Liv Kelly

In 2026, the UK’s coastline is more in the spotlight than it has been in a long, long time. The opening of the long-awaited King Charles III Coastal Path means that the entire coasts of England, Wales and Scotland are now fully walkable – giving you even more of a reason to visit this nation’s extraordinary roster of seaside towns. Of course, being an island nation, the UK has no shortage of coastal spots. Prim, proper, picture-postcard-worthy idylls? Check. Remote, blustery retreats from stormy seas?  Yep, plenty of that. Thrill-packed resort spots with something for everyone? Britain has all of the above and much more. If you’re on the hunt for British seaside towns that are worth checking out right now – the ones that should be on your radar specifically in 2026 – that’s what we’re here for. Time Out assembled our UK travel experts to pick out the country’s most exciting seaside, port, harbour and resort towns to visit this year. RECOMMENDED: 🏖️ The best beaches in the UK (and mapped).📍 The best places to visit in Britain in 2026.🇬🇧 The best new things to do in the UK in 2026. Time Out’s best seaside towns, mapped Image: Time Out

Make no mistake, the UK has some of the planet’s finest stretches of coastline. Sure, Britain isn’t always outlined by beaming vast stretches of white à la Caribbean, but there’s extraordinary variety in our coast. Dramatic dunes, towering chalk cliffs and secret coves. Beaches fashioned out of pebbles, shingle and rock pools. Some attached to busy seaside towns, others blissfully remote. That diversity is all part of Britain’s seaside charm. The UK’s coast stretches thousands of miles, within which are around 1,500 beaches. How do you choose which ones are most worth visiting? Well, that’s where Time Out’s recommendations come in. Our latest guide to Britain’s top beaches has something for every kind of beach fanatic: sun-lounging spots in legendary seaside towns, creamy sands on far-off islands, newly-revived destinations, old favourites and much more. Our 2026 guide to the greatest beaches in Britain features 40 coastlines, five of which are new entries. From Cornwall’s world-famous sandy destinations all the way up to Scotland’s West Isles, here’s where to lay down a towel and go for a dip. RECOMMENDED: 🏖️ The best seaside towns in the UK to visit in 2026. 📍 The best places to visit in Britain in 2026. 🇬🇧 The best new things to do in the UK in 2026. The UK’s 20 best beaches, mapped Image: Time OutA map of the UK’s 20 best beaches, according to Time Out

Whether you’re at a pub-side shack in London or a swanky, white table-clothed restaurant in Hong Kong, there are brilliant places all over the world to get your gnashers around some properly lip-smacking sandwiches.  Some are full of bougie ingredients, others are cheap and cheerful, but the tradition of cramming cheese, meat, fish, vegetables (or all of the above) between two slices of bread is as universal a dish as you can get. So, without further ado, sink your teeth into our carby, crunchy roundup. Here are the world’s very best sandwiches (according to us). RECOMMENDED:🍝 The best cities in the world for food🎭 The best things to do in the world in 2025🌃 The best cities in the world🌤️ The world’s coolest neighbourhoods This list was edited by Morgan Olsen, Time Out’s former Global Food and Drink editor. 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.

Is there a more satisfying bite than the salty, smoky hit of a really, really good burger? The answer is obviously: of course not. Restaurants all over the world are crafting and griddling their own take on the classic beef burger, with homemade sauces, whacky buns, and specialty meats elevating these patties to entirely new levels. We wanted to find out where, exactly, one can find the tastiest, juiciest, most decadent and inventive burgers out there right now. So we grilled Time Out’s global team of food and drink editors about the very best burgers they’ve sunk their teeth into – then ranked them all according to the venues with the strongest star ratings on Google. The result? Fourteen lip-smacking burgers, found across some of the world’s best cities. From smashed wagyu to a ‘kitschy’ surf and turf and everything in between, these are the greatest burgers on the planet right now, each tried and tested by us. Tuck in. RECOMMENDED:🍕 The best pizzas in the world🥪 The best sandwiches in the world🥩 The best steaks in the world This list was edited by Liv Kelly, Time Out’s travel writer. 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.

Nowhere does Christmas quite like London. Come December, this city comes alive with dazzling festive lights, Christmas markets, theatre and endless shopping. Whether you’re venturing in from a nearby city or travelling from across the pond, there are endless reasons why a stay in the UK’s capital should be at the top of your list this festive season. Ready for some serious Christmas spirit? Look no further – we’ve handpicked the best hotels to stay in at Christmas in the Capital. And we’ve covered all the bases: hotels with Christmas markets on your doorstep, hotels that look out over ice skating rinks, and hotels that go all out for their very own festive offerings, with everything from bespoke Christmas packages to mega trees and blowout festive menus. And yes, you can stay on Christmas Day too. Ready to get festive? Us too. Read on for the best Christmas hotels in London this year.  📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to the best hotels and Airbnbs in London  The best hotels for Christmas in London at a glance 👪 Best for families: Claridges 🏢 Best views: Shangri-La The Shard ⛄ Best for snow lovers: The Berkeley 🎄 Best Christmas tree: Landmark London ☕ Best festive afternoon tea: The Dorchester Who makes the cut? Headed up by editor Joe Mackertich, our team at Time Out London spend their time reviewing hotels all over the Capital – new openings, old classics and everything in between – to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. Along with our pool

