Would you like to go on a holiday that puts food right at the heart of everything you do? For many travellers, Europe is the ultimate foodie destination. There’s a rich tapestry of history and culture on the continent, and each region has its own distinct approach to cuisine.

If you’re looking for a convenient, affordable break, moreover, then you’ll be able to choose from a range of last-minute holidays to the continent, too – many of them packed with fantastic food and drink.

But exactly which corners of the continent are really worth considering?

Lisbon, Portugal – Seafood, Sunset and Slow Travel

When it comes to seafood, it’s quite difficult to better the Portuguese capital. Lisbon is packed with amazing grilled sardines and cod-based dishes, including the famous ‘bacalhau à brás’, a dish made up of shredded cod, onions, and potatoes.

Better yet, a trip here is extremely affordable and accessible, with flights bound for Lisbon constantly taking off from across the UK.

Bologna, Italy – The Heart of Italian Comfort Food

Bologna is a city that’s forever associated with one particular kind of dish. The famous sauce is often served, not with spaghetti, but with tagliatelle. Of course, there’s more to Bolognaise food than pasta al ragu; while you’re in town, it’s worth sampling Friggione – that’s a simple, but tasty, slow-cooked mixture of onions and tomatoes.

Copenhagen, Denmark – Classic Nordic Flavours

If you’d prefer a trip to a completely different, more distinctly Nordic gastronomic environment, then the Danish capital of Copenhagen is an obvious choice for a city break.

When it comes to food and drink, the city leans heavily into its Nordic heritage, with so-called ‘New Nordic’ food being central to both Michelin-starred fine-dining establishments and the range of street food vendors in the city.

San Sebastián, Spain – Pintxos and Coastal Charm

This part of Spain comes with a range of seafood options. Hake and crab tend to feature on just about every menu, and there are tapas-style eateries just about everywhere you look. Of particular interest might be the classic Basque dish of pintxos, which are small, bready snacks, often served with a toothpick. They’re distinct from the kind of tapas you find in the south of Spain.

Authentic Basque cuisine is quite unlike what you might find in the UK. Certain offerings, like baby eels, have fallen out of favour because of the difficulty in sourcing the real thing – but if you can find the right eatery, they’re worth sampling at least once.