Retirement age is a golden time, hopefully filled with rest, relaxation, and memories. For some, the pension pot helps fund supporting the family and enjoying hobbies previously left on the back burner. For others, it’s used to explore the world and accumulate passport stamps, fulfilling bucket list travel plans that just weren’t possible during working life.
We’ve taken a look at a selection of city breaks perfect for the over 60s that tick all the boxes for the perfect retirement-age trip.
1. Vienna, Austria
Vienna is an incredible city to visit. Mixing art with music, architecture, and food, it gives visitors a fantastic cultural experience. Add in how clean and safe it is, and you have a destination for a 3-4 day stay that doesn’t disappoint.
When you also consider the reliable public transport system too, you won’t have to worry about lots of walking to get around either.
We like the palaces such as Belvedere and Schonbrunn, ideal for helping you transport yourself to a mystical and magical world once you are immersed in their beauty.
2. Seville, Spain
Seville gives you some great options for a city break and whilst popular with all ages, it does lend itself well to older travellers who may be concerned about getting around or spending a long time on their feet. Its largely flat terrain makes walking easy, and its rich Andalusian history gives you plenty to immerse yourself in.
Full of colour, wonderful people, history and of course Flamenco, Seville provides a vibrant city to explore, but one that is perfectly manageable should you prefer things at a slower pace.
3. Bruges, Belgium
Another city steeped in history, Bruges gives visitors a chance to soak up the medieval ages with some of its architecture and allows relaxing trips on the water with its canals. With swathes of chocolate available, picturesque streets and a relaxing pace to life, Bruges is probably a getaway you never knew you needed until you’ve been there!
4. Florence, Italy
You might be seeing a theme here. So far, each of our recommendations is well-known for its history. Whilst not intentional, these more historic cities seem to present a more accessible and welcoming destination for the older visitor. Busy but easy to traverse, each gives plenty of opportunity for exploration, but at a pace that suits you, and Florence is no different. Crammed with Renaissance art and architecture, it soon becomes easy to stop off at one of the many piazzas or cafes for a break and just admire what is around you. Compliment this with the legendary Italian food, and you might find you don’t want to move for hours as you marvel at the sights and the cuisine.
Once you’ve people watched and filled up on a daily dose of pasta, visit the Duomo and Uffizi gallery to see two Florence highlights you won’t want to miss.
5. Quebec, Canada
Going a little further afield now, a trip to Quebec in Canada fuses a perfect mix of French charm with North American comforts. The Old Town makes for a nice walk and social hub with restaurants aplenty. Couple these with the assortment of tours on offer, and you can spend a whole day just in this section of the city alone!
6. Kyoto, Japan
Who would have ever thought Japan would be on a list for city breaks? Well, Kyoto deserves its spot. Serene temples, a calming, zen-like atmosphere, and beautiful traditional gardens make this Japanese city ideal for those wanting to experience the country without the hectic experience Tokyo provides. With tremendous hospitality, you’ll feel extremely welcome, and thanks to the incredible transport system, you can explore all areas of the city safely, quickly, and reliably.
Top tips for over 60s to consider when booking a city break
Now we know age is just a number. What appeals to some is too slow-paced for others, and what seems gentle to many could be way too extreme for a few! As a result, our choices were based on giving the easiest, most tranquil, stress-free city break experience.
Plenty of other city breaks for the over 60s are available that immerse you in the hustle and bustle of busier and more intense city life. We’ll list a few of those further down the page. For now, though, we’ll list some of the common things to consider if planning a city break when you’re over 60 and want something on the quieter side.
Think about accessibility
Look at cities that provide reliable and affordable public transport. Most cities offer multi-day tickets that work out cheap and allow access to trains, buses and trams all day long.
Should you still be planning to get the steps in, look for places where the general landscape is relatively flat or only has gentle slopes.
Factor in the weather
Some cities have vastly different climates from what you may be used to, and this could be detrimental to your health if not checked in advance. Avoid extreme heat and extreme cold, searching out a place where the weather is not likely to be energy-sapping or injury-causing. Spring and Autumn can often be good for this.
Stay central
Of course, you may wish to explore further afield, and that is what the public transport is for. However, your base should be central to keep long-distance walking minimal. Think about the attractions you may wish to visit, proximity to public transport and whether the accommodation has suitable accessibility needs.
Remember insurance
Over 60 travel insurance is essential. You’ll have full protection against high medical expenses that could quickly accumulate should you have a hospital stay or other type of medical emergency. See that it covers pre-existing medical conditions as well as medical emergencies abroad for comprehensive coverage.
In addition, you’ll certainly want it to protect you from your trip being cancelled or delayed. Shop around for suitable quotes and then see what aligns with your needs most.
Plan the trip in advance
Giving yourself an itinerary will help you manage the pace of the trip. Consider 1-2 sightseeing trips per day and take advantage of specialist tours where available. These will be factored around visitor comfort and save you spending time hunting for the places you want to visit.
Should you do all the exploring yourself, schedule rest stops for lunch, a drink or just to people watch too. This not only lets you regroup and get some rest but also allows you to just sit back and admire the city.
A city break can be a great way to enjoy your spare time. Consider the six cities we picked and start enjoying all that retirement has to offer!