Whether it’s for a culture-packed city break or the approaching World Cup, saving a few cents on your next visit to Boston won’t hurt. Thankfully, there are plenty of stylish but affordable options when it comes to our favorite places to stay, and we’ve compiled them all below with brand-new reviews of The Dagny Boston, The Revolution, and Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville.  What are hotel prices like in Boston? We’ll be honest—while most cities still have a way to go before they compete with prices in cities like LA and NYC, visits to Boston fall at the higher end of the spectrum for how much an overnight stay will set you back. For the more affordable options which don’t compromise on style, every hotel in this list has a starting nightly rate of $250 or less.  Which area is best to stay in Boston? To have as many attractions on your doorstep as possible—such as the Freedom Trail and the Rose Kennedy Greenway—Downtown and Chinatown are two top neighborhoods to stay in. After some oceanfront views? Opt for hotels in Back Bay or Seaport. Oh, and on this list, you’ll also find hotels in more affordable neighborhoods like Fenway Park, Brighton, Mission Hill and Somerville.  Boston’s best budget hotels at a glance: 👙 Most underrated: The Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville 🗺️ Best location: The Dagny Boston 👛 Cheapest: The Farrington Inn 🤩 Coolest: The Revolution Hotel 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to hotels in Boston How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel

What makes a hotel ‘cool’? Well, a lot of it is entirely subjective, of course. But there are a few things we look out for in a cool hotel here at Time Out. Perhaps it’s design-led and perfectly aesthetic, or it’s situated in one of its city’s coolest neighbourhoods. It might have a hotel bar we actually want to spend time in, a proper sustainability focus, or a food and drink offering that’s second-to-none.  But sometimes, it’s just a vibe. A hotel that you love as soon as you walk in the door. A hotel where the staff feel like your best friends. A hotel that makes you feel like you’re ready to pack up and move to this brand-new city for good. Are you catching our drift? A hotel can be cool just because it was. So if you’re after a bit of inspo, these are some very cool hotels our writers and editors have stayed at recently, in some of our favourite cities ever. From Copenhagen to Berlin, here are the coolest hotels in Europe right now.  ➡️ Check out our ultimate guide to Europe’s best hotels Ella Doyle is Time Out’s Europe editor. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by experts across Europe. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Have you noticed that everyone seems to be doing Pilates right now? Well, there’s good reason. Developed by German trainer Joseph Pilates in the 1920s, the exercise regime is low-impact but does absolute wonders for your muscles (including your core) – and it’ll sort out a load of other issues form bad posture to balance, too. Celebs, dancers and elite athletes swear by it and now all sorts of new studios are popping up over the city. If you wanna get a bit more bendy, toned and powerful, look no further than one of these expert pilates classes. What’s more, it doesn’t matter whether they’re mat-based, inspired by ballet or take place on a reformer machine (they’re not as scary as they look, we promise), these fun and fancy studios won’t leave you bent out of shape. Here are the best pilates classes in London. Fancy testing that new-found flexibility? Try one of these yoga classes in London next.  London’s best pilates classes at a glance Best for barre: Paola’s Body Barre Best for beginners: Frame Best for traditionalists: Kinetic Pilates Best for a budget: The Refinery RECOMMENDED: The best sport and fitness in London

London is full of perfect pizza. The finest of fast foods, this delicious staple has been elevated far beyond its humble roots by great Italian restaurants in London, pop-ups, street food vendors and pub residencies, and we know just where to find these world-class wonders, because we’ve been eating our way across London in order to discover the best. Whether it’s delivered in a cardboard box or served in a swish restaurant, excellent pizza is hard to beat. Browse our list of the best pizza places in town and try not to drool on your screen. Recent additions to the list include some nifty kitchen residencies; Dough Hands at the Spurstowe Arms and All My Friends in Hackney Wick, Hot Saint at the Old Queen’s Head in Angel, Little Earthquakes at the Railway Tavern in Dalston, and Short Road Pizza at the William The Fourth in Leyton and Three Colts in Bethnal Green. You can find Ace Pizza at the Pembury Tavern in Hackney Downs, but they have a standalone parlour in Victoria Park. Try also; Spring Street Pizza in Borough for pie with a Michelin-starred touch, Carmela’s on Upper Street for a cosy slice, Vincenzo’s in Shoreditch for no-flop pizza and Bar Etna in Newington Green for a slap-up pizza feast. RECOMMENDED: The finest fish and chips in London.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Museums are one of the things that London does best. This city boasts grand institutions housing ancient treasures, modern monoliths packed with intriguing exhibits, and tiny rooms containing deeply niche collections – and lots of them are totally free to anyone who wants to come in and take a gander. And with more than 170 London museums to choose from, there's bound to be one to pique your interest, whatever you're in to.  Want to explore the history of TfL? We’ve got a museum for that. Rather learn about advertising? We’ve got a museum for that too. History? Check. Science? Check. 1940s cinema memorabilia, grotesque eighteenth-century surgical instruments, or perhaps a wall of 4,000 mouse skeletons? Check, check and check! Being the cultured metropolitans that we are, Time Out’s editors love nothing more than a wholesome afternoon spent gawping at Churchill’s baby rattle or some ancient Egyptian percussion instruments. In my case, the opportunity to live on the doorstep of some of the planet’s most iconic cultural institutions was a big reason why I moved here at the first chance I got, and I’ve racked up countless hours traipsing around display cases and deciphering needlessly verbose wall texts in the eleven years since. From iconic collections, brilliant curation and cutting-edge tech right down to nice loos, adequate signage and a decent place to grab a cuppa; my colleagues and I know exactly what we want from a museum, and we’ve put in a whole lot of time deliberating

