 60 people, and you’ll be number 61, so it’s a chance to step into a slower, communal, more hands-on existence. In return, the new islander gets a four-bedroom house and about 15 acres (6ha) of land.  ‘Ideally, we're looking for younger people, people of working age,’ said the director of Fair Isle Development Company, Eileen Thomson to the BBC. ‘Most of us have a croft but also work in the school, on the ferry and in various community organisations’.  But let’s be clear. This is no charming countryside getaway. Taking on the croft means committing to a new way of life with significantly more ma

The golden age of working from home has faded. With jobs forcing employees back into the office, workers that fled London during the pandemic are being forced back into their metropolitan routines – the crack-of-dawn morning alarms, the furious traffic jams, the late-running trains that pack people in like sardines and ship us to our nine-to-fives. And to top it all off, finding a decent, affordable home is a competitive, gut wrenching nightmare.  And here comes the other problem: commuter towns that were once affordable pre-pandemic, like Reading, St. Albans and Woking, are filling up fast and catching up with London’s inflated pricing, so where can commuters go now?  ‘Britain’s traditional commuter belts have shrunk back down after the pandemic, but they are not as compact as they were before,’ Savills employee Frances McDonald told The Guardian this month. He also added that new infrastructure like the Lizzy Line has helped better connect western counties to central and east London offices.  So where are these new spaces? Savills researched rail station use and 2025 housing prices to find new, nearby havens for commuters to London.  First up, Iver in Buckinghamshire has a 24-minute travel time into London Paddington with a £2,868 season ticket cost and average housing price of £539,575. The Lizzy line can stop at Iver and take workers all the way to Canary Wharf in under an hour.  Shenfield in Essex comes second with a 23-minute commute to Liverpool Street, an annual seaso

England’s second city is steaming ahead with plans for a new HS2 high-speed railway station. Curzon Street station will serve as Birmingham’s terminus, linking the city with the capital. The new Curzon Street Station will be located east of Birmingham city centre, near Digbeth, and right by the old Curzon Street Station building, which was built in 1839 and has its own plans to be restored as a historic landmark. The site is already undergoing major construction work and is expected to integrate existing local transport.  Excitingly, visuals of the new station have been released, showing a huge, modern station with an impressive curved roof structure. There's a newly paved square at the entrance, and a terrace and gardens at the rear, complementing the station's more contemporary design. If all goes to plan, the new CSS will not only function as a reliable transport hub and waiting area for travellers, but also promise a new, epic third space and public destination within the city. Photograph: HS2   While Curzon Street’s HS2 station is still a few years from completion (it’s expected to open in the late 2020s or early 2030s), the rail hub is already expected to play a pivotal role in Birmingham’s next era, improving connections, supporting city growth and showing that England's second city is just as worthy of the spotlight as its first. Here are some more previews of the place. Image: HS2 Ltd Image: HS2 Ltd Image: HS2 Ltd Did you see that a huge new £1.5 billion pu

If you’re a sucker for peeking into the private lives of the Royals, we have right royal treat for you. As part of the celebration of her late Majesty's 100th birthday, Queen Elizabeth II’s private rooms in Edinburgh’s Palace of Holyroodhouse are opening to the public for the first time. The private quarters will open as part of a new tour – and this will be no quick run-through of palace corridors and roped-off rooms. The new tours will an in-depth look at the Queen and Prince Philip’s private Scottish suite, where they stayed during ‘Holyrood Week’ each summer.  This is where the Queen and Prince enjoyed their downtime, carried out engagements and hosted their annual Garden Party for about 8,000 guests. Tours will also reveal the Queen’s dressing room, sitting room (where she caught up on racing) and her Royal breakfast room.  You’ll also get a chance to see a variety of Royal Collection pieces and personal items, like some of the Queen’s iconic outfits from over the years, and a hefty art collection compiled by Prince Philip. The tours will run for 100 days only, from May 21 to September 10. Tickets go for £71-£75, depending on whether you book ahead or the day of the tour. Get tickets on the palace website here.  Did you see that a new train service will connect London and Scotland for £30? Plus: this countryside county has been crowned the best region of the UK for pubs. Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stu

