Not too big, not too small, but just right. That’s what you want out of a 48-hour city break. Enough to see and do without feeling overwhelmed or having to cover miles and miles each day. Here’s our pick of the top 15 European cities for your next trip – all of which meet that Goldilocks standard.

Spread out across a peninsula, Zadar’s old town is almost entirely pedestrianised. The gleaming white marble streets are perfect for slow-paced sightseeing. Climb the bell tower of St Anastasia’s Cathedral and test out the acoustics in 9th-century St Donatus next door. After the first of many coffee stops, wander the remains of the Roman forum and head to the waterfront.

Zadar is famous for its sunsets. After dining on hearty Dalmatian stew or fresh seafood, make for the tip of the peninsula for the best views. Unique art installations provide a spellbinding light and sound show. Water lapping in and out of pipes set within the promenade’s stone steps produces the hypnotic melody of the Sea Organ. Nearby, the solar-powered Greeting to the Sun generates a similarly mesmerising sequence of coloured lights.

Fair Verona attracts its fair share of tourists – lovestruck couples and teenage tour groups flock to Casa di Giulietta to re-enact scenes from Romeo and Juliet. But it’s nowhere near as swamped as nearby Venice. The UNESCO-listed old town is a maze of narrow medieval lanes and pleasant piazzas, without too many crowds. Cars and buses are banned from this central area, making peaceful pottering all the more enjoyable.

Verona is home to magnificent Renaissance churches, the striking medieval fortress (with surprisingly modern interior) of Castelvecchio, and plenty of rich risotto and polenta dishes. Wind up your weekend sipping Veneto wines in a cellar bar.

For a dose of Scandi cool, book a weekend in Gothenburg. A city at the water’s edge, it's perfect for exploring on foot or by bike. You can also make use of the reliable tram network, stepping back in time on one of the vintage trams with their smooth polished wood interiors.

Make time each day for the Swedish institution of fika – coffee and a sweet treat. The Haga neighbourhood (pictured) boasts some of the best cinnamon buns. From cafés and craft beer bars to market stall finds and Michelin-starred feasts, Gothenburg has it covered. Work off your meals on a kayaking trip or jump on a ferry for some breathtaking city views. The nautical theme continues at the waterfront Maritime Museum and Aquarium or head for the log flume ride at the traditional amusement park, Liseberg.

In Ljubljana, you’ll find a green city with a car-free centre, weeping willow-lined riverbanks and elegant outside spaces, such as Tivoli Park. The bijou Slovenian capital is made for a laid-back weekend. Get to know it on foot or by bike, admiring the riverside views, pretty bridges and pastel-hued buildings en route.

Take the winding road through the woods to the city’s hilltop castle. The view from the clock tower stretches from the terracotta roofs of the old town right up to the Kamniške Alps. It’s not far from Ljubljana to fairy tale Lake Bled or quieter Lake Bohinj, but the city has plenty to amuse you. Interrupt the café-hopping with a dash of museum-going, at the Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery or the Museum of Contemporary History.

Walkable and affordable – Porto has the two key ingredients for a satisfying 48-hour city break. The atmospheric cobbled backstreets beg to be explored. You’ll stumble upon striking street art and a thriving creative scene around Rua de Miguel Bombarda. Other sights include the soaring Torre de Clérigos church, the lively Mercado de Bolhão and minimalist masterpiece, the Museu de Arte Contemporânea.

Porto’s superb and great-value riverside restaurants, bustling cafés and hip bars will vie for your attention. There’s an innovative dining scene, with Michelin-starred establishments and traditional outlets serving their take on fresh seafood and hearty steak dishes. Don’t miss a visit by cable car to the city’s renowned port wine lodges.

The Lithuanian capital scrubs up very well. Baroque splendour, spotless streets, café culture and fine dining – there’s a great mix of sights and experiences for a less obvious city break. Vilnius wows with its UNESCO-listed old town, a web of cobbled streets dotted with Baroque churches and bustling university buildings. By contrast, the central expanse of Cathedral Square is bright and airy, as is the interior of the Neoclassical cathedral.

After the grace and grandeur of the city’s churches, visit the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights for a sombre but essential lesson in the country’s appalling suffering under Nazi and Soviet rule. Today however, Vilnius feels positive and cosmopolitan. Many of its restaurants have been influenced by New Nordic cuisine, embracing local, seasonal ingredients and experimental techniques. Carefully devised, reasonably priced tasting menus often feature local staples such as beetroot, mushrooms and buckwheat, beautifully presented.

While famous for its fiestas – Semana Santa and the Feria de Abril in April and May respectively – Seville has high spirits all year round. The city's famous features need no introduction: flamenco, tapas and orange trees. Graze on a steady supply of small plates and Andalucian reds, whites and sherries. Come evening, seek out a flamenco club to witness this powerful, centuries-old tradition.

In the heart of the old town, you’ll find the city’s key monuments. La Giralda, the bell tower of the cathedral, has long been a symbol of the city and represents its multilayered history. Originally a minaret for the mosque below, it was later adapted for Christian worship. Similarly, the palace complex of the Alcázar (pictured) is a breathtaking combination of Christian and Mudéjar architecture.

Not only compact, Copenhagen is ridiculously easy to get to know – once you get on a bike, that is. Cycle lanes wind past the royal castle, Tivoli Gardens, the sleek opera house and the brightly coloured 18th-century houses of Nyhavn (‘new harbour’), to name but a few. Sightseeing on two wheels is delightfully simple and makes you feel like a local.