Hiking is having a moment right now. Brand-new trails – including the world’s longest coastal path – are opening left, right and centre. Plus, more of us than ever are choosing active, mindful and sustainable experiences when we travel. To help you plan your next great hike, we’ve rounded up the best hiking holidays the world over, from Europe’s very own Jurassic Park to the bonnie lochs of the West Highland Way and desert landscapes in the Middle East. Each hike has been tried and tested by our globetrotting network of travel writers, so read on for all the info on where to go, when to go and how long to set aside, plus tips and tricks and the best sights to look for along the way. All you need to do is pack your bags. These are the world’s greatest hikes, according to Time Out. Updated April 2026: We’ve added two Spanish hikes to the list to help you plan your summer treks. RECOMMENDED:🌲 The best national parks in the world ⛰️ The best destinations for solo female travellers🌊 The most spectacular places to swim in the world🏝️ The best beaches in the world🚂 The best train journeys around the world

April 2026: We've updated our roasts list to reflect the return of sunnier days. Try the Macbeth in Hoxton, which offers a great Portuguese-style Sunday sesh, and the ravishing Jamaican-inspired roast at Buster Mantis in Deptford. There are a couple of posh restaurants in the mix too, with a Nordic roast at the plush Ekstedt at the Yard near Westminster, and a serious meat feast at Quality Chop House in Clerkenwell. We also have a new Number 1 to welcome spring in; the bright and breezy offering at the super fancy-feeling Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell.  London’s best Sunday roasts at a glance: 🥩 Central: Sessions Arts Club, Clerkenwell 😇 North: The Angel, Highgate ⛪ South: Old Nun’s Head, Nunhead 🌈 East: The Nelson’s, Hackney 🍻 West: The Mall Tavern, Notting Hill Sunday lunch. There’s nothing quite like it. An elemental meal, one that Londoners take incredibly seriously. Debates about what constitutes the ‘perfect’ Sunday roast have been known to last for hours. There is no shortage of top roasts and Sunday lunch options in London. We’ve rounded up the city’s best Sunday meals from a host of pubs, restaurants and breweries all around town. What makes a good roast? For us, it’s simple; a welcoming room is a good start, maybe in a pub with an open fire during the winter months. Then it comes to the plate – we need perfect roast potatoes, well-cooked lamb, beef or pork and a decent plant-based option too. A Sunday roast is more than just lunch - it’s self-care. From s

Paris’s streets are full of ornate, delicate-looking 16th century buildings, and if you’re after somewhere to stay that’ll give you all that quintessential charm – paired, of course, with the comforts of a slick hotel brand – then consider Maison Colbert Meliá Collection.  Acclaimed philosopher, activist and feminist Simone de Beauviour used to live in this place, but the plaque immortalising her presence on the exterior wall is far from the only historical nod that you’ll find. Inside, the decor is inspired by the dreamy works of Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla, and some of the rooms even come with a view of the newly reopened Notre Dame, which is just a five minute stroll away.  What are the rooms like at Maison Colbert? A lot of enjoying Paris’s charm involves turning a blind eye to how cramped it can be, but that isn’t a problem at Maison Colbert. Our Superior Room Partial Notre Dame View had ample space for storing a city break’s worth of luggage, and the en suite – with a large walk-in shower (and insanely good water pressure) – was separated from the bedroom area by curtain rather than wall, making it feel all the more spacious throughout. Oh, and you could just about peak the cathedral’s towers from the window.  A replica of one of Joaquín Sorolla’s pleasing luminist paintings was the focal point of the room, filling the wall above the bed, but nods to its vibrant summery tones continued throughout the rest of the space. Bright turquoise velvet covered the chairs, hea

Margate’s Old Town is a quaint network of historic yet polished-looking lanes which are peppered with plenty of bookshops, vintage stores, cafés and pubs. It actually feels more like a countryside village than the whimsical core of the UK’s go-to seaside town – until the wind hits you, that is.  Right in the middle is the Old Town House, a restored property comprising of just eight rooms, which is barely a five-minute walk from the beach, Margate’s Harbour Arm, as well as Turner Contemporary and plenty of top places to eat and drink. Here’s why, if you’re headed to Margate for the weekend, it’s one of our favourite places to stay. What are the rooms like at the Old Town House Margate? Despite its classy Georgian facade, this hotel feels surprisingly modern – firstly because there’s no lobby. Instead, before arriving you’ll be sent instructions on downloading an app that’ll give you a digital code, so you can tap in and out of both the entrance and your room as you please.  The rooms all branch off from a freshly painted winding staircase, and we stayed right at the very top in a premium suite (where rates start from £190-350). Inside, the floors were lined with delightfully plump carpet, the walls with pretty, shimmery wallpaper and the room was furnished with ornamental antiques as well as handy amenities like a hairdryer and a tea, coffee and hot chocolate set up. There was a small wardrobe as well as storage under the stairs (we’ll get to that), plus ample surface space to

