Are you a spontaneous person who likes to go on random holidays? The best short haul flights from UK are great for people looking forward to enjoying every moment of their lives. There are many nearby destinations within or beyond Europe where UK crowds prefer visiting for holidays. If you are a practical planner who prefers precise planning, finding short-haul flights is not challenging.
There are lots of amazing places ideal for finding short haul flights from Manchester or anywhere in the UK. The destinations feature unlimited fun and breathtaking adventures. Also, they are great to enjoy holidays somewhere nice during a long weekend. You can consider going there with family or friends. The destinations are appropriate for family holidays, group holidays, romantic getaways, or solo trips.
If you wish to find out what these destinations are, read the blog. The blog is all about destinations with the best short haul flights from UK ideal for short holidays. So, let’s get started and find out where you can go.
Destinations with 1 Hour Short Haul Flights from UK

Here are the top destinations for the best short haul flights from UK within an hour's distance:
- Paris, France - The flight from the UK to Paris takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Consider booking from airlines that provide direct flights from the UK to Paris. British Airways, Air France, EasyJet, KLM, and more provide direct flights.
- Amsterdam, Netherlands - You can easily reach from the UK to Amsterdam within 1 hour and 15 minutes. Book direct flights with British Airways, EasyJet, KLM, SWISS, Vueling, Rayniar, and other leading airlines.
- Brussels, Belgium - It is just an hour's flight from the UK to Brussels. Some airlines providing direct flights from the UK are Brussels Airlines, British Airways, and EasyJet.
Destinations with Best 2 Hour Flights from UK

Top places with 2 hours flight distance from the UK are:
- Rome, Italy - A direct flight from the UK to Rome can take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Book direct flights to Rome with Ryanair, British Airways, easyJet, ITA Airways, Wizz Air, and Vueling.
- Barcelona, Spain - Fly from the UK to Barcelona within a couple of hours and enjoy your short holiday. British Airways, Ryanair, KLM, and more are some airlines offering direct flights from the UK.
- Lisbon, Portugal - You can easily fly from the UK to Lisbon within 2 hours. British Airways, Ryanair, TAP Portugal, EasyJet, Jet2, and Wizz Air UK are some top choices for direct flights.
Destinations with 3 Hour Flights from UK

Popular destinations to book the best short haul flights from UK are:
- Athens, Greece - Catch a direct flight from the UK to Athens on a leading airline and reach within a few hours. Direct flights take around 3 hours and 30 minutes. SKY Express, British Airways, Aegean, easyJet, Wizz Air, and Ryanair are some top choices to consider.
- Istanbul, Turkey - The average time to reach Istanbul from the UK will be somewhere around 3 hours and 50 minutes. Turkish Airlines and British Airways are the leading airlines with direct flight options.
- Marrakech, Morocco - Reaching from the UK to Marrakech is possible in 3 hours if you opt for a direct flight. Catch direct flights with reputed airlines like Wizz Air, EasyJet, Jet2, and Ryanair.
Destinations with 4 Hour Flights from UK

Nearby destinations to pick short-haul flights are:
- Dubrovnik, Croatia - Dubrovnik is a great place to reach within 4 hours. In fact, some direct flights can even take you there in two and a half hours. TUI, British Airways, Jet2, Ryanair, Croatia Airlines, and more are great for direct flight options.
- Paphos, Cyprus - Reach Paphos in not more than 4 hours and 20 minutes. Get direct flights from the UK to Paphos from Jet2, Ryanair, EasyJet, and other airlines.
- Sal, Cape Verde - If you wish to travel beyond Europe but don’t want to spend much time travelling, fly to Sal. It is a great destination to pick up and reach between 4 to 6 hours, depending on the flight. TUI offers direct flights from the UK to Sal.
Best Short Haul Flights from UK Destinations
There are many destinations where UK people consider going on short breaks. These destinations can make booking the best short haul flights from UK quite convenient. Moreover, the short distance makes reaching there possible promptly. The destination does not require you to spend an entire day at an airport or on a long flight.
You don’t have to go through all the jet lag troubles because the flight duration is not long. In fact, you can reach there within a few hours. This is the best thing about the destinations with the best short haul flights from UK. Therefore, let’s find out the destinations where you can go for short breaks.
1. Paris, France

The world’s most romantic city is just at a distance of an hour. You can easily find 1 hour short haul flights from UK and explore the amazing beauty of this gorgeous city. “Love is in the air” is the best phrase that goes with Paris. The town is ideal for a romantic getaway and has many world-renowned tourist attractions. The Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, the Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and more are some iconic attractions. Take a walking tour of the city and wander through its amazing culture, art, architecture, cuisine, and whatnot. Relish the heavenly French gourmet delicacies prepared by Michelin Star chefs.
2. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is one of the best destinations to find the best short haul flights from UK. Most people from the UK consider visiting Amsterdam for short breaks during a long weekend. The city is quite walkable and you can cover most parts of the city on foot. You can also opt for bike rides that make city exploration quite fun. Take a tour of Anne Frank’s house, Royal Palace, 9 Street, and other landmark sites of Amsterdam. In addition, museums like the Van Gogh Museum, Tulip Museum, Amsterdam Museum, Rembrandt House Museum, and more are worth exploring. Hop on the city canal cruise and stroll through the legendary UNESCO canals of Amsterdam.
3. Brussels, Belgium

