Top Locations For Maximalist Travel

We all love to get away on a city break, but even after a week packed full of fun activities and amazing sights, it’s common to feel as though you didn’t get to see everything your holiday destination had to offer. Over the last few years, we’ve seen more travellers seeking out maximalist holidays to solve this problem. Rather than taking a long trip to explore at their own pace, they would rather fit as much excitement as possible into a short time. Maximalist travel is a great option for anyone looking to fit a memorable trip into a busy schedule, or trying to keep to a tight budget.

To help find the best destinations for a maximalist holiday, we’ve put together a list of cities that offer plenty of bang for your buck without having to plan extensive travel. We ranked every city on our list based on factors like walkability, transport price, number of landmarks and restaurants, and more. These cities were then scored out of 100 and ranked from highest to lowest. If you’re looking to experience delicious cuisine, awe-inspiring culture, lively nightlife, and more in just a short holiday, try booking a trip in one of our top five cities for maximalist travel:

1. Athens, Greece

As the capital of Greece, Athens is known for its rich history and culture. From ancient landmarks like the Parthenon and the Panathenaic Stadium, to hundreds of tavernas serving classic Greek dishes like souvlaki and moussaka, there’s something on offer for everyone. It tops our list of the best maximalist travel destinations, as it’s easy to explore all of its iconic sights on a short visit.

With around 91 landmarks and sightseeing spots per 10 sq km, you’re never too far from an amazing experience in Athens. Plus, for food fans, there are more than 2,700 restaurants to choose from in the city! Travelling through Athens by foot is easy with a walkability score of 88% - which makes it the most walkable holiday destination on our list – but other modes of transport are also widely accessible for tourists. A one-way adult ticket on its public transport costs just €1.20, while cyclists can use any of the city’s 595 cycle routes.

Overall, Athens scores 82.23 out of 100 on our maximalist travel index, making it the #1 destination for cramming in as much holiday as possible! Whether you’re looking for spur-of-the-moment travel, or filling your itinerary with fun in advance, you’re sure to make fantastic memories no matter how long your stay is.

2. Porto, Portugal

Located on the banks of the Douro River, Porto is Portugal’s second-largest city and is the second-best city in our rankings for a maximalist trip. Famous for its port wine and Baroque architecture, Porto is ideal for both history lovers looking to learn more about the city, and nightlife lovers seeking some of the best bars and clubs in Portugal.

With an adult ticket on public transport costing as little as €1.80 for a one-way ticket, and with 1,980 cycle routes in the city, there’s no shortage of ways to make your way around Porto. For shorter journeys, the city also has a walkability score of 62% and an average elevation of 77 m, making it easy to explore without a vehicle too!

Packed into Porto are 2,530 restaurants and 282 unique landmarks, making it a dream destination for sightseers and foodies alike. Finishing with a total score of 66.84 on our list, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular spot for maximalist holidaymakers to experience as much culture as they can on their trips.

3. Vienna, Austria

Taking up 414.7 sq km, Vienna is the biggest city in our top five by a wide margin. However, its easily accessible transport makes it ideal for anyone looking to travel around as much of the city as possible. The average price for a one-way ticket on Viennese public transport is around €1.20, but the city’s cycling infrastructure gives it a massive boost on our list, with 50,879 cycle routes available!

Culture lovers can take in any of the city’s 696 landmarks (that’s 16.8 landmarks per 10 sq km), with iconic sights like Schönbrunn Palace and the Vienna State Opera taking top billing. Vienna is also famous for its beautiful coffee houses, so why not head out for a hot drink before grabbing a bite to eat? With 116.9 restaurants per 10 sq km to choose from, tourists can get a taste of traditional Austrian food, including Wiener schnitzel and Sachertorte.

Its walkability score of 76% means it’s easy to explore for pedestrians, but its trams and buses are just as convenient! Scoring 63.10 out of 100 overall, Vienna ranks as our third-best city for a maximalist getaway.

4. Brussels, Belgium

Brussels is a city with a unique identity that embraces both the old and the new. As the headquarters of the European Union, it’s often viewed as the capital of Europe and holds major political significance. Tourists can enjoy plenty of sights too, from the regal architecture of the Grand Palace and Parc du Cinquantenaire, to the futuristic Atomium building.

The Belgian capital is also famous for sweet treats, with Belgian waffles being a particular favourite. Tourists can choose to dine at any of the city’s 4,670 restaurants, while its 401 landmarks make perfect destinations for day trips. The city’s 83% walkability score means getting around by foot is no problem, but its public transport is very affordable for anyone looking to travel a longer distance (around €2.50 for a one-way ticket).

Add a total of 1,842 cycle routes to the mix, and Brussels is a fantastic place to explore on a brief holiday. It ranks at #4 on our list, with a final index score of 60.52.

5. Copenhagen, Denmark

Rounding out our top five is the Danish capital of Copenhagen. Located on the islands of Amager and Zealand in the north-west of the country, it lies close to sea level with an average elevation of just 9 m. This, combined with its 60% walkability score, makes journeys by foot a breeze – although you can also travel using the city’s 2,002 cycle routes.

From the colourful houses of Nyhavn, to the iconic Little Mermaid statue on the Langelinie promenade, and even the Tivoli Gardens amusement park, Copenhagen offers a variety of landmarks and attractions – 260 to be exact! One-way tickets on its public transport system cost around €2.13, making it an affordable spot for a day out. Its 2,540 restaurants also offer plenty of choice when it comes to food.

Finishing with 53.86 overall on our maximalist holiday cities index, Copenhagen beats tough competition from other city trip destinations like Dublin and Milan, capping off our list at #5.

Conclusion

Our top five maximalist holiday cities prove that holidays don’t need to be a major investment of time and money. Just a few days of travel, plus some smart budgeting, can give you a trip to remember for a lifetime! We’re likely to see more and more people looking to pack as much as they can into their holidays in the future, so why not get ahead of the curve and head away for an exciting maximalist city break now?

If relaxation and stunning ocean views are more your speed, you can also consider a holiday on a luxury ocean liner with Planet Cruise. With hundreds of cruise ships to choose from and a variety of cruise destinations on offer, booking your dream getaway on the high seas is easy. Start browsing today, and see where we can take you next!