When it comes to ultra-luxurious stays, the scene is largely dominated by monolithic five-star chains which have properties in every major city. That isn’t the case with Firmdale Hotels. Instead, owners and designers Tim and Kit Kemp have kept their portfolio – which comprises nine London and three New York stays – modest, and what it’s resulted in are efficiently run, tastefully-designed hotels.  This particular building functioned as a hospital for French soldiers during the Second World War before becoming the Shaftesbury Hotel and operating as such until 1992. It was in 1996 that it became the Covent Garden Hotel, and 30 years on, it’s still a worthy member of London’s hotel crème de la crème.  What are the rooms like at the Covent Garden Hotel? Full of texture, colour, and lavish touches. There are 58 rooms on offer at the Covent Garden Hotel, and if you’re lucky enough to afford something at the upper end of the price range, opt for the palatial Loft Suite. Spread over a first and mezzanine floor (with an entrance at each level), this place had a downstairs bathroom, dining and living space, plus an airy and bright master bedroom, a walk-in wardrobe and en suite upstairs. As is typical at Firmdale Hotels, there was a well-executed balance of country-house cosiness and modern amenities. The chain of boutiques are pleasingly uniform in their flamboyant yet quintessentially English interior aesthetic (courtesy of Kit Kemp), and from the wallpaper and the curtains to the th

Cato is a tale of two bars. You’ll arrive at what they’re calling The House of Julep, a lively, chatter-filled space on the ground floor with dark wood, garnet-painted walls, and the pleasant rattle of cocktail shakers. Here, the vibe is relaxed, jovial, and on a Thursday evening it feels like the merry hum of a pub has been transplanted into the swankier body of a sultry bar.  In the basement, you leave the hubbub behind to find a much more intimate space, draped in scarlet velvet. This is Cato, a name inspired by freedman and pioneer of American cocktail culture Cato Alexander. Classic disco plays as we snack on pretzels, olives, and airy focaccia while browsing the menu, which is organised by colour. Inspired by the colour-coded brain phenomenon of synesthesia, it includes 14 different cocktails which contain ingredients sourced exclusively from UK suppliers. The standouts? If you fancy something ‘Brown’, then Chestnut + Brown Butter is an exquisite, earthy, very savoury combination of aged rum, Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask, brown butter, caramelised chicken broth ‘brown’ rum, and chestnut praline. The most impressive was undoubtedly Wasabi + Mustard Greens, where ginger and honey shrub, foraged mustard greens and mustard leaf tincture mixed with gin and English wasabi distillate make for a refreshing, slightly fiery zinger of a cocktail. Order this Don’t sleep on The House of Julep’s menu. Go for The Oyster House Martini – it’s a pellucid blend of Ford’s London Dry

If you’re after a refined and polished bar perfect for quiet conversation, Homeboy is not the place. What it is good for, however, is expertly-executed cocktails served in what feels more like a raucous Irish pub. Enter and you’ll be enveloped into a snug, pleasingly low-lit space and affably greeted like a regular, even if you’ve never been here before. It’s a welcome tonic to the monosyllabic, named-after-a-generic-white-bloke bars which have proliferated London of late: there’s ample room on plump Chesterfield banquettes and lots of dark wood. On Thursdays and Sundays your evening will be soundtracked not by vinyl, but by a live Irish band.  There are TVs which, when we visited, were blaring the Six Nations, and once the music actually gets going, this place gets properly noisy. However, the seamlessness of the table service and the lively atmosphere proves that this place is a well-oiled hospitality machine – as do the drinks. Homeboy Bar’s menu features a signature collection of cocktails which have been steadfast inclusions since it opened, but there’s also a list of drinks inspired by Irish idols. The Punk Poet is one of these: it blends Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon with orange zest-infused oil, dark chocolate liqueur and demerara sugar, and it’s moreish, sour and sharp. The emphasis is very much on mixing a bit of Irishness into classic cocktail recipes, and dirty martini drinkers will also enjoy an Irish Sea.  Oh, and arrive hungry. This place doesn’t just knock it out of

Pass under the quintessential New York black awning, rotate through the revolving door and Sofitel New York greets you with a lengthy, imposing, Art Deco-esque lair of a lobby. It’s a lowly illuminated but pleasingly warm welcome from New York’s crispy late-fall streets, and while confusingly you’ll need to walk all the way towards the glitzy statement staircase at the far end to reach the actual reception, there are plenty of staff floating around to assist you.  This hotel is Sofitel’s new North American flagship property, which, after a substantial facelift, is a Midtown base that brims with potential. Despite a slightly bizarre entrance and shortcomings in the food offering, the hotel’s impressive location, immaculately designed beds and assured luxury service are where it gleams. Here’s what we thought of Sofitel New York.  Why stay at Sofitel New York? You probably haven’t traveled all the way to New York for a glimpse at the French way of life, but Sofitel is keen to deliver at least a flavor of it anyway. With the brand’s renewed emphasis on eating, drinking and sleeping well (which they refer to as the ‘French zest’), Sofitel New York has emerged from its site-wide renovation, striving and mostly succeeding to deliver on all those with polish.  The number one reason you should stay at this hotel is because of its prime—and we mean prime—location. Beyond having the Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, Bryant Park, Central Park, Broadway and Times Square all with

Head along to University of East London’s Docklands campus after dark and you'll find this spectacular free festival brightening up the skies. This year, the theme is the four elements, which means there'll be tons to see inspired by the wonders of wind, earth, fire and water. Its eclectic line-up includes glowing hula hooping, fire acrobatics, a giant roaming octopus and dragon, and illuminated performers walking high above the crowds. There'll also be refreshments from local street food stalls throughout the evening. Book your free place to be part of the fun. 