You could skip the sights altogether and still find ample excuses for whiling away a weekend. A dip in the open-air harbour pool – why not? Reward your efforts with a leisurely shop for designer souvenirs, a mouthwatering mooch around Refshaløen's street food market, and a beer or two in the Meatpacking District of Vesterbro. After all that you may better understand why Copenhagen’s residents are regularly named the world’s happiest.

Step into a period drama – Roman or Regency – in elegant Bath. Swoon over dappled sunlight on the honey-coloured stone or the splendid sweep of the Georgian Royal Crescent. From the Jane Austen Centre and the Roman Baths to the yearly fringe festival, this small city has a host of attractions, all within easy walking distance of each other.

There’s a great choice of places to stay, too, from grand hotels to boutique B&Bs. Try a sugary Bath bun from a traditional bakery, wander round the Saturday farmers' market, and later drink the night away in one of the city’s much-loved pubs. Having packed in the sights on day one, you’ll have the next day clear to wallow in the waters at the luxurious Thermae Bath Spa.

Southwestern Poland’s Wrocław (pronounced vrots-wahf) may not roll off the tongue or be top of your Eastern European list, but give it a go. With all the charm of Kraków, but attracting far fewer tourists, it’s a dynamic place with an intriguing mishmash of historical and cultural influences. The central market square, Rynek (pictured), is a wonder to behold – a cobbled expanse lined with fine merchants’ houses and cafés, shops and restaurants aplenty.

Get to know the city with some small-scale sightseeing: there are more than 100 dwarf statues dotted around the place, from a reclining figure near the main square to a ballerina at the Opera House. These little figures are linked to an underground anti-communist movement with roots in Wrocław. Head on for a stroll along the banks of the river Odra and a wander across to its small islands. Linked by pretty bridges, they're perfect for lounging.

You can cross the near-perfectly preserved medieval centre of Bruges in just half an hour. Not that you’ll be watching the clock. Despite its small size, Bruges is packed with things to see, from Gothic churches and lace manufacturing centres to outstanding collections of Flemish art. There’s also window-shopping and unsurpassed chocolate tasting to indulge in.

Come out of season in mid-autumn and midweek to avoid the international hordes. Then you’ll discover Bruges at its charming best. Take in the gabled houses and arching footbridges from a relaxing canal tour. Pick a waterside café or head to the main cobbled square, the Markt. Tuck into mussels and frites and a lip-smacking Belgian beer in view – or earshot – of the towering, floodlit belfry (pictured).

The grand Austrian capital is a good bet at any time of the year. The sheer number of attractions – from the Old Masters in the Kunsthistorishces Museum collection to the Hapsburg crown jewels – means you’re spoiled for choice, whether it’s your first or fifth visit. Sightseeing is straightforward with the Innere Stadt, or historical centre, less than a mile wide.

Book ahead to catch a concert in the City of Music – outstanding venues include the opulent Staatsoper opera house and the Art Nouveau Konzerthaus. Imperial palaces, world-class museums and music aside, spend at least one afternoon lingering over coffee and cake. An indulgent Viennese ritual, Kaffee und Kuchen is best enjoyed at one of the traditional coffee houses such as Café Central (pictured).

Conveniently split into two halves – Buda and Pest, on opposite sides of the Danube – the Hungarian capital makes itinerary-planning easy. Get an overview of the whole city by riding the Sikló (funicular railway) up to the Vár on the hilly Buda side. A UNESCO Heritage Site, the Castle District is home to some of Budapest’s treasures, including the walled Old Town, Buda Palace and the flamboyant Mátyás Church.

Start your second day with a wander round Pest. At the heart of the buzzing Jewish quarter is the immense Great Synagogue, the largest in the world after New York City’s. In the splendid City Park, you’ll find the popular Széchenyi Baths (pictured). Rest weary legs, admire the mosaics and re-energise for an evening of bar-hopping and a meal in one of Budapest’s new wave of restaurants, including four with Michelin stars.

Once capital of the Kingdom of Mallorca, Perpignan is now first city of Pyrénées-Orientales, the southernmost département of France. Intense sun, palm-shaded squares and brightly coloured buildings, not to mention the sounds and flavours of Catalan, are reminders of Spain’s proximity. Perpignan is just over 20 miles from the Spanish border and – when you need relief from the sun – less than 10 from the coast.

Aim for an early autumn visit to avoid the crowds and the overpowering summer sun. Wander the twisting turns of the old town and you’ll find the red-brick gate Le Castillet, all that remains of the city’s defensive walls. Among a handful of interesting churches, as well as France’s oldest royal palace, the imposing Gothic Cathédrale St-Jean dominates. Stick to the old town for a delicious taste of Catalan – expect garlic, olive oil, anchovies and hearty meat dishes.

Scotland’s second city may be large, but its grid system makes for easy navigation. Glasgow is booming, with cutting-edge architecture, fascinating museums, tempting shops, and acres of green space. Take Kelvingrove, a huge park that also houses the Kelvingrove Art Gallery (pictured). Its extravagant exterior couldn’t be more different from Zaha Hadid Architects’ zig-zagging Riverside Museum of Transport, but its teeming collections will have you hooked.

Stay down by the River Clyde for a slice of the action. Both banks have seen major regeneration projects. As well as the Riverside Museum (pictured), there’s the family-friendly Glasgow Science Centre. Work up an appetite before choosing between the city’s wealth of restaurants. From scrumptious fresh fish and traditional-with-a-twist, the gastro scene is thriving – a couple to try include the Big Feed indoor street market and modern masters Ox and Finch.