If you’re looking for a new reason to take a quick trip (and dip) to the shimmering seaside of Brighton and Hove, here’s one: the local council has announced plans to replace the city’s King Alfred Leisure Centre with a shiny new building.  The new seaside leisure centre would replace the current 1939 structure on Kingsway to make room for a bigger, better gym, leisure pools, family-friendly zones and an indoor café with coastal views (for when hunger strikes after a day of swimming). Plans were originally announced by the council in 2024, but with a planning application officially submitted, plant and landscaping prep underway and new imagery making waves online, it’s looking like the vision is finally becoming a reality. If everything gets approved, this £65 million centre and its bright and shining piscines could be ready to dive into by 2028. Photograph: Brighton & Hove City Council   However, some residents are a bit skeptical about the plans and would prefer the old leisure centre to be retrofitted. Heritage campaigner Laura King told BBC News: ‘[The current centre] was built as a flagship facility with a rooftop restaurant and 480 spaces underground. So if we retrofit it, it will be a flagship leisure centre again. But actually, we’re exchanging it for a shoebox in order to build tower blocks around it.’ Did you see that one of the UK’s greatest cities is getting a £54 million new museum? Plus: the prettiest seaside towns in the UK for coastal getaways. Stay in the

Mark your travel calendars, and put in that annual leave. Trips from London to Australia’s culture capital are about to get a heck of a lot easier.  In January 2027, British Airways is launching brand-new flights from London Heathrow Airport straight to Melbourne — aka the city that Time Out just crowned best on the planet right now. In our 2026 ranking of the world’s greatest cities (sponsored by Intrepid) Time Out Melbourne editor Leah Glynn said about the place:  ‘Melbourne’s coolest streets and neighbourhoods are filled with gems, from indie cinemas and rooftop bars to vinyl shops and quirky galleries. ‘And don’t let anyone tell you Melbourne is all personality over looks – we’ve got grand, heritage-listed buildings, laneways lined with colourful murals, world-class gardens and a river (the Yarra) that holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for local Indigenous communities.’ So, all the more reason to visit! BA’s new route starts on January 9 2027, so there’s still plenty of time to save up.  Now, while British Airways’ new LHR-MEL route is direct, it isn’t non-stop. Planes will make a pit-stop in Kuala Lumpur to refuel before taking off again for Down Under. It’s less time-consuming than getting a connecting flight.    Why Melbourne, why 2027? Besides Melbourne being Time Out’s top city for food, arts and nightlife this year, it’s also hosting a sport-packed summer in 2027. Flights are perfectly timed for the Australian Open tennis tournament and the Australian

The UK’s devotion to pub culture borders on spiritual. Boozers aren’t just places to drink, they’re community hubs, documents of local history – naming a ‘best’ region in Britains for pubs, therefore, is very controversial business.  But that hasn’t stopped consumer organisation Which?, which recently revealed the UK county that it reckons has the greatest pubs in the UK.  According to Which?, Derbyshire is the country’s top place for boozers. The county – which contains much of the Peak District – received such high praise due to the surprisingly high density of watering holes that are scattered across its picture-perfect villages and awe-inspiring hiking routes.  Photograph: jimmonkphotography / Shutterstock.com   Regular trekkers in the Peaks won’t be too surprised by Which?’s revelation. Stumbling upon a centuries-old inn after a day traversing peaks and moors is part of the experience of the national park; the promise of a proper pub at the end of a trail makes the Peaks all the more enticing. Writing for Which? Travel Magazine’s March/April issue, Oliver Smith said: ‘Here, you can find every species of public house, from village pubs to gastro pubs to ancient coaching inns.’ He shouted out the Chatsworth Estate for its variety of pubs like the Beeley Inn, which has hosted the likes of Charles Dickens and King Edward VII, and the sky-high Barrel Inn in Bretton for its ‘panoramic views of the Dales’ and ‘resolutely old school’ interior. Photograph: TravellingFatman / S

E-bikes are among the easiest, most environmentally-friendly ways to get around London, but a turf war between operators could potentially soon leave fewer ride choices for west London cyclists. Richmond Council has announced that it is considering a proposal that may swap the neon-green Lime bikes – one of London’s biggest e-bike operators – for its darker green competitor, Forest.  In the proposal, Forest would become Richmond's only e-bike provider for the next three years after outbidding Lime in a council tender. Forest’s bid apparently scored highest overall in the procurement process due to financial criteria like pricing and value for taxpayers. If councillors approve the recommendation, Lime bikes could be banned in the borough. Lime currently operates in Richmond, where, according to the Standard, riders racked up more than 1.5 million trips in 2025 alone. Naturally, Lime isn’t thrilled about the prospect of leaving Richmond. The company warned that forcing it out of the borough could lead to ‘unintended consequences’ for riders, like the possibility of people cycling in from nearby areas only to discover they can’t legally park their bikes without getting hit with a penalty. Forest says it won the Richmond tender in a ‘fair and square’, while hinting at potential perks or offers for riders once bikes roll into the borough. If this all sounds a bit chaotic, that’s because, well... it is a bit. E-bike rules are inconsistent across London boroughs. Each borough decide