Lisbon strikes an unmatched balance of spontaneous small town energy while ticking all the criteria a great city should – stellar restaurants and bars, cool museums, top-tier places to go shopping and plethora of unique and interesting neighbourhoods to explore. It’s that balance which is also somehow executed by ME Lisbon, a large luxury stay in Marquês do Pombal which, despite its glassy exterior, intimidatingly polished lobby and sheer size, is an unabashedly friendly and thoughtfully designed hotel that I would definitely return to.  Why stay at ME Lisbon? While this hotel is big, corporate, and ultra luxurious, the warmth of the service, the excellent restaurant and the tasteful design mean it still feels quintessentially Lisbon. Sure, it’s a far cry from the whimsical little boutique hotels you’ll find in Alfama or the city centre, but ME Lisbon, armed not only with a friendly team, good food and a marvellous scent (literally everything smells good – even the air in the lifts) but also a downright beautiful spa and rooftop pool mean you can properly kick back here.  What are the rooms like at ME Lisbon? There are 213 rooms at ME Lisbon, with a whopping 12 different types to choose from – we stayed in an expansive Beyond ME+ Suite Street View which overlooked Avenue António Augusto de Aguiar and bragged a walk-in dressing area with shedloads of storage, a bar and mini fridge, living space and Smart TV, plus a bedroom area and a vast and luxurious en suite.  The entire sp

It’s been four years since Mozart’s revered comedy was performed on a London stage, but the English National Opera’s upcoming production of Così fan tutte has had some whimsy injected thanks to a collaboration with Improbable, an improv-based theatre company. The opera follows the outcome the cynical placing of a bet by two soldiers, Ferrando and Guglielmo, that if tested their fiancées, Fiordiligi and Dorabella, would have affairs, and soprano Lucy Crowe OBE and mezzo-soprano Taylor Raven are starring as the two sisters.  With Olivier Award-winner Phelim McDermott at the helm and Critics’ Circle Young Talent Award winner Dinis Sousa conducting, this co-production (in partnership with New York’s Metropolitan Opera), written originally at the height of Mozart’s career in the 1790s, has now been transformed by set (by Tom Pye) and costume design (by Laura Hopkins) to unfurl on 1950s Coney Island.

Montreal is a cool city – and I don’t just mean literally. From its dazzling fine art museum whose architectural engineering is just as outstanding as its collections, to its hearty, diverse food, stylish bars, top-tier shopping and an actual underground network of streets (yes, really), it’s somewhere I recommend you move to the top of your bucket list for 2026. And when you do pay a visit, the Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile is ready and waiting to greet you. Just like the city, this hotel has an effortless, stylish je ne sais quoi about it, largely thanks to the conclusion of a recent site-wide refurbishment. The result? A comfortable and exceptionally well-run hotel, perched on one of the coolest streets in the world. Why stay at Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile? The Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile is, simply, an expertly run hotel. The service is attentive but not overbearing, the rooms and suites are spacious with considerate details, and you’re in a handy Downtown location, just minutes from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Mount Royal.  On top of all that, the hotel has impressive environmental credentials – it was awarded 5 Green Keys in early 2025, the highest possible certification from eco-label programme Green Key Global, plus a local Montreal sustainability award – thanks to details such as its policy on using no paper or plastic bottles. It’s also platinum certified by SHe Travel Club, a certification platform for women travellers. What are the rooms like at Sofitel

Through the MacSmiths Repair Shop on Hackney Road is where you’ll find this cave-like, perfect-for-the-winter cocktail bar. We arrived drenched from the rain into the pleasantly toasty, warmly but lowly-lit space which sits at the bottom of a small staircase, and the vibe feels most like the den of a whacky old professor – think kooky portraits, cluttered old computer monitors and even something called a poem-o-graph. This is the place to come if you’re trying to ‘get into’ whisky. As of 2025, the bar is run by the same team behind the nearby Absinthe Parlour at The Last Tuesday Society, and not only does it have 24 different kinds on an evolving roster (when a bottle runs out, a new whisky replaces it), but they also have Whisky Wednesdays for tastings and specially curated cocktail menu. It’s no surprise they refer to themselves as a ‘whisky bunker’. For a crash course on whisky without committing to a full drink, there were three flight options on the menu: the ‘world wonderer’, the ‘smoke stack’ and the brilliant dessert trolley, which included notes of tropical vanilla, honeycomb and banana bread – it’s definitely one for those of us with a sweet tooth. Service is suitably laid-back, and if you’re overwhelmed by the lengthy list of options, you won’t feel too intimidated to seek out some recommendations from the bar staff about the drinks or well-paired snacks. Order this If, like me, you’re a fan of cocktails that’ll make your face scrunch up, order the Pickleback Sour.

