Direct from London Luton — Skip the Obvious, Discover the Extraordinary
There’s nothing wrong with a long weekend in Barcelona or a few lazy days on the Algarve. But sometimes, the most memorable trips are the ones that catch you completely off guard — the cities that shake up your assumptions and leave you wondering why you hadn’t visited sooner.
With an ever-expanding roster of direct routes from London Luton, 2026 offers some brilliant opportunities to swap the well-trodden for the wonderfully unexpected. Here are three city breaks that deserve a spot at the very top of your travel list this year.
1. Marrakech, Morocco — A Sensory Overload in the Best Possible Way
Marrakech is one of those rare destinations that hits every sense the moment you step outside the airport. The warm, spice-scented air, the call to prayer echoing across terracotta rooftops, the riot of colour pouring from every market stall — this is a city that simply refuses to be ignored. And with easyJet operating direct flights from Luton in just three hours and forty-five minutes, it’s closer than you might think.
The ancient medina — a UNESCO World Heritage Site enclosed within 19 kilometres of dusky pink walls — is the beating heart of the city. Lose yourself (you will, and that’s half the fun) in the labyrinthine souks, where artisans hammer copper lanterns, stack pyramids of fragrant spices, and weave Berber carpets using techniques passed down through generations. As evening falls, the vast Jemaa el-Fnaa square erupts into life with storytellers, musicians, snake charmers, and dozens of open-air food stalls grilling everything from lamb kebabs to freshly caught sardines.
Beyond the medina, the Jardin Majorelle offers a blissful escape — a botanical garden of cobalt blue buildings and towering cacti, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent and now housing a museum dedicated to Berber culture. For architectural grandeur, the Bahia Palace and the intricately carved Ben Youssef Madrasa are unmissable.
What truly sets Marrakech apart as a city break, though, is its extraordinary value. A night in a beautifully restored riad — a traditional courtyard guesthouse — can cost less than a Premier Inn, and a three-course tagine dinner rarely tops £15. Factor in return flights from around £56 and you’ve got one of the most affordable and unforgettable escapes available from Luton.
2. Reykjavík, Iceland — Where Fire Meets Ice
Iceland’s tiny capital punches so far above its weight it’s almost absurd. With a population smaller than Croydon, Reykjavík somehow packs in world-class restaurants, a thriving arts scene, volcanic landscapes, and natural wonders that genuinely take your breath away. EasyJet flies direct from Luton in just over three hours, with one-way fares dipping as low as £26 if you book early.
The city itself is a delight — a compact, colourful jumble of corrugated-iron houses, independent bookshops, and cosy cafés where the coffee culture rivals Scandinavia’s best. The striking Hallgrímskirkja church dominates the skyline, and its tower offers panoramic views across the harbour to distant snow-dusted mountains. The Harpa Concert Hall, a shimmering honeycomb of glass perched on the waterfront, is worth visiting for the architecture alone.
But the real magic lies just beyond the city limits. The famous Golden Circle route — taking in the explosive Geysir geothermal area, the thundering Gullfoss waterfall, and the tectonic wonder of Thingvellir National Park — is an easy day trip. Soak in the milky blue waters of the Sky Lagoon or the iconic Blue Lagoon to recover. And if you visit between September and March, the Northern Lights may well put on their own private show overhead.
Yes, Iceland has a reputation for being pricey, but smart travellers can manage beautifully. Self-catering apartments, supermarket picnics, and free natural hot springs keep costs in check — and some experiences, like watching a geyser erupt against an Arctic sky, are genuinely priceless.
3. Berlin, Germany — Europe’s Most Reinvented City
Berlin is the city that never stops becoming something new. Every decade adds another layer to its extraordinary story, and in 2026, Germany’s capital continues to be one of Europe’s most exciting, creative, and affordable major cities. Multiple airlines serve Berlin from Luton, with Wizz Air and easyJet both offering direct flights in under two hours — making it perfectly feasible as a long weekend escape.
The history, of course, is staggering. The remnants of the Berlin Wall, the haunting Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, and the magnificent Brandenburg Gate tell a story of division, resilience, and reunification that resonates deeply even decades on. The Pergamon Museum on Museum Island houses antiquities that rival the British Museum, whilst the DDR Museum offers a surprisingly entertaining hands-on journey through life in East Germany.
Yet Berlin’s real draw in 2026 is its relentless creative energy. Neighbourhoods like Kreuzberg and Neukölln are alive with independent galleries, vintage markets, and some of the most inventive street food in Europe. The Markthalle Neun hosts a weekly Street Food Thursday that draws locals and visitors in equal measure, whilst the sprawling Mauerpark flea market on Sundays is an experience in itself — complete with an open-air karaoke session that has to be seen to be believed.
Berlin is also astonishingly good value for a Western European capital. Craft beer for €3, world-class döner kebabs for under €5, and museum day-passes that cover dozens of institutions — your wallet will barely notice. It’s a city that rewards wandering, and there’s always something new around the next corner.
The Verdict
What connects Marrakech, Reykjavík, and Berlin isn’t geography — it’s the element of surprise. Each one challenges expectations and delivers experiences you simply won’t find in the usual city break suspects. Whether it’s the intoxicating chaos of a Moroccan souk, the otherworldly beauty of an Icelandic geyser, or the raw creative buzz of a Berlin neighbourhood, these are the trips that stay with you long after you’ve unpacked.
All three offer direct flights from London Luton, all three are kinder on the budget than you’d expect, and all three are ready to prove that the best city breaks are the ones you didn’t see coming.
Ready to book your next adventure? Speak to the team at ETW Travel today.
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