Organic American grocery chain Whole Foods Market just announced plans to open six new locations across London this spring, doubling its UK footprint to 12 stores total. The expansion comes just over a year after the retailer reopened its King’s Road location in March 2025 — the first new UK Whole Foods store to open in more than a decade. Now, the brand will spread across the capital with new branches arriving from April through June. Five of the six new stores will be in old Amazon Fresh stores, which shut last year. First up is the Angel location, which opens on April 2 on Upper Street, followed by Liverpool Street on April 23. Two openings will take place in May, with Notting Hill Gate on May 14 and Woof Wharf on May 28, followed by two more in June (Monument on June 4 and St James on June 11).  The new outposts range in size from 3,300 to 10,000 square feet, and are part of a ‘Daily Shop’ concept that aims to provide smaller-designed stores for busier neighbourhoods. Think: quick lunch stops on your break, after-work dinner pick-ups and the occasional impulse kombucha splurge.  Despite the more compact design, shoppers can still expect to find a variety of the brand’s organic produce, ready-to-eat meals and specialty items. Prepared food counters will feature salads, sandwiches and hot dishes like teriyaki salmon and Spanish-style free-range chicken, while the bakery will turn out fresh bread and the chain’s cult-favourite brown butter cookies. There’ll also be a select

Picture the summer holidays, and it’s likely gold, sandy beaches and calm blue waters spring to mind. However, it seems that as temperatures soar, city breaks are becoming a summer go-to, for adventure and, dare we say it, air-con. According to data collected by online booking agent Thomas Cook, these are the destinations getting the most city bookings, and the top contenders are a little surprising.  Coming in first? That’d be Poland, where 17 percent of bookings were made. Its second largest city, Krakow, with varieties of Romanesque, Modernist and Gothic architecture, its UNESCO-listed Old Town and historical significance during WWII, offers all the things a good city should, while remaining charmingly down-to-earth. To get your summertime waterside fix, wander along the Vistula River where you’ll find Wawel Castle (which once housed Polish royals) and has now been transformed into one of Poland’s top art museums. After the riverwalk, stay cool indoors with a visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, Krakow (MOCAK), which is home to work by talented Polish and international artists. For a lesson on Krakow’s history,  History buffs can visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, as well as the Rynek Underground museum beneath the Main Market Square (Europe's largest medieval square), for a lesson on Krakow’s history.  Hungary comes at a close second with 13 percent, with cities like Budapest blooming with contemporary hotels, rooftop bars and thermal baths that make the perfect alte

Famous for its signature chicken, waffle fries and natural lemonade, American fast-food chain Chick-fil-A opened its first in a new bout of British locations in Belfast in January 2025. Now, the chain is testing waters in the Big Smoke with a first restaurant in London – and it opens this week. The new Chick-fil-A branch will open in London’s far southwest: Kingston-upon-Thames. Located at 90 Eden Street – in what was formerly an HSBC bank – Chick-fil-A's Kingston outpost will be its fourth UK opening. The official opening date has been confirmed for Thursday March 5, after which it’ll be open Monday-Saturday, 10am-10pm. Kingstonians can expect all Chick-fil-A’s classic menu items at the new location, like the chicken sandwich, grilled nuggets, iced tea and dipping sauces. The chain is famous for its queues, too, which are known to trail well out the door at peak times.  Chick-fil-A is currently in the midst of its second attempt to break into the UK chicken market. Back in 2019 the chain opened locations in Reading and Aviemore, Scotland, but they were met with backlash and a campaign by LGBTQ+ activists. The company’s charity arm has a controversial history of donating to organisations that activists judged to be hostile to LGBTQ+ rights, while the then-CEO made public statements opposing same-sex marriage. Both the Reading and Aviemore locations’ six-month leases were not extended. You can find out all about the controversy here.  However, it’s worth noting that Chick-fil