St Martin's Voices and St Martin's Brass will this year be bringing us some stunningly festive performances of glorious music, carol singing and festive readings. Conducted by Andrew Earis, expect to hear beloved classic songs such as ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ and ‘O Holy Night’ plus the audience carols of ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ and ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’. Set against the beautiful backdrop of St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, these concerts promise to be a magical start to Christmas. 

The European rail boom continues, and a symbolic new route is the latest addition to the continent’s ever-expanding train network.  Leo Express, a Czech rail operator, is set to launch a brand-new route from Poland to Germany (via Czechia) on June 25.  Starting in the eastern Polish city of Przemyśl, the service will stop at Kraków, Prague, Dresden and Leipzig before concluding in Frankfurt.  Demand for rail travel to and through Poland has been on the rise over the last couple of years, with record levels of passengers on the country’s railways. In fact, Przemyśl specifically has become a primary hub for Ukrainian travellers since the beginning of Russia’s war, as the city lies just 10km from the border.  Recommended: After 20 years, these two European capitals will officially be connected by direct train.  In 2025, the first direct service between Poland and Croatia was inaugurated, and it also has connections to Germany, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania and Austria. However, spanning 1,300km, this will reportedly be one of the longest single rail journeys in Europe, and it’s set to take around 18 hours to complete.  Departures from Przemyśl will leave the station at 1.31pm and arrive the following morning in Frankfurt at 7.53am. In the reverse direction, services will leave at 8.27am and arrive at the slightly impractical time of 2.23am.  With all that time to kill, passengers will have access to WiFi, power sockets, air conditioning and on-board catering. Here’s a ma

The definition of a great beach depends enormously on what a great beach day looks like to you. Are you an avid sunbather, a wildlife-fanatic snorkeller, or a keen hiker after some dramatic, rugged coastal vistas? Well, there’ll be a beach out there for you.  However, Europe’s coasts are dotted with well-rounded crowd pleasers, too, and European Best Destinations has conveniently conducted some comprehensive research to provide us with a list of the absolute best.  Everything from water quality, accessibility and available activities to natural beauty, family-friendliness and environmental preservation has been scrutinised based on both traveller and editorial experience, and the official top 10 has just washed up.  The coveted top spot was claimed by Praia de Monte Clérigo, a sweeping sandy beach in Portugal’s idyllic Algarve region. It sits within the Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo and is primed for active travellers keen to hike or catch some waves. Photograph: ShutterstockPraia de Monte Clérigo Our tip if you’re heading here is to book a spot at O Sargo – it’s a classy seafood restaurant perched on the south side of the beach which overlooks its dreamy, sandy expanse – and do so at dusk to see this place live up to its nickname: The Sunset Beach.  However, one Mediterranean country completely dominated this ranking, claiming half of the top 10 spots. It was Greece, which filled places two, three, four, eight and ten – with two in Corfu.  Voutoumi Beach in Antipaxos

It’s a blessing living in a green place, and while lots of cities across the world have adopted innovative practices like rewilding projects or installing ‘green corridors’, we shouldn’t overlook the simple power of trees. They keep our streets shady, they help us breathe and they’re bloomin’ lovely to look at. The European Tree of the Year competition celebrates the significance of trees to local communities all over the continent, and they’ve just announced their winner for 2026.  The Oak of Laukiai, a 400-year-old oak tree in the Lithuanian village of Rukai, won the competition with a score of 6,153 ‘tree points’.  Recommended: The best cities for green space and nature in 2026   According to Tree of the Year, this old Oak stood forgotten for quite some time. However, about a year ago, the local community made efforts to restore the land and area around it, and even organised a celebration to honour it.  In second place was the Old Wild Apple Tree from Diel in Slovakia, and in third place was the Crooked Elm from Szyslowiec in Poland. Photograph: Krzysztof KarpinskiCrooked Tree, Poland How is the European Tree of the Year selected? Before the trees are put to a public vote, each participating country will select a tree via a local competition, where local communities, organisations and schools nominate a tree in their region. Then the trees are put to a public online vote, made fair by a new ‘tree points’ system which takes into account countries with larger populatio

The humble beef patty is a succulent blank canvas for chefs all over the planet, and Time Out’s brand-new roundup of the world’s very best burgers proves just how creative they can be.  From Gruyère-doused burgers sandwiched between pretzel buns to ‘frilly’ shrimp adorned patties covered in sweet and tangy dressing, there’s plenty of a delicious variety out there – but none can quite compare with the absolute lip-smacker that we’ve just crowned number one.  Sink your teeth into the triple-bacon cheese classic smash burger from Smash Things in Tokyo. Three 100 percent Japanese black Wagyu patties, pressed to blissful crispiness on a blazing griddle, have bacon, onions and American cheddar wedged in between two pillowy halves of a milk bun.  Photo: Kisa ToyoshimaSmash Things Photo: Kisa ToyoshimaSmash Things ‘You’ll find great burgers across Tokyo, but the smash burgers at Smash Things in Komazawa-Daigaku might just be the most delicious of them all,’ writes digital editor of Time Out Tokyo, Kaila Imada. ‘The burgers are kept simple to highlight the outstanding beef, with just onion, proprietary thousand island-style sauce, cheese and your choice of a milk or charcoal-coloured bun.’ Drooling? Same. But there’s plenty more where that came from – claiming second place on our list, handpicked by city editor of Time Out Cape Town Selene Brophy was the Classic Zuney Burger from Zuney Wagyu Burgers, and in third was the Nolita Burger from Nolita in Madrid, as per the recommendati

