Spring Bank Holiday weekend breaks: Explore package holidays from London Southend Airport
Destinations
Some journeys take a lifetime. These don’t.
The May Bank Holiday is all about getting somewhere quickly and making it count – think seaside swims, late dinners and a much-needed change of scenery. If you’re planning a bank holiday break, these destinations from London Southend Airport are ready to go.
This guide highlights eight destinations from London Southend Airport that are perfect for a three-day bank holiday escape, each offering quick, high-impact experiences. From Dalaman’s turquoise coast and Marrakech’s spice-filled souks to Ibiza’s nightlife and Geneva’s mountain scenery, it focuses on the places that deliver immediately.
Dalaman
For boat days, loggerhead turtles, and Turkish Riviera heat.
Dalaman is the gateway to Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. Trust us, it lives up to the name. Explore the Göcek Islands, a cluster of bays and pine-covered coves practically made for swimming, or head down to Iztuzu Beach, a long sandy shoreline known for its loggerhead turtles and shallow water.
There’s plenty to do beyond the beach days. Uncover Kaunos, an ancient riverside city with ruins and rock tombs carved into the cliffs. Kick back at the resorts of Fethiye and Marmaris and enjoy marina-side restaurants with grilled seafood, Turkish mezze and late drinks by the water.
Flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Ibiza
For sunbathing, sunset drinks, and big-night-out energy.
Ibiza is built for long days that roll straight into late nights. Playa d’en Bossa is one of the island’s most famous nightlife areas, with beach clubs, bars and superclubs close to the sand, while San Antonio is ideal for sunset drinks on the waterfront.
Away from the party spots, Ibiza Town gives you Dalt Vila – the island’s fortified old town – with steep streets, stone walls and views over the harbour. Santa Eulària offers a calmer base with a palm-lined promenade, cafés and beaches made for slower mornings – so you can get ready to start all over again.
Flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Marrakech
For souks, spice stalls, and rooftop mint tea.
Marrakech comes to life in the Medina, the old walled city where narrow lanes are packed with souks selling everything from ceramics to spices. The Koutoubia Mosque rises above the skyline, while Ben Youssef Madrasa – a historic Islamic college – is known for its carved plasterwork, tiled courtyards and quiet corners away from the noise.
For a calmer stop, Jardin Majorelle is filled with palms, cobalt-blue buildings and shaded paths. After dark, Djemaa el-Fna, the city’s famous main square, fills with food stalls, music and crowds, making it perfect for an atmospheric evening.
Flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
- Find out how to spend a long weekend in Marrakech, Morocco
- Explore easyJet Marrakech holidays packages
Pisa
For iconic architecture, Tuscan cuisine, and riverside red wine.
Don’t kid yourself. You’re going to get the photo. The Leaning Tower stands in Piazza dei Miracoli alongside the cathedral and baptistery, so you can snap that picture-perfect shot, have an explore, and then move on to the rest of the city without pretending you weren’t excited about it.
Away from the tower, Borgo Stretto is a café-lined street with arches and shops, while the Arno river cuts through the centre for easy walks and evening views. The food is hard to beat: Tuscan trattorias, pasta, gelato, and local wine. What could be better?
Flights on Mondays and Fridays.
Malta
For golden streets, ancient ruins, and blue lagoons.
Valletta, the Maltese capital, is all honey-coloured buildings, balconies and harbour views that make you stop mid-step just to take it in. Ferries cut across the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities – a cluster of quieter, lived-in harbour towns where you’ll find waterfront restaurants and slower, more local streets to mosey down. Then there’s Mdina, the island’s fortified “silent city”, a traffic-free medieval town with views right across the island.
Out on the coast, things shift again. Golden Bay is the go-to for an easy beach day, Marsaxlokk – a traditional fishing village – is full of colourful boats and seafood lunches by the water, and the Blue Lagoon on Comino is exactly what it sounds like: bright, clear, almost unreal blue water. Lovely!
Flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Palma de Mallorca
For tapas bars, sunset strolls, and marina margaritas.
Palma’s all about warm air, busy terraces and waterfronts that pull you straight into holiday mode. Bars and restaurants fill up quickly around the marina – but relax, you’ve got all day. People drift between shaded tables, order something cold, and stay longer than planned.
The beach sits just outside the city centre, giving you a long stretch of sand and easy sea access whenever you want it. Back in town, La Lonja is where things pick up – a tight grid of streets packed with tapas bars, restaurants and cocktail spots, busy from early evening through to the early hours of the morning.
Up to daily flights.
Barcelona
For bold buildings, busy markets, and buzzing bars.
Barcelona drops you straight in. The Sagrada Família – a huge, still-unfinished church with ornate, sculpted spires – towers above the skyline, while Park Güell, a hilltop park filled with colourful mosaics and curved, almost surreal structures, looks out across the city.
Down at street level, La Boqueria is loud, fast and packed with street food stalls. El Born, a neighbourhood of small bars and independent spots, fills up as the evening builds, while the Gothic Quarter is a maze of narrow streets where one stop easily turns into three without much effort. When you need a reset, Barceloneta gives you a city beach within easy reach.
Flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Geneva
For fondue, fresh air, and flawless views.
Geneva sits right on the edge of Lake (you guessed it) Geneva, where the water is clear, the air feels fresh and the mountains line the horizon. The Jet d’Eau – a huge fountain that shoots water high into the sky from the lake – can be seen across the city, while the Old Town climbs above it with narrow streets, cafés and viewpoints over the water.
Then you look up. Mont Salève – the mountain just across the French border – is reached by a short cable car ride just outside the city, taking you from ground level to open hillside in minutes. At the top, you’re looking straight back across Lake Geneva, the city below and the Alps beyond, all in one sweep. Picture-perfect.
Flights on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Make your bank holidays work harder
Three days, plenty of options, and no need to overthink it. For more ideas on how to spend your long weekends, take a look at our weekend escapes.
Book a holiday from London Southend Airport and turn your long weekend into unforgettable memories.
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