Brussels is among the top destinations to find short haul flights from Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, or anywhere in the UK. A long weekend will be sufficient to explore all the important landmarks of the city. The architecture, history, and culture will fascinate you. You can explore some of the hidden gems of the city. Many main attractions are aligned within walking distance. Therefore, you can explore them on the same day. The Grand Palace is a UNESCO-listed site which is one of the top attractions in Brussels. Grab the taste of the world-famous Belgian chocolates.
4. Rome, Italy

Rome is an iconic city and is quite perfect for finding the best short haul flights from UK. There are tons of historical landmarks in the city that are worth exploring. Rome is a hub for rich ancient history and cultural attractions. You will find here the Colosseum, Castel Sant’Angelo, Campo de Fiori, Sistine Chapel, Galleria Borghese, and other ancient ruins. Other than history and historical landmarks, Rome has many restaurants keeping the Italian heritage alive. Italian cuisine is the most celebrated cuisine in the world. Tasting the authentic flavours of dishes like pasta, pizza, gelato, and more will make your holidays a success.
5. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is one of the top choices for the UK crowds to enjoy the holidays. People opt for this city as finding the best 2 hour flights from UK are quite convenient. Barcelona is an ultimate destination full of beach adventures, exploration, feasts, shopping, and nightlife. It is perfect for relaxing under the sun and enjoying the white sandy beaches. You can enjoy a great time with your family and friends in this family-friendly holiday destination. Additionally, Barcelona has many iconic landmarks like Casa Batlló, Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, Park Güell, and more. Overall, it is the ultimate destination to enjoy art, culture, architecture, and a world-class shopping experience.
Read Also: Family Friendly Beach Holidays in Europe
6. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is an excellent destination for enjoying unforgettable holidays. You can easily find the best short haul flights from UK that will take you to a pleasant destination. The city has a historic charm that makes exploring the top attractions quite a beautiful experience. You can explore the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém, Castelo de São Jorge, and ancient neighbourhoods. Other than history and historical landmarks, Lisbon has many beaches where you can enjoy a peaceful environment.
7. Athens, Greece

Athens is one of the top places where you can enjoy an ultimate holiday experience, that too, on a weekend. It is only about boarding 3 hour flights from UK and you will end up landing in a dreamy destination. Athens has gorgeous beaches, stunning landscapes, ancient ruins, historical and modern attractions, etc., that make your holidays a fascinating experience. The Mediterranean weather will make your holidays enjoyable in the warm environment. The Acropolis of Athens, a hilltop citadel, is a great place to discover the city’s beauty.
8. Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is one of the finest destinations to go on short-haul breaks from the UK. Going for a holiday in this gorgeous city is opting for a journey where history and culture meet. A long weekend break will do justice to your holiday plan when it comes to exploring the city. You can visit the iconic historical landmarks of Istanbul. Try visiting the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Maiden’s Tower, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower, and more. Other than monuments, the ancient marketplaces are also interesting. Explore the bazaars to discover the handmade art, jewellery, and more, crafts by the local artisans.
9. Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech is a great holiday destination for short-haul UK breaks. The city is quite vibrant and is standing at the melting point of history and luxury. You will be mesmerised by the beauty of the town. Marrakech has many historical mosques, palaces, and museums where you will find a historic charm and compelling architecture. Jardin Majorelle, Koutoubia Mosque, Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, Riad Museum, Musee Yves Saint Laurent, etcetera are some places to explore. You can also seek pleasure in the luxury spas, traditional hammams, ancient markets, culinary delights, and whatnot.
10. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is a nice holiday destination to enjoy family holidays. The vibrant beaches and historic sites are perfect for enjoying the city. Dubrovnik has a Mediterranean climate, ensuring a laid back environment throughout your holidays. You can relax under the sun on some of the best beaches in Europe. Also, the Old Town is a highly recommended place to explore. This entire town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring charming streets, squares, and other landmarks of the city. Take a cable car ride to climb Mount Srđ and enjoy the panoramic views from there.
11. Paphos, Cyprus

If you are looking for the best short haul flights from UK to somewhere besides Europe, pick Paphos. The city is a great blend of sunny beaches, historical landmarks, and adventurous activities. It is just a matter of 4 hour flights from UK and you will reach this amazing destination. The sun-kissing beaches are great for relaxing and trying water sports. Take a boat trip to Blue Lagoon and hike on the trails of Troodos Mountain. Also explore the Tombs of the Kings, Paphos Castle, Saint Paul’s Pillar, Panagia Chrysopolitissa Church, Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa, etc. Overall, Paphos is an excellent place to go on family holidays.
12. Sal, Cape Verde

Sal is a gorgeous island on Cape Verde and is an ultimate destination close to the UK. The white sandy beaches are surrounded by turquoise waters and make this destination look beyond fascinating. Diving, snorkelling, and other water sports are some of the popular family activities here. You must explore the cobblestone streets, colourful houses, and tranquil bay area of Palmeira. Book the best short haul flights from Manchester or anywhere in the UK and explore this amazing island.
Conclusion:
In the end, finding the best short haul flights from UK is not challenging, neither is picking the destinations. You just have to ensure that when looking for the best nearby destination, you have checked the availability of flights. Opting for direct flights is the best way to eliminate unnecessary travel time, especially if you have a limited time. Just pick a nearby destination that requires less time to travel and enjoy your long weekends or extended holidays.