Travelling the world can be done on even the tightest of meticulously planned budgets, but news that the cost of a visa to visit Sri Lanka has been slashed entirely will be music to everybody’s ears.  That’s right – now’s the time to travel to this paradisiacal island nation, as Sri Lanka has officially made it free to enter for citizens from 40 very lucky countries.  You’ll still need to apply for your Electronic Travel Authorisation ahead of arrival, but that will now get you entry to the country without any fees for up to 30 days.  This comes not long after Thailand clamped down on its entry rules, and travellers from a long list of countries have now had to wave goodbye to the 60-day visa-exemption window. The new rules for Sri Lanka came into effect on Monday May 25, but unfortunately for travellers who had already paid, there isn’t an opportunity to get refunded.  But hey, let’s focus on the good news. Below is the list of all the countries now exempt from paying for entry to Sri Lanka for up to 30 days, according to the Khaleej Times.  Australia Austria Bahrain Belarus Belgium Canada China Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany India Indonesia Iran Israel Italy Japan Kazakhstan Kuwait Malaysia Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Norway Oman Pakistan Poland Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Thailand Türkiye UAE UK USA Visitors from these countries join travellers from the Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore, who already had their ETA fees

Viver num lugar cheio de verde é uma bênção, e embora muitas cidades em todo o mundo tenham adoptado práticas inovadoras, como projectos de renaturalização ou a instalação de “corredores verdes”, não devemos ignorar o poder simples das árvores. Mantêm as nossas ruas à sombra, ajudam-nos a respirar e são incrivelmente adoráveis de se ver. O concurso Árvore Europeia do Ano celebra a importância das árvores para as comunidades locais de todo o continente, e o vencedor para 2026 acaba de ser anunciado. O Carvalho de Laukiai, um carvalho com 400 anos situado na aldeia lituana de Rukai, venceu a competição com uma pontuação de 6153 “pontos de árvore”. Segundo a organização da Árvore do Ano, este velho carvalho esteve esquecido durante bastante tempo. No entanto, há cerca de um ano, a comunidade local envidou esforços para restaurar o terreno e a área circundante, tendo mesmo organizado uma celebração em sua honra. Em segundo lugar ficou a Velha Macieira Brava de Diel, na Eslováquia, e em terceiro o Olmo Torto de Szyslowiec, na Polónia. Como é seleccionada a Árvore Europeia do Ano? Antes de as árvores serem submetidas a votação pública, cada país participante selecciona uma árvore através de um concurso local, onde as comunidades, organizações e escolas nomeiam uma árvore da sua região. Depois, as árvores são submetidas a uma votação pública online, tornada justa por um novo sistema de “pontos de árvore” que tem em conta os países com populações maiores e pondera a pontuação em conf

Existe-t-il bouchée plus réjouissante que l’impact salé et fumé d’un très, très bon burger ? La réponse est évidente : bien sûr que non. Partout dans le monde, des restos bricolent, grillent et retournent leur propre version du classique burger au bœuf, avec sauces maison, buns barrés et viandes de compétition pour propulser ces steaks sous pain dans une autre dimension. On a voulu savoir où trouver, très exactement, les burgers les plus savoureux, les plus juteux, les plus décadents et les plus inventifs du moment. Alors on a cuisiné l’équipe mondiale des rédacteurs food & drink de Time Out sur les meilleurs burgers dans lesquels ils ont planté les dents – avant de les classer selon les adresses affichant les meilleures notes Google. Résultat ? Quatorze burgers à s’en lécher les doigts, disséminés dans quelques-unes des meilleures villes du monde. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="request-6a1748a3-689c-83eb-98bb-1eefe03d1e6b-3" data-turn-id-container="request-6a1748a3-689c-83eb-98bb-1eefe03d1e6b-3" data-testid="conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="assistant"> Paris décroche la 6e place mondiale avec Spécimen Burger *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-r

City breaks are brilliant holidays – you can soak up a shedload of culture, bar hop, and eat at brilliant local restaurants all without using too much of your annual leave. However, across Europe, the cost of visiting cities varies staggeringly, and given times are pretty tough right now, many of us are tightening our travel purse strings where we can.  Handily, Post Office Travel Money’s 2026 City Cost Barometer has landed, which analyses the cost of a city break in 50 popular and trending destinations across the continent. To do so, they evaluate the following factors: two nights in three-star weekend accommodation, a three-course meal for two (including a bottle of house wine), a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, a bottle of beer and Coca Cola, return airport transfers, a sightseeing bus tour, a 48-hour local travel card plus a top heritage attraction, gallery and museum.  So, where on the continent can you get the most bang for your buck – and where will cost you an arm and a leg? Topping the list of the most affordable cities in Europe is (drum roll, please) Sarajevo! According to the research, a weekend here (which comprises all the above costs) will set you back a mere £248.27 – which is almost three times cheaper than the priciest city break on the list, Oslo.  Photograph: ShutterstockSebilj fountain, Sarajevo The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina makes for an excellent weekend getaway destination. Part of the appeal is that it’s primed for wandering around, whether y

It’s a tough time to be working in the aviation industry. Faced with staff shortages and huge levels of disruption, many workers at airlines and airports are facing long, stressful hours and poor working conditions. And, thanks to the cost of living crisis, loads of them are doing it all for lower wages, too. Needless to say, it’s no wonder that so many staff at airports and airlines have been going on strike. From Italy and Belgium to Greece and France, airports across Europe have seen thousands of flights delayed and cancelled by industrial action over the past couple of years. Strikes can, of course, have a serious impact on your holiday, so it’s best to be as informed about them as possible. Read on for our guide to who’s going on strike in Europe right now, where and when those strikes will happen – and whether you need to worry about them.   Public transport strikes across Portugal June 3 is set to be a chaotic day to be travelling to and within Portugal, as cabin crew members – along with railway works and public transport staff across the country – are set to walk out in protest of proposed government reforms. Up to 500 flights are at risk of cancellation, according to The Resident, and trains, ferries, city metros and buses are all also set to be affected. If you’re keen to know more about the services affected and how your journey might be impacted, have a read of our complete guide to the June 2026 Portugal transport strikes.  What happens if your airline goes on s

Portugal remains one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations, whether you’re on a bar-hopping city break in Lisbon or catching some waves in the Algarve.  However, workers across the public and commercial transport network are staging industrial action to protest proposed government reforms next week, and it’s set to cause significant delays for all travellers.  Below is a round-up of when the strikes are taking place, the services that will be affected, and what your rights are if you’ve already planned to travel.  When are the transport strikes in Portugal? The strikes will be taking place next week on June 3, but as is often the case with widespread industrial action, the delays could well impact travel on the following days, too. This comes after months of long queues at Lisbon airport due to the implementation of the new Entry/Exit (EES) system.   What services will be affected by the strikes in Portugal? Cabin crew, rail workers, public transport staff and even doctors are participating in this round of industrial action.  Portuguese newspaper The Resident estimates that up to 500 flights could be affected on the day, including 300 operated by TAP, the country’s flag carrier, as well as other Portugália and SATA services.  FECTRANS, a trade union that represents public transport staff, will be participating, and this will likely affect services like Lisbon Metro. Ferries and public transport in Porto will also be affected.  Why are the strikes happening? The indus

Quase toda a gente gosta de boiar nas águas amenas do Mediterrâneo, mas submergir-se em lagos glaciares ou piscinas frias não é para os fracos de coração. No entanto, nadar em águas frias na natureza (o chamado wild swimming) é uma tendência de bem-estar em rápido crescimento, com mais pessoas do que nunca a darem o mergulho – de facto, as pesquisas por “wild swimming” dispararam 90% no Reino Unido este mês. A marca de roupa de ar livre Icewear produziu um índice de “terapia de calor e frio”, mostrando os melhores locais do mundo não só para terapia natural de calor (como dar um mergulho em nascentes termais), mas também para terapia de frio, ou wild swimming. Para o fazer, analisou 54 mil avaliações do Google de 60 locais diferentes em todo o mundo, e classificou-os com base nos que tinham incluídas as palavras-chave mais positivas (como “autêntico”, “revigorante”, “relaxante” e “transformador”). Então, qual é o melhor local de wild swimming do planeta? Bem, esse seria o Lago Bled, na Eslovénia. De acordo com este índice, 76,8% das suas avaliações são positivas – mas com vistas como as que encontrará aqui, não estamos nada surpreendidos. O lago, a pouco menos de uma hora de Liubliana, oferece condições de banho magníficas, com a temperatura da água à superfície a atingir os 25°C no Verão. É tão bonito que a Time Out o incluiu no seu guia dos lagos mais bonitos do planeta. Fotografia: ShutterstockLago Bled, Eslovénia Fica bastante cheio de visitantes, mas as águas cerúleas

Pretty much anyone enjoys bobbing about in the balmy waters of the Mediterranean, but submerging yourself into glacial lakes or cold lidos is not for the faint-hearted.  However, wild swimming in cold waters is a rapidly growing wellness trend, with more people than ever taking the plunge – in fact, searches for ‘wild swimming’ soared by 90 percent in the UK this month.  Recommended: What I learned from a year swimming the coldest seas in the world Outdoor clothing brand Icewear has produced a ‘hot and cold therapy’ index, showcasing the very best spots in the world not only for natural hot therapy (such as taking a dip in thermal springs) but also for cold therapy, or wild swimming.  To do so, it analysed 54,000 Google reviews for 60 different worldwide locations, and ranked them based on which ones had the most positive keywords (like ‘authentic’, ‘invigorating’, ‘relaxing’ and ‘transformative’) included.  So, the very best wild swimming spot on the planet? Well, that’d be Lake Bled. According to this index, 76.8 percent of its reviews are positive – but with views like the ones you’ll find here, we’re hardly surprised.  Photograph: ShutterstockLake Bled, Slovenia The lake, just under an hour from Ljubljana, offers gorgeous bathing conditions, with surface water temperatures reaching 25C in the summer. It’s so beautiful that Time Out included it in our guide to the planet’s most beautiful lakes.  It gets pretty busy with visitors, but the cerulean waters and snow-capped p